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.

Emma Burr Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.692m (12,112ft) above the sea level, located on the border of San Isabel National Forest and Gunnison National Forest, in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. It’sone of the highest roads of Colorado. 

Located in San Miguel County, Colorado, in USA, the Revelation Lift lies at an elevation of 3.837m (12,588ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

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.

Music Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.260m (10,695ft) above the sea level located in Custer County in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Farwell Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.302m (10,833ft) above the sea level located in Routt County, Colorado, In USA.

Magleby Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.216m (10,551ft) above the sea level, located in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

Beckwourth Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.205m (7,234ft) above the sea level, located in Plumas County, in California, United States. The road is very steep: the average gradient is 8.59%.

New Mexico State Road 15 is a very scenic drive in the US state of New Mexico. Snowstorms can temporarily stop travel on the road.

Mount Hamilton is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.091m (10,141ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Nevada.

Summit Drive is a short mountain road located in Mono County in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California, climbing up to 3.000m (9,842ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of California.

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.

Gooseberry Point is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.154m (10,347ft) above the sea level located in Iron County, in Utah, USA. 

Station Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.967m (9,734ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of California.

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.

County Road 867 is a high mountain road located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Quartzite Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.654m (8,707ft) above the sea level located in Lemhi County, in Idaho, USA.

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.

Blair Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,496m (11,469ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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.

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. From the heat-saturated basins near Las Cruces to the alpine elevations of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, vehicles must navigate extreme temperature deltas and long-range isolation. For those managing rentals or expeditionary fleets, success depends on meticulous maintenance protocols and a deep understanding of the region’s technical terrain.

Whether you're commuting through winding mountain passes or tackling city potholes, the condition of your vehicle highly impacts your safety. For car owners, unexpected mechanical failures can add to the stress of driving on precarious roads. The best way to ease concerns about repairs and maintenance costs is by opting for an extended warranty. Keep reading to learn more.

Ulysses Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.333m (7,654ft) above the sea level located in the Salmon River Mountains, in Idaho, USA.

Lost Trail Road is a high mountain trail located in Gunnison County, in the Crested Butte, Colorado area, USA.

Willow Divide is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.182m (10,439ft) above the sea level located in Dolores County, in southwest Colorado, USA.

Dixie Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.525m (8,284ft) above the sea level, located in Lassen County, in northeastern California, USA.

Benson Ridge is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.906m (9,534ft) above the sea level, located in Otero County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Sunset Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.806m (5,925ft) above the sea level, located in Garfield County, in south central Utah, United States. The road is normally an easy drive, but recommended doing it in dry weather.

Traveling across the United States is one of the most effective ways to broaden your horizons and gain a new perspective on history, geography, and culture. For students and lifelong learners, hitting the road offers a practical education that no classroom can replicate. However, combining a rigorous study schedule with a cross-country itinerary requires precise logistical planning.

Bare Cone is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.386m (7,828ft) above the sea level, located in Ravalli 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.

Empire Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.678m (8,786ft) above the sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Arrastre Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.120m (10,236fft) 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.

Monument Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.040m (9,973ft) above the sea level, located in El Dorado County, California, in USA. It’s one of the highest roads of California.

Located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, Alberta Park Reservoir sits at an elevation of 3.127m (10,259ft) above the sea level.

Star Point is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.067m (10,062ft) above the sea level located in the Carbon County, in Utah, 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.

Middle Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.610m (11,843ft) above the sea level, located in Chaffee County, Colorado, in USA. Full size vehicles should not attempt to drive all the way, as there are a few very narrow spots.

Snowshoe Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.494m (11,463ft) above the sea level located in Routt County, Colorado, In USA.

Andrews Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.285m (10,777) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, Colorado, in USA.

Pilot Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.476m (8,123ft) above the 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.

Trappers Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.987m (9,799ft) above the sea level, located in Garfield County, in northwest Colorado, USA.

Cone Peak is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.261m (4,137ft) above the sea level, located in Monterey County, on the Big Sur coast of California, USA.

Located in Kern County, in the U.S. state of California, Old Kern Canyon Road is a very challenging drive.

Klondike Highway is a very scenic yet challenging drive linking the Alaskan coastal town of Skagway with Yukon's Dawson City, the heart of the Klondike.

Whitehawk Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.553m (8,375ft) above the sea level located in Valley County, in Idaho, USA.

Kerr Notch is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.038m (6,686ft) above sea level, located in southern Oregon, in the USA.

Chrysolite Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.669m (12,037ft) above the sea level, located in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Buena Vista Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,614m (8,575ft) above sea level, located in Moffat County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Often overshadowed by its neighbor, Zenobia Peak, this summit offers one of the most rugged and remote driving experiences in the region.

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.

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