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 Pine Nut Road in Nevada?
Pine Nut Road is a bumpy dirt road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.
How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Lagunita Saddle in New Mexico
Lagunita Saddle is a high mountain saddle at an elevation of 3.218m (10,557ft) 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 Monument Peak in Utah?
Monument Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.188m (10,459ft) above sea level located in Carbon County, in the US state of Utah.
A graded dirt road to Jefferson Lake in Colorado
Jefferson Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.271m (10,731ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the US state of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Copper Mountain in Colorado?
Copper Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.758m (12,329ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved Upper Bridge Canyon Road in Nevada
Upper Bridge Canyon Road is a short gravel road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s a 4wd track.
How to drive the unpaved road to Miller Lake in Utah
Miller Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.247m (10,652ft) above sea level, located in Wayne County, in the US state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.
How to drive the unpaved road to Bald Mountain in Douglas County?
Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.814m (9,232ft) above sea level, located in southern Douglas County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.
How to drive the unpaved road to Aker Lake in Arizona?
Aker Lake is a mountain lake at an elevation of 2.703m (8,868) above sea level, located in Greenlee County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It’s one of the highest roads of Arizona.
Road trip guide: Conquering Music Pass in Colorado
Music Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.260m (10,695ft) above sea level located in Custer County in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Driving the Old Kern Canyon Road in California is not a piece of cake
Located in Kern County, in the U.S. state of California, Old Kern Canyon Road is a very challenging drive.
How to drive the unpaved road to Boot Mountain in Colorado
Boot Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.792m (12,440ft) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the US state of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Little Molas Lake in Colorado?
Little Molas Lake is a high mountain small body of water at an elevation of 3.333m (10,935ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Station Peak in California
Station Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.967m (9,734ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads of California.
How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Dixie Butte in Oregon
Dixie Butte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.317m (7,601ft) above sea level, located in Grant County, in the US state of Oregon.
Highway 111 hugs the mountains and connects Palm Springs to the rest of the valley
State Route 111 (SR 111) is a significant state highway in the US state of California, spanning from Calexico in the south to Whitewater near Palm Springs in the north. It serves as a crucial north-south route through the Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley.
Requa Road is a steep coastal drive in California
Requa Road (Patrick J Murphy Memorial Road) is a steep coastal drive located in Del Norte County, in the US state of California. The road is a little bumpy but definitely worth the trip. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the Redwood National and State Parks.
How to drive the unpaved road to Craig Peak in Colorado?
Craig Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.234m (10,610ft) above sea level, located in Eagle County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Managing Expedition Fleets in New Mexico’s High-Desert
Operating a vehicle fleet in New Mexico presents a unique set of logistical challenges. Known for its "High-Desert" topography, the state demands high standards of mechanical maintenance and structural resilience.
How to drive to the lookout at Horse Mountain in Idaho
Horse Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.103m (6,899ft) above sea level located in Adams County, in the US state of Idaho.
6 Tips for Making Sure You Are Well-Prepared for a Flat Tyre on a Road Trip in the USA
A tyre failure on a high-consequence route—such as the gravel-heavy Dalton Highway or the sharp volcanic tracks of the Mojave Desert—is a critical operational risk. Unlike standard highway driving, a flat tyre in remote sectors of the USA demands total mechanical autonomy. Continuing to operate a vehicle on a compromised carcass not only destroys the wheel rim but can lead to catastrophic lateral instability. Preparedness in these zones is defined by the quality of your recovery gear and your ability to execute repairs in hostile environments.
How to drive the Summit Drive in California?
Summit Drive is a short mountain road located in Mono County in the U.S. state of California, climbing up to 3.000m (9,842ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of California.
How to drive Eightmile Mesa Road (USFS #651) in Colorado?
Eightmile Mesa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,494m (8,182ft) above sea level, located in Archuleta County, in the US state of Colorado. Situated within the San Juan National Forest, the summit is accessed via Eight Mile Mesa Road (USFS Road #651), an unpaved track leading to a historic fire lookout tower built in 1963.
Road trip guide: Conquering Pilot Peak in Idaho
Pilot Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.476m (8,123ft) above sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. The top is adorned with a building, solar panels, and a bunch of communication gear.
How to Drive High Park Road in Colorado?
High Park Road, also known as County Road 11, is a very scenic drive spanning Fremont and Teller counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Road trip guide: Conquering Crown Point Road in Colorado
Crown Point Road is the name of a very scenic high mountain drive located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Cow Mountain in New Mexico?
Cow Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.865m (9,399ft) above sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
27 Lessons from 27 Films - Car Breakdowns
Breaking down is never good, especially if you're cruising across the states; with a staggering 89% of breakdowns below occurring on American roads! But is real life really like the movies?
How to drive the unpaved road to Palmetto Mountain in Nevada
Palmetto Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.724m (8,937ft) above sea level, located in Esmeralda County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.
How to drive the unpaved road to Round Mountain in California
Round Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.216m (10,551ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads of California.
An Analysis of the Worst Roads in the USA
The integrity of the United States' road network is subject to extreme regional variance, dictated by localized climate volatility, freight tonnage, and infrastructure investment. While some states maintain high-durability corridors, others operate under a state of chronic structural decay. Navigating the worst roads in the U.S. requires a technical understanding of surface failure—from thermal-induced black ice to the mechanical impact of pavement delamination—and a strategic approach to vehicle preservation.
How To Travel The Beaver Creek Road in Colorado
County Road 655 (Beaver Creek Road) is a high mountain road located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
Taking on the 248 Twists and Turns of Old Blewett Pass in Washington
Old Blewett Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.243m (4,078ft) above sea level, located on the boundary of Kittitas and Chelan counties, in the U.S. state of Washington.
How to drive the unpaved road to Quartzite Mountain in Idaho?
Quartzite Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.654m (8,707ft) above sea level located in Lemhi County, in the US state of Idaho.
How to drive the unpaved road to Magleby Pass in Utah
Magleby Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.216m (10,551ft) above sea level, located in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.
How to drive the unpaved road to Revelation Lift in Colorado
Located in San Miguel County, in the US state of Colorado, the Revelation Lift sits at an elevation of 3.837m (12,588ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.
How to drive the unpaved road to Bull Run Pass in California
Bull Run Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.313m (7,588ft) above sea level, located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California.
How hazardous is NM-15 Road in winters?
New Mexico State Road 15 (NM-15) is a very scenic drive located in the US state of New Mexico. Snowstorms can temporarily stop travel on the road.
How to drive the unpaved road to Empire Pass in Colorado
Empire Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.678m (8,786ft) above sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Driving The Strip, the heart of Las Vegas
Located in Clark County, in the US state of Nevada, The Strip is the best-known street in all of Las Vegas. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. It is perhaps the most iconic and well-known street in the city, and indeed, one of the most famous streets in the world.
How to drive the unpaved road to Mustang Pass in Nevada?
Mustang Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.011m (9,878ft) above sea level, located in Esmeralda County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It's one of the highest roads of Nevada.
How to drive the unpaved road to Cone Peak in California
Cone Peak is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.261m (4,137ft) above sea level, located in Monterey County, in the US state of California.
How to drive the unpaved road to Monumental Summit in Idaho?
Monumental Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.628m (8,622ft) above sea level located in Valley County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.
How to drive the unpaved road to Blue Lakes in Colorado?
Blue Lakes is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.573m (11,722ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Survival guide to the 3 most dangerous highways in the USA
While the United States interstate network handles high-speed transit nationwide, specific routes like Interstate 26, Montana Highway 2, and Interstate 95 present severe physical and mechanical hazards. Off-track drop-offs, geographic isolation, and narrow road margins make these three highways among the most dangerous routes in the country.
How to drive the unpaved road to Lookout Mountain in New Mexico
Lookout Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.707m (8,881ft) above sea level, located in Sierra County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.
How to drive the unpaved road to Beckwourth Peak in California?
Beckwourth Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.205m (7,234ft) above sea level, located in Plumas County, in the US state of California. The road is very steep: the average gradient is 8.59%.
How to drive the paved road to Upheaval Dome in Utah?
Upheaval Dome is a striking volcanic-type crater located in San Juan County, in the US state of Utah, at an elevation of 1.737m (5,698ft) above sea level.