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.

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.

A vehicle breakdown on high-consequence roads—whether on a narrow cliffside in the Rockies or a desert arterial in Nevada—transforms a technical drive into a high-stakes survival scenario. Remote locations, zero-signal zones, and the absence of paved shoulders amplify the risk of stranding. Managing a mechanical failure in these environments requires a disciplined protocol focused on visibility, situational awareness, and environmental protection until recovery assets can be deployed.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Chicago, Illinois, stands as one of the most culturally significant and architecturally complex cities in the United States. Known for its striking skyline and vibrant arts scene, the city also presents a unique challenge for drivers, from the congested "L" train corridors to the high-speed transit of the Lake Shore Drive. Whether you are visiting for its history or its world-class museums, understanding the city's grid and traffic flow is essential for any traveler.

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.

While the United States maintains rigorous standards for interstate infrastructure, specific geographical and logistical factors create "black spots" where accident rates defy national averages. From the lack of safety barriers in South Carolina to the extreme isolation of Montana, certain routes demand a higher level of driver technical proficiency.

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.

Signal Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.380m (7,808ft) above the sea level, located in Gila County, Arizona, United States.

When it comes to protecting your car, you have two main options: a carport or a garage. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, which is why it can be difficult to decide which one is the best option for you. In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed decision about what is best for your needs.

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.

Boehmer Reservoir is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 3.610m (11,843ft) above the sea level, located in El Paso County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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.

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

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.

Elbow Lake is a high mountain sub-alpine lake at an elevation of 3.396m (11,141ft) above the sea level, located in Wayne County, in the US state of Utah. Altitude and extreme weather are always a factor at any time of year. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Bodie Bluff is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.747m (9,012ft) above the sea level, located situated high in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Mono County, California, United States.

Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.246m (10,649ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It’s one of the highest roads of Wyoming.

Peerless Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.022m (13,195ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Park and Lake counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Mount Pluto is an extinct volcano at an elevation of 2.626m (8,615ft) above the sea level, located in Placer County, in the U.S. state of California.

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.

Aurora Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.664m (8,740ft) above the sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Scott Hill is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.014m (9,888ft) above the sea level, located in Salt Lake County, Utah, USA. It’s a gravel road with some steep drop-offs.

Coronet Drive is a short scenic mountain road located in Summit County, Colorado, in United States.The road is impassable from November to May.

Mill Creek Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.685m (8,809ft) above the sea level, located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Lewis Lake is a high mountain, crystal-clear snow-melt lake at an elevation of 3.289m (10,790ft) above sea level, located in Albany County, in the US state of Wyoming. It's one of the highest roads in Wyoming.

Snow Summit is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.498m (8,195ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in Southern California, United States.

Mustang Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.097m (10,160ft) above the sea level, located in Esmeralda County, in Nevada, USA. It’s one of the highest roads of Nevada.

Vehicle modification in the United States is often driven by aesthetic preference rather than engineering necessity. However, altering a vehicle’s factory specifications—specifically its suspension geometry, window transparency, and wheel diameter—can severely compromise its performance on technical roads. When navigating high-consequence environments, the margin for error is thin; a modification that prioritizes "status" over "dynamics" can transform a manageable transit into a catastrophic mechanical failure.

Hancock Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.711m (5,613ft) above the sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Nevada, within the Pahranagat Range.

Operating a motorcycle on Alaskan roads is a high-consequence endeavor that demands absolute mechanical and physical preparedness. Unlike the lower 48 states, Alaska’s infrastructure is defined by extreme isolation, unpredictable permafrost-induced road surface failures, and vast distances between refueling nodes. For the long-range rider, navigating the "Last Frontier" is an exercise in logistical discipline, where the margin for error is minimized by the harsh reality of the sub-arctic environment.

Crystal Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1,854 m (6,082 ft) above sea level, located in Fergus County, in the US state of Montana.

Sacramento Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.904m (9,529ft) above the sea level, located in Otero County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Almagre Mountain South is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.771m (12,372ft) above the sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

The perception of danger on American roads often differs from statistical reality. While high-exposure corridors like the Million Dollar Highway or the Moki Dugway are notorious for their steep drop-offs, they frequently record fewer fatalities than mundane rural arterials or congested interstates. This paradox is driven by driver psychology, traffic density, and the "margin of error" afforded by the road’s design. Understanding the technical variables that contribute to high-consequence accidents is essential for navigating the complex US road network.

The importance of road safety education is undeniable, especially when navigating the world’s most dangerous routes. While global road traffic accidents kill over 1.3 million people annually, for those venturing onto high mountain passes, remote 4x4 trails, or roads subject to extreme weather, standard defensive driving rules are insufficient.

Beaver Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.249m (7,378ft) above the sea level, located in Idaho County, Idaho, in USA.

Oreana Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.470m (8,103ft) above the sea level located in Lemhi County, in Idaho, USA.

Deadwood Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.306m (7,565ft) above the sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Dry Park is a high mountain lookout tower at an elevation of 2.655m (8,710ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Smith and Morehouse Reservoir is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.358m (7,736ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

Buffalo Gulch Road is a very narrow drive in Mariposa County, in the U.S. state of California. The road is very narrow and pretty dangerous.

Ball Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.648m (11,968ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Sacramento Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.185m (7,168ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada.

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