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.

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.

Is it better to go on a road trip or on a vacation? Is it too much to ask for both? And what better way to get the best out of both worlds than taking a drive across the picturesque routes to the Pocono Mountains. Out of a plethora of roads connecting the Pocono Mountains, here is a handpicked list of the most exciting and fun filled roads leading to this amazing destination.

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.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

Niles Canyon Road is a short drive located in Alameda County, in the U.S. state of California. The road is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wenatchee Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.059m (6,755ft) above the sea level, located in Chelan County, in central Washington State, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington. Near the summit there’s a lookout site.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Highway 63 holds the unfortunate title of being Missouri’s most dangerous road, with an average of 15 fatal accidents each year. However, multiple other highways and urban routes across the state also present serious safety concerns for motorists. State and local authorities continue to implement measures aimed at reducing collision rates and improving driver safety.

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 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.

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.

Blue Lakes Road is a very scenic jourmey in the heart of Alpine County, in Eastern California, USA. The road runs entirely over 2.200m above the sea level.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Medicine Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.039m (9,970ft) above the sea level, located in Big Horn County, in north-central Wyoming, USA.

Ruby Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.607m (11,833ft) 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.

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.

Golden Bear Peak 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.

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.

Road trips across America are often the staple of many people’s travel bucket lists. If you’re looking for adventure, America’s vast map of relaxing unchanging open roads might not be your cup of tea. 

Black Canyon Road is a very scenic drive in Arizona, United States, located within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

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.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.