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.

Slide Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.390m (7,841ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, Southern California, United States.

Forest Road 196 is a high mountain road located in Duchesne County, Utah, United States. It runs entirely over 3.000m above the sea level.

James Ridge is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.625m (8,612ft) above the sea level, located in Otero County, New Mexico, in USA.

Hiking has several perks: fresh air, beautiful nature, nice views. It is believed to be beneficial for people's overall well-being and relationships.

Mature men and women from the Baby Boomer and Lucky Few generations who are back in the dating circuit may just have the greatest adventure of their life when they go travel-dating across the United States. They can go with their date from matchmaking platforms on a motorcycle, car, truck, or RV—it does not matter, really—as long as they find the time to hit some of the country’s most remarkable roads together.

Stark Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.243m (7,358ft) above the sea level, located in Mineral County, Montana, in USA.

Bertha Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.503m (8,211ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in Southern California, United States.

Forest Road 310 is a challenging mountain road located in Routt County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It runs entirely over 3.100m above the sea level.

Whether you’re sunning yourself on cliff-lined beaches, exploring redwood forests, or seeing the stars in Hollywood, a road trip in California is a fantastic way to spend your time. With so many world-class attractions and stunning natural vistas, it’s not surprising that more than 200 million people visit The Golden State each year.

Negrito Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.620m (8,595ft) above the sea level, located in Catron County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

In 2021, the state of Arizona had 5,873,322 drivers registered by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division. With approximately 62% of the state’s population consolidated in Maricopa County according to the United States Census Bureau, we wondered how safe the region’s roadways are to travel upon. Generally, areas that see the highest rates of traffic tend to have an increased number of collisions, along with more congested roadways.

Mountain Loop Highway is the name of a very scenic drive located in Snohomish County, in the US state of Washington.

Yellow Mountain North is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.538m (11,607ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, Colorado, in USA.

Squaw Peak Road is a very scenic mountainous drive in Utah County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

Located in Los Angeles County, in the U.S. state of California, Mueller Tunnel presents a significant challenge and it’s considered not entirely safe as the area is prone to rockslides and fires. Be extra cautious.

Harvey Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.238m (7,342ft) above the sea level, located in Plumas County, California, in USA.

If you have been riding your motorcycle, you know that an accident can happen anytime. To handle this, you will want to file a motorcycle accident claim. While there are many steps, here is what you should remember when filing the claim.

Francie's Cabin is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.471m (11,387ft), located in Summit County, in central Colorado, United States.

Arizona State Route 273 is a very scenic high mountain road located in Apache County, in the US state of Arizona. It’s one of the highest roads of Arizona.

Forest Road 227 is a high mountain road located in Duchesne County, Utah, United States. It runs entirely over 3.000m above the sea level.

Little Annie Road is a very scenic drive in the heart of Pitkin County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Saddle Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.526m (8,287ft) above the sea level, located in Ravalli County, in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana.

Maps are amazing and have played an integral role in human civilization for thousands of years. They include the earliest cave paintings and the real-time digital maps people use today. With maps, people can better navigate, explore, and understand their surroundings. Let’s look at 10 reasons maps are so useful.

Little Guard Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.837m (6,026ft) above the sea level, located in Shoshone County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Cedro Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.371m (7,778ft) above the sea level, located in Bernalillo County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

For the vast majority of drivers, the idea of roadway safety is not their primary concern. Fortunately, there are city officials, state agencies, federal regulators, and multiple layers of law enforcement personnel who are charged with making sure streets, roads, and highways are as safe as possible. They accomplish this enormous task in a number of ways.

Monument Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.185m (10,449ft) above the sea level, located in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Utah. 

As a new visitor in the United States, it is definite that you must have had plans of what to do when you get to the United States before even traveling to the country. Visitors have prioritized education and employment over every other thing that visitors can do in the United States.

Castle Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.420m (7,939ft) above the sea level, located in Nevada County, in the U.S. state of California.

Walnut Canyon Desert Drive is a scenic drive through the Chihuahuan Desert located in Eddy County in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Round Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.424m (11,233ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, Colorado, United States.

State Route 17 is a very scenic drive in the central part of the US state of Maine. It’s the highest paved road in Maine.

Nolina Peak is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.496m (4,908ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Mill Creek Road (FSR 710) is a high mountain gravel road located in Eagle County, Colorado, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado climbing up to 3.607m (11,833ft) above the sea level.

Tamarisk Road is a scenic sandy road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada, on the shore of Lake Mohave. It’s a stock friendly track but you’ll want four wheel drive and tires that have some gripping power in the sand.

Every state has laws that express that it is a crime for anyone driving a vehicle to do so while impaired by alcohol or any other drugs, including prescription medications. And, if you are arrested while driving under the influence and convicted, you will receive a criminal sentence.

Georgia is a stunning state with many gorgeous drives that will deepen your appreciation. This state offers something for everyone, from the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains to the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Forest OHV Trail 33089 is a very scenic high mountain road located in Garfield County, in Utah, in the westcentral region of the United States of America.

Modjeska Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.680m (5,511ft) above the sea level, located in Orange County, in the U.S. state of California.

Bear Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 3.202m (10,505ft) above the sea level, located in Huerfano County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Sterling Highway is a very scenic drive located in the south-central region of the U.S. state of Alaska, Opened in the fall of 1950, the drive runs through the western side of the Kenai Peninsula.

KHIW-FM Essex is a radio station at an elevation of 1.097m (3,599ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California.

The San Andreas Fault, a geological marvel dividing California, offers unique insights into Earth's dynamics. Comprising the Southern, Central, and North segments, it beckons adventurers to witness its influence on the landscape.

Located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada, Cottonwood Cove Road is a very scenic drive leading to Cottonwood Cove Marina and Six Mile Cove.

Dog Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.112m (6,929ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, Oregon, in USA.

Forest Road 1877 is a high mountain road located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Temple Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.746m (9,009ft) above the sea level, located in Cache County, on the northern edge of Utah, United States.

White Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.010m (3,313ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Alaska, near the Canadian border.

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.