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.

Parkview Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.442m (11,292ft) above the sea level, located in Jackson County, Colorado, in USA.

Deer Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.221m (7,286ft) above the sea level, located in Ravalli County, Montana, in USA.

Forest Road 4723 is a short high mountain road located in San Juan County, in the southeastern part of Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

Forest Road 040 is a high mountain road located in Duchesne County, Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah running entirely over 3.100m above the sea level.

O'Leary Peak is a lava dome volcano at an elevation of 2.697m (8,848ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County,in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States.

Morgan Territory Road is a very scenic yet curvy drive located in Contra Costa County, in the US state of California. It’s said to be haunted.

Squaw Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.219m (7,280ft) above the sea level, located in the Centennial Mountains, on the border of Idaho and Montana, in USA.

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

Cars are one of the most amazing inventions of mankind. They provide a convenient and efficient mode of transportation, allowing people to travel quickly and easily over long distances. Furthermore, cars offer flexibility and independence, enabling individuals to reach their desired destinations on their schedules.

Medsger Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.447m (4,747ft) above the sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Eldorado Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.535m (8,316ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary of Boulder, Gilpin, and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Carter Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.036m (6,679ft) above the sea level, located in north-central Sevier County, Utah, United States. The climb is brutal: 15.04% average gradient.

Mount Diablo is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.172m (3,845ft) above the sea level, located in Contra Costa County, in the US state of California.

Bear Creek Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.297m (7,536ft) above the sea level, located in Custer County, in the center of the U.S. state of Idaho. 

Forest Road 1271 is a short mountain road located in Sanpete County is a county in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah running entirely over 3.280m above the sea level.

Riding a motorcycle in Los Angeles can be a thrilling experience, but it also requires caution and awareness of the potential dangers on the road. The city is known for its traffic congestion and aggressive driving, making it important for motorcyclists to take extra precautions to ensure their safety. In this article, we will provide tips for staying safe on a motorcycle in Los Angeles, including information on the importance of proper safety gear, the dangers of lane splitting, and how to stay visible to other drivers.

Byers Peak is a high mountain peak located in southern Grand County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. A gravel road to the north of the peak climbs up to 3.240m (10,629ft) above the sea level.

Clayton Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.196m (10,485ft) above the sea level, located in Salt Lake County, in the U.S. state of Utah. The summit offers amazing 360 degree views of the surrounding canyons.

Forest Road 0169 is a high mountain road located in Sanpete County is a county in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah running entirely over 2.800m above the sea level.

Sex Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.767m (5,797ft) above the sea level, located in Sanders County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Mountain Loop Highway is the name of a very scenic drive located in Snohomish County, in the US state of Washington.

Fredonyer Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.423m (7,949ft) above the sea level, located in Lassen County, in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of California.

Treasure Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.380m (11,089ft) above the sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Stillwater Reservoir is a scenic alpine lake at an elevation of 3.143m (10,311ft) above the sea level, located in northeast Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Fall Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.811m (5,941ft) above the sea level, located in Grant County, in eastern Oregon, in USA. The road to the summit is well graveled in most areas and should be usable with most vehicles.

Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.626m (5,334ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Latah and Benewah counties, in the U.S. state of Idaho. The road to the summit is a bit bumpy with some areas which need to be taken slowly.

Dead Indian Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.606m (8,549ft) above the sea level, located in northern Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

There are many beautiful mountainous regions and states around the country. When you’re an adventurer wanting to experience as many attractions as possible, it’s only natural to plan trips to these areas.

South Carolina's picturesque landscapes and charming towns often conceal a less visible but important issue: dangerous roads that pose risks to both locals and visitors. While the state's highways and roads offer scenic drives, some roads are known for their challenging conditions, high accident rates, and safety hazards.

Vanity Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.381m (7,811ft) above the sea level, located in Custer County, in the center of the U.S. state of Idaho.

When planning a road trip, especially one that involves substantial risks, you have to ensure your car is in top-notch condition. This is important to avoid any mishaps on the trip and you will have to get your car checked from top to bottom.

Logan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.209m (7,247ft) above the sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Sylamore Scenic Byway is the name of a picturesque road located in Stone County, in the U.S. state of Arkansas.

Traveling is fun, but traveling at night is even better, especially for singles. Being single and on the road is a blessing reserved for courageous people willing to put themselves out there. They know that’s the only way to have real fun and meet like-minded people. Single travelers choose cities where they can combine nightlife and dating. The cities on our list are famous for the vivid nightlife and many single people. Going there and meeting someone for one-night stands shouldn’t be a problem.

Mount Powell is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.667m (8,750ft) above the sea level, located in McKinley County, in the northwestern section of the U.S. state of New Mexico.

For the vast majority of drivers, the idea of roadway safety is not their primary concern. Fortunately, there are city officials, state agencies, federal regulators, and multiple layers of law enforcement personnel who are charged with making sure streets, roads, and highways are as safe as possible. They accomplish this enormous task in a number of ways.

Pancake Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.993m (6,538ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada.

Union Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.073m (6,801ft) above the sea level, located in Granite County, Montana, in USA.

Mature men and women from the Baby Boomer and Lucky Few generations who are back in the dating circuit may just have the greatest adventure of their life when they go travel-dating across the United States. They can go with their date from matchmaking platforms on a motorcycle, car, truck, or RV—it does not matter, really—as long as they find the time to hit some of the country’s most remarkable roads together.

The San Andreas Fault, a geological marvel dividing California, offers unique insights into Earth's dynamics. Comprising the Southern, Central, and North segments, it beckons adventurers to witness its influence on the landscape.

State Route 111 (SR 111) is a significant state highway in the US state of California, spanning from Calexico in the south to Whitewater near Palm Springs in the north. It serves as a crucial north-south route through the Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley.

Repeater Road is a very exciting journey in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Nevada, climbing up to 1.886m (6,187ft) above the sea level. The road ends at an abandoned RF radio site.

Lookout Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.387m (7,831ft) above the sea level, located in Ravalli County, Montana, in USA.

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

In 2021, the state of Arizona had 5,873,322 drivers registered by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division. With approximately 62% of the state’s population consolidated in Maricopa County according to the United States Census Bureau, we wondered how safe the region’s roadways are to travel upon. Generally, areas that see the highest rates of traffic tend to have an increased number of collisions, along with more congested roadways.

Beaver Creek mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.488m (11,443ft) above the sea level, located in Eagle County, Colorado, United States.

We all know roads can be dangerous, but there are also plenty of other auto obstacles that could be putting you at risk — including the predatory financial practices that lenders and dealerships use when selling cars.

Cerro Rubio is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.002m (9,849ft) above the sea level, located in Los Alamos County, in north central New Mexico, 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.