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.

Badger Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,063 m (6,768 ft) above sea level, located in Beaverhead County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Ibex Spring Road is a very exciting desert drive located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Bearwallow Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,039 m (9,970 ft) above sea level, located in Catron County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Smith Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,442 m (8,011 ft) above sea level located in Adams County, in the US state of Idaho.

Marsh Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,860 m (6,102 ft) above sea level, located in Navajo County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Nellis Cove Road is a scenic sandy road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada, leading to the shore of Lake Mohave. It’s a stock-friendly track, but you’ll want four-wheel drive and tires that have some gripping power in the sand.

Located in southwestern Fulton County, in the US state of Georgia, Deep Creek Bridge was built in 1940. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Mount Sheridan is a high mountain peak located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. South of the summit, an old mining road tops out at an elevation of 4,021 m (13,192 ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Miller Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,571m (8,435ft) above sea level, located in Deer Lodge County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Carter Mountain is a high mountain peak located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. East of the summit, a gravel road tops out at 3,445m (11,302ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Wyoming.

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 in Arizona.

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.

Chepeta Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,228 m (10,590 ft) above sea level, located in Duchesne County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Capilla Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,859m (9,379ft) above sea level, located in Torrance County, in the US state of New Mexico.

Sand Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,741m (8,992ft) above sea level, located in Larimer County, in the US state of Colorado.

Sedgwick Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,791m (9,156ft) above sea level, located in Bannock County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Located in Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, Malibu is a picturesque beach city known for its 21 miles of scenic coastline. With a laid-back vibe, Malibu—lovingly called “The Bu” by locals—is a top destination for surfers, sunbathers, and those hoping to catch a glimpse of its famous residents.

Whale Peak is a high mountain peak located in the U.S. state of Colorado. A mining road, north of the summit, climbs up to an elevation of 3,940m (12,926ft) above sea level. The road is very rough. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Moses Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,066m (6,778ft) above sea level, located in Okanogan County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s one of the highest roads in Washington.

Swamp Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,929m (9,609ft) above sea level, located in Fresno County, in the US state of California. Damage is possible even for the most capable vehicle. It's one of the highest roads in California.

Latigo Canyon Road is a very technical drive located in Los Angeles County, in the U.S. state of California. The road is a test for any kind of rider. It’s one of the Top Scenic Drives in Malibu.

Lewis Lake is a high mountain, crystal-clear snow-melt lake at an elevation of 3,290 m (10,793 ft) above sea level, located in Albany County, in the US state of Wyoming. It's one of the highest roads in Wyoming.

Monument Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,255 m (7,398 ft) above sea level, located in Meagher County, in the U.S. state of Montana. Drive the unpaved road at your own risk. Very bumpy in good weather, it is not a good idea in rain or snow.

Big Windy Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,170m (10,400ft) above sea level, located in Lemhi County, in the US state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Black Mesa is a high mountain at an elevation of 3,427 m (11,243 ft) above sea level, located in Dolores County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

I-80 in Nebraska may look like any ordinary highway, but for truckers, it’s one of the most treacherous stretches in the United States. Truck drivers face dangerous conditions daily — a fact reflected in national statistics. According to Business Insider, truckers make up 2.4% of all road fatalities in the USA, despite being a small portion of drivers.

Mount Baldy is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,970m (6,463ft) above sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Sheep Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,536 m (5,039 ft) above sea level located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Emigrant Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.404m (7,886ft) above sea level, located in Sevier County, in the US state of Utah.

Lenawee Mountain is a high mountain peak located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. West of the summit, a chairlift service road tops out at 3,818 m (12,526 ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, draws people from all over the world. Tourists flock to see iconic landmarks, while political leaders and foreign dignitaries conduct high-level meetings. Business leaders also converge here to discuss public-private partnerships. With over 700,000 residents in the city and surrounding areas, this mix of visitors, workers, and locals makes D.C.’s roads a unique challenge.

Convict Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,328 m (7,637 ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It got its name after an incident in 1871, where a group of convicts escaped from prison in Carson City.

State Route 99 (SR-99) in California has been identified as the most dangerous road in the United States, with statistics showing that for every 100 miles, 34 lives are lost. Authorities are urging drivers to take extra caution when traveling on SR-99 and are introducing new safety measures to address the risks.

Eagle Rock is a mountain peak at an elevation of 760 m (2,493 ft) above sea level, located in Santa Cruz County, in the U.S. state of California.

Located in Radiator Springs, in Carburetor County, in the USA, the Cadillac Range Drive is a very scenic journey. The drive is definitely worth it. A drive not to be missed!

Terrible Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,662m (12,014ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Tikaboo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,097m (6,879ft) above sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The peak is widely considered the best remaining legal point from which the public may directly view the very secretive Area 51, a military airfield shrouded in mystery and the source of countless UFO stories and conspiracy theories.

Tip Top Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,295m (7,529ft) above sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in the US state of California. The road to the summit is rocky, with some great inclines and large, sharp rocks that require a little skill to maneuver. High-clearance 4WD vehicles only.

Canwell Glacier Trail is a very exciting and demanding journey located in Valdez-Cordova Census Area, in the US state of Alaska. This fantastic mountain trail follows the lateral moraine of the Canwell Glacier. It’s one of the highest roads in Alaska.

Mesa Seco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,846 m (12,618 ft) above sea level, located in Hinsdale County, in the US state of Colorado. While Mesa Seco is technically a mountain peak, the road passes just a few meters east of the summit, making it effectively a mountain pass for vehicles. This makes it one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Edison Butte OHV Trail is a very exciting trail with some awesome scenic views, located in Deschutes County, in the US state of Oregon. It’s a rocky trail that involves lava ridges for extra excitement.

Crooked Creek Station is a high mountain station at an elevation of 3,090 m (10,150 ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Kuss Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,136m (13,569ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the US state of Colorado. It is one of the highest roads in the USA.

Upper and Lower Hancock Lakes are located in Chaffee County, in the US state of Colorado. The road to the lakes climbs up to 3,556m (11,666ft) above sea level. High-clearance 4-wheel drive recommended.

Alaska, situated on the northwestern edge of the North American continent, is defined by its colossal, untamed scale. Bordered by Canada to the east, the state is framed by three oceans: the Arctic to the north, the Bering Sea to the west, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. It is a land of immense open spaces, severe cold, and widespread permafrost, where the sheer size of the geography dictates the pace of life and travel.

Traffic accidents and fatalities in the Las Vegas area, in the US state of Nevada, are statistically high and on the rise. The driving risk in the region is unique, compounded by a mix of factors: high-volume city traffic, winding mountain passes, unexpected wildlife hazards, and long stretches of remote, unlit highway. These conditions mean drivers must be aware of the considerable risk of severe car accidents.

Mount Pennell is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,302m (10,833ft) above sea level, located in eastern Garfield County, in the US state of Utah. It's one of the highest roads in Utah.

The Great River Road is said to be one of the Best Drives in America, tracing the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles through 10 states, from Minnesota to Louisiana.

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