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.

Mount Brigham is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.559m (11,676ft) above sea level located in Piute County, in the US state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

North Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

The Twin Tunnels of Downingtown, located in Chester County, in the US state of Pennsylvania, are known for their dark history. It’s one of the most haunted tunnels on Earth.

Kolokole Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 504m (1,653ft) above sea level, located in Honolulu County, in the US state of Hawaii.

Located in Park County, in the US state of Colorado, Alma is the highest incorporated town in North America at an elevation of 3.224m (10,578ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest towns on Earth accessible by car. 

Peavine Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.517m (8,257ft) above sea level, located in Washoe County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

The Geology Tour Road is a very scenic drive located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California. The road leads through one of Joshua Tree National Park's most fascinating landscapes, where the forces of erosion, earthquakes and ancient volcanoes have played out in stunning splendor.

Luther Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,364 m (7,755 ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California.

The Pinkham Canyon-Thermal Canyon Road is a very scenic drive located in Riverside County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the most famous backcountry roads in the Joshua Tree National Park.

Thompson Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 841m (2,759ft) above sea level, located in Valdez–Cordova Census Area, in the US state of Alaska.

Rebecca Creek Road is a short paved road located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. The road features a river crossing which floods during storm season.

Devil’s Hole is a subaqueous cavern, located in Nye County, in the US state of Nevada, with an eerie legend.

Located in Dane County, in the US state of Wisconsin, the Dyreson Road Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Mullan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,799 m (5,902 ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Powell and Lewis and Clark counties in the US state of Montana.

Located in Garfield County, in southern Utah, in the USA, Hell's Backbone Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in southwest Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Big Bend National Park is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the state. Scenic vistas, diverse wildlife, and historic siteswhere night skies are dark as coal and rivers carve temple-like canyons in ancient limestone. This remote park features rugged mountains, steep canyons, amazing views, unparalleled night skies, and solitude in a high desert setting.

Ptarmigan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.352m (11,777ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Summit and Eagle counties in the US state of Colorado.

Located in Nevada County, in the US state of Califnornia, Donner Summit Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Devil Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,026 m (9,927 ft) above sea level, located in Archuleta County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Crescent Meadow Road is a paved narrow mountain road located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California.

Cuchara Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,036m (9,960ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.

Hat Point is an overlook located in Wallowa County, in the U.S. state of Oregon, at an elevation of 2,130m (6,988ft) above sea level. This is a journey that some will never attempt again because it frightened them so much: there are steep drop-offs and a very narrow road.

South Willow Canyon Road is a very scenic drive in Tooele County, in the US state of Utah. The road is mostly paved but becomes gravel at the National Forest boundary, and winds through some very interesting narrows.

Mammoth Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.364m (11,036ft) above sea level, located in Madera County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

31 Mile Road is a scenic mountain drive located on the boundary between Rio Arriba and Sandoval counties, in the US state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Every state has at least one intersection that plays host to more accidents and close calls than all the rest. Time Magazine looked at data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to determine the most dangerous intersection in each US state.

Mount Morgan is a high mountain peak located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. A gravel road near the summit climbs up to 3.619m (11,873ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in California. 

Minaret Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,824m (9,265ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest roads in California.

Louis Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,617 m (8,585 ft) above sea level, located in Fremont County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive is a one-way paved loop road located in Pima County, in the US state of Arizona.

Alpine Plateau is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3.516m (11,535ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Ripple Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,158 meters (10,360 feet) above sea level, located in Rio Blanco County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

North Twin Cone Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.759m (12,332ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Rocky Gap Road is an extremely rugged backcountry road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The road is rocky and rough in many areas where it has been washed out. The middle portion of the route can present some challenges.

Grayback Mountain is a high mountain peak with an elevation of 3,853 m (12,641 ft) above sea level, located in Rio Grande County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado, offering great views of the surrounding mountains.

Tennessee Pass is a high mountain pass with an elevation of 3,183m (10,442ft) located in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Owl Hole Spring Road is an exciting desert drive located in San Bernardino County, in the US state of California. It is one of the most remote locations in the park and one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Aiken Mine Road is an old mining track located in the Mojave Desert of the U.S. state of California. 4x4 vehicles are recommended.

Leviathan Peak is a high mountain peak with an elevation of 2,732m (8,963ft) above sea level, located in Alpine County, in the U.S. state of California. The views from the summit are impressively remote.

Lake Sabrina is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,796 m (9,173 ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Napoleon Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,668m (12,034ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, with multiple creek crossings. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Santa Fe Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,008m (13,149ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit may be intimidating for novice drivers. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

The Miles Glacier Bridge, completed in the early 1900s, spans the Copper River in Alaska and is notable for its multiple-span Pennsylvania truss design. Built to facilitate a 196-mile railroad line for the Copper River and Northwestern Railway, the bridge was essential for transporting copper from the mining town of Kennicott to the port of Cordova. It is considered one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Paradise Basin is a high mountain basin at an elevation of 3.447m (11,309ft) above sea level located in Gunnison County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s an easy drive near the summit of Schofield Pass.

Crooked Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,051 m (10,010 ft) above sea level, located in Eagle County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Hardscrabble Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,261m (10,698ft) above sea level, located in Eagle County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Velocity Basin is a cirque basin with a small turquoise lake at its base, at an elevation of 3.449m (11,315ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Beckwourth Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,591m (5,221ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.