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.

Located along the northern California coast, in the USA, the Redwood National and State Parks comprise a unique partnership between the National Park Service and California State Parks, preserving some of the tallest trees on Earth. The parks span Del Norte and Humboldt counties and include Redwood National Park, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Together, they protect ancient redwood forests, rugged coastlines, oak woodlands, upland prairies, and diverse wildlife habitats.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Lime Creek Road is a very scenic yet challenging road located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Windy Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.913m (9,557ft) above the sea level, located in Iron County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

Hainoa Crater is a high mountain crater at an elevation of 2.406m (7,893ft) above the sea level, located on the island of Hawaii, USA.

Buena Vista Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.614m (8,575ft) above the sea level, located in Moffatt County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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.

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.

Blue Nose is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.641m (8,664ft) above the sea level, on the Montana-Idaho border. Elk, mule deer, badgers, coyotes, and black bears can be seen along the trail.

Camino del Aguila is a very steep asphalted road located in San Diego County's North County region, in California, USA.

North Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.149m (10,331ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Utah. 

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.

Those looking for a diverse road trip should look no further than the United States, which offers a variety of terrains, stunning scenery, and unique roadside attractions that will ensure you have an unforgettable journey.

Shafer Butte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.315m (7.595ft) above the sea level, located in Boise County, Southwest Idaho, in USA.

Butler Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.570m (8,431ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, California, United States. A vehicle with decent ground clearance and good tires shouldn’t have an issue.

Flat tyres are common on the road but can be a hassle to fix. If you continue driving on a flat tyre, you are putting yourself and those with you at great risk.

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