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.

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

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.

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.

Towne Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.515m (4,970ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California.

Colorado, the heart of the American Rocky Mountains, contains the highest concentration of high-altitude paved arterials in North America. Beyond the aesthetic appeal of the peaks, the state’s topography demands extreme road geometries. For the driver, these nine passes represent a technical challenge where sustained gradients and thin air intersect, testing both vehicle cooling systems and braking endurance. In the "High Country," a descent can quickly transition from a scenic drive to a high-consequence survival exercise if brake fade is not managed correctly.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Nashville, Tennessee, often categorized solely as a cultural music hub, serves as a critical historical case study in Southern infrastructure and strategic geography. From its role as a Union Army stronghold during the Civil War to its dominance in 19th-century thoroughbred logistics, "Music City" was built on a foundation of complex transit networks and tactical positioning. For the traveler interested in the evolution of American roads and settlements, these five sites offer a technical look at the city's operational history.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

McGee Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.204m (10,511ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

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.

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.

Red Hill Road is a short gravel track located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s a 4wd drive.

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. 

Fisherman Road is a gravel wild road located in Malheur County, in the U.S. state of Oregon, leading to Indian Creek Campground, on the southern shores of Lake Owyhee.

Antora Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,823 m (12,542 ft) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

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