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.
A Wild 4x4 Road to Marble Mountain in Colorado
Marble Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,699 m (12,135 ft) above sea level, located in Rio Grande County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.
The wild 4x4 road to Hager Mountain in Oregon
Hager Mountain is a volcanic peak at an elevation of 2,191m (7,188ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. The area is known for its scenic vistas and wild places.
From Expedition Routes to Asphalt: Lewis and Clark's Mountain Pass Discoveries
The Lewis and Clark Expedition played a crucial role in the exploration of the American West. This text examines the expedition's context, its key figures, and its lasting impact on the development of overland travel routes, specifically in relation to several mountain passes that are utilized by modern roads.
Can I drive to the perimeter of Area 51 in Nevada?
Area 51 is a highly classified United States Air Force facility located within the Nevada Test and Training Range in Lincoln County, Nevada. While the base itself is strictly off-limits to the public, you can legally drive to the perimeter gates through remote desert tracks.
Driving the Scenic Pine Canyon Road in Big Bend NP
Pine Canyon Road is a very scenic drive located in Brewster County, in the U.S. state of Texas, offering stunning views of the Chisos Mountains. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, as some parts of the road can be rough.
Driving the challenging Forest Road 597 to Sawmill Pass in New Mexico
Sawmill Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,153m (10,344ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.
Safety Guide: Driving the Highest Passes in the US
America’s loftiest roads are gorgeous and unforgiving. Grades run long, shoulders stay narrow, and the air gets thin enough to bother engines and people. If you’re aiming for Colorado fourteeners or western summit byways, a little planning turns a white-knuckle climb into a day you’ll actually enjoy.
How long is the road to Mount Tom in Jefferson County?
Mount Tom is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,889m (9,478ft) above sea level, located in Jefferson County, in the US state of Colorado. The summit is reached via a 5 km (3.1 miles) unpaved track that starts off Drew Hill Road, west of Golden.
Driving the Scenic Paved Road to Oldman Pass in Washington
Oldman Pass is a mountain pass with an elevation of 934m (3,064ft) above sea level, located in Skamania County, in the U.S. state of Washington.
Peak to Peak Highway: Driving Colorado’s Oldest and Most Scenic Byway
Established in 1918, the Peak to Peak Highway is Colorado's oldest scenic byway. Spanning 55 miles (89 km) through the heart of the Front Range, this route offers matchless views of the Continental Divide. It is an essential mountain corridor that connects Rocky Mountain National Park with historic gold-mining districts, blending alpine nature with the rugged ghost towns of the Old West.
How to Get to Patriarch Grove by Car in California?
Located at an elevation of 3,455 meters (11,335 feet), in the US state of California, Patriarch Grove is part of the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest and is notable for the Patriarch Tree, the largest bristlecone pine in the world. It's one of the highest roads in California.
How to get to Slide Lake in Colorado by car
Slide Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,575m (11,729 ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the US state of Colorado.
How to get by car to Smith Creek Lakes in Utah?
Smith Creek Lakes are three small glacial cirque lakes at an elevation of 2,722m (8,930ft) above sea level, located in Morgan County, in the U.S. state of Utah.
Driving the 4x4 road to Bonito Mountain in Colorado
Bonito Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,673 m (12,050 ft) above sea level, located in Rio Grande County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It stands as one of the highest roads in Colorado, offering a true high-alpine driving experience.
Planning a Successful Road Trip to Pigeon Forge
Organizing a large group or family trip to Pigeon Forge requires careful management of transport and logistics. When driving with a large number of people, the complexity of the journey increases—from finding suitable parking to timing your arrival at the Great Smoky Mountains. A professional approach to planning ensures that your group stays coordinated and that every road transit is executed safely and efficiently.
An Unforgettable Drive to Rhyolite Mountain in Teller County
Rhyolite Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,230 m (10,597 ft) above sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Exploring Lakeview Drive in North Carolina: The Mysterious Road to Nowhere
Lakeview Drive, commonly known as the Road to Nowhere, is a unique and scenic drive located near Bryson City, in the US state of North Carolina. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s both a historical landmark and a popular destination for tourists, hikers, cyclists, and even paranormal enthusiasts.
How to Get to Kerr Lake by Car in Southern Colorado?
Kerr Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,482m (11,423 ft) above sea level, located in Conejos County in the U.S. state of Colorado.
6 Reasons to Choose a Cabin for Your Smoky Mountains Trip
When planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains, choosing the right base is a tactical decision. Sevierville is a key hub for accessing some of the most famous roads in Tennessee. While hotels are an option, renting a cabin offers specific advantages for drivers and groups who need more space, secure parking, and direct access to mountain routes. For a successful driving expedition, a cabin provides the infrastructure needed to manage your vehicle and your schedule with total autonomy.
Driving the high mountain MT-569 Road in Anaconda
MT-569 is a high mountain road located in Deer Lodge County, in the U.S. state of Montana.
How to get by car to Yellow Mountain in California?
Yellow Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.465m (8,087ft) above sea level, located in Modoc County, in the U.S. state of California.
Driving the unpaved road to Brooks Mountain in Jeff Davis County
Brooks Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.185m (7,168ft) above sea level, located in Jeff Davis County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It's one of the highest roads in Texas.
Centralia Mountain: Driving the 9% Service Track in Jefferson County
At an elevation of 2,876m (9,435ft) above sea level, Centralia Mountain is a high summit in Jefferson County, Colorado. Located west of Denver within the Front Range, the peak is home to various communication towers, making the road to the top a vital but restricted service corridor.
Driving the Wild 4x4 Road to Thurston Peak in Utah
Thurston Peak is a high mountain located in the U.S. state of Utah. A minor gravel road, north of the peak, climbs up to 2,990m (9,809ft) above sea level.
The Ultimate Trip on Government Wash Road to Lake Mead
Government Wash Road is a scenic sandy drive leading to Lake Mead, a large reservoir on the Colorado River, located in Clark County, in the US state of Nevada.
Driving the unpaved road to Black Mountain in Jeff Davis County
Black Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.008m (6,587ft) above sea level, located in central Jeff Davis County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It's one of the highest roads in Texas.
How to Get by Car to Coffeepot Crater in Oregon?
Coffeepot Crater is a large, remarkably well-preserved breached cinder cone located in Malheur County, in the southeastern corner of Oregon. It is the centerpiece of the Jordan Craters Volcanic Field, a 27-square-mile landscape of twisted basalt and jagged lava flows that looks more like the lunar surface than the Pacific Northwest.
A wild unpaved road to Table Rock Lookout in Oregon
Table Rock is a summit at an elevation of 2,375m (7,791ft) above sea level, located in Baker County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.
Driving the Wild Road to Cerro Pelon in the Manzano Mountains
Cerro Pelon is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,058m (10,032 ft) above sea level, located in Cibola County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.
Driving the scenic MT-278 Road through the mountains of Montana
Montana State Highway 278 (MT-278) is a very scenic road, running through the mountains of Beaverhead County, in the U.S. state of Montana.
What You Need to Know About Driving Forest Road 4725 in San Juan County
Forest Road 4725 is a high mountain unpaved road located in San Juan County, in the US state of Utah.
Driving the Wild 4x4 Road to Lily Lake near Leadville
Lily Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,233m (10,606ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the US state of Colorado.
Lockes Gap: Driving the high unpaved road in the Davis Mountains of Texas
Lockes Gap is a high-altitude mountain pass located in Jeff Davis County, Texas. Cut into the volcanic rock of the rugged Davis Mountains in West Texas, this dirt track sits at an elevation of 2,035 meters (6,676 ft) above sea level. It's one of the highest roads in Texas.
How to drive to Blue Lake in south Montana?
Blue Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,901m (9,517ft) above sea level, located in Sweet Grass County, in the U.S. state of Montana.
Is the road to Lucky Strike Mine in Utah’s San Rafael Swell dangerous?
Lucky Strike Mine is a forgotten uranium and vanadium ghost town tucked away at 1,771m (5,810ft) above sea level in Emery County, Utah. Located in the heart of the San Rafael Swell, specifically within the rugged Reds Canyon area, this site is a relic of the 1950s uranium boom. Driving to the mine is more than a scenic trip; it is an entry into a remote, unmonitored desert environment where the road surface, the lack of communication, and the lingering radiation from the old shafts create a high-stakes adventure for any off-road driver.
How long is the unpaved road to Leidy Peak in Utah?
Leidy Peak is a mountain peak at an elevation of 3,361 meters above sea level, located in Uintah County, Utah. The track to the top is one of the highest roads in Utah, crossing the Uintah Range through a landscape of loose rocks and thick forest.
A Wild Mining Road to MacKay Peak in Idaho
MacKay Peak is a high mountain peak located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. A mining road that leads high up its slopes, south of the peak, tops out at 2,913m (9,557ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Idaho.
Driving the mining road to Silver Lake near Silverton
Silver Lake is a high mountain lake located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado. A gravel road, to the north of the lake, ends at 3,403 m (11,164 ft) above sea level.
The Ultimate Guide to Driving State Route 14 in Washington (2026)
Wind slams against the basalt cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge with zero warning. Unwary motorists drift across the double-yellow line of State Route 14. And you? You're steering through shadows cast by 4,000-foot volcanic canyon walls, fighting unpredictable gusts that batter your vehicle's side profile.
How to Get to Horsethief Lookout Tower by Car in Arizona
Located in Yavapai County, in the U.S. state of Arizona, Horsethief Lookout Tower sits at an elevation of 2,045m (6,709ft) above sea level.
McMillan Peak: Driving the Steep 4x4 Road in the San Juan Mountains
Located in San Juan County, Colorado, McMillan Peak is a high mountain summit reaching an elevation of 3,587m (11,768ft) above sea level. Situated in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, the peak is known for its steep access road and the prominent telecommunications antenna located near the summit.
Sheep Ridge: Driving the rugged Forest Service Road in Colorado’s Pike National Forest
Sheep Ridge is a mountain peak situated in Park County, Colorado, reaching an elevation of 3,418m (11,213ft) above sea level. For off-road enthusiasts, the real draw is the rugged forest service road that climbs the southern ridge, offering a short but technical high-altitude driving experience in the heart of the Pike National Forest.
Magruder Road Corridor: The Ultimate Test of Remote Off-Road Navigation
The Magruder Road Corridor, officially Forest Service Road 468, stretching between Elk City, Idaho, and Darby, Montana, is one of the most remote and primitive tracks in the lower 48 states. Carving a thin line between two massive wilderness areas—the Selway-Bitterroot and the Frank Church-River of No Return—this 101-mile (162 km) forest road offers no services, no cell signal, and no room for mechanical error. It is a high-altitude transit through the heart of the Bitterroot Mountains, where the environment remains as rugged and unforgiving as it was a century ago.
How to get to the top of Chase Mountain in Oregon
Chase Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,936m (6,351ft) above sea level, located in Klamath County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.
How to get by car to the summit of Hamaker Mountain in Oregon
Hamaker Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,012m (6,601ft) above sea level, located in Klamath County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.
How to get by car to Whitetail Mountain in Texas?
Whitetail Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.216m (7,270ft) above sea level, located in central Jeff Davis County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It's one of the highest roads in Texas.
How steep is the 4x4 road to Mount Leecher in Washington?
Mount Leecher is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,531m (5,022ft) above sea level, located in Okanogan County, in the US state of Washington. The road to the top is a 7.9 km (4.9 miles) unpaved spur branching off the NF-4150 road in the North Cascades.
Driving the breathtaking 4x4 road to Lo 7 Hill in Colorado is not easy
Lo 7 Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,603 m (8,540 ft) above sea level, located in Rio Blanco County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.