What are the most spectacular roads in the USA?

The vast expanse of the USA, stretching from the amber waves of grain to the majestic purple mountain majesties, boasts a network of roads that are as diverse as the nation's tapestry of cultures. One such road, the Million Dollar Highway, is often touted as America's crown jewel of roadways, leading adventurers through awe-inspiring terrains and offering unparalleled vistas. Further north, the Iron Mountain Road, with its dizzying 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtails, and 3 tunnels, stands as a testament to man's desire to conquer nature, providing a thrilling drive that's not for the faint-hearted.

Journey to Colorado, and you'll find yourself face to face with the infamous Black Bear Pass - a road that promises not just breathtaking beauty, but also adrenaline-pumping excitement. For the off-road enthusiasts, Engineer Pass offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with Colorado's high mountain terrains, challenging drivers to push their limits amidst staggering beauty. Not to be outdone, Utah’s Canyonlands beckons with the Shafer Trail Road, an iconic route that cuts through the heart of some of the most stunning canyons, making you feel like you're driving through the very pages of history.

In the USA, each road is a journey, an exploration, a challenge, and a story. They are gateways to discovering the grandeur of the nation, to feeling the pulse of its land, and to embracing the spirit of adventure that is quintessentially American. Whether bathed in the golden hues of sunrise or shrouded in the mysteries of twilight, these roads promise experiences that linger long after the journey's end.

Yaqui Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 526m (1.725ft) above the sea level, located in San Diego County, California, in USA.

Battle Ax Road is a primitive dirt road located approximately 45 miles southeast of Mesa and about seven miles south of Superior, Arizona, in Pinal County, USA. The road leads to the White Canyon Wilderness area.

Nuiqsut is a small village located on the Colville River Delta, 35 miles from the Beaufort Sea, in North Slope Borough, Alaska, United States. It is said to be the most northern town with road access. The town is accessible 4 months out of the year, January through April, via an ice road.

El Camino del Diablo ("The Devil's Highway") is a very exciting and historic journey through the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, USA along the Mexican border. This is not a trip to take in the summer. This is a trip for those well experienced in back country travel only.

Dunckley Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.982m (9,783ft) above the sea level, located in Rio Blanco County, in Northwest Colorado, USA.

Lake Como is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.755m (12,319ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Mount Pisgah is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.173m (10,410ft) above the sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Brian Head Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.450m (11,318ft) above the sea level, located in Iron County, in southwestern Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Mosca Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.007m (9,865ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Huerfano, Saguache and Alamosa counties, in south central Colorado, USA.

Hidden Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.344m (10,971ft) above the sea level, located in Salt Lake County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’sone of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

Located in Mariposa County, California, in USA, the one-lane-metal-and-wood bridge over the Merced River is one of the most spectacular bridges of the world.

The road from Goffs to Ivanpah is a very scenic drive located in the Lanfair Valley, in the Mojave Desert in southeastern California near the Nevada state line.

Richmond Hill Road is a high mountain road located in Pitkin County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado topping out at 3.738m (12,265ft) above the sea level. The drive stays high in elevation throughout the trip. The road is steep in places.

Calispell Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.090m (6,856ft) above the sea level, located in Stevens County, in northeastern Washington State, USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington.

Cayuse Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.425m (4,675ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Pierce and Yakima counties, in the US state of Washington.

Located in Grand County, on the east central edge of Utah, United States, Hell's Revenge Trail is a roller coaster ride across slickrock fins. This may be the most popular trail in Moab.

Bull Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.206m (10,518ft) above the sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

Hanaupah Canyon Road is a very exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California.The first five miles is accessible via two-wheel drive and high clearance vehicles. Park at the five miles marker or continue with four-wheel drive vehicles only another three miles to the road end. 

Wind River Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.790m (9,150ft) above the sea level, located in Larimer County, in northern Colorado, in USA.

Trail Canyon Road is a very exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in the Death Valley National Park.

Kite Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.671m (12,043ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, Colorado, in USA. The road, with amazing views, should open by early June each year. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

17-Mile Drive is a scenic road along a romantic stretch of coastline going through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove in Monterey County, on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California.

Red Rock Canyon Loop is a very scenic road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Eagle Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.281m (7,484ft) above the sea level, located in southeastern Hudspeth County, in west Texas, USA. The climb is brutal: 11,72% average gradient.

Monte Cristo Road is a short mountain gravel trail located in eastern Snohomish County in the U.S. state of Washington. The road was washed out several years ago because of the South Fork Sauk River.

Salmo Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.083m (6,833ft) above the sea level, located in Pend Oreille County, in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Washington, along the Canada-US border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington.

Middle Fork Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.767m (9,078ft) above the sea level, located in Lemhi County, Idaho, in United States. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Bruin Point is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.107m (10,193ft) above the sea level located in Carbon County, in Utah, USA. It’s a required drive if you are working on the top 100 most prominent peaks in Utah. 

Red Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.589m (5,213ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California. The road is an adventure in itself: winding steep narrow cliff road, but well maintained.

Rim Butte OHV Jeep Trail is a very difficult trail with some awesome scenic views, located in Deschutes County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Cal-Barrel Road is a very narrow unpaved road located in Humboldt County, in the U.S. state of California.

McClellan Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.996m (13,110ft) above the sea level, located in Clear Creek County, Colorado, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Salmon River Road is said to be one of the America's Best Road Trips. Located in Lemhi County, in the U.S. state of Idaho, this scenic route follows central Idaho’s largest river north.

Anyone who has ever driven in or through a big city knows that it can be an agonizingly slow and possibly confusing experience that has the potential to drive you to sell your car and cut up your driver's license. Well, when driving in Atlanta, this kind of experience is… exactly what you can expect. While no amount of tips are going to make driving through Atlanta an enjoyable, relaxing experience, hopefully, they can at least minimize the madness.

Located in Mariposa County, in the U.S. state of California, Mariposa Grove Road is a very scenic drive leading to Mariposa Grove, the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and home to more than 500 giant sequoia trees.

Cerro Vista is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.645m (11,958ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Mora and Taos counties, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

The historic Costilla Crossing Bridge spanning the Rio Grande is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. It’s a thacher type truss bridge located in a remote area between Conejos and Costilla counties, in southern Colorado, USA.

Daisy Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.966m (9,730ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, Montana, in USA.

Mount Ashland is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.008m (6,587ft) above the sea level, located in Jackson County, in beautiful Southern Oregon, United States.

Harry Wade Road is a very exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California. The road leads visitors into the rugged and remote backcountry of Death Valley National Park. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in the Death Valley National Park.

La Mosca is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.364m (11,036ft) above the sea level, located in Cibola County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Potato Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.060m (10,039ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, on the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. It’sone of the highest roads of California.

Located in Sonoma County, in Northern California, in United States, Geysers Road is a very scenic drive along vineyards and wineries.

Upper Summers Meadow is a high mountain meadow at an elevation of 3.110m (10,203ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of California.

Stunner Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.222m (10,570ft) above the sea level located in Conejos County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Scott Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.491m (8,172ft) above the sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Colorado Mines Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.812m (12,506ft) above the sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Deadman Pass is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.129m (10,265ft) above the sea level, located in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Snow may block trail well into July. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of California.

Seguridad de la página de inicio

Drive Us to Your Road!

We have cataloged over 13,000 roads, but we're always looking for more. Have you traveled a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to submit your road story, and we'll feature it on dangerousroads.org!