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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a specialized mountain loop located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Situated within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this road offers a high-stakes driving experience characterized by its narrow profile and lack of safety barriers. Operating on this road requires total commitment; once a driver enters the one-way circuit, there are no turn-around points. It is a masterclass in low-speed technical handling through a dense, high-moisture forest environment.

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.

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.

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.

Navigating the vast highway systems of the United States requires strict adherence to variable jurisdictional speed limits. Getting clocked by a radar or being pulled over by state troopers can be a complex logistical and legal challenge, especially for international travelers or long-distance overlanders. Understanding the specific protocols of a "Traffic Stop" and the subsequent administrative steps is essential for mitigating the impact on your driving record and insurance standing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Michigan offers one of the most diverse driving environments in the American Midwest. From the industrial logistics of the Motor City to the high-latitude wilderness of the Upper Peninsula (U.P.), a road trip across this state is a study in coastal geography and infrastructure. Navigating the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior requires a strategic approach to route planning, especially as roads transition from standard interstates to narrow, wind-exposed scenic byways with limited service availability.

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.

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.

Traveling through mountain passes, isolated coastal routes, and remote inland tracks offers unmatched freedom, but it also demands a higher level of preparation. Beyond the basics, ensuring your safety on high-risk routes requires specific protocols that can prevent a scenic drive from turning into a life-threatening situation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

For logistics professionals operating across the United States, managing a fleet involves a constant battle against variables beyond human control: extreme weather, volatile road surfaces, and unpredictable motorists. In the high-stakes environment of long-haul transport, safety is not merely a corporate policy—it is a technical requirement for operational survival. Implementing advanced telemetry and standardized response protocols is essential for protecting both the cargo and the human assets behind the wheel.

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.

There is a profound disconnect between perceived driving competence and actual on-road behavior in the United States. While a vast majority of motorists self-identify as "safe" or "expert" drivers, forensic traffic data and behavioral surveys paint a more alarming picture. This phenomenon, often referred to as the "Illusion of Superiority," creates a dangerous environment where overconfidence leads to a systematic disregard for basic safety protocols, turning high-speed arterials into zones of high-consequence risk.

When the pavement ends on high-consequence routes like Engineer Pass or the Dalton Highway, the distinction between a standard SUV and a true expedition vehicle becomes a matter of survival. Navigating unpaved, rocky, or ice-saturated terrain requires more than just all-wheel drive; it demands superior ground clearance, heavy-duty suspension articulation, and mechanical locking differentials. This analysis reviews the elite platforms engineered to maintain traction and structural integrity where standard vehicles fail.

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.

Italian Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.584m (11,758ft) above the sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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

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.

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.

Nevada State Route 375 (the Extraterrestrial Highway) is a very scenic journey on the boundary of Nye and Lincoln counties in south-central Nevada, United States. Many visitors have reported UFO sightings and other strange activity along the way.

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.

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