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.

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.

USFS 503 is the name of a defiant short mountain road located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Triunfo Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 642m (2,106ft) above sea level, located in southeastern Ventura County, in Southern California, in the United States.

Burnt Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.086m (10,124ft) above the sea level, located in Duchesne County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

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.

Forest Road 121 (Lakeshore Drive) is a very scenic journey in the heart of Mesa County, Colorado, United States.

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.

Pike Ridge is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.723m (8,933ft) above the sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Groundhog Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.379m (11,085ft) above the sea level, located in Dolores County, in Colorado, USA.

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

Lewis Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.573m (11,722ft) above the sea level, located in La Plata County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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.

Not only is Interstate 45 widely considered the most dangerous road in Texas, but it may even be the deadliest highway in the entire nation. Some claim that I-45 is more hazardous than any other stretch of asphalt in North America — even more dangerous than the icy roads of Canada’s Northwest Territories.

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.

Big Creek Baldy is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.764m (5,787ft) above the sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Cottonwood Road (Forest Road 125) is a high mountain road in Garfield County, in south central Utah, in USA, running entirely above 2.500m above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Operating a vehicle involves more than just mechanical skill; it requires a strategic understanding of temporal risk factors. According to data compiled by the NHTSA and the IIHS, more than 40,000 traffic-related fatalities occur annually in the United States. Statistical analysis reveals that the probability of an incident is not uniform; it spikes during specific hours, days, and seasonal windows. For any professional operator or traveler, understanding these danger zones is essential for effective route planning and risk mitigation. This guide analyzes the most dangerous periods to be on the roads based on national safety data.

Walnut Canyon Desert Drive is a scenic drive through the Chihuahuan Desert located in Eddy County in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Tremont Road, located in Blount County in the US state of Tennessee, offers a picturesque drive through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Riding a motorcycle across the U.S. is the ultimate way to see the country, but it’s not just about the scenery. On a bike, you’re exposed to everything: the wind, the temperature shifts, and the raw condition of the pavement. While these routes offer some of the best views in America, they also demand respect. From high-altitude mountain passes to fog-drenched coastal cliffs, here are six road trips that every rider should have on their bucket list—if they have the skill to handle them.

Spodue Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.959m (6,427ft) above the sea level, located in Klamath County, Oregon, in USA.

The strategic selection of highways for long-distance transit provides a level of freedom and flexibility that fixed-schedule transport systems cannot replicate. For those who view the journey as a logistical mission rather than a mere transit to a destination, highway road trips represent the peak of autonomous travel. This mode of transport allows for real-time adjustments to routes, schedules, and resource management. This guide analyzes the key operational reasons to prioritize roads and highways for transcontinental travel, focusing on cost efficiency and strategic spontaneity.

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.

If you are planning a trip to the dreamy island of Nantucket and have already booked a short-term rental local residence for your stay, you probably know that getting there by car can be quite expensive and complicated.

La Plata Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.104m (10,183ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, Colorado, in USA.

Pilot Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.273m (7,457ft) above the sea level, located in Plumas County, in the US state of California.

Rocky Point is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.900m (6,233ft) above the sea level, located in Idaho County, in the US state of Idaho.

Charleston, South Carolina, is a city where historic architecture meets high-density event logistics. Known for its narrow, cobblestone streets and coastal geography, the city faces significant traffic challenges during its major annual festivals. For those driving into the Lowcountry, understanding the congestion patterns and the structural limits of the local road network is essential to avoid gridlock during these massive public gatherings.

Bear Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.582m (8,471ft) above the sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in Southern California, United States.

Georgia’s topography offers a complex transition from coastal marshlands to the rugged metamorphic rock formations of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For expedition drivers, the northern quadrant of the "Peach State" presents significant technical challenges, including rapid elevation gains, unstable forest service roads (FSR), and extreme humidity affecting brake cooling and engine performance. This guide deconstructs the state's most demanding routes from an engineering and safety perspective.

Canelo Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.667m (5,469ft) above the sea level, located in Santa Cruz County, in the US state of Arizona.

Located in Coconino County, in the north-central part of the U.S. state of Arizona, Desert View Drive is a highly scenic road that leads into the central part of the Grand Canyon.

The Bayou Teche Scenic Byway takes you through some of the most attractive landscapes and scenery of Louisiana.

Bunker Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.295m (7,529ft) above the sea level, located in California, in USA.

Driving through a major U.S. city at night is a completely different experience than during the day. While the views are iconic, the challenges are real: reduced visibility, heavy nightlife traffic, and the constant glare of city lights. For any road tripper, entering these urban hubs after sunset requires extra focus. Whether you are navigating the neon-soaked streets of Las Vegas or the dense grid of New York City, staying sharp is the only way to enjoy the city lights without a headache.

Preparing an RV for a long-haul expedition is a high-stakes logistical task. Unlike a standard passenger car, an RV’s mass and high center of gravity make it hypersensitive to mechanical failures and environmental shifts. Before engaging with the open road, a rigorous technical audit is mandatory to ensure the vehicle can handle the stress of steep gradients, high-velocity crosswinds, and remote navigation. A breakdown in a 30-foot motorhome isn't just an inconvenience; it’s a major recovery operation.

Edgerton Highway is a very scenic paved road located in Alaska’s Big Delta near Chitina in the Copper River Valley, in the USA.

Indian Creek Point is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.608m (8,556ft) above the sea level located in the Salmon River Mountains, in Idaho, USA.

Prospect Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.724m (12,217ft) above the sea level, located in Conejos County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Anderson Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.455m (8,054ft) above the sea level, located in Lemhi County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Nevada’s vast open spaces and iconic transit corridors make it a primary destination for long-distance road missions. However, the unique geography of the state—combining high-density tourist zones like Las Vegas with desolate desert highways—presents significant operational risks. Maintaining safety on these roads requires more than just basic driving skills; it demands a technical understanding of vehicle integrity and environmental hazards. This guide analyzes the primary catalysts for collisions in Nevada and provides professional protocols to ensure a zero-incident journey across the state.

The Knoll is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.902m (6,240ft) above the sea level, located in Grand County, on the east central edge of Utah, United States.

Roadway safety is the result of a complex, multi-layered system of federal, state, and local oversight. Beyond traffic signs and speed limits, there is a continuous effort to manage vehicle payloads, maintain structural integrity, and clear physical hazards before they cause a catastrophe. For any driver, understanding these regulatory layers—from weight limits to rapid-response repairs—provides a clearer picture of the engineering and enforcement that keeps the American road network operational under extreme conditions.

Black Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.184m (7,165ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Plumas and Lassen counties, in the U.S. state of California.

High Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.030m (9,940ft) above the sea level, located in Iron County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

Sidney Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.291m (10,797ft) above the sea level, located in Garfield County, Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Winter driving is often a battle against invisible hazards like black ice and sudden slush accumulation. Traditionally, keeping roads open during a freeze requires a massive fleet of salt trucks and constant monitoring. However, a new shift in civil engineering is emerging: self-salting roads. By embedding de-icing agents directly into the road surface, researchers are looking for a way to make the asphalt itself react to the cold, potentially eliminating the "skating rink" effect that leads to thousands of winter accidents every year.

Trail Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.018m (9,901ft) above the sea level, located in Emery County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

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