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.

Edison Butte OHV Trail

How to conquer the defiant Edison Butte OHV Trail in Oregon?

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.

Hancock Lakes

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.

Black Hills Scenic Byway

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.

Crooked Creek Station

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.

Eagle Rock

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.

Big Indian Mountain

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.

Roof Butte

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.

Mount Pennell

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.

Crystal Mountain North

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.

Picturesque Routes for the Ultimate Road-trip & Vacation in the Pocono Mountains

Picturesque Routes for the Ultimate Road-trip & Vacation in the Pocono Mountains

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.

South Baldy

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.

Kuss Peak

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.

Turnagain Pass

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.

Granite Peak

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.

Resolution Mountain

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.

Piney Lake

How to get by car to Piney Lake in 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.

Big Lake

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.

Blue Lakes Road

Blue Lakes Road

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.

Juniper Lake Road

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.

Mount Hough

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.

Mulholland Drive

Mulholland Drive is a Glamorous Road through the Breathtaking Views of Los Angeles

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.

Beyond the Clouds: A Tactical Guide to Colorado’s Highest Roads

Beyond the Clouds: A Guide to Colorado’s Highest Roads

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."

Trico Peak

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.

Box Canyon Trail

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.

Martis Peak

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.

Cerro Summit

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.

Keystone Mountain

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.

Monument Hill

A memorable road trip to Monument Hill in La Plata County

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

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.

Saint Sophia Ridge

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.

Devil Peak (Mariposa County)

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.

Difficult Pass

The road to Difficult Pass in Colorado is not for the inexperienced

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

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.

I-15 in Nevada

I-15 in Nevada, a bigger risk than casinos in Las Vegas

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.

Old Durow Road Bridge

How to cross the Old Durow Road Bridge?

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

Carlsbad Cavern Highway: 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.

Mestaa’Ėhehe Mountain

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.

Yvonne Pass

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.

Highway 180 (Flagstaff to Grand Canyon)

Highway 180 Journey: A Scenic Drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon Unveiled

Situated in Coconino County, in the US state of Arizona, Highway 180 offers a picturesque drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, meandering through mountains and forests.

Bears Ears Peak

A memorable road trip to Bears Ears Peak 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.

Teton 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.

Toro Peak

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.

San Mateo Bridge

San Mateo-Hayward Bridge is the longest bridge in California

Located in San Francisco, in the US state of California, San Mateo-Hayward Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

US 93 Highway

US 93, a major north-south highway in the western United States

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

Sheep Mountain

Sheep Mountain

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. 

Avon Pass

Navigating Avon Pass Road: Utah's Unpaved Adventure Route

Avon Pass is a high mountain pass situated at an elevation of 1,984m (6,509ft) above sea level. It's located on the boundary between Weber and Cache counties in the U.S. state of Utah.

North Lake road

North Lake road

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.

Encinal Canyon Road

How To Travel The Scenic Encinal Canyon Road

Encinal Canyon Road is the name of a very scenic yet demanding drive located in western Los Angeles County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s said to be one of the 5 Best Driving Roads in Malibu. It’s one of the Top Scenic Drives in Malibu.