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.

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.

Lovell Summit

Lovell Summit

Lovell Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.075m (6,807ft) above the sea level, located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The road to the summit is winding, gaining elevation to above 6000 feet.

Big Ridge

Big Ridge

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.

County Road 50

County Road 50

County Road 50 is a very scenic high mountain road located in Grand County, Colorado, United States. It climbs up to 3.163m (10,377ft) above the sea level.

Blackhead Peak

Blackhead Peak

Blackhead Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.301m (10,830ft) above the sea level, located in Archuleta County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Mount Mamma

The unpaved road to Mount Mamma

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

McKays Peak

A memorable road trip to McKays Peak in AZ

McKays Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.793m (9,163ft) above the sea level, located in Navajo County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads of Arizona.

Lake Isabelle

Lake Isabelle

Lake Isabelle is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.619m (11,873ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Black Mountain

How to drive the curvy road to Black Mountain in New Mexico?

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

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.

Mentasta Pass

Mentasta Pass, a paved road in Alaska

Mentasta Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 739m (2,424ft) above the sea level, located in Alaska, in United States.

London Mountain

London Mountain

London Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.695m (12,122ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

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.

Spruce Mountain

Spruce Mountain

Spruce Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.129m (10,267ft) above the sea level, located in Elko County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Nevada.

Blue Ridge Parkway: One of America’s Prettiest Roads

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.

Petes Hole Reservoir

Petes Hole Reservoir

Petes Hole Reservoir is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.718m (8,917ft) above the sea level, located in Sanpete County, in central Utah, USA.

Spooner Summit

Spooner Summit

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.

Jones Mountain

Jones Mountain

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.

Cerro del Oso

Cerro del Oso

Cerro del Oso is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.261m (10,698ft) above the sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Butch Cassidy Pass

Butch Cassidy Pass

Butch Cassidy Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.217m (3,992ft) above the sea level, located in Nye County, in southern Nevada, USA.

Nogal Peak

Nogal Peak

Nogal Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.685m (8,809ft) above the sea level, located in the Southern White Mountain Wilderness in Otero County, in the southeastern part of New Mexico.

Larkspur Mountain

Larkspur Mountain

Larkspur Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.430m (11,253ft) above the sea level, located in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, in USA.

Willow Creek Summit

The paved road to Willow Creek Summit in ID

Willow Creek Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.183m (7,161ft) above the sea level located in the Custer County of central Idaho, in the United States.

Sullivan Mountain

Driving the NF-245 to the abandoned Sullivan Mountain lookout

Sullivan Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,977m (6,486ft) above sea level, located in Pend Oreille County, in the northeast corner of Washington, USA. Sitting right along the Canada–US border, this is one of the highest roads in the state and offers a deep dive into the rugged wilderness of the Colville National Forest.

Aspen Mountain

Enjoy a Drive Among the Clouds to Aspen Mountain in Colorado

Aspen Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,422m (11,227ft) above sea level, located in Pitkin County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Kaibab Plateau

Hot to get by car to Kaibab Plateau in Arizona?

Kaibab Plateau is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2.817m (9,200ft) above sea level, located in Coconino County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads of Arizona.

US Route 1

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.

Copper River Highway

Copper River Highway, one of the most scenic roads in Alaska

Located in the Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, in USA, the Copper River Highway is a very scenic drive, a pure scenery gem.

Bull of the Woods Pass

Bull of the Woods Pass

Bull of the Woods Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.010m (9,875ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, Montana, in USA. It's one of the highest roads of Montana.

Zenobia Peak

How to drive the scenic backcountry road to Zenobia Peak in Colorado?

Zenobia Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.745m (9,006ft) above sea level, located in Moffatt County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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.

North Star Mountain

North Star Mountain

North Star Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.960m (12,992ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, Colorado, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado. The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long. Even in summer you can confront with snowy days.

Blue Lake

Blue Lake

Blue Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 3.728m (12,230ft) 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.

Grand Targhee Resort

Grand Targhee Resort

Grand Targhee Resort is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.430m (7,972ft) above the sea level, located on the Wyoming/Idaho border near Grand Teton, in USA.

Mount Hopkins

Mount Hopkins

Mount Hopkins is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.612m (8,569ft) above the sea level, located in the Santa Rita Range, in Santa Cruz County, southern Arizona, USA.

Mount Peale

How to drive the unpaved road to Mount Peale in Colorado?

Mount Peale is a high mountain peak located in San Juan County, in the US state of Utah. East of the summit, a gravel road climbs up to at an elevation of 3.287m (10,784ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Supreme lift

Supreme Lift

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.

Bartlett Mountain

Bartlett Mountain

Bartlett Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.016m (13,175ft) 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.

Libby Flats

Ultimate 4wd destination: Libby Flats

Libby Flats is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3.252m (10,669ft) above the sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Wyoming.

Heart Lake

Heart Lake

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.

Broken Arrow Trail

Broken Arrow Trail

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.

Spectacle Lake

Spectacle Lake

Spectacle Lake is a high mountain sub-alpine lake at an elevation of 3.323m (10,902ft) above the sea level, located in Wayne County, in south-central Utah, in USA. Altitude and extreme weather is always a factor at any time of year. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Bridge on Red Bridge Road

How to cross the bridge on the Red Bridge Road?

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

Henderson Mountain

Henderson Mountain

Henderson Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.043m (9,983ft) above the sea level located in Park County, in Montana, USA. It's one of the highest roads of Montana.

Revenue Mountain

Driving the rugged 4x4 road to Revenue Mountain in Colorado

Revenue Mountain is a high-altitude summit sitting at 3,725 meters above sea level in the Clear Creek County of Colorado. Positioned on the Great Divide within the Mosquito Range, the road to this peak is one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado. This is a raw, high-alpine world of mining ruins and jagged rocks where the air is thin and the weather can turn lethal in minutes. Driving here is a slow-speed battle against an unpaved track that is consistently bumpy, muddy, and covered in loose scree that will test the clearance and traction of any 4x4.

The River Road

Driving through the challenging River Road in TX

River Road is a very scenic 4x4 trail located in Brewster County, in the western part of the U.S. state of Texas. It’s said to be one of the most scenic drives in Texas. The road is pretty challenging, as it travels through and across many desert washes.

Jones Gap

An awe-inspiring drive to Jones Gap

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

Woodchuck Pass

Woodchuck Pass

Woodchuck Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.937m (9,636ft) above the sea level, located in Sheridan County, Wyoming, in USA.