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.

Richardson Highway

Richardson Highway: a historic trip from Valdez to Fairbanks in AK

Richardson Highway is the name of a very scenic drive into the heart of Alaska's mining districts, connecting Valdez to Fairbanks. It was the first major road built in the state.

1925 Italian Bar Bridge

The spectacular 1925 Italian Bar Bridge in California

1925 Italian Bar Bridge is a very scenic bridge located on the boundary of Fresno County and Madera County, at the geographic center of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Keller Peak

Keller Peak

Keller Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.405m (7,890ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, Southern California, United States.

Brooklyn Lake

Brooklyn Lake

Brooklyn Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.243m (10,639ft) 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.

Blowhard Mountain

Blowhard Mountain

Blowhard Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.264m (10,708ft) above the sea level, located in Iron County, Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

Navajo Point

Navajo Point

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. 

Badger Mountain

A memorable road trip to Badger Mountain in Colorado

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

Gass Peak Road

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Gass Peak Road in NV

Gass Peak Road is a very scenic drive located in the Las Vegas Range of Southern Nevada, in USA.

Apache Point Observatory

What are the driving conditions on the road to Apache Point Observatory?

The Apache Point Observatory is a high-altitude research facility at an elevation of 2,801m (9,189ft) above sea level, located in Otero County, in the US state of New Mexico. The access is via Apache Point Road, a short mountain spur that connects the observatory with the Sunspot Highway (NM Hwy-6563). 

Lone Peak

Lone Peak

Lone Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.953m (9,688ft) above the sea level, located in Madison County, in southwestern Montana, in USA. 

Salton Sea

How to get by car to Salton Sea in California?

The Salton Sea is an inland saline lake straddling Imperial and Riverside counties, in the US state of California. It’s one of the Earth’s Lowest Elevations at -227 ft (-69 m) below sea level.

Black Lake

How to get by car to Black Lake in Idaho?

Black Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2,206m (7,237ft) above sea level, located in Adams County, a rural county in the US state of Idaho.

Mazuorka Peak

Mazuorka Peak

Mazuorka Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.870m (9,416ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest mountain roads of California.

Big Bear Peak

How to drive the unpaved road to Big Bear Peak in Colorado?

Big Bear Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.709m (12,168ft) above sea level, located in San Miguel County, in the US state of Colorado. 

How to Prepare For the Ultimate Fishing Trip Into the Wild

Logistics and Survival for High-Isolation Fishing Drives

Planning a fishing expedition into the true wilderness—far beyond the reach of localized infrastructure—requires a strategic approach to logistics and safety. Whether your objective is high-altitude trout in the Himalayas or tuna in isolated maritime sectors of the Atlantic, the challenge lies in the transit and the environmental volatility of the terrain. For the adventure-driven angler, success depends on mechanical autonomy, precise navigation, and a disciplined gear strategy designed for "no-service" zones.

California's Central Valley Has Some of the Worst Roads in the USA

Road Conditions in California’s Central Valley: A Regional Overview

The Central Valley of California represents one of the most stressed road environments in the United States. Federal road condition data consistently ranks the region's urban and rural arterials among the most deteriorated in the nation. This systematic degradation of the pavement is not merely a matter of driver discomfort; it is a critical safety variable that introduces unpredictable hazards, increases vehicle mechanical failure rates, and compromises the integrity of the state's primary agricultural logistics corridors.

Las Vegas Convention Center Loop

Driving the breathtaking Las Vegas Convention Center Loop

Las Vegas Convention Center Loop is the name of an underground tunnel system located in Las Vegas, in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada.

Daggett Pass

Take the Curvy Kingsbury Grade Road and Discover Daggett Pass in NV

Daggett Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.239m (7,345ft) above the sea level, located in northwestern Douglas County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Slide Mountain

Slide Mountain

Slide Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.928m (9,606ft) above the sea level, located in Washoe County, Nevada, in USA. The mountain is well known for its rock slides. It’s one of the highest roads of Nevada.

Schultz Pass

Schultz Pass

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.

The Benefits of an Extended Warranty for Your Car on Tricky Roads

Vehicle Maintenance and Logistics for Technical Mountain Roads

Driving on technical mountain roads or high-altitude passes significantly accelerates the wear and tear of critical vehicle components. From braking systems to suspension geometry, the mechanical stress of navigating steep gradients and unpaved surfaces requires a specific logistical approach to maintenance and repair. Ensuring a vehicle can handle these environments is essential for long-distance transit safety.

Panther Pass

Panther Pass

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.

Glenwood Canyon

How to drive the scenic road through Glenwood Canyon in Colorado?

Located in the US state of Colorado, the 12.5-mile stretch of Interstate-70 through Glenwood Canyon is a marvel of engineering.

Sheriff Reservoir

Sheriff Reservoir

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.

Scenic Loop Drive

Scenic Loop Drive

Scenic Loop Drive is an amazing drive in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, in North Dakota, USA.

Cook Peak

Cook Peak

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.

Cave Mountain

Cave Mountain

Cave Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.277m (10,751ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, in the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s one of the highest roads of Nevada.

Lewis and Clark Highway

Lewis and Clark Highway

Lewis and Clark Highway is a very scenic drive located in Skamania County, Washington, United States.

State Route 99

State Route 99: Why is it the Deadliest Highway in the United States?

California’s Central Valley holds a dark record in American transit. In 2019, State Route 99 (SR 99) was declared the most dangerous freeway in the United States. Running through Fresno County, this route combines heavy agricultural logistics, high speeds, and unique environmental hazards that challenge even the most seasoned drivers.

Wildhorse Peak

Wildhorse Peak

Wildhorse Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.913m (9,557ft) above the sea level, located in Custer County, Idaho, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads in Idaho. Located in the White Knob Mountains of central Idaho, the road to the summit is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times.

Silver Plume Mountain

Can I drive the unpaved road to Silver Plume Mountain in Colorado?

Silver Plume Mountain is a high mountain peak located in Clear Creek County, in the US state of Colorado. East of the summit, a minor unpaved road climbs up to at an elevation of 3.756m (12,322ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Flesher Pass

Take the Scenic Route and Discover Flesher Pass in Montana

Flesher Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.872m (6,141ft) above the sea level, located in Lewis and Clark County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Cougar Peak

Cougar Peak

Cougar Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.041m (6,696ft) above the sea level located in Sanders County, in Montana, USA.

Wilson Peak

Wilson Peak

Wilson Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.719m (12,201ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, Colorado, in United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Maggie Gulch mine

A 4wd trail to Maggie Gulch mine

Maggie Gulch mine is an old mining site at an elevation of 3.755m (12,319ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, southwest Colorado, USA. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Virginia Peak

Virginia Peak

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 Peak

Eagle Peak

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.

320th Avenue Bridge

320th Avenue Bridge

Located in Iowa, in USA, the 320th Avenue Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Garfield Peak

Garfield Peak

Garfield Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.771m (12,372ft) above the sea level, located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Mackinaw Lake

Driving to Mackinaw Lake is not a piece of cake

Mackinaw Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.295m (10,810ft) above the sea level, located in Garfield County, in northwestern Colorado, USA.

Cerro Saragate

Cerro Saragate

Cerro Saragate is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.151m (10,337ft) above the sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Ward Mountain

Ward Mountain

Ward Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.336m (10,944ft) above the sea level, located in south-central White Pine County of eastern Nevada, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Nevada.

Hanson Peak

Hanson Peak

Hanson Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.890m (12,762ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Blackbird Mountain

Blackbird Mountain

Blackbird Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.761m (9,058ft) above the sea level located in the Salmon River Mountains, in Lemhi County, Idaho, in USA. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Gobblers Knob

Gobblers Knob

Gobblers Knob is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.002m (6,568ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in California, USA. The drive is very steep, with sections up to 44%.

Chopaka Mountain

Chopaka Mountain

Chopaka Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.903m (6,243ft) above the sea level, located in Okanogan County, in the U.S. state of Washington along the Canada–US border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington.

Bitterroot Big Hole Road

Bitterroot-Big Hole Road is a Very Scenic Drive in Montana

Located in the U.S. state of Montana, Bitterroot-Big Hole Road is a very exciting journey through history. It is a narrow one-lane road.

Lobo Overlook

A sensational road to Lobo Overlook

Lobo Overlook sits at an elevation of 3.585m (11,761ft) above the sea level in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The summit offers breathtaking panorama views of the San Juan Mountains and west toward Pagosa Springs.