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.

Upper Bridge Canyon Road is a short gravel road located in the the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, in Nevada, USA. It’s a 4wd track.

Mount Defiance is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.514m (4,967ft) above the sea level, located in Hood River County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Houghton Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.781m (12,404ft) 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.

Kingston Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.647m (8,684ft) above the sea level, located in Lander County, Nevada, in USA.

Craig Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.234m (10,610ft) above the sea level, located in Eagle County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Mount Jordan is a high mountain peak reaching an elevation of 2,889m (9,478ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the central part of Idaho, USA. Situated deep within the Salmon River Mountains, the road to the summit is recognized as one of the highest roads in the entire state.

Cow Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.865m (9,399ft) above the sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Cedar Canyon Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.023m (9,917ft) above the sea level located in Iron County, in Utah, USA.

Darley Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.997m (13,113ft) above sea level, located in Ouray County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado. Motorized vehicles are currently prohibited on the trailhead.

Garcia Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.333m (10,935 ft) above the sea level, located in Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

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.

Mount Yeckel is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.588m (11,771ft) above the sea level, located in Pitkin County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Palmetto Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.724m (8,937ft) above the sea level, located in Esmeralda County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Bull Park Trail (Forest Service Road 376A) is a very rough and bumpy road located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Lagunita Saddle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.218m (10,557ft) above the sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.

Big Sam is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.298m (10,820ft) above the sea level, located in Tuolumne County, California, United States. It’s one of the highest roads of California.

For a college student in the U.S., a car is more than just a commute; it’s a gateway to exploring the country's most iconic highways. However, with a budget of under $5,000, reliability is the only metric that matters. You need a vehicle that won't leave you stranded in the middle of a desert pass or a remote mountain route. Here are the most resilient used cars for budget-conscious adventurers.

Milk Cow Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.354m (11,004ft) above the sea level located in the Saguache County, in Colorado, USA.

Government Harvey Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.170m (7,119ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in the south-central region of the U.S. state of Oregon.

Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.814m (9,232ft) above the sea level, located in southern Douglas County, in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Nevada.

Coyote Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.710m (5,610ft) above the sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Located on the boundary of Garfield and Eagle counties in western Colorado, in USA, the 12.5-mile stretch of Interstate-70 through Glenwood Canyon is a marvel of engineering.

Bull Run Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.313m (7,588ft) above the sea level, located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California.

Baker Creek Meadow is a high mountain meadow at an elevation of 3.185m (10,449ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, California. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of California.

Sunset Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.393m (7,851ft) above the sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

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.

Located on the Central Coast of California, in USA, Ortega Ridge Road is the name of a road supposedly haunted by the spirits of 3 nuns.

Dixie Butte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.317m (7,601ft) above the sea level, located in Grant County, in Eastern Oregon, in USA.

At an elevation of 2,580m (8,464ft) above sea level, Skalkaho Mountain is a high mountain peak in Ravalli County, Montana. Located within the Bitterroot National Forest, the route to the summit is one of the most remote and technical forest roads in the southwestern part of the state.

Union Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.755m (12,319ft) 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.

Motorcyclists are involved in many head-on collisions on the deadliest highways situated in some of the prominent cities of Southern California. Once the accident occurs, numerous factors need to be taken into account before the person or his family can do as far as medical aid is concerned.

The United States' geography offers a diverse array of road environments, from low-altitude maritime causeways to high-elevation mountain spines. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these "scenic" routes represent significant engineering feats, often traversing unstable coastal cliffs or dense Appalachian forests. For the expedition-focused driver, these four corridors are essential benchmarks of North American road design, requiring constant vigilance due to variable weather patterns and extreme environmental exposure.

La Veta Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.864m (9,396ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Costilla and Huerfano counties, in the US state of Colorado.

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?

Forest Road 225 is a high mountain road located in central Duchesne County, Utah, United States. It’sone of the highest roads of Utah.

Forest Road 086 is a high mountain road located in Lemhi County in the U.S. state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Idaho.

Horse Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.103m (6,899ft) above the sea level located in Adams County, Idaho, in USA.

Aker Lake is a mountain lake at an elevation of 2.703m (8,868) above the sea level, located in the White Mountains, in Greenlee County, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Arizona. It’s one of the highest roads of Arizona.

Gentry Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.066m (10,059ft) above the sea level, located in Emery County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

Miller Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.247m (10,652ft) above the sea level, located in Wayne County, in south-central Utah, in USA. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

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.

Upheaval Dome is a striking volcanic-type crater located in the Canyonlands National Park of southern Utah, in USA, at an elevation of 1.737m (5,698ft) above the sea level.

Summer is in full swing, and that means more people hitting the roads for vacations and weekend getaways. While you're out there enjoying the sun and scenery, it's important to be aware of the legal pitfalls that can come with driving.

South Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.248m (10,656ft) above the sea level located in the Saguache County, in Colorado, USA.

South Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.999m (9,839ft) 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.

Monte Encino is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.039m (9,971ft) above the sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Round Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.216m (10,551ft) 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.

Lookout Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.707m (8,881ft) above the sea level, located in Sierra County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

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