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.
How to drive the unpaved road to Silver Run Lake in Wyoming?
Silver Run Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.078m (10,098ft) above sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.
How to drive County Road 33 to Kendall Mountain in Colorado?
Kendall Mountain is a high mountain peak in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado. The route to the top follows County Road 33 (Kendall Mountain Road), an unpaved track that climbs to a high saddle at 3,981m (13,061ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Can I drive the unpaved road to Mount Werner in Colorado?
Mount Werner is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.222m (10,570ft) above sea level, located in Routt County, in the US state of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Burnt Knob in Idaho
Burnt Knob is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.466m (8,090ft) above sea level, located in Idaho County, in the US state of Idaho.
How to drive the unpaved road to White Pine Pass in Colorado?
White Pine Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.924m (9,593ft) above sea level, located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Driving the steep NF-356 road to Mount Jordan in Idaho
Mount Jordan is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,889m (9,478ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the US state of Idaho. It one of the highest roads in the entire state.
The Most Iconic Coastal Roads in Louisiana
Louisiana’s road network is a marvel of hydraulic engineering, traversing some of the most complex wetland ecosystems in North America. Beyond the urban grid of New Orleans, the state’s infrastructure relies on extensive causeways and elevated byways designed to withstand tropical storm surges and the shifting silt of the Mississippi Delta. Navigating these roads offers a study in maritime-terrestrial transition, requiring drivers to manage high-velocity crosswinds and the unique mechanical stress of high-humidity environments.
How to get by car to Porphyry Peak in Montana?
Porphyry Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) above sea level, located in the US state of Montana.
How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Webb Peak in Arizona
Webb Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.043m (9,984ft) above sea level, located in Graham County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads of Arizona.
The paved Ortega Ridge Road in California is haunted by 3 ghostly nuns
Located in Santa Barbara County, in the US state of California, Ortega Ridge Road is the name of a road supposedly haunted by the spirits of 3 nuns.
Can I drive the unpaved road to Darley Mountain in Colorado?
Darley Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,997m (13,113ft) above sea level, located in Ouray County, in the US state of Colorado. Reaching an altitude near the summit via an old mining track, it's one of the highest roads in Colorado, though motorized vehicles are currently prohibited on the final trail sector.
How to drive the unpaved road to Sugarloaf Mountain in Utah
Sugarloaf Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.221m (10,567ft) above sea level, located in Salt Lake County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.
How to drive the unpaved road to Cass House Peak in Nevada
Cass House Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.203m (10,508ft) above sea level, located in Elko County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s one of the highest roads of Nevada.
Travel guide to the top of Mount Defiance in Oregon
Mount Defiance is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.514m (4,967ft) above sea level, located in Hood River County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.
Mount Emerine in Montana: Driving the 30 hairpins to the lookout
Mount Emerine is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,631m (8,631ft) above sea level, located in Granite County, in the US state of Montana.
How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Monte Encino in New Mexico?
Monte Encino is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.039m (9,971ft) above sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
How to drive the unpaved road to Comanche Peak in New Mexico
Comanche Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.275m (10,744ft) above sea level, located in Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.
How to drive the unpaved road to Bonita Peak in Colorado?
Bonita Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.759m (12,332ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved Upper McCain Spring Road in Oregon
Upper McCain Spring Road is a scenic unpaved road located in Malheur County, in the US state of Oregon.
How to drive the unpaved road to Cerro Picacho in New Mexico?
Cerro Picacho is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.071m (10,075ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.
How to drive the unpaved road to Ortiz Peak in New Mexico
Ortiz Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.423m (11,230ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.
How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Smith Peak in California
Smith Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.340m (7,677ft) above sea level, located in Plumas County, in the U.S. state of California.
How to drive the unpaved road to Government Harvey Pass in Oregon
Government Harvey Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.170m (7,119ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.
How to drive the unpaved road to Slide Mountain in Colorado
Slide Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.132m (10,275ft) above sea level located in the US state of Colorado.
An Unforgettable Drive to Snowstorm Peak in Colorado
Snowstorm Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.669m (12,037ft) above sea level, located in La Plata County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. 4WD with good clearance is required.
How to drive the unpaved road to Rabbit Peak in New Mexico
Rabbit Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.640m (8,661ft) above sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
How to drive the unpaved road to Mount Heliograph in Arizona?
Mount Heliograph is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.060m (10,039ft) above sea level, located in Graham County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads of Arizona.
How to drive the unpaved road to John Kerr Peak in New Mexico
John Kerr Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.705m (8,874 ft) above sea level, located in Catron County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
How to drive the rough and bumpy Bull Park Trail in Colorado
Bull Park Trail is a very rough and bumpy road located in the mountains of Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Don’t glance down at your phone on the County Road 867 in Colorado
County Road 867 is a high mountain road located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Bachelor Mountain in Idaho?
Bachelor Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.754m (9,035ft) above sea level located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest roads of Idaho.
How difficult is the 4WD road to Emma Burr Mountain in Colorado?
Emma Burr Mountain is a high mountain summit reaching an elevation of 3,692m (12,112ft) above sea level on the border of San Isabel and Gunnison National Forests, in the US state of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Big Sam in California
Big Sam is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.298m (10,820ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the highest roads of California.
How to drive the unpaved road to Clara Peak in New Mexico
Clara Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.604m (8,544ft) above sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
Secret Pass: A Desert 4x4 Adventure in Arizona's Black Mountains
Secret Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,070m (3,510ft) above sea level, located in Mohave County, in the US state of Arizona. Tucked away in the rugged Black Mountains, west of Kingman, this unpaved route offers a true Mojave Desert experience through one of the most remote corners of the American Southwest.
How to drive the unpaved road to Garcia Peak in New Mexico
Garcia Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.333m (10,935 ft) above sea level, located in Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.
How challenging is the high-mountain Forest Road 225 in Utah?
Forest Road 225 is a high mountain road located in the central part of Duchesne County, in the US state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.
How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Little Bald Mountain in California
Little Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.189m (7,182ft) above sea level, located in Placer County, in the U.S. state of California.
How to drive County Road 175 over Cameron Mountain Pass in Colorado?
Cameron Mountain Pass is a mountain gap at an elevation of 3,030m (9,940ft) above sea level, located in Chaffee County, in the US state of Colorado. The pass is crossed by County Road 175, locally known as the Ute Trail, connecting the valley of Salida with the high-country interior.
How to drive the paved road to Andrews Lake in Colorado
Andrews Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.285m (10,777) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado.
Driving the scenic ME-17, the highest paved road in Maine
State Route 17 is a very scenic drive in the central part of the US state of Maine. It’s the highest paved road in Maine.
How to drive the unpaved Mid-Basin Road in Nevada?
Mid-Basin Road is a short gravel road located in Clark County, in the US state of Nevada.
How to drive the unpaved road to Baker Creek Meadow in California
Baker Creek Meadow is a high mountain meadow at an elevation of 3.185m (10,449ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the highest roads of California.
How to drive the unpaved Mud Springs Road in Nevada
Mud Springs Road is a very scenic drive in the heart of Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.
How to drive the unpaved road to Kingston Summit in Nevada
Kingston Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.647m (8,684ft) above sea level, located in Lander County, in the US state of Nevada.
How to drive the unpaved road to Browns Pass in Colorado
Browns Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.452m (11,325ft) above sea level located in the Gunnison County, in the US state of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Williams Peak in Colorado
Williams Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.424m (11,233ft) above sea level, located in Grand County, in the US state of Colorado. It is not a difficult trail, and offers some spectacular views.
What are the Most Scenic Roads In Nevada?
The geography of Nevada is defined by a rhythmic succession of linear mountain ranges separated by wide, arid basins. Beyond the high-density illumination of the Las Vegas strip, the state’s road network traverses some of the most geologically volatile and isolated terrain in North America. Navigating these roads requires a strategic approach to logistics—specifically fuel management and thermal regulation—as many corridors cross high-altitude passes and vast alkali flats with zero service availability.