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.
Glenn Highway is not something to miss
Glenn Highway (part of Alaska Route 1) is a very scenic drive located in southcentral Alaska, in USA. The road takes you through several towns and natural wonders of Alaska.
The road to Mount Pilchuck isn’t an easy one
Mount Pilchuck is a mountain peak located in Snohomish County, in the U.S. state of Washington. A graveled road leads to the Mount Pilchuck Trailhead parking area, at an elevation of 964m (3,162ft) above the sea level.
Freds Mountain
Freds Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.004m (9,855ft) above the sea level, located in Teton County, Wyoming, United States.
Saddleback Mountain
Saddleback Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.843m (9,327ft) above the sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Monument Ridge
Monument Ridge is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.919m (9,576ft) above the sea level, located in Madison County, in southwestern Montana, in USA.
How to drive the unpaved road to Apache Peak
Apache Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.334m (10,938ft) above the sea level, located in Apache County, in the US state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads in Arizona.
Stonehouse Road
Stonehouse Road is a short gravel road located in the the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, in Nevada, USA. It’s a 4wd track.
A drive to the top of Manastash Ridge
Manastash Ridge is a mountain pass at an elevation of 825m (2,706ft) above the sea level, located in Kittitas County, in central Washington state in the United States.
7 Safety Tips For Driving At Night On The American Roads
Driving at night presents a significantly higher risk profile than daylight transit. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatal crashes are three times more likely to occur after dark. The primary challenge is the drastic reduction in peripheral vision and the physiological effect of glare, which can temporarily blind a driver and increase reaction times on complex routes.
Tobias Peak
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.
Ord Mountain
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.
Grassy Mountain
Grassy Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.438m (7,998ft) above the sea level, located in Deer Lodge County, in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana. Elk, mule deer, badgers, coyotes, and black bears can be seen along the trail.
How to drive the unpaved road to Houghton Mountain in Colorado
Houghton Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.781m (12,404ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Fishhook Lake
Fishhook Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.249m (10,659ft) 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.
Road trip guide: Conquering Big Hole Pass in Montana
Big Hole Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,256 m (7,401 ft) above sea level, located in Beaverhead County, in the U.S. state of Montana.
Driving the iconic road to Lands End Observatory in Colorado
Lands End Observatory is a high mountain observatory at an elevation of 3.033m (9,950ft) above the sea level, located in Mesa County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
How to drive the high-mountain County Road 430 in Colorado?
Located in Mineral County, in the US state of Colorado, the challenging County Road 430 is a high mountain road, topping out at 3.591m (11,781ft) above sea level.
The Deadliest California Roadways for Motorcyclists
California features some of the most demanding roads in the United States, where mountain terrain and heavy traffic create extreme conditions for motorcycles. When wheels leave the city streets and enter high-altitude passes or major freight corridors, the risk of a severe crash spikes due to sharp switchbacks, canyon drop-offs, and high-speed commercial traffic.
Atlantic Peak
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.
Kiowa Mountain
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.
Glorieta Pass
Glorieta Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.286m (7,500ft) above the sea level, located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico.
Take the Scenic Route and Discover Highland Lakes in CA
Highland Lakes are a pair of freshwater alpine lakes at an elevation of 2.631m (8,631ft) above the sea level, located in Alpine County, in the U.S. state of California.
Adventure along Scenic Skyline Drive to North Tent Mountain
North Tent Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.214m (10,544ft) above the sea level, located in Sanpete County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.
Snow Valley Peak
Snow Valley Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.813m (9,229ft) above the sea level, located in Carson City, in the U.S. state of Nevada.
White Bark Vista
White Bark Vista is a natural overlook at an elevation of 2.943m (9,655ft) above the sea level, located up the mountain above Fresno, in Fresno County, California, in USA. It’s one of the highest roads of California.
The curvy yet scenic TX-166 road
TX-166 is a winding mountain road through the Davis Mountains located in Jeff Davis County, Texas, in the USA. It's one of the highest roads in Texas.
Wofford Lookout
Wofford Lookout is a high mountain lookout tower at an elevation of 2.798m (9,179ft) above the sea level, located in Otero County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
Fox Mountain
Fox Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.864m (9,396ft) above the sea level, located in Catron County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
The 5 Most Dangerous Roads for Truckers in the USA
For commercial vehicle operators, the American interstate and highway system presents a diverse spectrum of catastrophic risks. While human error remains a primary variable, certain corridors are inherently hazardous due to structural deficiencies, extreme topographical shifts, and volatile meteorological patterns. For a "big rig" driver, navigating these five high-consequence roads requires a technical understanding of vehicle physics, brake endurance, and the specific logistical isolation of each region.
McCord Pass
McCord Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.296m (10,814ft) above the sea level located in the Eagle County, in Colorado, USA.
Bigelow Divide
Bigelow Divide is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.866m (9,403ft) above the sea level, located in Custer County, Colorado, in USA.
Promontory Divide
Promontory Divide is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.621m (8,599ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Custer and Huerfano counties, in southern Colorado, USA.
Malemute Peak
Malemute Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.899m (12,791ft) above the sea level, located in Pitkin County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Mount Guyot in Colorado?
Mount Guyot is a high mountain peak located in southeastern Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. North of the mountain, an unpaved road climbs up to at an elevation of 3.571m (11,715ft) above sea level.
Warm Springs Summit
Warm Springs Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.916m (6,286ft) above the sea level, located in the US State of Nevada.
Elk Park Pass
Elk Park Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.936m (6,352 ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Silver Bow/Jefferson counties, in southwestern Montana, USA.
Tollhouse Road Is Miles Of White-Knuckle Driving In Fresno County
Tollhouse Road is the name of a challenging drive located in Fresno County, in the central portion of the U.S. state of California.
Currant Creek Pass
Currant Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.891m (9,485ft) above the sea level, located in the Front Range of central Colorado, USA.
Ptarmigan Peak: Ultimate 4wd destination
Ptarmigan Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.681m (12,076ft) above the sea level, located in Eagle County, in central Colorado, in the United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.
How to Get by Car to Trail Peak in Idaho?
Trail Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,147m (10,324ft) above sea level, located in Lemhi County, in the US state of Idaho. It is one of the highest roads in Idaho.
UM Pass
UM Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.208m (10,524ft) above the sea level, located in Sevier County, in the central section of the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.
How to get by car to the lookout at Long Tom Mountain in Idaho?
Long Tom Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.493m (8,179ft) above sea level located in Lemhi County, in the US state of Idaho.
How to drive the unpaved road to Lake Mountain in Idaho?
Lake Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.827m (9,274ft) above sea level located in Lemhi County, in the US state of Idaho. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.
Woody Mountain
Woody Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.440m (8,006ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County, in the north central part of the U.S. state of Arizona.
How to drive the paved UT-14 road to Cedar Canyon Summit?
Cedar Canyon Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.023m (9,917ft) above sea level located in Iron County, in the US state of Utah.
Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.683m (5,522ft) above the sea level, located in Okanogan County, Washington, United States. At the summit there’s a fire lookout.
6 Strategic Escapes from the New York Metropolitan Area
Escaping the high-density grid of New York City requires navigating a complex network of parkways and river corridors. Beyond the city limits, the topography shifts rapidly from coastal plains to the rugged elevations of the Hudson Highlands and the Catskill foothills. For the overlander or the driving enthusiast, these six destinations offer a mix of historical engineering and technical secondary roads, ideal for mid-range vehicle testing and tactical retreats into the regional wilderness.
North Oscura Peak
North Oscura Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.437m (7,995ft) above the sea level, located in Socorro County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.