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.

Realistically, you can’t totally eliminate accidents. As much as you do not want it to happen, it will occur. However, every state’s goal is to lower the number of vehicle accidents in the area. 

Spending time out in nature is good for the soul and good for the body. The fresh air calms your mood, and the challenge of a hike pushes your muscles and strengthens your body. Before you go out on your first challenging hike, be sure to follow these prep tips for a successful outdoor adventure.

Located outside of the small coastal community of Yakutat, in the U.S. state of Alaska, Nine Mile Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in southern Madison County, Arkansas, in United States, Mill Creek Trail is a challenging trail, leading the rider through remote forest areas of the Ozark National Forest.

Crown Point Road is the name of a very scenic high mountain drive located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Rose Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.653m (8,705ft) above the sea level, located in Greenlee County, in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Arizona.

Palomar Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.874m (6,148ft) above the sea level, located in northern San Diego County, California, United States.

Mount Union is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.431m (7,975ft) above the sea level, located in central Yavapai County, Arizona, in USA.

Ford Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.858m (9,376ft) above the sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

The Colorado Rockies are home to some of the most spectacular, high-altitude driving passes in the contiguous United States. This itinerary focuses on four essential passes—Aspen Summer Road, Monarch Pass, Berthoud Pass, and Red Mountain Pass—each offering distinct challenges, extreme elevations, and breathtaking views of the Continental Divide.

Attempting these routes requires advanced planning, especially concerning road accessibility. While some passes remain open year-round, many are subject to seasonal closures and unexpected weather events, even during summer months.

Sun Notch is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.176m (7,139ft) above sea level, located in southern Oregon, in the USA.

Wolverine Loop Road is an exciting drive with great views located in Garfield County, in the US state of Utah.

Cerro Pelado is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.085m (10,121ft) above the sea level, located in Sandoval County, in northern New Mexico, USA. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.

Silver Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.311m (10,862ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, California, United States. It’s one of the highest roads of California.

Betty Jumbo Mine is an abandoned tungsten mine at an elevation of 2.219m (7,280ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California.

Forest Road 053 is a high mountain road located in Custer County in the center of the U.S. state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Idaho.

Mineral Hill is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.590m (8,497ft) above the sea level located in Idaho County, Idaho, in USA.

Battle Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.503m (11,492ft) above the sea level, located in Eagle County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Trout Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.591m (11,781ft) above the sea level located in Mineral County, Colorado, In USA. 

Chalk Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.667m (12,030ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Worrying statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) show that there are more than 3 000 fatal traffic accidents involving large commercial vehicles every year in the USA. These vehicles include 18-wheeler trucks which are among the most common types of trucks on roads. Knowing the major causes of these accidents can play a significant role in helping drivers to avoid the accidents.

Miller Flat Road is a very scenic journey in the heart of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, in Utah, USA.

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.

Devils Head is a lava dome at an elevation of 2.786m (9,140ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County, in the north central part of the U.S. state of Arizona. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.

Indian Head is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.039m (9,970ft) above the sea level, located in Utah County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

If drivers changed the way they drove, up to 96% of all accidents could be avoided, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NF-1414 is a high mountain trail located in Stillwater County, in the U.S. state of Montana. Its highest elevation is 2.838m (9,311ft) above the sea level.

Located in western Washington, in USA, the Olympic Peninsula Loop Drive is a very scenic drive through some of the best forests in the state. It’s a spectacular way to see the natural beauty and wildlife of Washington State.

Looking to sell your old 4x4 truck or SUV? You have a great opportunity to make a kill. According to a report by This Is Money, used car prices have soared by 30%, mainly because of a shortage of semiconductor chips used to manufacture new vehicles.

Olson Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.578m (8,458ft) above the sea level, located in Deer Lodge 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.

For most travelers, a visit to Louisiana means New Orleans, and not much more. Sure, you might stop in at Baton Rouge and maybe go on a swamp tour, but many people don’t venture far beyond the confines of the Big Easy.

The trucking industry is a really big part of the American economy and way of life, with trucks helping to support more than 80% of the nation's communities and being responsible for transporting countless tons of freight across the country each and every day. Without trucks and the people driving them, life would clearly be very different.

Caballo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.310m (7,578ft) above the sea level, located in Sierra County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Cougar Ridge is a high mountain ridge at an elevation of 2.792m (9,160ft) above the sea level, located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Gospel Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.416m (7,926ft) above the sea level located in Idaho County, Idaho, in USA.

Rock Creek Trail Pass, also known as Lost Park Divide, is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.260m (10,695ft) above the sea level located in the Park County, in Colorado, USA.

Weaver Bally is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.132m (6,994ft) above the sea level, located in Trinity County, California, in USA.

Pajarito Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.158m (10,360ft) above the sea level, located in Los Alamos County, in north central New Mexico, USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

The Grouse Creek Gap is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.020m (6,640ft) above the sea level, located in the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon, in USA.

Camel Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.877m (9,438ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada.

Saddle Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.538m (8,326ft) above the sea level, located in Catron County, New Mexico, United States.

Tetilla Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.283m (10,771ft) 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.

Eddy Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.093m (6,866ft) above the sea level, located in Sanders County, Montana, in USA.

June Lake Loop (California State Route 158) is a very scenic drive in Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California passing four alpine lakes, towering mountains and incredible alpine scenery.

Salt Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.967m (9,735ft) above the sea level located in the Park County, in Colorado, USA.

ID-64 is a short mountain road located in Lewis County, Idaho, United States. The road is 14.1 miles long.

Lava Point Overlook is a vantage point at an elevation of 2.386m (7,828ft) above the sea level, located in Washington County, in the US state of Utah.

Peon Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.157m (10,357ft) above the sea level located in Saguache County, in Colorado, USA.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.