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.

Phantom Canyon Road is one of the most scenic and historic drives in the US state of Colorado. This unpaved scenic road connects Cañon City and Victor, running through Phantom Canyon and increasing in elevation from 5,500 to 9,500 feet.

The iconic freeway chase scene in "The Matrix Reloaded" wasn't filmed on any ordinary road; it took place on an old airplane runway of a disused naval base.

Mattole Road is the name of a highly scenic drive located in the Lost Coast, a predominantly natural and development-free area of the California North Coast in the USA.

Cinnamon Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.853m (12,640ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Hinsdale and San Juan counties, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Skalkaho Highway is a scenic highway located on the boundary between Granite and Ravalli counties in the U.S. state of Montana. This mostly unpaved route climbs through the Sapphire Mountains, a remote part of Montana. Elk, mule deer, badgers, coyotes, and black bears can be seen along the highway.

U.S. Route 50 is the name of a major road in the USA. It runs through mostly rural areas in the western part of the country and includes the section through Nevada known as The Loneliest Road in America.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a 6.7km-long (4.14 miles) bridge built over Tampa Bay, in the US state of Florida. Its height is 430 feet (131 m) and is said to be the longest cable stayed concrete bridge in the world. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Pi'ilani Highway is a must-drive. Located in Maui, the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands, in the USA, this highway loops all the way around the southern coast of the island. The road is rough and unpaved at times. Be sure to honk around blind corners.

Tioga Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,036m (9,960ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Tuolumne and Mono counties in the U.S. state of California. It is one of the highest roads in California.

Hagerman Pass is a high mountain pass, at an elevation of 3,657m (11,998ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Pitkin and Lake counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road is not particularly difficult, but a 4x4 vehicle is recommended. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Located in Houston, Texas, in the Southern United States, Katy Freeway is one of the widest freeways in the world. The road was widened in 2008 to as many as 26 total lanes.

Raton Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,390m (7,841ft) above sea level, located on the Colorado-New Mexico border in the United States.

Monarch Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,448m (11,312ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. The grade is intense for ascent and descent, so use lower gears.

Mauna Loa is an active shield volcano located in the U.S. state of Hawai’i in the Pacific Ocean. On the north slope of the volcano, a road climbs up to Mauna Loa Observatory, topping out at 3,402m (11,161ft) above sea level. Do not take this drive if you have respiratory problems or any type of heart condition. It's one of the highest paved roads in the country.

Ophir Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.593m (11,789ft) above sea level, located in San Miguel County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit is a steep and rocky route with a scary drop to the valley below. Don't forget to bring your Waterdrop Electric Water Filter, which is easy to carry and provides the most reliable and clean potable water for your road trip.

Atigun Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,470m (4,822ft) above sea level, located in Alaska, USA. It's known as the highest year-round pass in the state, and its 11 to 12 percent grades are sure to challenge even the most experienced drivers.

Mount Misery Road is a narrow, winding, and dangerous drive with numerous chilling urban legends associated, located in Suffolk County, in the U.S. state of New York. The road has gained a reputation for being linked to various urban legends and spooky tales, contributing to its popularity among those interested in paranormal stories and haunted locations. It's one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world.

Kebler Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,050m (10,007ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit switches from paved to gravel several times, but the road is overall in great condition.

Wolf Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,313m (10,869ft) above sea level, located in Mineral County, in the US state of Colorado. It features a dangerous hairpin curve six-and-a-half miles from the summit.

Trail Ridge Road is the name for a stretch of U.S. Highway 34 with a length of 48 miles (77 km) located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is said to be the highest continuous paved road in the country.

Independence Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,692m (12,112ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Pitkin and Lake counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Kaiser Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,803m (9,196ft) above sea level, located in Fresno County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Located in Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, Shoemaker Canyon Road is an abandoned road. Built in the early days of the Cold War (1950s and 60s) with convict labor, the road was intended as an escape route in case Los Angeles was attacked with nuclear weapons.

California State Route 58 is one of the most scenic drives in the USA. Light traffic, a great road, cool views, and good food at both ends make Highway 58 a ride not to be missed.

Cottonwood Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,696m (12,126ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit provides a beautiful scenic drive and is one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Located in Washington County, in the southwestern corner of Utah, United States, the trail to Angel’s Landing is an unforgettable short adventure. It’s a set of 21 short, very steep switchbacks that present a relentless uphill climb. It’s said to be one of the most difficult and most terrifying hikes in the zone.

Sandia Crest is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,255m (10,678ft) above sea level, located in Bernalillo County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Camp Bird Road is a picturesque mountain road with narrow shelf sections located southwest of Ouray County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. A 4WD vehicle and no fear of heights are recommended.

Mojave Road is the name of an east-west route located within the Mojave National Preserve, in the US state of California. The road, one of North America's most iconic 4x4 routes, is about 150 miles long and can be done in 3 or 4 days.

Lake Ponchartrain Causeway Bridge is 24 mile-long and links New Orleans to Mandeville, in the US state of Louisiana, crossing the Lake Ponchartrain. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Berthoud Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,446m (11,307ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Clear Creek and Grand counties, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

White Rim Road is a very scenic yet challenging unimproved road running through the White Rim bench lands, below the upper plateau of the Island in the Sky District between the Colorado and Green Rivers, in the US state of Utah. If you're afraid of heights, this road will turn your stomach inside out.

Sometimes perilous and almost always remote, rural bridges have long been a staple of local ghostlore. They are places where ghosts of long-forgotten accidents still roam and phantom voices cry out from the water below. At Mysterious Heartland, we have visited allegedly haunted bridges all over the State of Illinois, but which one will prove to be the most haunted?

Mauna Kea is a volcano at an elevation of 4,207m (13,803ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Hawai’i. It’s the only place in the world where you can drive from sea level to a nearly 14,000ft peak in under 2 hours. It's one of the highest roads in the USA.

Lippincott Mine Road is a very challenging drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s a faster route to the park than others, but you might be clenching your jaw the whole way, trying not to fall hundreds of feet to oblivion, and it’s not for the casual driver or the casual car. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

A short section of Pennsylvania Route 61 (PA 61) is officially destroyed in the town of Centralia, in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The road has been consumed by an underground mine fire since 1962. The cause of the fire is suspected to be from trash burning that ignited a coal strip in a cave.

With 140 miles of twists and turns, California Route 36 is considered by some to be among the best roads in California. If you love twisty roads, this is the route for you. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the USA.

Located in Hardin County, in the U.S. state of Texas, Bragg Road (aka Ghost Road Scenic Drive) is the name of a haunted road. This dark, unpaved road outside of Saratoga is pure legend.

Tucked away in northern New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains, in the USA, the Gilman Tunnels, blasted out of the rock in the 1920s, were originally used for a logging railroad and are quite high. The tunnels have been the filming locations of many Hollywood hits.

California, the Golden State, is not just about glitzy Hollywood glamour, sun-kissed beaches, and breathtaking coastal cliffs. Tucked away in its eastern half, this geographically diverse wonderland conceals an adventurer's paradise. Rising majestically, rugged mountain ranges streak across the landscape, hosting peaks that tower over 13,000 feet (3,962m). These lofty heights, draped in a pristine blanket of snow throughout the winter months, are home to some of the most challenging, exhilarating, and incredibly scenic roads in America. Buckle up, as we're about to take you on a thrilling journey across the highest roads of California.

Located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming, the challenging Morrison Jeep Trail is a very rough drive. It's a challenging ride because of the combination of altitude and terrain. It is not for the timid or people in poor condition.

Hawk's Nest Road is the name of a fantastic, winding piece of asphalt located in the US state of New York. It’s a curvy, cliffside stretch of road along the Delaware River with breathtaking views.

Teton Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,571m (8,435ft) above sea level, located in Teton County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. The grades on some parts of the road can be scary in a passenger vehicle.

Rock Creek Road is a very scenic drive with dramatic views in the U.S. state of California. It is said to be the highest paved public road in California.

Lolo Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,598m (5,242ft) above sea level, located on the border of Montana and Idaho, in the USA.

Slumgullion Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.528m (11,574ft) above sea level, located in Hinsdale County, in the US state of Colorado. It claims the steepest grades of any fully paved and maintained road in the state.

Coronado Trail Scenic Byway is the name of a very exciting drive in the U.S. state of Arizona. The road is chock-full of challenging switchbacks and hairpin turns, with 460 curves. It's one of the highest roads in Arizona.

Mineral King Road is the name of a stunning drive located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California. The road is said to have 398 curves in just 25 miles.

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