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.
South Grade Road in California features 21 hairpin turns
South Grade Road is a very challenging yet dangerous drive located in San Diego County, in the US state of California. The road features 21 switchbacks.
A Road Trip to Powder River Pass in Wyoming
Powder River Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.946m (9,666ft) above sea level, located in Johnson County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.
Driving the rough Wildrose Road in Death Valley
Wildrose Road is a very scenic drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. The road is drivable by most of the vehicles.
Cochetopa Pass is an unforgettable road in Colorado
Cochetopa Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.076m (10,091ft) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Mount Greylock is the Highest Road of Massachusetts
Mount Greylock is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.064m (3,491ft) above sea level, located in Berkshire County, in the US state of Massachusetts.
Is Missouri Highway 63 the most dangerous road in the state?
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.
The spectacular Captain William Moore Bridge in Alaska
This unique bridge is located along the South Klondike Highway near Skagway, in Alaska. It was finished in 1976 and spans 110-foot over Moore Creek Gorge. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
A scenic unpaved road to Cordova Pass in southern Colorado
Cordova Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.428m (11,248ft) above sea level, located in Huerfano County, in the US state of Colorado.
Salmon River Road in California: You can’t be scared of steep narrow roads
Located in Siskiyou County, in the U.S. state of California, Salmon River Road is a narrow road with ledges and cliffs through a dramatic river canyon.
Traveling along the scenic Covington Flat Road in California
Covington Flat Road is a very scenic drive located in Joshua Tree National Park, in the U.S. state of California. The road offers fascinating landscapes and access to some of the park’s largest Joshua trees, junipers, and pinyon pines. It’s one of the famous backcountry roads in Joshua Tree National Park.
Peru Creek Trail is a truly outstanding SUV adventure in Colorado
Peru Creek Trail is a very scenic mountain road located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
How to Get By Car to Skilak Lake in Alaska?
Skilak Lake is a very deep lake with exceptionally clear water located on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, in the USA. The road to the lake offers spectacular views of lakes and glaciers.
Holland Road in Washington is haunted by a girl that was hit by a car while riding her horse
Located in Kitsap County, in the U.S. state of Washington, Holland Road is supposedly haunted by a girl that was hit by a car while riding her horse.
17 brutal switchbacks in the Green River Cove Road of North Carolina
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 spectacular Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Located in Virginia, this bridge–tunnel is 23-mile (37 km) long. It opened in 1964 and links the Delmarva Peninsula with Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads. As its name implies, the structure functions as both a bridge and a tunnel. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is a picturesque 50-mile route in California
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is a scenic road located in Fresno County, in the U.S. state of California. Be ready for the route's many curves, and allow plenty of time to stop for photo ops.
Driving the scenic Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii
Chain of Craters Road is an amazing drive located on the island of Hawaii, in the USA, that will take you from 4,000 feet to sea level and back again. Stretching 19 miles, the road is an exceptionally scenic and spectacular drive.
The Chicken Corners Trail in Moab is a breathtaking road along the Colorado River
Chicken Corners Trail is a very scenic drive located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Utah. The road follows the Colorado River downstream.
Carlsbad Caverns switchbacks in New Mexico: a 20 degree grade
Tucked beneath the scenic Chihuahuan Desert, in Eddy County in the U.S. state of New Mexico, near the base of the Guadalupe Mountains, the switchbacks are the natural entrance to the Big Room, in Carlsbad Caverns. Pedestrians only.
The road to the summit of Mount Locke in Texas
Mount Locke is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.070m (6,790ft) above sea level, located in Jeff Davis County, in the U.S. state of Texas.
Steel Pass is a truly outstanding 4wd adventure in Death Valley
Steel Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.565m (5,134ft) above sea level located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. Experienced 4WD drivers only.
Travelling through the Mulberry Bridge
Mulberry Bridge is a 144 ft long bridge over the Elk River, located in Lincoln County, in the US state of Tennessee. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Ultimate 4wd destination: Rowher Flat Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation in California
Situated within Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, the Rowher Flat Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area presents a captivating array of trails, granting visitors with breathtaking vistas and an extensive array of exhilarating challenges.
A scenic paved road to the alpine Bear Lake in Colorado
Bear Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2.893m (9,491ft) above sea level, located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the picture-postcard lake, sitting at the base of the Continental Divide, is usually open in winter.
Mount Constitution is the highest road in the San Juan Islands
Mount Constitution is a mountain peak at an elevation of 735m (2,411ft) above sea level, located on Orcas Island, in San Juan County, in the US state of Washington.
How to get by car to Ski Santa Fe in New Mexico?
Ski Santa Fe is a ski resort at an elevation of 3.167m (10,390ft) above sea level, located in Santa Fe County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.
A 5-star road to Chief Joseph Pass in the Rocky Mountains
Chief Joseph Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.218m (7,276ft) above sea level, located on the Montana-Idaho border in the northwestern United States.
The Scenic Journey Along State Route 153: From Beaver to Piute in Utah
State Route 153 (SR-153) is a very scenic drive linking Beaver and Piute counties, in the US state of Utah. The road tops out at 10,242 feet (3.122m) above sea level.
Palisades Interstate Parkway offers beautiful views of the Hudson River
Palisades Interstate Parkway is a very scenic highway straddling the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. The road shows the best of the states, with beautiful views of the Hudson River.
American Flag Mountain is a truly outstanding 4x4 adventure in Colorado
American Flag Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.878m (12,723ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
Why is the Secret Normandy Road in Middletown Restricted to Civilians?
Located in Middletown, in the US state of New Jersey, Normandy Road is New Jersey’s less traveled road. The road is completely off limits to civilians and reserved exclusively for use by the military.
How to get by car to Pinyon Peak lookout in Idaho?
Pinyon Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,032m (9,947ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.
Tripoli Road in New Hampshire: A Scenic Drive Through White Mountain National Forest
Tripoli Road (Forest Road 30) is a scenic drive located in the White Mountain National Forest, in Grafton County, in the US state of New Hampshire.
Fall River Pass is one of the highest roads of Colorado
Fall River Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,595m (11,796ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Driving the Red River Bridge on the Oklahoma and Texas border
Located on the Oklahoma and Texas border, in USA, the Red River Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Driving the challenging road to Mount Princeton in Colorado's Rocky Mountains
Mount Princeton is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,699 meters (12,137 feet) above sea level, located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Alamo Road in Nevada: if you get stuck during summer, you die
Alamo Road is a very remote drive located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. Passenger vehicles aren't recommended. Conditions are hazardous.
Driving the rough road to Barcroft Field Station in California
Barcroft Field Station is a weather station at an elevation of 3.800m (12,470ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the US state of California It's one of the highest roads of California.
Driving the high-altitude road to Cumbres Pass in Colorado
Cumbres Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.057m (10,029ft) above sea level, located in Conejos County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
The scenic Iceberg Pass on the Trail Ridge Road
Iceberg Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.605m (11,827ft) above sea level, located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads of Colorado.
Discovering the history and beauty of Dead Indian Pass in Wyoming
Dead Indian Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,465 m (8,087 ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.
Shrine Pass in Colorado - A Comprehensive Guide for Off-Road Enthusiasts
Shrine Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.410m (11,187ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. This dirt road is passable by all but the lowest passenger cars.
Driving the epic unpaved road to Baldy Mountain in Colfax County
Baldy Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.714m (12,185ft) above sea level, located in Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.
Devil's Gate Pass: A Scenic Road Through California's Mountains
Devil's Gate Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.292m (7,519ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California.
Desert Journey: Unveiling the Scenic Pinto Basin Road in the Joshua Tree NP
Pinto Basin Road is a very scenic desert drive located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.
How to drive the Black Eagle Mine Road in CA?
Black Eagle Mine Road is a challenging drive located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California. The trail runs through an old mining district. It’s one of the famous backcountry roads in the Joshua Tree National Park.
Adventure along the Gold Butte Back Country Byway in NV
Gold Butte Back Country Byway is a scenic road across the desert, in Clark County, in the US state of Nevada. You'll enjoy some great views of rich desert landscapes.
Williams Pass in CO is for experienced drivers only
Williams Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.593m (11,788ft) above the sea level located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s only open a few weeks a year.