What are the most spectacular roads in the USA?

Located in North America, the USA is a true paradise for drivers, as it hosts more than 2,000 roads listed as the most spectacular in the world.

Featuring mountains, deserts, coasts, and snow, in the USA you’ll get your dream road. And you’ll never want to wake up. For instance, at the top of your list, you need to drive the Million Dollar Highway, the most beautiful road in America, and probably in the world. Built in the late 1880s, you'll be on the "outside" for a while with a hell of a view to your right (let the passenger enjoy the view; you'll want to watch the road). Another paved option must be the Iron Mountain Road, featuring 17 miles, 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtails, and 3 tunnels in the Black Hills of South Dakota. No list would be complete without the winding Tail of the Dragon: 318 curves in 11 miles. Spanning Tennessee and North Carolina, it is one of the most scenic drives in the USA. You also can’t skip driving Mount Evans Scenic Byway, the highest paved road in North America, climbing up to 4,310m (14,130ft) in Colorado. It is said to be the highest paved road in North America.

For those who prefer unpaved experiences, the country hosts some of the most defiant yet scenic roads in the world. You can’t miss Black Bear Pass, a high mountain adventure in the Colorado Rockies. Climbing up to 3,915m (12,844ft) above sea level, it's one of the highest roads in Colorado. You can also discover the beauty of Engineer Pass, a mountain pass at an elevation of 3,901m (12,800ft) above sea level in Colorado. It’s mostly a first-gear ride because the road is rough and rocky. The legendary Shafer Trail Road in Utah's Canyonlands National Park is an iconic drive located on the east-central edge of Utah. At times, the road is so narrow that only one car can pass. And Lippincott Mine Road in California is for experienced 4WD drivers using high-clearance vehicles only. You'll need a good map, as the routes are not marked and there are no signs. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Route 66, an iconic American highway, stretches over two thousand miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, representing the heart of the United States. It’s known as The mother of all rides.

Leslie Gulch is a very scenic canyon with breathtaking rock formations located in Malheur County, in the US state of Oregon.

Craig Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,525m (8,284ft) above sea level, located in Teton County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Located in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the Elk Ridge Road Scenic Backway runs along the edge of Dark Canyon Wilderness, just south of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. This rough dirt and gravel track is challenging and unsuitable for regular cars, especially when rutted.

Mount Harrison is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.823m (9,261ft) above sea level, located in Cassia County, in the US state of Idaho. It's one of the highest roads of Idaho.

Located at the mouth of the Mahon River, Port Mahon Road in Kent County, in the US state of Delaware, offers a drive through a coastal area perfect for wildlife enthusiasts.

Walker Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.603m (5,259ft) above the sea level, located in Kern County, in the U.S. state of California.

Warm Springs Canyon Road is a very exciting desert drive located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in the Death Valley National Park.

Located in Texas's Big Bend National Park, in the USA, the Old Ore Road offers a journey into history, tracing the path of early 20th-century mule and pack trains from Mexican mines to the Marathon railroad station. It's a primitive dirt road in the Big Bend National Park.

Sheep Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.185m (10,449ft) above sea level located in Park County, in the US state of Montana. It's one of the highest roads in Montana.

Greenie Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,432m (11,259ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the US state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico. The road provides spectacular views of snow-capped mountains.

Bodie Masonic Road is a scenic trail straddling California and Nevada in the USA. It’s one of the highest roads of California, topping out at 2.831m (9,288ft) above sea level.

Located in eastern Tennessee, in the USA, the Little River Road offers a beautiful winding drive along the Little River.

Nez Perce Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.012m (6,601ft) above sea level, located on the border of Idaho and Montana, in USA. Travel at your own risk.

Taylor Highway is a very a scenic drive running through the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area in the US state of Alaska, known for its history of gold mining.

Gray’s Peak is a high mountain peak located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. A very rough road climbs up to 3,488m (11,443ft) above sea level near the summit. The road is somewhat rough, so a 4x4 vehicle with good clearance is recommended.

Located in the western, and southwestern regions of the United States, Nevada is a land of discovery and adventure. Most of the state lies within the Great Basin of the Basin and Range region. Its name means snowy. Nevada, the 7th most extensive state, is located in a mountainous region that includes vast semiarid grasslands and sandy alkali deserts.

Hidden deep in the San Gabriel Mountains, in the US state of California, the Bridge to Nowhere is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Bannock Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.342m (7,684ft) above sea level located on the border of Montana and Idaho, in the USA.

Echo Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,255m (7,398ft) above sea level, located in El Dorado County, in the US state of California.

Stampede Trail is a remote mountain road located within the Denali National Park, in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Wheeler Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,345m (7,693ft) above sea level, located in Clark County, Nevada. The trail to the summit has rocky and eroded sections on both sides of the pass.

Columbine Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.790m (9,154ft) above sea level located in Montrose County, in the US state of Colorado.

Shoshone Lake is a high-mountain lake at an elevation of 2,901m (9,517ft) above sea level, located in Fremont County, in the US state of Wyoming.

North Carolina Highway 12 (NC 12) is a very scenic coastal route located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It’s often inundated with water and sand.

La Manga Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.124m (10,249ft) above sea level, located in Conejos County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Pu'u'ula'ula (Red Hill) is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.055m (10,023ft) above sea level, located on the Hawaiian Island of Maui.

Picket Pin Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.867m (9,046ft) above sea level located in Sweet Grass County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Conway Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.482m (8,143ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the US state of California.

Lake Urad is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.288m (10,787ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. Full size vehicles should not attempt to drive all the way, as there are a few very narrow spots.

Kingston Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.671m (12,043ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Cabresto Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.821m (9,255ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the US state of New Mexico.

Big Southern Butte is a volcanic dome cinder cone with an elevation of 2,308m (7,572ft) above sea level located in Butte County, in the US state of Idaho.

Hull Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,092m (6,863ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California.

Boulder Mountain Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,928m (9,606ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the US state of Utah.

Ephraim Canyon Road is a very scenic drive spanning Sanpete and Emery counties in the U.S. state of Utah.

Emigrant Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,674m (5,492ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. Do not attempt this climb in the summer.

Waldo Canyon Road is a short yet scenic unpaved road located in Santa Fe County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Guadalupe Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,659m (5,442ft) above sea level, located in Culberson County, in the U.S. state of Texas.

The Road to Nowhere is the humorous nickname for the Gravina Island Highway, a gravel road located in the Gravina Islands of the Alexander Archipelago in the US state of Alaska.

Milner Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.279m (10,758ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Echo Canyon Road is a very exciting drive in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Togwotee Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.920m (9,580ft) above sea level located in Teton County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Tucked away in the West Hills of Portland, in the US state of Oregon, Brynwood is said to be the steepest climb in the state. It hits a 24% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Reaching the top will leave your lungs burning.

Burro Wash Road is a scenic drive located in Clark County, in the US state of Nevada. The trail is a power line road that generally follows the Burro Wash canyon.

The Snake is an outstanding ride in the US state of Tennessee, featuring 489 curves. It's a popular route for drivers and motorcyclists due to its challenging turns and scenic views.

New Mexico State Road 126 (NM-126) is a very scenic drive located in the heart of Sandoval County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It offers breathtaking views, but the graded dirt road section can be intimidating.

Hans Flat Road is a rough unpaved track located in the heart of Wayne County, in the U.S. state of Utah. The trail is well graded and wide.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.