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 Brutally Steep Road to Lenawee Lift in Colorado
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.
How to get by car to Tip Top Mountain in California?
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.
Travelling the historic Robidoux Pass in Nebraska
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.
How to Drive the Wild Road to Terrible Mountain in Colorado
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.
How to get by car to Hancock Lakes in Colorado?
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.
Adventure along the wild road to the lookout at Monument Peak in Meagher County
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.
How to get by car to the lookout at Martis Peak in California?
Martis Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,652 m (8,700 ft) above sea level, located in Placer County, in the U.S. state of California. The drive provides amazing views from North Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Truckee region.
The wild unpaved road to Granite Peak in Madison County
Granite Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,002 m (9,849 ft) above sea level, located in Madison County, in the U.S. state of Montana. It’s one of the highest roads in Montana.
How to get by car to Crooked Creek Station in California?
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.
Road Trip Guide: Conquering the Cadillac Range Drive
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!
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.
How to get to the lookout at the summit of Roof Butte in Arizona?
Roof Butte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,996m (9,829ft) above sea level, located in Apache County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads in Arizona.
How to drive to Turnagain Pass in Alaska?
Turnagain Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 300 m (984 ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Alaska.
The Wild Road to Sand Creek Pass in Colorado
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.
A memorable road trip to Melendrez Pass in Arizona
Melendrez Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,763m (5,784ft) above sea level, located in Pima County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.
Badlands Loop Road is an adventurous photogenic drive in South Dakota
Badlands Loop Road (SD 240) is the name of a very scenic drive straddling Jackson and Pennington counties in the U.S. state of South Dakota.
A remote drive to Sheep Pass in Nevada
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.
How to get by car to Big Lake Knoll in Arizona?
Big Lake Knoll is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.870 m (9,415 ft) above sea level, located in Apache County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads in Arizona.
An Old Mining Trail to Kuss Peak in Colorado
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.
How to get by car to the summit of Mount Pennell in Utah?
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.
Driving the historic Black Hills Scenic Byway in Arizona
Black Hills Scenic Byway is a scenic unpaved road located along Greenlee and Graham counties, in the U.S. state of Arizona.
5 Deadliest Roads in the US
While most American highways are built to high safety standards, several routes across the country remain notorious for their high fatality rates and extreme environmental hazards. From the frozen isolation of the Arctic to the congested arteries of Florida and California, these five roads test the limits of even the most experienced drivers.
Nellis Cove Road is a drive worth taking on the shore of Lake Mohave
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.
A Memorable Road Trip to Resolution Mountain in Colorado
Resolution Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,638 m (11,935 ft) above sea level, located in Eagle County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.
How to get by car to South Baldy in New Mexico?
South Baldy is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,288 m (10,789 ft) above sea level, located in Socorro County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Driving up there through a narrow unpaved road is a bit scary. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.
How to get to the lookout at Mount Hough in California?
Mount Hough is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.204m (7,230ft) above sea level, located in Plumas County, in the U.S. state of California.
Box Canyon Trail: Arizona's Steep-Walled Drive
The Box Canyon Trail is a unique and scenic drive through a narrow, steep-walled canyon located in Pinal County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is one of Arizona’s most popular 4-wheeling areas.
The breathtaking road to Big Indian Mountain in Nevada
Big Indian Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,987m (9,799ft) above sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It's one of the highest roads in Nevada.
How to get by car to the scenic Juniper Lake in California?
Juniper Lake is a picturesque mountain lake at an elevation of 2,094m (6,870ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California.
The road to Trico Peak in Colorado is not for the faint of heart
Trico Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.849m (12,627ft) above sea level, located in San Miguel County in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
How to drive the defiant unpaved road to Eagle Rock in California?
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.
How to get to Erickson Mine at the summit of Keystone Mountain in Colorado
Keystone Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,677 m (12,063 ft) above sea level, located in eastern Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.
How to drive the wild road to Toro Peak in California
Toro Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.655m (8,710ft) above sea level, located in south-central Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.
How long is the Jug Bridge in Maryland?
The original Jug Bridge was a historic 129.5-meter (425 ft) stone arch bridge spanning the Monocacy River in Frederick County, in the US state of Maryland. Built in 1808 by local stonemason Leonard Harbaugh as part of the National Road, the historic route carries Old National Pike (MD 144) east of Frederick. Today, the abandoned 1944 concrete replacement bridge stands directly beside a modern span carrying traffic, ranking among the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Top 10 dangerous roads for drivers in the USA
When it comes to selecting the ideal roads for drivers, long uninterrupted stretches where you can push the car to its limits seems viable. But, when you are experiencing the unexpected, danger comes in hovering. Though there are many thrilling road sections in the world where you can enjoy to the fullest, we have some popular patches in the U.S. itself.
The Ghost of a Girl Haunts the Niles Canyon Road in California
Niles Canyon Road is a short mountain drive located in Alameda County, in the U.S. state of California. The road is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman.
The Extraterrestrial Highway is an iconic route through the Nevada desert
Nevada State Route 375 (the Extraterrestrial Highway) is a very scenic journey located in the US state of Nevada. It’s famous for UFO sightings, alien lore, and its proximity to the top-secret Area 51.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Burcham Flat Road in California
Burcham Flat Road is a very scenic alternative to US-395, through the Walker River Canyon, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California.
How to get to the lookout at the summit of Devil Peak in Mariposa County?
Devil Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.128m (6,981ft) above sea level, located in southern Mariposa County, in the US state of California.
Driving through the lonely trail to Saint Sophia Ridge in Colorado
Saint Sophia Ridge is a high mountain ridge at an elevation of 3.829m (12,562ft) above sea level, located in Ouray County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Carlsbad Cavern Highway in New Mexico: A Comprehensive Travel Guide
Carlsbad Cavern Highway (New Mexico State Route 7) is a very scenic drive located in Eddy County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
The Ultimate Road Trip To Mestaa’Ėhehe Mountain in Colorado
Mestaa’Ėhehe is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.493m (11,459ft) above sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
How long is the Abajo Loop Scenic Backway in Utah?
The Abajo Loop Scenic Backway is a 62.7-kilometer (39-mile) high-mountain gravel route located in San Juan County, southeastern Utah, USA. Crossing the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the unpaved mountain road connects the towns of Monticello and Blanding, climbing through the forested Abajo Mountains and topping out at North Creek Pass.
How to get by car to Teton Pass in Montana?
Teton Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.905m (6,250ft) above sea level, located in Teton County, in the US state of Montana.
How to drive to Cerro Summit in Colorado?
Cerro Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,451 m (8,042 ft) above sea level, located in Montrose County, in the US state of Colorado.
A memorable road trip to Yvonne Pass in Colorado
Yvonne Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,893 m (12,772 ft) above sea level located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Driving the road to Coyote Ridge in California is not a piece of cake
Coyote Ridge is a high mountain ridge at an elevation of 3.492m (11,456ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.
How to drive the scenic North Lake Road in California?
North Lake Road is a steep, high-mountain drive located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. Climbing high into the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, the road leads to North Lake inside the Inyo National Forest and ranks among the highest roads of California.