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.
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.
How to cross the Old Durow Road Bridge in Iowa?
Located in Linn County, in the U.S. state of Iowa, the Old Durow Road Bridge is a historic steel through-truss bridge spanning Blue Creek. Situated east of Urbana, this single-lane structure carries the unpaved Durow Road across the creek bed in rural northeastern Iowa.
Road trip guide: Conquering Lucky Boy Pass in Nevada
Lucky Boy Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.449m (8,034ft) above sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.
How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Sheep Mountain in Wyoming
Sheep Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.912m (9,553ft) above sea level, located in Johnson County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.
A wild unpaved road to Point Six in Montana
Point Six is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.421m (7,942ft) above sea level located in Missoula County, in the US state of Montana.
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.
Arizona 62 is a beautiful road through Madera Canyon
Arizona 62 (Highway 62) is a very scenic drive through the Santa Rita Mountains, in Pima County, in the south central region of the U.S. state of Arizona.
A haunted road to Hecker Pass in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California
Hecker Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 408m (1,338ft) above sea level, located in the US state of California. The road through the pass is said to be haunted.
A paved mountain road to Ute Pass in Grand County
Ute Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.924m (9,593ft) above sea level, located in Grand County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Mingus Summit in Arizona: a road with several dizzying hairpin bends
Mingus Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.146m (7,040ft) above sea level, located in Yavapai County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.
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.
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.
How to drive the unpaved road to Ocate Mesa in New Mexico?
Ocate Mesa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.157m (10,357ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.
How to drive the unpaved road to Calamity Pass in Colorado
Calamity Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.956m (9,698ft) above sea level located in Jackson County, in the US state of Colorado.
Missouri’s Most Accident-Prone Roads Revealed
With an average of 15 fatal accidents annually, Highway 63 remains the most hazardous route in Missouri. However, several urban stretches in St. Louis and Kansas City present even higher fatality rates per mile due to infrastructure limitations and high traffic density.
How to get by car to McGee Mountain in California?
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.
How to drive the unpaved road to Pioneer Mountain?
Pioneer Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.004m (9,855ft) above sea level, located in Madison County, in the U.S. state of Montana. It’s one of the highest roads of Montana.
How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Bald Mountain in California?
Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.847m (9,339ft) above sea level, located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest roads of California.
How to drive the scenic Utah State Route 44?
Utah State Route 44 (UT-44) is a very scenic winding mountain road located in the US state of Utah, running through the geologic formations of the area.
How to drive the unpaved road to Ruby Peak in Colorado?
Ruby Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.738m (12,263ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
A 5-star road to Little Truckee Summit in California
Little Truckee Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.954m (6,411ft) above sea level, located in Sierra County, in the U.S. state of California.
How to get to Antora Peak in Colorado
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.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Benton Crossing Road
Benton Crossing Road is the name of a very scenic drive with vast mountain views, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California.
How to drive the unpaved road to Mount Baldy in Idaho
Mount Baldy is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.793m (9,163ft) above sea level located in Lemhi County, in the US state of Idaho. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.
How to drive the unpaved road to Oxford Peak in Idaho
Oxford Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.831m (9,288ft) above sea level, located in Franklin County in the US state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest roads of Idaho.
A memorable road trip to Stillwater Pass in Colorado
Stillwater Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.246m (10,649ft) above sea level located in Grand County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Driving the wild Fisherman Road to Lake Owyhee in Oregon
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.
How to get by car to Cory Peak in Nevada?
Cory Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,201m (10,501ft) 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 drive the breathtaking road to Meridian Peak in Colorado
Meridian Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.789m (12,432ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. This is truly a breathtaking trail. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Yogo Peak in Montana
Yogo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.686m (8,812ft) above sea level located in Judith Basin County, in the US state of Montana.
How to drive the unpaved road to Table Rock Mountain in Washington?
Table Rock Mountain is a high mountain peak reaching an elevation of 1,908 meters (6,259 ft) above sea level in Columbia County, southeastern Washington, USA. Located deep within the Umatilla National Forest near the Oregon border, the mountain features an unpaved forest access road climbing to a historic fire lookout tower at the summit.
How to drive the unpaved road to North Rim Lookout in Arizona
North Rim Lookout is a high mountain lookout tower at an elevation of 2.798m (9,179ft) above sea level, located in Coconino County, in the US state of Arizona. It’s one of the highest roads of Arizona.
How to drive the wild road to Almagre Mountain in Colorado?
Almagre Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.774m (12,381ft) above sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved County Road 50 in Colorado?
County Road 50 is a very scenic high mountain road located in Grand County, in the US state of Colorado. It tops out at 3.163m (10,377ft) above sea level.
How to drive the historic Switzerland Trail in Boulder County?
The Switzerland Trail is a remarkably scenic mountain journey located in Boulder County, Colorado. Following the abandoned grade of a late 19th-century narrow-gauge railroad, this route offers a unique blend of mining history and technical driving through the rugged Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
How to drive the high-mountain Larkspur Mountain Road in Colorado?
Larkspur Mountain Road is a very scenic drive located in Pitkin County, in the US state of Colorado. This high-mountain road ends at 3.588m (11,771ft) above sea level.
How to drive the unpaved road to Bingham Mine Overlook in Utah?
Bingham Mine Overlook is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 2.748m (9,015ft) above sea level, located in Tooele County in the U.S. state of Utah. The average gradient is 9.35%.
How to drive the unpaved road to South Summit Ridge in Utah?
South Summit Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.483m (11,427ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the US state of Utah. It's one of the highest roads of Utah.
Witches Rock Road in Connecticut is said to be the scary of scaries
Witches Rock Road is located in Hartford County, in the US state of Connecticut and has a long story of witchcraft. It's one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world.
How to drive the paved road to Lowell Observatory at Mars Hill in Arizona?
Mars Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.210m (7,250ft) above sea level, located in Arizona, in the southwestern United States.
Road trip guide: Conquering the Red Hill Road in Nevada
Red Hill Road is a short gravel track located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s a 4wd drive.
How to drive the unpaved road to Strawberry Peak in Utah?
Strawberry Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.155m (10,351ft) above sea level, located in Wasatch County, in the U.S. state of Utah.
How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Willow Mountain in Montana?
Willow Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.503m (8,211ft) above sea level, located in Ravalli County, in the U.S. state of Montana.
Taking Your Chances on US Route 1
With the average number of car accidents in the United States standing at a whopping 6 million each year, it goes without saying that the country is home to some dangerous roads.
How to get to Yaki Point in Arizona by car?
Yaki Point is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 2.213m (7,262ft) above sea level, located in Coconino County, in the US state of Arizona.
Blue Ridge Parkway: One of America’s Prettiest Roads
The United States is filled with winding roads that allow you to view incredible scenery. Pacific Coast Highway winds its way along California's coast. Highway 101 in Oregon allows people to look at the state's stunning shoreline. Then there is the Blue Ridge Parkway in the eastern part of the country.
How to drive the unpaved road to Big Ridge in Utah?
Big Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.383m (11,099ft) above sea level, located in Duchesne County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.
How to drive the paved road to Grand View Point in Utah?
Grand View Point is an overlook at an elevation of 1.915m (6,282ft) above sea level located in in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Utah.