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.

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.

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.

Monarch Ridge South is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.634m (11,922ft) above the sea level, located in Chaffee County, in south-central Colorado in the United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado. The average gradient is 7.45%.

Situated in Coconino County, in the US state of Arizona, Highway 180 offers a picturesque drive from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, meandering through mountains and forests.

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.

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.

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.

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.

UT-211 is a very scenic journey in the heart of the Needles region of Canyonlands National Park,in San Juan County, in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Utah. Driving in is beautiful with amazing views along the way.

Navajo Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.154m (10,347ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, Utah, in USA. 

Hecker Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 408m (1,338ft) above the sea level, on the boundary of Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties, in the US state of California. The road through the pass is said to be haunted.

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.

Fordyce Creek is an extremely tough and challenging trail located in Nevada County in Northern California, USA. On high flow days the creek remains impassable. Never underestimate this track.

Windy Gap is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.354m (11,004ft) above the sea level located in Montezuma County, the southwesternmost of the 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Casco Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.925m (12,877ft) 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.

Scotts Bluff Summit is a scenic overlook at an elevation of 1.407m (4,616ft) above sea level, located in Scotts Bluff County, on the western border of the U.S. state of Nebraska.

Fairview Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.812m (5,944ft) above the sea level located in Umpqua National Forest in southwest Oregon, in USA. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for travel to this site. At the summit there’s a lookout tower.

Mineral Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.233m (7,326ft) above the sea level, located in Missoula County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Boca Chica Road is a short asphalted road located in the lower Florida Keys, in Key West, Florida, USA.

Austin Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,423m (4,668ft) above sea level, located in Whatcom County, in the U.S. state of Washington.

Schultz Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.468m (8,097ft) above the sea level located in the U.S. state of Arizona.

ount Wilcox is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.770m (12,368ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, central Colorado, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Cook Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.604m (5,262ft) above the sea level, located in Kern County, in the U.S. state of California.

Bear Lake summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.383m (7,818ft) above the sea level, located in Cache County, on the northern edge of Utah, United States.

Logistics professionals know that a main function of their job is to find ways to attempt to control that which is out of their control. While that sounds like an oxymoron, for these individuals it is their everyday reality. With on the road transport being a huge factor within this industry, both managers and drivers need to have a firm grasp on safety practices internally since they have no control over elements like weather, road conditions, and the other motorists on the road.

Three-fourths of respondents consider themselves a safe or very safe driver. 93% of respondents admitted to engaging in at least one unsafe driving behavior. One in four respondents admitted to engaging in multiple unsafe driving behaviors.

Ord Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.380m (4,527ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California.

Panther Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.760m (5,774ft) above the sea level, located in Brewster County, Texas, in USA.

Stevens Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.243m (4,078ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of King and Chelan counties in the U.S. state of Washington.

Kiowa Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.967m (9,734ft) above the sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Virginia Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.551m (8,370ft) above the sea level, located in Washoe County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Eagle Point Resort is a high mountain resort at an elevation of 3.154m (10,347ft) above the sea level, located in eastern Beaver County, Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Navajo Point is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.188m (10,459ft) above the sea level, located in Iron County, in the U.S. state of Utah. 

The real adventure lies in driving on those dangerous roads. If you love driving on those off-beat unpaved roads where few dare to drive, well, you need to take a good look at your SUV. 

Jersey Jim is a high mountain lookout tower at an elevation of 3.002m (9,849ft) above the sea level, located in Montezuma County, Colorado, in USA.

Red Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.754m (12,316ft) 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.

Pine Creek Reservoir is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.003m (6,571ft) above the sea level, located in Baker County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Tobias Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.505m (8,218ft) above the sea level, located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California.

Locaeted in Buchanan County, Iowa, in USA, the Victor Avenue Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Atlantic Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.778m (12,395ft) 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.

Mount Buckskin is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.881m (12,732ft) 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.

Getting caught speeding is incredibly worrying, and it can happen to even the most careful and conscientious of drivers.

Badger Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.427m (11,243ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Colorado.

Pu’u O Kila is a jaw dropping lookout at an elevation of 1.266m (4,153ft) above the sea level, located in Kauaʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The view to the coast is legendary.

Cove Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.254m (10,675ft) above the sea level located in the Sanpete County, in Utah, USA. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Patchen Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 562m (1,843ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties in the U.S. state of California.

Located in Kane County, in the U.S. state of Utah, Peek-a-boo Gulch is a short slot canyon. Driving is a challenging option. This is not the road to practice your sand driving skills if you are inexperienced.

Eagle Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.987m (9,801ft) above the sea level, located in Catron County, in western New Mexico, in USA.

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.