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.
Hurricane Peak in Colorado is a 4WD road above the clouds
Hurricane Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,034m (13,238ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
A few switchbacks to Douglas Pass in Colorado
Douglas Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,526m (8,287ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Sweet Hollow Road in New York: strange experiences and hauntings
Sweet Hollow Road is a spooky road located in Suffolk County, in the U.S. state of New York. It's considered one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world.
Crazy Woman Canyon Road is a very scenic drive in Wyoming
Crazy Woman Canyon Road is a highly scenic drive located in Johnson County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. A high-clearance vehicle is an absolute must. It's pretty bumpy, but the scenery is absolutely beautiful.
Weston Pass in Colorado: The Road to Riches
Weston Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,639m (11,938ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. Four-wheel drive is not necessary. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Travel Guide to Lolo Pass in Oregon
Lolo Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,050m (3,444ft) above sea level located in the U.S. state of Oregon.
Driving the rough 4×4 road to Argentine Pass in Colorado
Argentine Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,034m (13,234ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge is subject to violent storms
The William Preston Lane,Jr. Memorial Bridge, located in the U.S. state of Maryland and spanning the Chesapeake Bay, is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. The area is subject to violent storms, which makes driving the bridge particularly perilous.
Shades of Death Road: ghost stories and local legends in New Jersey
Shades of Death Road is located in central Warren County, in the US state of New Jersey. It's known for its eerie name and has gained a reputation for being haunted or cursed. It's one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world.
Cumberland Pass in Colorado is the highest standard passenger vehicle road in the USA
Cumberland Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 3,670m (12,040ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's said to be one of the highest standard car roads for summer use in the nation. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
White Mountain Peak in California is one of the highest roads in the USA
White Mountain Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.347m (14,261ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. The peak is arguably California's easiest fourteener via a jeep road. It's one of the highest roads in the USA.
Seven Mile Bridge is featured in some of Hollywood’s blockbusters
Located in the US state of Florida, the Seven Mile Bridge is an iconic bridge in the Florida Keys. This 7 mile long and 65 feet high bridge links Knight’s Key to Little Duck Key and has been featured in countless films and television series. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Old Cascade Tunnel in Washington is haunted by ghosts
Located to the east of Everett, in King County, in the U.S. state of Washington, the Old Cascade Tunnel is one of the creepiest locations in America.
Conquering Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass (Squaw Pass) in Colorado
Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass (formerly Squaw Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,984m (9,790ft) above sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Driving the Main Divide Road to Santiago Peak in California
Santiago Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,734m (5,689ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California.
A wild road to Tomichi Pass in Colorado
Tomichi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.657m (11,998ft) above sea level, located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Reward Mine: a risky drive into an abandoned mine in California
Located in Inyo County, in the US state of California, Reward Mine is a cluster of mines and structures from various eras. It’s so big that you can drive a 4WD through the main tunnel of this mine. Driving into the mine is not recommended as it features a high risk of collapse.
Lizard Head Pass in Colorado is one of the most beautiful drives of America
Lizard Head Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,127m (10,259ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It has been called "The Most Beautiful Drive in America."
Ashton Flagg Ranch Road runs from Yellowstone to Grand Teton
Ashton Flagg Ranch Road is a scenic drive spanning Wyoming and Idaho states in the USA. It’s a beautiful journey between the northern end of the Teton Range and Yellowstone's Pitchstone Plateau.
The road to Workman Creek Falls in Arizona is pure adventure
Workman Creek Falls is a nice 200 ft waterfall that you can visit right from your car, located in Gila County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. Approaching this location, you'll pass some warning signs letting you know the area is high in radioactivity.
Obstruction Point Road is Washington's scariest road
Located in Clallam County, in the U.S. state of Washington, Obstruction Point Road is said to be Washington's scariest road. Only experienced drivers should attempt this route.
Medano Pass in Colorado: 9 creek crossings to the summit
Medano Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,052m (10,013ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. The drive should not be attempted by any vehicle that is not 4WD, due to high clearance rocks/dips, and water crossings.
Driving from Denver to Vail in Colorado
Driving from Denver to Vail is not just one of the most exhilarating and spectacular roads you can take in the state of Colorado – it’s also one of the most dangerous!
Galena Summit is one of the highest paved roads of Idaho
Galena Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,660m (8,727ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Idaho.
Old Spiral Highway is Idaho’s windiest road
Old Spiral Highway is said to be one of the best motorcycle roads in the US state of Idaho. The very twisty road, with 64 curves, is short, curvy, smooth, and most definitely sweet.
Doherty Slide in Oregon: Turn Back Now If You Have A Heart Condition
Doherty Slide is a high mountain ridge at an elevation of 1,904m (6,246ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. Only one step in a wrong direction can be fatal.
The Ultimate Road Trip To Crystal Mill in Colorado
Crystal Mill is a wooden powerhouse located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The mill is perched atop a rock outcrop above a waterfall. It’s not a drive you’d want to take in a vehicle that’s not made for this kind of terrain.
Road trip guide: Conquering Leavitt Lake in California
Leavitt Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2.917m (9,570ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.
A rough 4x4 road to Taylor Pass in Colorado
Taylor Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,642m (11,948ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Enjoy a road among the clouds to Guanella Pass in Colorado
Guanella Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.562m (11,686ft) above the sea level located in the U.S. state of Colorado.
A journey to the legendary Union Pass in Wyoming
Union Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.808m (9,212ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It offers stunning views and serves as a vital route through the rugged landscapes of northwestern Wyoming.
The Ultimate Road Trip To Mount Bross in Colorado
Mount Bross is a high mountain peak located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. An old mining road on the way to the summit tops out at 4,071m (13,356ft) above sea level. It's one of the highest roads in the USA.
Driving the historic Silver Thread Scenic Byway in Colorado
Silver Thread Scenic Byway is a very scenic drive located in the US state of Colorado, with stunning history and natural wonders.
Everything you need to know about the Soldier Summit in Utah
Soldier Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.284m (7,493ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Utah.
Driving the paved road to Tehachapi Pass in California
Tehachapi Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,241m (4,071ft) above sea level, located in Kern County, in the U.S. state of California.
An awe-inspiring road to Mount Rose Summit in Nevada
Mount Rose Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,720m (8,923ft) above sea level, located in Washoe County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.
An awe-inspiring drive to Paulina Peak in Oregon
Paulina Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.434m (7,984ft) above sea level, located in Deschutes County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It’s one of the highest roads in Oregon.
Driving Gemini Bridges Trail is a real Moab experience
Located in Grand County, in the US state of Utah, Gemini Bridges Trail is a very scenic drive. You should not attempt this without a serious vehicle that can handle off-roading. If you are looking for the real Moab experience, this is it.
A road with an intimidating sheer cliff to Black Rock Reservoir in California
Black Rock Reservoir is a small remote yet scenic lake at an elevation of 1,260m (4,133 ft) above sea level, located in Fresno County, in the U.S. state of California.
Cottonwood Canyon Road in Utah: adventure and beauty, not for everyone
Cottonwood Canyon Road is a very scenic drive located in Kane County, in the US state of Utah. Do not attempt this trail if there is rain in the forecast or if it has recently rained.
Bradford Street is the steepest (41%) street of San Francisco
Located in the hilly Bernal Heights, a neighborhood in San Francisco, in the US state of California, Bradford Street is said to be the steepest street in the city with an astonishing 41% grade.
Driving the scenic Emerald Bay Road in Lake Tahoe
Emerald Bay Road is a very scenic drive located in the US state of California. Running along the Lake Tahoe, the road can be a bit intimidating and scary since it can occasionally be along steep cliffs that lack guardrails.
Driving the legendary Rubicon Trail in California is a lifetime experience
Rubicon Trail is one of the most famous jeep trails and off-road adventures in the western United States, crossing through El Dorado National Forest in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
A Once in a Lifetime Drive through Hell's Backbone Road in Utah
Hell's Backbone Road is a very scenic unpaved road located in Garfield County, in the US state of Utah. This one-way road is closed in winters. The drive offers heavenly day tripping.
An exceptionally scenic drive to Owl Creek Pass in Colorado
Owl Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,084m (10,118ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado.
A rocky and rough road to Hermit Pass in Colorado
Hermit Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.986m (13,077ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Needles Highway is a scenic curvy road in South Dakota
Located right in the Black Hills in Custer State Park in the US state of South Dakota, Needles Highway (South Dakota Highway 87) is a spectacular drive with stunning views.
Bloody Basin Road is a classic Arizona drive
Bloody Basin Road is a classic drive located near Black Canyon City, in the US state of Arizona, running through the Agua Fria National Monument and Tonto National Forest.