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.

Top of the World is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 2,149m (7,050ft) above sea level, located in Moab, Grand County, in the U.S. state of Utah. At the top, you are treated to one killer view from a 3,000-foot cliff overlook. It features one of the most scenic drives and best views in Moab—or perhaps all of Utah.

Hunter Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,185m (7,168ft) above sea level located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

White Mountain Road is a very scenic mountain road located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Halfmoon Road (FSR 110) is a challenging road located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Many parts of the road cross rivers and water sections. In the spring, water crossings may be too deep to safely cross.

Tuna Canyon Road is a very scenic yet demanding drive located in western Los Angeles County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s said to be one of the 5 Best Driving Roads in Malibu. The road is very steep (up to 18%).

Daniels Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.439m (8,001ft) above the sea level, located in Wasatch County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

New Mexico State Road 567 is a short scenic mountain road located in southwestern Taos County, in the US state of New Mexico.

Badwater Basin is a salt pan at 86m (282ft) below sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. At this elevation it’s the lowest point in North America.

Henness Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,115m (6,938ft) above sea level, located in Sierra County, in the U.S. state of California. In its entirety, the trail is suitable for high-clearance vehicles.

Mormon Emigrant Trail is a very scenic journey in El Dorado County, in the US state of California. The road was originally named Iron Mountain Road.

Straddling Tennessee and North Carolina, the Cherohala Skyway is one of the most scenic drives in the USA.

Mengel Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.314m (4,311ft) above sea level located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. Famous for the site where Charles Manson was captured by police, it is a favorite Jeep trail in Death Valley. Rough 4WD vehicle needed.

Georgia Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.535m (11,598ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado. The entire route is very suitable for stock sport utility vehicles unless snow covered. It's one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Granite Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.757m (9,045ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Mount Graham is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.192m (10,472ft) above sea level, located in Graham County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads of Arizona.

Gore Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.909m (9,543ft) above sea level, located in Grand County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Teton Park Road is a very scenic drive in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, in the US state of Wyoming, running along the base of the Teton Range. This road has many scenic pull offs.

Hancock Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.702m (12,145ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado. This driving route is not only incredibly scenic but also chock-full of mining history. It's one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Ruby Road is a very scenic drive straddling Santa Cruz and Pima counties in the US state of Arizona. The road got its name from a once-thriving mining camp on its route. A high-clearance vehicle is required.

Mount Scott is a mountain peak at an elevation of 751m (2,464ft) above sea level, located in Comanche County, in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.

Fish Rock Road is a very scenic mountain road located in Mendocino County, on the North Coast of the U.S. state of California.

Beef Basin Trail is a challenging four-wheel drive located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Utah. The road is easy as long as it is dry.

Hole-in-the-Rock Road is a scenic dirt road located in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s suitable for passenger cars in good weather but a 4WD vehicle is required the last miles.

Six Mile Cove Road is a short badly wash-boarded road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Homestake Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.954m (6,410ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Montana.

Cameron Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.137m (10,291ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.

Sawyers Bar Road is a stunning drive in the Klamath National Forest, in the US state of California. The drive features a 3,713ft drop in 12 miles of snake track, using 1st gear. Brakes are just not suitable for that long of an incline. One of the best rides in California, without a doubt.

Located in the US state of North Carolina, Cataloochee Valley is nestled among some of the most rugged mountains within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Old Plank Road, also known as the Imperial Plank Road, was an innovative transportation project constructed in the early 20th century in Imperial County, in the US state of California. Built in 1915, the road ran through the Algodones Dunes, a large sand dune field.

Red Rock Scenic Byway is one of the most scenic drives in the USA. It contains some of the most spectacular views that Arizona has to offer winding through Sedona's Red Rock Country, often called a “museum without walls”.

While advancements in vehicles and road safety have made driving generally safer in the USA, certain roads, like Missouri's Highway 63, remain hazardous even in modern times.

Gunsight Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.692m (12,112ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. This high alpine road is brutal and going through some severe erosion so use caution. It's one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Mirror Lake Highway is a very scenic mountain road running from Kamas (in Utah) to Evanston (in Wyoming). It’s a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike.

Lemhi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.250m (7,381ft) above sea level, located on the border of Idaho and Montana, in the USA.

Mount Lincoln is a high mountain peak located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. An old mining road climbs up to 4.297m (14,097ft) above sea level, just below the peak. It's one of the highest roads of USA.

Old Monarch Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.473m (11,394ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Avon Bridge is a triple-arch railroad trestle spanning a rural road located in Avon, Hendricks County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. Legend has it that if you wander near the old bridge at night, you may hear the screams and moans of the ghost of Avon's Haunted Bridge. Additionally, on hot summer days, you can see the ghost's tears on the concrete of the bridge.

Hurrah Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.461m (4,793ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Utah. At times the road to the pass is very thin and very close to the edge of far drops.

Hatcher Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.148m (3,886ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Alaska.

Santiam Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.471m (4,826ft) above sea level located in the US state of Oregon.

Kimsey Mountain Highway is a scenic drive through a truly remote region of wilderness, located in Polk County, in the U.S. state of Tennessee.

Green River Cove Road is a classic drive for the experienced motorcyclist located in Polk County, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The road hits a stunning 22% through some of its 17 sharp hairpin turns.

The Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, nicknamed as the Hoover Dam Bypass, is an arch bridge that spans the Colorado River, in USA. Stay away if you're scared of heights. At 880 feet over the Colorado River, it is the second-highest bridge in the United States and the highest concrete-arch bridge anywhere. It's one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Kern Canyon Road is a very scenic but dangerous journey located in Kern County, in the U.S. state of California. If you enjoy twists and turns, this is a great option.

Situated high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Bodie is a ghost town in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. The town sits at an elevation of 2,554m (8,379ft) above sea level.

Montgomery Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.185m (7,167ft) above sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Located in the U.S. state of California, the San Diego–Coronado Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. The bridge crosses over San Diego Bay and links San Diego with Coronado.

Located in the heart of Owens Valley, in Inyo County, in the US state of California, Onion Valley Road is one of the steepest roads of California: this climb averages nearly 8%.

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