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.

Grapevine Hills Road, also known as Grapevine Spring, is an improved dirt road located in Brewster County, in the western part of the U.S. state of Texas. Some areas can be very rough and you’ll need to be cautious.

Prospect Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.829m (12,562ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Angel Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.707m (8,881ft) above the sea level, located in Clark County, in the US state of Nevada.

Mount Mansfield is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.216m (3,989ft) above the sea level, located in Lamoille County, northern Vermont, in USA. The road to the summit offers spectacular views along the way between twists and turns.

Located in Gila County, Central Arizona, in USA, Phillips Mine Road is a short scenic drive into a seldom seen part of Arizona mining history.

Lemoigne Canyon Road is a very exciting very slow, rocky 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.

Green Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.407m (11,177ft) above the sea level, located in Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The road to the summit is an old logging road and is not well maintained. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Picuris Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.280m (10,761ft) above the sea level, located in Taos County, in northern New Mexico, in the southwestern United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Dinkey Creek Road is a very scenic drive located in Fresno County, in the central portion of the U.S. state of California.

Fix It Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.899m (6,230ft) above the sea level, located in Emery County, in east-central Utah, United States. The trail has recently become worse than in the past.

Kennaday Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.300m (10,826ft) above the sea level, located in Carbon County, in southern Wyoming, in USA. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. It's one of the highest roads of Wyoming.

Jubilee Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 403m (1,322ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California.

Located in the San Juan Mountains, in Hinsdale County, Colorado, in USA, Nellie Creek Road (FSR#877) is very gnarly.

Big Four Mine, also known as the War Eagle Mine, is an abandoned mine 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.

Virginia Lakes is the name given to eight pristine alpine lakes in Mono County in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. A road leads to three of them: Trumbull, Little Virginia and Big Virginia. Topping out at 2.993m (9,819ft) above the sea level it's one of the highest roads of California.

Dagger Flat Auto Trail, also known as Dagger Flat Road, is a very scenic graded gravel road located in the Big Bend National Park, in the western part of the U.S. state of Texas.

Fairview Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.781m (12,404ft) above the sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Barlow Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 718m (2,355ft) above the sea level, located in Snohomish County, in the U.S. state of Washington.

Imperial Express SuperChair is said to be one of the highest chairlifts in North America. Located in Summit County, Colorado, in USA, the chairlift lies at an elevation of 3.652m (11,981ft) above the sea level, just about 100 feet from the very top of Peak 8.

Located at the eastern end of Southern California, in USA, the Joshua Tree National Park is immense, nearly 800,000 acres, and infinitely variable. Two desert systems, the Mojave and the Colorado, divide the park into two arid ecosystems. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. For your own safety and for the protection of the natural features of the park please stay on established roads. 

Bridger Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.355m (11,007ft) above the sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Wyoming.

Furnace Creek Road is a very exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California. High-clearance vehicle required. Due to frequent flooding in the area, road conditions often vary throughout the park. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in the Death Valley National Park.

Anniversary Mine Road is a very scenic drive located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It requires a carefully driven high-clearance vehicle, although 4WD would be safer.

Wild Horse Road is a 18.50km (11.5 miles) scenic drive located in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, California, USA. 4wd vehicle recommended. Its southern end is sandy and soft for two miles.

Mount Waas is a high mountain peak located in Grand County, in the U.S. state of Utah. Set high in the Northern La Sal Mountains, the summit is accessed by either Beaver Basin or Miner’s Basin.

Located in Ventura County, California, United States, Deer Creek Road is said to be one of the Best Driving Roads in California. The road is very steep (up to 12%). A sense of vertigo makes your hands sweat.

Victor Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.115m (10,219ft) above the sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Mangas Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.948m (9,671ft) above the sea level, located in Catron County, New Mexico, in USA.

Mount Marston is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.238m (7,342ft) above the sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Pelican Butte is a dormant shield volcano at an elevation of 2.450m (8,037 ft) above the sea level, located in Klamath County, in southern Oregon, USA. It’s one of the highest roads of Oregon.

Eagle Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.602m (11,817ft) above the sea level located in La Plata County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Deadman Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.453m (8,047ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California.

Taos Ski Valley is a village and a ski resort at an elevation of 2.878m (9,442ft) above the sea level, located in Taos County, in the northern part of New Mexico, in United States.

Plum Brook Road Bridge is a closed bridge over the Muscoot Reservoir, located in northern Westchester County, New York, in USA. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Libby Flats Observation Area is an observation tower at an elevation of 3.313m (10,869ft) above the sea level, located in Albany County, in Wyoming, USA. It's one of the highest roads of Wyoming.

Square Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.435m (7,988ft) above the sea level located in Idaho County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Bill Williams Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.822m (9,259ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County, in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.

East End Road is a very scenic drive at the head of Kachemak Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, in United States

The body of Davie Lee Niles, a man disappeared on October 11, 2006 after he was seen leaving Jake's Bar in Byron Township, Michigan, has been found inside a sunken car - which has been visible on Google Maps for years.

Located in Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, United States, the Lakina River Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in West Texas, the Chisos Basin Road is a very scenic journey with sharp curves and switchbacks through one of America's true hidden gems: the Big Bend National Park.

Keys View is a very scenic overlook at an elevation of 1.574m (5,164ft) above the sea level, located in Riverside County, in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California, in Joshua Tree National Park.

Mount Sherman is a high mountain peak locatedo on the boundary between Park and Lake counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Mount Withington is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.087m (10,127ft) above the sea level, located in Socorro County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Mosquito Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.165m (13,664ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in central Colorado, in the United States. It's one of the highest roads of USA.

Located on the boundary between Yavapai and Coconino counties, in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona, Casner Mountain Trail No. 8 is one of the most scenic and rugged trails in Arizona. It’s designated as a motorized trail with very rugged conditions along a narrow ridge with limited opportunity for two-way traffic.

Sheep Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.626m (11,896ft) 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 roads of California.

Glacier Point is a viewpoint at an elevation of 2.198m (7,211ft) above the sea level, located in Mariposa County, in the U.S. state 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!