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.
A memorable road trip to Smith Mountain in Adams County
Smith Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.442m (8,011ft) above the sea level located in Adams County, in the US state of Idaho.
Travelling the historic Robidoux Pass
Robidoux Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.403m (4,603ft) above sea level, located in Scotts Bluff County, on the western border of the U.S. state of Nebraska.
Park Boulevard
Park Boulevard is a very scenic loop drive located in the Joshua Tree National Park, in Southern California, USA. If you have time only for a short visit in the park, driving Park Boulevard is your best choice.
A brutal road to Bearwallow Mountain in NM
Bearwallow Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.039m (9,970ft) above the sea level, located in Catron County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.
A defiant road to Glacier Mountain in CO
Glacier Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.793m (12,444ft) above the sea level, located in eastern Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Full size vehicles should not attempt to drive all the way, as there are a few very narrow spots. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.
The Wild Road to Sand Creek Pass
Sand Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.741m (8,992ft) above the sea level, located in Larimer County, in north central Colorado, USA.
Crossing the infamous Deep Creek Bridge
Located in southwestern Fulton County, Georgia, in USA, Deep Creek Bridge was built in 1940. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Chepeta Lake
Chepeta Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.228m (10,590ft) above the sea level, located in Duchesne County, in the northeast part of the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.
Success Loop Scenic Drive
Success Loop Scenic Drive is a very enjoyable scenic drive nestled in the deliciously remote high elevation mountains of White Pine County, eastern Nevada, in United States.
Road trip guide: Conquering Badger Pass in MT
Badger Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.063m (6,768ft) above the sea level, located in Beaverhead County, in the U.S. state of Montana.
A memorable road trip to Mount Sheridan in CO
Mount Sheridan is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.021m (13,192ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Plenty of mining structures remain in the area. It’sone of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.
Sunrise Park Resort
Sunrise Park Resort is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.852m (9,356ft) above the sea level, located in Apache County, in northeastern Arizona in the United States. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.
Things to Know Before Driving Arizona State Route 261
State Route 261 is a very scenic high mountain road located in Apache County, in the US state of Arizona. It’s one of the highest roads of Arizona.
Carter Mountain Road
Carter Mountain Road is a high mountain road located in Park County, Wyoming, in USA, climbing up to 3.445m (11,302ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of Wyoming.
Whale Peak, an old mine road to the summit
Whale Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.940m (12,926ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Summit and Jefferson counties, in the United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.
An awe-inspiring road to Convict Lake in California
Convict Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.328m (7,637ft) above the sea level, located Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California.
A remote drive to Sheep Pass
Sheep Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.536m (5,039ft) above the sea level located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The road to the summit is called Alamo Road.
Hacking Lake
Hacking Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.244m (10,643ft) above the sea level, located in Uintah County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.
Adventure along the wild road to Monument Peak in Meagher County
Monument Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.255m (7,398ft) above the sea level located in Meagher County, in the U.S. state of Montana.
Driving the scenic Corral Canyon Road in Malibu
Located in Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, Corral Canyon Road is said to be one of the Best Driving Roads in Malibu. The road is very steep (up to 10%). It’s one of the Top Scenic Drives in Malibu.
A brutally steep road to Lenawee Lift in CO
Located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, Lenawee Lift is said to be one of the highest chairlifts in North America topping out at 3.818m (12,526ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
Swamp Lake
Swamp Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.929m (9,609ft) above the sea level, located in Fresno County, California, in USA. Damage is possible even for the most capable vehicle. Definitely not for stock SUVs. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of California.
A defiant road to Sedgwick Peak in ID, only for experienced drivers
Sedgwick Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.791m (9,156ft) above the sea level, located in Bannock County, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest roads of Idaho.
Black Mesa
Black Mesa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.427m (11,243ft) above the sea level located in Dolores County, in Colorado, USA.
A remote steep road to Roof Butte in AZ
Roof Butte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.996m (9,829ft) above the sea level, located in the Navajo Nation of Apache County, in northeast Arizona, in USA. It'sone of the highest roads of Arizona.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Cadillac Range Drive
Located in Radiator Springs, in Carburetor County, USA, the Cadillac Range Drive is a very scenic journey. The drive is definitely worth it. A drive not to be missed!
A delightful drive to Lewis Lake
Lewis Lake is a high mountain crystal clear snow-melt lake at an elevation of 3.290m (10,793ft) above the sea level, located in Albany County, in northwestern Wyoming, USA. It's one of the highest roads of Wyoming.
White Pass, a paved mountain road in Washington
White Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.365m (4,478ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Yakima and Lewis counties, in the U.S. state of Washington.
Big Windy Peak
Big Windy Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.170m (10,400ft) above the sea level, located in Lemhi County, in eastern Idaho, USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Idaho.
An old mining trail to Kuss Peak
Kuss Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.136m (13,569ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in central Colorado, in the United States. It's one of the highest roads of USA.
Crooked Creek Station
Crooked Creek Station is a high mountain station at an elevation of 3.090m (10,150ft) above the sea level, located in the White Mountains of Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of California.
A wild unpaved road to Crystal Mountain North in Washington
Crystal Mountain North is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,090 m (6,856 ft) above sea level, located in Pierce County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s one of the highest roads in Washington.
The defiant road to Eagle Rock in CA
Eagle Rock is a mountain peak at an elevation of 760m (2,493ft) above the sea level located in Santa Cruz County, on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California.
Moses Mountain
Moses Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.066m (6,778ft) above the sea level, located in Okanogan County, in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Washington. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington.
The Wild Road to Terrible Mountain
Terrible Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.662m (12,014ft) above the sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.
Canwell Glacier Trail
Canwell Glacier Trail is a very exciting&demanding journey located in Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, in United States. This fantastic mountain trail follows the lateral moraine of the Canwell Glacier.
Mount Pennell
Mount Pennell is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.302m (10,833ft) above the sea level, located in Garfield County, Utah, in United States. It's one of the highest mountains roads of Utah.
Edison Butte OHV Trail
Edison Butte OHV Trail is a very exciting trail with some awesome scenic views, located in Deschutes County, Oregon, in United States. It’s a rocky trail that involves lava ridges for extra excitement.
A scenic road to Juniper Lake in Lassen Volcanic NP
Juniper Lake is a picturesque mountain lake at an elevation of 2.094m (6,870ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Plumas and Lassen counties in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of California.
The breathtaking road to Big Indian Mountain in NV
Big Indian Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.987m (9,799ft) above the sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It's one of the highest roads of Nevada.
Mesa Seco is one of the highest roads of CO
Mesa Seco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.846m (12,618ft) above the sea level, located in Hinsdale County, in southwestern Colorado, USA.
A paved steep road to Mount Baldy
Mount Baldy is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.970m (6,463ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in southern California, USA.
Hancock Lake
Hancock Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.556m (11,666ft) above the sea level, located on the Rocky Mountains in Chaffee County, western Colorado, USA.
Driving through the lonely trail to Saint Sophia Ridge
Saint Sophia Ridge is a high mountain ridge at an elevation of 3.829m (12,562ft) above the sea level, located in Ouray County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
Driving the historic Black Hills Scenic Byway in AZ
Black Hills Scenic Byway is a scenic unpaved road located on the boundary between Greenlee and Graham counties, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Arizona.
Cerro Summit
Cerro Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.451m (8,042ft) above the sea level, located east of Montrose, Colorado, in USA.
Driving the scenic Coastal Drive of California
Coastal Drive is a very scenic road located in Del Norte County, at the far northwest corner of the U.S. state of California, along the Pacific Ocean. Whales, sea lions, and pelicans may be seen from overlooks high above the crashing surf.
A memorable road trip to Resolution Mountain in CO
Resolution Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.638m (11,935ft) above the sea level, located in Eagle County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.