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.

Top 10 dangerous roads for drivers in the USA

Top 10 dangerous roads for drivers in the USA

When it comes to selecting the ideal roads for drivers, long uninterrupted stretches where you can push the car to its limits seems viable. But, when you are experiencing the unexpected, danger comes in hovering. Though there are many thrilling road sections in the world where you can enjoy to the fullest, we have some popular patches in the U.S. itself. 

Point Six

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.

Arizona 62

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.

Abajo Loop Scenic Backway

Abajo Loop Scenic Backway

Abajo Loop Scenic Backway is a very exciting journey located in San Juan County, in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Utah. The trail loops up through the forested Abajo Mountains north of Blanding, climbs to nearly 11,000 ft, then descends to Monticello. The road is single-lane dirt/gravel and is impassable when wet.

The Extraterrestrial Highway

The Extraterrestrial Highway is an iconic route through the Nevada desert

Nevada State Route 375 (the Extraterrestrial Highway) is a very scenic journey located in the US state of Nevada. It’s famous for UFO sightings, alien lore, and its proximity to the top-secret Area 51.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Lucky Boy Pass

Road trip guide: Conquering Lucky Boy Pass in NV

Lucky Boy Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.449m (8,034ft) above the sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Missouri’s Most Accident-Prone Roads Revealed

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.

Mount Edwards

An old 4wd road to Mount Edwards

Mount Edwards is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.844m (12,611ft) 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.

McGee Mountain

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.

Mingus Summit

Mingus Summit in AZ: a road with several dizzying hairpin bends

Mingus Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.146m (7,040ft) above the sea level, located in Yavapai County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Cory Peak

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.

Bald Mountain

Bald Mountain

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.

Ocate Mesa

Ocate Mesa

Ocate Mesa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.157m (10,357ft) 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.

Antora Peak

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.

Meridian Peak

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.

Fisherman Road

Driving the wild Fisherman Road to Lake Owyhee in OR

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.

Little Truckee Summit

Little Truckee Summit, a 5 stars road in the Sierra Nevada

Little Truckee Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.954m (6,411ft) above the sea level, located in Sierra County, in the U.S. state of California.

Ute Pass

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 the sea level, located in Grand County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Mores Creek Summit

A scenic paved road to Mores Creek Summit in ID

Mores Creek Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.871m (6,138ft) above the sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Ruby Peak

Ruby Peak

Ruby Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.738m (12,263ft) above the sea level, located in the Ruby Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America, in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Mountain Baldy

Mountain Baldy

Mountain Baldy is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.793m (9,163ft) above the sea level located in the Salmon River Mountains, in Lemhi County, Idaho, in USA. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Pioneer Mountain

Pioneer Mountain

Pioneer Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.004m (9,855ft) 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.

Utah State Route 44

Utah State Route 44

UT-44 is a very scenic winding mountain road located in northern Utah, in USA.

Benton Crossing Road

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.

Oxford Peak

Oxford Peak

Oxford Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.831m (9,288ft) above the sea level, located in Franklin County in southeast Idaho, USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Idaho.

Table Rock Mountain

Table Rock Mountain

Table Rock Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.908m (6,259ft) above the sea level, located in Columbia County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington.

Red Hill Road

Road trip guide: Conquering the Red Hill Road in NV

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

Yogo Peak

Yogo Peak

Yogo Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.686m (8,812ft) above the sea level located in Judith Basin County, in Montana, USA.

Hecker Pass

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.

Stillwater Pass

A memorable road trip to Stillwater Pass

Stillwater Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.246m (10,649ft) above the sea level located in Grand County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The pass divides the Never Summer Wilderness Area and the Arapaho National Forest.

Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory

Lowell Observatory is an astronomical observatory at an elevation of 2.210m (7,250ft) above the sea level, located in Flagstaff, in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States.

North Rim Lookout

North Rim Lookout

North Rim Lookout is a high mountain lookout tower at an elevation of 2.798m (9,179ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County,  in northern Arizona, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.

Calamity Pass

Calamity Pass

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.

Strawberry Peak

Strawberry Peak

Strawberry Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.155m (10,351ft) above the sea level, located in Wasatch County, in the U.S. state of Utah. 

South Summit Ridge

South Summit Ridge

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.

Almagre Mountain

The Wild Road to Almagre Mountain

Almagre Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.774m (12,381ft) above the sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Witches Rock Road

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.

Sunnyside Saddle

Sunnyside Saddle

Sunnyside Saddle is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.030m (13,221ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Grand View Point

Grand View Point

Grand View Point is an overlook at an elevation of 1.915m (6,282ft) above the sea level located in the Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Utah.

Yaki Point

How to get to Yaki Point by car?

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.

Larkspur Mountain Road

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.

Willow Mountain

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.

Bingham Mine Overlook

Bingham Mine Overlook

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%.

Switzerland Trail

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.