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.

Cronin Peak is a high mountain peak located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. An old mining trail west of the summit tops out at 3.914m (12,841ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Off-roading is an adrenaline and action-packed adventure that excites many. However, without the right vehicle, your off-roading may fail to take off or be one stressful experience. Off-roading forums online can be a good source of car-buying and driving tips as they attract fellow off-roading enthusiasts.

Road accidents are a leading cause of death and injury all over the world. In the United States, for example, more than 30,000 people die in road accidents every year. That’s more than 90 deaths a day. 

Nevada is endowed with desert terrain. However, there is still a lot to see in the state. The state of Nevada is beatified by the effects of natural occurrences like high winds, erosion, and torrential rains that took place millions of years back. Here, you will have amazing blue waters, exceptional geographical formations, and many other effects that simply tell the world that a desert could still be very beautiful. 

It used to be that learning to drive was a right of passage. Even before turning 16, parents would routinely start the process of teaching their adolescent how to drive as a practical life skill. Quite apart from moving cars on freeways at 80mph, young children would gain access to dirt bikes, riding mowers, tractors, and ATVs. It was just assumed that everyone was in the process of learning how to drive at some level or other.

Old Blewett Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.243m (4,078ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Kittitas and Chelan counties, in the U.S. state of Washington.

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.

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.

Chicago, Illinois, is one of the largest and most culturally significant cities in the United States. Known for its striking skyline, diverse neighborhoods, rich history, and vibrant arts scene, the city offers a wide variety of attractions that appeal to travelers of all interests. Whether you enjoy architecture, history, shopping, or entertainment, Chicago provides countless opportunities for exploration.

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.

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.

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.

Traveling by car can be a unique experience. With the freedom that driving your car gives you, it is possible to include activities that you cannot do with other means of travel.

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.

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.

In 2020, 5,579 motorcyclists lost their lives in crashes in the U.S. Well, that was an 11% increase from what was recorded in 2019. Furthermore, around 89,000 motorcycle accidents happen every year in the U.S.

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.

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.

Lands End Observatory is a high mountain observatory at an elevation of 3.033m (9,950ft) above the sea level, located in Mesa County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Scenic drives across the United States—whether along mountain cliffs, desert highways, or coastal routes—offer incredible views but can become dangerous places to break down. Remote locations, limited cell service, narrow shoulders, and unpredictable weather all make roadside emergencies more challenging on these iconic roads. Here’s how to stay safe if your vehicle falters far from help.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Schellbourne Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.317m (7,601ft) above the sea level, located in northern White Pine County, in northeastern Nevada in the western United States.

Lightning Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.553m (8,375ft) above the sea level located in the Salmon River Mountains, in Idaho, USA.

Forest Road 306 is a high mountain road located in Fremont County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. 

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.

Oso Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.660m (8,727ft) above the sea level, located in Cibola County, New Mexico, in USA. The road to the summit is not maintained.

Trail Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.210m (10,531ft) above the sea level, located in Sanpete County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

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.

Cinnamon Butte is a basaltic scoria cone at an elevation of 1.958m (6,423ft) above the sea level, located in Douglas County, Oregon, in USA.

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.

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.

A few moments of the absolute freedom you feel riding your motorcycle on the empty highway, with nothing but the wind blowing and your thoughts flowing, can’t compare with many other things in life.

Charnock pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.556m (8,385ft) above the sea level, located in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Granite Butte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.318m (7,604ft) above the sea level, located in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, in USA.

Marcellina Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.153m (10,343ft) above the sea level located in the Gunnison County, in Colorado, USA.

Deadman Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.265m (10,711ft) above the sea level, located in Larimer County, Colorado, in USA. At the summit there’s a lookout tower.

Calico Peak is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.385m (4,543ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. 4x4 and high clearance is a must. Never attempt alone. You cannot turn around and go back in the most difficult spots.

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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