What are the most spectacular roads in the USA?

The vast expanse of the USA, stretching from the amber waves of grain to the majestic purple mountain majesties, boasts a network of roads that are as diverse as the nation's tapestry of cultures. One such road, the Million Dollar Highway, is often touted as America's crown jewel of roadways, leading adventurers through awe-inspiring terrains and offering unparalleled vistas. Further north, the Iron Mountain Road, with its dizzying 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtails, and 3 tunnels, stands as a testament to man's desire to conquer nature, providing a thrilling drive that's not for the faint-hearted.

Journey to Colorado, and you'll find yourself face to face with the infamous Black Bear Pass - a road that promises not just breathtaking beauty, but also adrenaline-pumping excitement. For the off-road enthusiasts, Engineer Pass offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with Colorado's high mountain terrains, challenging drivers to push their limits amidst staggering beauty. Not to be outdone, Utah’s Canyonlands beckons with the Shafer Trail Road, an iconic route that cuts through the heart of some of the most stunning canyons, making you feel like you're driving through the very pages of history.

In the USA, each road is a journey, an exploration, a challenge, and a story. They are gateways to discovering the grandeur of the nation, to feeling the pulse of its land, and to embracing the spirit of adventure that is quintessentially American. Whether bathed in the golden hues of sunrise or shrouded in the mysteries of twilight, these roads promise experiences that linger long after the journey's end.

Turnagain Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 300m (984ft) above the sea level, located in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Spooner Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.178m (7,146ft) above the sea level, located in the Carson Range of Douglas County, Nevada, in USA.

Campbell Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.219m (7,280ft) above the sea level, located in McKinley County, in the northwestern section of the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Mount Baldy is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.970m (6,463ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in southern California, USA.

Sliderock Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.386m (7,828ft) above the sea level, located in Granite County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Calamity Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.956m (9,698ft) above the sea level located in the Jackson County, in Colorado, USA.

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. 

Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.847m (9,339ft) above the sea level, located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest roads of California.

Jones Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.866m (12,683ft) above the sea level, located in Chaffee County of south-central Colorado, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Drews Gap is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.617m (5,306ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Mount Mamma is a high mountain peak located in Chaffee County, Colorado, USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Point Six is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.421m (7,942ft) above the sea level located in Missoula County, in Montana, USA.

What makes a road dangerous?

Many factors make a particular road dangerous: traffic congestion, excessive speed, drowsy drivers, distracted drivers, and drunk drivers. However, the greatest risk for injury or death isn't a single road. It’s intersections.

Estes Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.900m (9,514ft) above the sea level, located in central Custer County, Idaho, in USA. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Osha Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.997m (9,832ft) above the sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

McKinney Tanks Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.951m (6,400ft) above the sea level, located in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Black Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.132m (10,275ft) above the sea level, located in Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Big Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.383m (11,099ft) above the sea level, located in Duchesne County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

Heart Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.653m (11,984ft) above the sea level, located in Hinsdale County, Colorado, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

South Summit Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.483m (11,427ft) above the sea level, located in Garfield County, Utah, United States. It's one of the highest mountains roads of Utah.

Walkers Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.735m (8,973ft) above the sea level located in the Salmon River Mountains, in Valley County, Idaho, in USA. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Hahns Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.217m (10,554ft) above the sea level, located in Routt County, Colorado, in United States.

Boathouse Cove Road is a bumpy gravel road located on the Northshore of Lake Mead, in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. Backcountry travel is not recommended in summer.

Haines Highway is one of the most spectacular drives in North America. This scenic drive running from Alaska in the United States to Yukon in Canada is truly awesome when you travel it in the fall.

Corey Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.201m (10,501ft) above the sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Nevada.

Granite Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.002m (9,849ft) above the sea level, located in Madison County, in the U.S. state of Montana. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Montana.

Cathey Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.940m (9,645ft) above the sea level, located in Otero County, in the south-central part of the US State of New Mexico.

Today, there are around 4,071,000 miles of roads in the United States. Many of these roads cut across rural or uninhabited areas where numerous domesticated and wild animals wander freely. As a result, many of them die due to accidental roadkill. It is estimated that, daily, over one million animals die due to car collisions.

Carnero Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.100m (10,171ft) above the sea level located in the Saguache County, in Colorado, USA.

Located in Linn County, Iowa, United States, the bridge on the Red Bridge Road is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Keystone Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.677m (12,063ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

White Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.365m (4,478ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Yakima and Lewis counties, in the U.S. state of Washington.

Jones Gap is a mountain pass at an elevation of 893m (2,929ft) above the sea level, located on the border between South Carolina and North Carolina, in the Southeastern region of the United States.

Located on the border of Coconino and Yavapai counties, in the U.S. state of Arizona, Broken Arrow Trail is one of the most popular off-road trails in all of Arizona and offers one of Sedona’s most exhilarating off-road adventure.

Missouri Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.684m (12,086ft) above the sea level, located in Chaffee County, Colorado, in USA. This is truly a breathtaking trail. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Located at an elevation of 2.748m (9,015ft) above the sea level, in Tooele County in the U.S. state of Utah, Bingham Mine Overlook offers stunning 360 degree views. The average gradient is 9.35%.

Terry Flat is a large meadow at an elevation of 3.033m (9,950ft) above the sea level, located in Apache County, in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Arizona. It’sone of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.

Emigrant Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.404m (7,886ft) above the sea level, located in Sevier County, in Utah, United States.

Yaki Point is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 2.213m (7,262ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County, in the US state of Arizona.

Eagle Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.753m (9,032ft) above the sea level, located in Tuolumne County, in the U.S. state of California.

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

Campito Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.294m (10,807ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest roads of California.

Elk Lake Road is a very scenic drive located in the Adirondack Mountains, in the northeast of Upstate New York in the United States. There are many excellent photo opportunities. The road is lost in space and time.

Sheriff Reservoir is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.987m (9,799ft) above the sea level, located in Rio Blanco County, in northwest Colorado, USA.

Supreme Lift is a high mountain lift at an elevation of 3.200m (10,498ft) above the sea level, located in Salt Lake County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Mount Peale is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.287m (10,784ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, in the southeastern part of Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

La Junta Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.926m (12,880ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Skidoo Road is a very exciting desert drive in the Death Valley National Park, in USA. High-clearance vehicle required. Steep grade with protruding rocks at 3.5 miles. Sedans risk undercarriage damage. Subject to snow and mud conditions. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in the Death Valley National Park.

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