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.

Pearl Pass is one of the last roads to open in Colorado

Pearl Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,878m (12,723ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Crazy Woman Canyon Road is a very scenic drive in Wyoming

Crazy Woman Canyon Road is a highly scenic drive located in Johnson County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. A high-clearance vehicle is an absolute must. It's pretty bumpy, but the scenery is absolutely beautiful.

Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the USA

Blue Ridge Parkway is a very scenic drive spanning Virginia and North Carolina, in the USA. Featuring unparalleled views of American beautiful landscapes, it’s one of the most scenic drives in the USA.

Sweet Hollow Road in New York: strange experiences and hauntings

Sweet Hollow Road is a spooky road located in Suffolk County, in the U.S. state of New York. It's considered one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world.

Hurricane Peak in Colorado is a 4WD road above the clouds

Hurricane Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,034m (13,238ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Seven Mile Bridge is featured in some of Hollywood’s blockbusters

Located in the US state of Florida, the Seven Mile Bridge is an iconic bridge in the Florida Keys. This 7 mile long and 65 feet high bridge links Knight’s Key to Little Duck Key and has been featured in countless films and television series. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Shades of Death Road: ghost stories and local legends in New Jersey

Shades of Death Road is located in central Warren County, in the US state of New Jersey. It's known for its eerie name and has gained a reputation for being haunted or cursed. It's one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world.

Old Spiral Highway is Idaho’s windiest road

Old Spiral Highway is said to be one of the best motorcycle roads in the US state of Idaho. The very twisty road, with 64 curves, is short, curvy, smooth, and most definitely sweet.

Old Cascade Tunnel in Washington is haunted by ghosts

Located to the east of Everett, in King County, in the U.S. state of Washington, the Old Cascade Tunnel is one of the creepiest locations in America.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge is subject to violent storms

The William Preston Lane,Jr. Memorial Bridge, located in the U.S. state of Maryland and spanning the Chesapeake Bay, is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. The area is subject to violent storms, which makes driving the bridge particularly perilous.

Weston Pass in Colorado: The Road to Riches

Weston Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,639m (11,938ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. Four-wheel drive is not necessary. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Driving the rough 4×4 road to Argentine Pass in Colorado

Argentine Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,034m (13,234ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

White Mountain Peak in California is one of the highest roads in the USA

White Mountain Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.347m (14,261ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. The peak is arguably California's easiest fourteener via a jeep road. It's one of the highest roads in the USA.

Travel Guide to Lolo Pass in Oregon

Lolo Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,050m (3,444ft) above sea level located in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Cumberland Pass in Colorado is the highest standard passenger vehicle road in the USA

Cumberland Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 3,670m (12,040ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's said to be one of the highest standard car roads for summer use in the nation. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Driving from Denver to Vail in Colorado

Driving from Denver to Vail is not just one of the most exhilarating and spectacular roads you can take in the state of Colorado – it’s also one of the most dangerous!

Everything you need to know about the Soldier Summit in Utah

Soldier Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.284m (7,493ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Utah.

Driving the Main Divide Road to Santiago Peak in California

Santiago Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,734m (5,689ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California.

Reward Mine: a risky drive into an abandoned mine in California

Located in Inyo County, in the US state of California, Reward Mine is a cluster of mines and structures from various eras. It’s so big that you can drive a 4WD through the main tunnel of this mine. Driving into the mine is not recommended as it features a high risk of collapse.

Conquering Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass (Squaw Pass) in Colorado

Mestaa’Ėhehe Pass (formerly Squaw Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,984m (9,790ft) above sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Doherty Slide in Oregon: Turn Back Now If You Have A Heart Condition

Doherty Slide is a high mountain ridge at an elevation of 1,904m (6,246ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. Only one step in a wrong direction can be fatal.

Lizard Head Pass in Colorado is one of the most beautiful drives of America

Lizard Head Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,127m (10,259ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It has been called "The Most Beautiful Drive in America."

Ashton Flagg Ranch Road runs from Yellowstone to Grand Teton

Ashton Flagg Ranch Road is a scenic drive spanning Wyoming and Idaho states in the USA. It’s a beautiful journey between the northern end of the Teton Range and Yellowstone's Pitchstone Plateau.

A journey to the legendary Union Pass in Wyoming

Union Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.808m (9,212ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It offers stunning views and serves as a vital route through the rugged landscapes of northwestern Wyoming.

The road to Workman Creek Falls in Arizona is pure adventure

Workman Creek Falls is a nice 200 ft waterfall that you can visit right from your car, located in Gila County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. Approaching this location, you'll pass some warning signs letting you know the area is high in radioactivity.

Galena Summit is one of the highest paved roads of Idaho

Galena Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,660m (8,727ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Road trip guide: Conquering Leavitt Lake in California

Leavitt Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2.917m (9,570ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

A wild road to Tomichi Pass in Colorado

Tomichi Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.657m (11,998ft) above sea level, located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Obstruction Point Road is Washington's scariest road

Located in Clallam County, in the U.S. state of Washington, Obstruction Point Road is said to be Washington's scariest road. Only experienced drivers should attempt this route.

What are the highest roads in Wyoming?

Located in the Western United States, and defined by vast plains and the Rocky Mountains, Wyoming is a very mountainous state. Its geography includes wide-open plains, swaths of high desert and sweeping mountain ranges.

Needles Highway is a scenic curvy road in South Dakota

Located right in the Black Hills in Custer State Park in the US state of South Dakota, Needles Highway (South Dakota Highway 87) is a spectacular drive with stunning views.

Driving the paved road to Tehachapi Pass in California

Tehachapi Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,241m (4,071ft) above sea level, located in Kern County, in the U.S. state of California.

A Once in a Lifetime Drive through Hell's Backbone Road in Utah

Hell's Backbone Road is a very scenic unpaved road located in Garfield County, in the US state of Utah. This one-way road is closed in winters. The drive offers heavenly day tripping.

Driving the scenic Emerald Bay Road in Lake Tahoe

Emerald Bay Road is a very scenic drive located in the US state of California. Running along the Lake Tahoe, the road can be a bit intimidating and scary since it can occasionally be along steep cliffs that lack guardrails.

Medano Pass in Colorado: 9 creek crossings to the summit

Medano Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,052m (10,013ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. The drive should not be attempted by any vehicle that is not 4WD, due to high clearance rocks/dips, and water crossings.

Decker Canyon Road is a drive you'll never forget in Malibu

Located in western Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, Decker Canyon Road is said to be one of the 7 Best Driving Roads in Malibu. It is a very narrow road that rises in elevation quickly (up to 10%). It’s the type of road you'll never forget. It’s one of the Top Scenic Drives in Malibu.

The Ultimate Road Trip To Crystal Mill in Colorado

Crystal Mill is a wooden powerhouse located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The mill is perched atop a rock outcrop above a waterfall. It’s not a drive you’d want to take in a vehicle that’s not made for this kind of terrain.

Manchac Swamp Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the world over water

Located in the Tangipahoa Parish of the US state of Louisiana, over the Lake Maurepas the Manchac Swamp Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

A road with an intimidating sheer cliff to Black Rock Reservoir in California

Black Rock Reservoir is a small remote yet scenic lake at an elevation of 1,260m (4,133 ft) above sea level, located in Fresno County, in the U.S. state of California.

A rough 4x4 road to Taylor Pass in Colorado

Taylor Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,642m (11,948ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Bloody Basin Road is a classic Arizona drive

Bloody Basin Road is a classic drive located near Black Canyon City, in the US state of Arizona, running through the Agua Fria National Monument and Tonto National Forest.

Driving Gemini Bridges Trail is a real Moab experience

Located in Grand County, in the US state of Utah, Gemini Bridges Trail is a very scenic drive. You should not attempt this without a serious vehicle that can handle off-roading. If you are looking for the real Moab experience, this is it.

What are the highest roads in Montana?

Located in the Western United States, Montana—a name derived from the Spanish word meaning "mountainous"—is a vast, sweeping state defined by its dramatic geological duality. While the eastern half is characterized by the expansive Great Plains, the western half is dominated by the formidable Rocky Mountain Region.