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.
Badlands Loop Road, an adventurous photogenic drive in SD
Badlands Loop Road (SD 240) is the name of a very scenic drive running on the boundary between Jackson and Pennington counties in the U.S. state of South Dakota.
Jordan Peak
Jordan Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.619m (8,592ft) above the sea level, located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California.
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.
5 Deadliest Roads in the US
While most American highways are built to high safety standards, several routes across the country remain notorious for their high fatality rates and extreme environmental hazards. From the frozen isolation of the Arctic to the congested arteries of Florida and California, these five roads test the limits of even the most experienced drivers.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Osha Mountain
Osha Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.240m (10,629ft) 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.
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.
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.
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.
Kaibab Plateau
Kaibab Plateau is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 2.817m (9,200ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.
The infamous Jug Bridge of Maryland
Located in Frederick County, in the northern part of the U.S. state of Maryland, the Jug Bridge ruins and its connecting roads are all that remains of what was once a beautiful and historic piece of American infrastructure. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
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.
Road trip guide: Conquering Burned Mountain
Burned Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.048m (10,000 ft) above the sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.
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.
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.
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.
Sullivan Mountain
Sullivan Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.977m (6,486ft) above the sea level, located in Pend Oreille County, in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Washington, along the Canada–US border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Patricks Knob
Patricks Knob is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.086m (6,843ft) above the sea level located in Sanders County, in Montana, USA.
Black Mountain
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.
Revenue Mountain
Revenue Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.725m (12,221ft) above the sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.
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.
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.
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.
A marvelous scenic back country road to Zenobia Peak in CO
Zenobia Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.745m (9,006ft) above the sea level, located in Moffatt County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
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.
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.
Cathey Peak
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.
Relay Peak
Relay Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.102m (10,177ft) above the sea level, located in Washoe County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Nevada.
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.
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.
Mount Bigelow
Mount Bigelow is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.571m (8,434ft) above the sea level, located in the Santa Catalina Mountains, in Pima County, in the south central region of the U.S. state of Arizona.
Interstate-84 Highlights: Navigating Rattlesnake Pass in Utah's Box Elder County
Rattlesnake Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.620m (5,314ft) above the sea level, located in Box Elder County in the US state of Utah.
Mount Peale
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.
Elk Lake Road
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.
A paved road to Campbell Pass in NM
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.