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.

From California all the way to New York, the USA is known for having a wide array of haunted roads: miles-long stretches of road, short alleyways, and interstate highways.

High Park Road, also known as County Road 11, is a very scenic drive spanning Fremont and Teller counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Lake Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.827m (9,274ft) above the sea level located in Albany County, in Wyoming, USA.

Jacks Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.057m (10,029ft) above the sea level located in the Millard County, in Utah, USA.

Old Baldy Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.499m (8,198ft) above the sea level, located in Lewis and Clark County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Bonanza King is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.120m (6,955ft) above the sea level, located in Trinity County, northern California, in USA.

Riding a motorcycle gives a different experience, and it cannot be replaced by four wheels, even if top down. Riding with the wind on your back makes you feel like you have escaped the reality of stress. Now, your top concern is your safety.

More than 175,000 crashes have occurred in Florida in the first half of 2023 alone, which highlights just how dangerous our roads can be. However, knowing which highways and intersections are the most hazardous can help you to mitigate the risks and avoid unnecessary accidents.

Bald Butte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.801m (5,908ft) above the sea level, located in Harney County, in south-central Oregon, USA.

Teller County Road 1, also known as Teller 1, is a very scenic drive located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

If you’re the adventurous type that likes to go on long walks and hikes, it’s important to always prepare for the worst case scenario.

Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway is the name of an idyllic drive in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, in the US state of California.

Augustine Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 733m (2,404ft) above the sea level, located in Riverside County, in the southern portion of the U.S. state of California.

Lewis Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.837m (9,307ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Morgan and Summit counties, in northern Utah, United States.

The best hunting is when you step outside of your comfort zone and head to somewhere entirely new. Loading up your vehicle and heading off to a hunting location that you're not familiar with can make you feel like a fresh-faced beginner all over again.

Pinto Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.246m (7,368ft) above the sea level, located in Eureka County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Mount Owen is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.542m (11,620ft) above the sea level, located in the Ruby Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America, in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States.

There are thousands of car accidents in the US every single day, with around 100 daily deaths from these accidents, on average. The statistics make for harrowing reading, and even with modern safety advancements, revised road rules, and greater awareness than ever before of the risks we all face when getting behind the wheel, the rate of accidents shows little to no sign of slowing down.

O'Neal Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.930m (9,612ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, in northeastern Nevada in the western United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Nevada.

Sony Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.210m (10,531ft) above the sea level located in Saguache County, in Colorado, USA.

Queen City Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.819m (5,967ft) above the sea level, located in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s the highest point on the Extraterrestrial Highway.

Ward Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.589m (8,494ft) above the sea level, located in Placer County, California. Views from the summit are pretty spectacular.

De Moisy Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.815m (9,235ft) above the sea level, located in Weber County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

Mountain biking is a popular outdoor sport that may be done throughout the year. If you want to go mountain biking alone or with a group, you need to think about the length of the path and how long it will take to complete it, as well as the weather and other seasonal problems.

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.

Forest Service Road 447 is a high mountain road located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. 

Driving in the United States can present vastly different challenges depending on where you are and the time of year. Some states maintain roads exceptionally well, while others struggle with upkeep, weather hazards, and heavy traffic. In certain areas, drivers face frequent exposure to dangerous conditions that can increase the risk of accidents and vehicle damage.

The importance of road safety education cannot be overstated. Road traffic accidents are a major cause of death and injury worldwide, killing over 1.3 million people annually.

Robinson Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.317m (7,601ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada.

Gird Point is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.295m (7,529ft) above the sea level, located in Ravalli County, Montana, in USA.

Forest Road 564 is a very scenic high mountain road located in the San Juan Mountains, in Montezuma County, the southwesternmost county in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Antelope Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.343m (7,687ft) above the sea level, located in Lassen County, in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of California.

Treasure Hill is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.805m (9,202ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada.

Tyres are the first point of your car's contact with the road. Therefore, replacing your tires every 5-10 years is essential because tread levels in your tires decrease with usage.

Taylor Peak is a high mountain peak located on the boundary between Pitkin and Gunnison counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. A minor road, north of the summit, climbs up to 3.602m (11,817ft) above the sea level, It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Ramcharger Lift is a lift at an elevation of 2.652m (8,700ft) above the sea level, located in Madison County, in the Rocky Mountains of southern Montana, in USA.

Motor vehicle accidents are a persistent concern in Houston and across Texas. State statistics show that in 2017, a collision occurred every 59 seconds, leading to approximately 254,000 auto-related injuries that year. Many of these incidents result in fatalities, permanent disabilities, or serious injuries.

Richland Balsam is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.845m (6,053 feet) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Haywood and Jackson counties in the far southwest of the U.S. state of North Carolina.

If you're looking for a fun road trip to take this summer, look no further than Arkansas! This beautiful state is home to many amazing attractions worth checking out. From historical sites to natural wonders, there's something for everyone in Arkansas. In this blog post, we'll talk about some of the top attractions you can't miss on your next trip to Arkansas. So pack your bags and get ready for an adventure!

Mills Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.232m (7,322ft) above the sea level, located in Sierra County, California, in USA.

Are you bored of spending most of your days stuck indoors this year? Well, despite the frigid chill and the symbolism of death in nature, winter is a beautiful time to get out of the house. Use the holiday break to travel and explore new horizons. Below is a list of places and activities that are sure to make this year’s holiday and winter season worthwhile.

Parents know that it is a dream of most children to have their own cars. Those who can afford it would even give cars to their children when they reach a certain age. Yet, parents cannot help but wonder if it would be safe for teenagers to drive on their own.

Utah Forest Road 17 (FH-17) is a very scenic fairly wide drive through the high mountains of Garfield County, in south central Utah, United States.

Forest Road 140 is a scenic drive through the high mountains of Garfield County, in south central Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Kane Creek Canyon Road is a very exciting drive located in San Juan County, in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Utah. This is an intense drive with so many creek crossings that you’ll lose count.

Gold Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.259m (10,692ft) above the sea level, located in Piute County, in south-central Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Twin Lakes are a couple of sub-alpine lakes at an elevation of 3.402m (11,161ft) above the sea level, located in Wayne County, in south-central Utah, in USA. Altitude and extreme weather is always a factor at any time of year. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Telephone Canyon Road is a short mountain road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

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.