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.

Black Hills Scenic Byway is a scenic unpaved road located along Greenlee and Graham counties, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

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.

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.

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.

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.

New Castle-Buford Road is a very scenic mountain drive located along Rio Blanco and Garfield counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Coastal Drive Loop is a very scenic road located at the far northwest corner of the U.S. state of California, running along the Pacific Ocean. Whales, sea lions, and pelicans may often be seen from overlooks high above the crashing surf. is one of the most scenic drives in the Redwood National and State Parks.

Krome Avenue is arguably the most notorious road in South Florida. Known to locals as "Killer Krome," this highway is a magnet for dangerous road enthusiasts due to its haunting history, high-speed drag racing, and a staggeringly high fatality rate. Running along the edge of the Everglades, it serves as the final frontier between Miami's urban sprawl and the wilderness.

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.

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 United States offers some of the most diverse and high-consequence driving environments in the world. From the narrow, exposed cliff-edges of the Pacific Coast to the high-altitude Appalachian ridges, a cross-country road trip is more than a vacation—it is a logistical exercise in vehicle endurance and situational awareness. Whether you are seeking historical immersion or technical driving challenges, these five routes represent the pinnacle of American road exploration.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Piney Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,864 m (9,396 ft) above sea level, located in Eagle County, in the US state of Colorado. It is one of the highest lakes in the state that you can drive to. The road is a bit rough.

The Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania represent a complex topographical transition for drivers on the U.S. East Coast. This upland region is defined by a dense network of interstate corridors and historic state routes that navigate through deep forests, river gaps, and high-plateau terrain. For the strategic driver, reaching the Poconos requires balancing high-speed transit with technical mountain navigation, especially during the hazardous icing events of the winter season.

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.

Monument Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,253 m (10,672 ft) above sea level, located in La Plata County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Difficult Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,712m (12,178ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

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.

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.

The I-15 or Interstate 15 is a paved highway located in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is the main route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

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.

Located in Iowa, in the United States, the Old Durow Road Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

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.

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.

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.

Bears Ears Peak is a high mountain peak located in Routt County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Northwest of the peak, a gravel road climbs up to 3,009 m (9,872 ft) above sea level.

US 93 Highway (US 93) is a major highway located in the western United States. The drive features scenic views.

Sheep Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.912m (9,553ft) above the sea level, located in Johnson County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. 

Toro Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.655m (8,710ft) above the sea leevel, located in south-central Riverside County, in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California.

Located in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains in the US state of California, Mulholland Drive is one of the most iconic roads in the country, providing a captivating journey through Los Angeles. The views of the city skyline and distant landscapes are unparalleled.

North Lake road is a mountainous journey located in California's Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California.

Blue Lakes Road is a very scenic jourmey in the heart of Alpine County, in Eastern California, USA. The road runs entirely over 2.200m above the sea level.

Colorado is the ultimate high-altitude proving ground in the United States. Dominated by the Rocky Mountains, the state offers a landscape where pristine alpine tundra meets the rugged remains of the 19th-century Gold Rush. For the adventure motorist, Colorado is less about the destination and more about the ascent. This 5-day expedition focuses on the technical climbs and historic trails that define the "Centennial State."

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