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.

Joe Brown Highway is a mountain road deeply located in the wilderness, straddling western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, in the USA.

Sunrise Point is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 1,957m (6,420ft) above sea level, located in Pierce County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier National Park.

Sitgreaves Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,096m (3,595ft) above sea level, located in Mohave County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. Very few guardrails give you no leeway for error.

Lombard Street is located in San Francisco, in the US state of California. It's famous for having a steep, one-block section that consists of eight tight hairpin turns, making it one of the crookedest streets in the world.

Monitor Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.543m (8,343ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California. The road is closed in winter.

The stunning Utah Scenic Byway 12 is a road trip through time that connects Wayne County and Garfield County, in the US state of Utah.

Laurel Lake is a small backcountry sub-alpine lake at an elevation of 2,981m (9,780ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Rim Rock Drive is one of the most scenic drives in the American West. Located in Mesa County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, the drive delivers dizzying cliff’s edge views in Colorado National Monument.

Marshall Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.305m (10,842ft) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Stony Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.846m (12,618ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Natchez Trace Parkway is a very scenic drive running through three states in the southeastern United States. It may not strike you at first, but as you drive along the road, you'll be traveling down the approximation of a 10,000-year-old pathway steeped in history.

Located in the U.S. state of New York, the Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge was a cantilever bridge is 16,013 feet (4,881 m) long. It was very scary and one of the top 10 most insecure bridges in the country. It is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Peak 10 is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,085m (13,402ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Experienced drivers in aggressive stock SUVs can do it. It's one of the highest roads in the USA.

Loop Road is a very scenic drive located in the Everglades National Park, in the U.S. state of Florida. In the summer, parts of the road can be under water.

Hurricane Ridge Road is probably Washington's best driving road. Located within Olympic National Park, this paved road snakes up to Hurricane Ridge, at an elevation of 1,549m (5,082ft) above sea level.

Located in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in North Park, Irwin Road is said to be haunted by a low-hanging blue mist and famous for various reports of paranormal activity and eerie encounters along its length.

Dunraven Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.718m (8,917ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. At this elevation, it is the highest pass inside the park.

Mount Equinox is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,170m (3,840ft) above sea level, located in Bennington County, in the U.S. state of Vermont. The climb is brutal, with some sections up to 14.66%. It’s an unforgettable drive to the summit of the highest peak in the Taconic Range.

Boreas Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,507m (11,505ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s a low-maintenance, rough gravel road closed in winters but passable by two-wheel-drive automobiles in good weather.

Carr Canyon Road #368 is a winding, steep, gravel switchback road located in Cochise County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Berdoo Canyon Road is a demanding trail located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California. Flash floods are a possibility. It’s one of the famous backcountry roads in Joshua Tree National Park.

Christmas Tree Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.210m (3,969ft) above sea level, located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. High clearance vehicle is helpful in spots. The pass is known for its decorations along the trail.

Mount Mitchell is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,007m (6,584ft) above sea level, located in Yancey County, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It’s said to be the highest point east of the Mississippi.

Gates Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 969m (3,179ft) above sea level, located in Pima County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

North La Veta Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.869m (9,413ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.

Deception Pass Bridge is located in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s a two-lane bridge spanning the Deception Pass, and connects Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island in the Puget Sound region. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Notom-Bullfrog Road is a very scenic drive running across Capitol Reef National Park, in the US state of Utah. It runs along the eastern side of the Waterpocket Fold and is considered one of the best drives in Capitol Reef National Park.

Railroad Ridge is a high mountain ridge at an elevation of 3.180m (10,433ft) above sea level located in Custer County, in the US state of Idaho. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s said to be the highest road accessible to full-size vehicles in Idaho.

Rich Mountain Road is a very scenic one-way drive located in Blount County, in the U.S. state of Tennessee.

McClure Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.681m (8,795ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the steepest paved roads in the state, hitting a 9% maximum gradient.

Big Sur Coast Highway is a very scenic drive hugging the California coast, in the USA. This twisting, cliff-hugging coastal scenic drive runs from Monterey to San Luis Obispo.

Talimena Scenic Drive is a very scenic drive running across the Ouachita Mountains, straddling the southeastern part of Oklahoma and western Arkansas, in the USA.

Coyote Flat is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3.061m (10,042ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads of California.

Mackinac Bridge divides the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Dillon Road is an isolated drive through the open desert, located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.

Monida Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,102m (6,896ft) above sea level, located on the border of Idaho and Montana, in the USA.

Kennebec Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,561m (11,683ft) above sea level, located in La Plata County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. 4WD with good clearance is needed for the last section of the road.

Goose Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.570m (11,712ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. This drive is worth it, but be forewarned of the difficulty. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Mount Baker Highway is a very scenic drive located within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the US state of Washington. The end of the road at Artist Point is only open for 3-4 months in late summer and early fall.

Clear Lake is an alpine turquoise lake at an elevation of 3.653m (11,984ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Be sure to have experience in back roads if you attempt this trail. The drive is not for the faint of heart.

Holy Cross City Jeep Road is a truly breathtaking trail, only for the most experienced drivers, located in Eagle County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the most difficult and popular hardcore roads in the state. Stock vehicles should not attempt this one.

Baxter Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.573m (8,441ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. High-clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable.

Kancamagus Highway is a very scenic drive located in Grafton County, in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is said to be one of the most popular fall foliage road trips in the world.

North Ogden Divide is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,887m (6,190ft) above sea level, located in Weber County, in the US state of Utah.

Capulin Volcano is an extinct cinder cone volcano at an elevation of 2,405m (7,890ft) above sea level, located in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world.

Located in the southwestern region of the United States, Arizona is the sixth largest state in the country in terms of area. Part of the Mountain West states, Arizona is best known for its desert landscape. It can be divided into three major land areas; the Colorado plateau, the Transition Zone and the Basin and Ridge Region. The state is also known for its climate, which has very hot summers and mild winters.

With around 187,000 acres of land, the Great Smoky Mountains are a major attraction of the USA that thousands of people flock to every year. This large area of land stretches along the Tennessee-North Carolina border.

Archer Avenue is probably one of the most haunted areas in all of the Chicago area, in the USA. Along this route, there are a number of locations that boast more than their share of ghosts. The paranormal activity on the roadway seems to be anchored at both ends by cemeteries, both of which have their own ghost stories.

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