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.

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.

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.

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.

Reno Lookout is a high mountain lookout tower at an elevation of 2.775m (9,104ft) above the sea level, located in Greenlee County, Arizona, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.

Located in Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, Malibu is a picturesque beach city known for its 21 miles of scenic coastline. With a laid-back vibe, Malibu—lovingly called “The Bu” by locals—is a top destination for surfers, sunbathers, and those hoping to catch a glimpse of its famous residents.

Towne Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.515m (4,970ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California.

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.

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.

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.

Salinas Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.730m (8,956ft) above the sea level, located in the White Sands Missile Range of Sierra County, south-central New Mexico, in the United States. There is no public access to this peak nor is photography permitted.

Drake Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.509m (8,231ft) above the sea level, located in the Warner Mountain Range of Lake County, Oregon, in USA. It’s one of the highest roads of Oregon.

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

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.

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.

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.

Warrior Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.433m (11,263ft) above the sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado just south of Hwy 103 (Squaw Pass Road).

Located in Iowa, in USA, the 200th Street Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Yellow Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.190m (7,185ft) above the sea level, located in Washoe County, in northwestern Nevada, in United States.

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.

Mount Bachelor is a stratovolcano at an elevation of 2.461m (8,074ft) above the sea level, located in Deschutes County, in central Oregon, USA. It’s one of the highest roads of Oregon.

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.

Barillas Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.847m (9,340ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States.

Encinal Canyon Road is the name of a very scenic yet demanding drive located in western Los Angeles County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s said to be one of the 5 Best Driving Roads in Malibu. It’s one of the Top Scenic Drives in Malibu.

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.

Mount Lewis is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.933m (9,622ft) above the sea level, located in Lander County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Nevada.

Switzerland Trail is a very scenic journey in Boulder County, Colorado, United States. This trail had lots of twists and turns, bumps and wonderful sites to see. It’s an old railroad grade that zigzags across the mountains of Boulder County.

Don Fernando Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.147m (10,324 ft) 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.

Alta Lakes is a a serie of three lakes at an elevation of 3.484m (11,430ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, Colorado, United States. This is a long and bumpy trail, but the scenery is worth the trip.

Geysers Road Bridge is a truss bridge with Phoenix columns located in Sonoma County, in Northern California, in USA. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Hawley Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.223m (7,293ft) above the sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.766m (9,074ft) above the sea level, located in the Glass Mountain Range, Mono County, in the U.S. state of California.

KPQ-FM Wenatchee is a high mountain radio broadcaster at an elevation of 2.081m (6,827ft) above the sea level, located in Chelan County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington.

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.

Most roads that you meet on your way are safe and comfortable. Drivers from different countries are accustomed to road standards, which include quality road surfaces, speed cameras and radars, excellent lighting, road markings, and other features, which make every car trip more reliable than ever before. 

Helmet Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.481m (11,420ft) above the sea level, located in Montezuma County, the southwesternmost of the 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Bear Valley Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.528m (8,293ft) above the sea level located in Valley County, in Idaho, USA.

Copper Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.758m (12,329ft) 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.

Granite Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.233m (4,045ft) above the sea level, located within the Mojave Desert, in San Bernardino County, California, USA.

Lem Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.083m (10,114ft) above the sea level, located in Lemhi County in the U.S. state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Idaho.

Sunrise Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.248m (10,656ft) above the sea level, located in Apache County, in northeastern Arizona in the United States. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.

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.

Located in Keokuk County, Iowa, in USA, the 170th Street Rock Creek Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Tray Gap is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.171m (3,841ft) above the sea level, located in White County, Georgia, United States. Beauty and isolation are what you will find here.

Mount Callaghan is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.107m (10,193ft) above the sea level, located in Lander County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Nevada. Thanks to a communications structure located near the highest point on this mountain which can be seen easily from highway 305, a road has been built which makes access easier.

Located in Clallam County, in the U.S. state of Washington, Olympic Hot Springs Road is totally washed out and closed to vehicles indefinitely.

Monument Ridge is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.518m (8,261ft) above the sea level, located in Sublette County, in western Wyoming, United States.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a very scenic loop road located in Gatlinburg, a mountain town in in Sevier County, eastern Tennessee, in USA. The road is open to cars only (no trucks or RVs).

High Top is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.321m (10,897ft) above the sea level located in the Sanpete County, in Utah, USA. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

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