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.

CB Radio: The Lifeline of the Dalton Highway

On Alaska’s remote Dalton Highway, standard safety tools like cell phones are useless. With hundreds of miles of zero signal and extreme arctic conditions, survival depends on a technology that predates the internet: the CB (Citizens Band) radio. For truck drivers and expeditionary travelers alike, the "CB" is more than a communication tool—it is a critical safety system used to navigate blind corners, heavy dust clouds, and life-threatening mechanical failures.

How to drive the Three Forks Road of Arizona?

Three Forks Road is a stunning drive with awesome views of streams, forest, and meadows, located in Apache County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It’s one of the highest roads in Arizona.

Is Ohio State Route 170 the Best Technical Drive in the Rust Belt?

Ohio State Route 170 (SR 170) is a north-south highway that offers a surprising technical escape through the rolling terrain of eastern Ohio. Specifically, the segment from Calcutta to Poland is a favorite for those seeking a rhythmic driving experience. Unlike the flat, grid-like roads common in the Midwest, this route follows the natural contours of the Little Beaver Creek valley, providing a series of sweepers and elevation changes that demand constant throttle adjustment. It is one of the most scenic drives in the USA.

How difficult is the unpaved road to Jack Mountain in Montana?

Jack Mountain is a high mountain summit reaching an elevation of 2,667m (8,750ft) above sea level in Jefferson County, Montana. Tucked away south of Helena, the state capital, the peak sits within the massive Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The road to the top is a primitive and abandoned fire lookout track that has not seen regular maintenance for years, turning a 21-kilometer climb into a brutal test of suspension and tire grip in the heart of the Montana wilderness.

A Memorable Road Trip to Browns Pass in Park County

Browns Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,475m (11,400ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

How to get by car to Walton Peak in Colorado?

Walton Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,224 m (10,577 ft) above sea level, located in Routt County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

How to Get by Car to the Lookout at the Summit of Buck Mountain in Washington?

Buck Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,868m (6,128ft) above sea level, located in Okanogan County, in the U.S. state of Washington.

How to get by car to North Walton Peak in Colorado?

North Walton Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,090 m (10,137 ft) above sea level, located in Routt County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Driving the Cherokee Orchard Road in Tennessee

Cherokee Orchard Road serves as the vital logistical link between the urban grid of Gatlinburg and the high-density forest of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More than just an access route, this road is a steep mountain ascent that prepares the motorist for the technical demands of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Driving this road requires managing a high volume of pedestrian traffic, narrow lane widths, and a continuous vertical incline that tests vehicle cooling systems from the moment you leave the city limits.

Is the Slab Road crossing in Kingsland dangerous to drive?

The Slab is a legendary low-water crossing located in Llano County, in the U.S. state of Texas. Situated just outside of Kingsland, this section of Ranch Road 3404 is a popular summer destination that can turn deadly in a matter of minutes due to extreme flash flooding.

Driving an easy dirt road to Muddy Pass in Eagle County

Muddy Pass is a high mountain pass located in Eagle County, within the north-central sector of the U.S. state of Colorado. Traversed by Muddy Creek Road, the unpaved mountain route runs through ranch lands and scrub oak terrain north of the town of Wolcott, reaching a maximum elevation of 2,632 meters (8,635 ft) above sea level.

TV Hill: Driving to the 10,291ft summit in Nevada's Wassuk Range

Reaching a staggering elevation of 3,137m (10,291ft) above sea level, TV Hill is a high mountain peak located in Mineral County, within the rugged wilderness of Nevada. As one of the highest roads in Nevada, this summit offers an extreme off-road experience for those looking to reach the heights of the Great Basin Desert.

San Miguel Island: Military service tracks and UXO hazards

San Miguel Island, the westernmost of the Channel Islands in California, features a unique network of unpaved service tracks within a high-risk environment. Established during the U.S. Navy's tenure (1930s–1970s) when the island served as a bombing and gunnery range, these tracks were built for military logistics. Today, the island remains a high-security zone managed by the National Park Service, where the presence of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) makes driving and even walking a strictly regulated activity.

How to drive the 4x4 road to Daniel’s Pass in Utah?

Daniel’s Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,129 m (10,265 ft) above sea level, located in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Utah. Logistically, the pass is situated in the high-altitude plateau region of the Fishlake National Forest, a terrain characterized by volcanic soil and rapid weather shifts that can significantly alter road surface conditions within hours.

How to drive high-mountain AZ-366 Road in Arizona?

Arizona State Route 366 (AZ-366) is a high-mountain winding road, with sharp curves and no guardrails, located in Graham County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It tops out at 2,936m (9,632ft) above sea level near Mount Graham.

Scenic but Demanding: Roads That Test Driver Focus and Precision

A mountain highway carves through a granite canyon, every curve revealing another postcard view. The problem is that each of those curves also demands total concentration, split-second steering corrections, and zero room for error.

How to drive the paved CO-125 road to Willow Creek Pass in Colorado?

Willow Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2951m (9683ft) above sea level, located of the Continental Divide in the US state of Colorado.

How to drive the unpaved NF-2150 road to Aldrich Mountain in Oregon?

Aldrich Mountain is a high-altitude peak reaching 2,127m (6,978ft) above sea level, located in Grant County, Oregon. Tucked away in the Malheur National Forest, the summit is home to an active fire lookout. Accessing the top requires driving the Forest Service Road 2150 (NF-2150), a remote and unpaved track that demands mechanical self-sufficiency and caution due to its isolation in the central Oregon wilderness.

How difficult is the 4x4 road to Tetilla Peak and Costilla Peak?

Tetilla Peak (3,283m / 10,771ft) and Costilla Peak are two high mountain summits located in Colfax County, New Mexico. Situated in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near the Colorado border, the primitive road connecting these peaks is one of the highest roads of New Mexico.

How to Get by Car to the Lookout at the Summit of Whitmore Mountain in Washington?

Whitmore Mountain is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,201m (3,940ft) above sea level, located in Okanogan County, in the U.S. state of Washington.

Dutchman Peak: Driving to the historic 1927 lookout in Oregon

At an elevation of 2,243m (7,358ft) above sea level, Dutchman Peak is a high mountain summit in the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon. Located within the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest near the California border, the peak is home to one of the oldest fire lookouts still in service in the United States.

How to stay safe on the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago

The Dan Ryan Expressway isn't just another highway. As one of the most heavily traveled urban stretches in the Midwest, it registers a disproportionate share of Chicago's 100,000+ annual traffic crashes. Treating this corridor as a routine commute rather than a high-risk system is a mistake.

How to drive the unpaved road to Desert Queen Mine in California?

Desert Queen Mine is an abandoned gold mine located in Riverside County, in the US state of California. You can still see some of the equipment on site, but all the mine entrances and stuff like that is fenced off.

Driving history: The abandoned 7:30 Mine Road in Colorado

The 7:30 Mine Trail is an abandoned mining road in the historic town of Silver Plume, in the US state of Colorado. Built in 1872 as a toll road, it climbed the steep slopes of Republican Mountain to reach the silver mines.

How to drive the unpaved County Road 204 in Colorado?

County Road 204 is an unpaved mountain track located in La Plata County, within the southwestern sector of the U.S. state of Colorado. Climbing high into the San Juan Mountains, the rough dirt track reaches a maximum elevation of 3,253 meters (10,672 ft) above sea level at the summit of Monument Hill.

How to drive the steep Spirit Mountain Road to Cedar Mountain in Cody?

Cedar Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,405m (7,890ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the US state of Wyoming.

How to drive the unpaved road to Pennellen Pass in Utah?

Pennellen Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,411m (7,910ft) above sea level, located in eastern Garfield County, in the US state of Utah.

How to drive the unpaved road to Stanton Pass in Utah?

Stanton Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,253m (7,391ft) above sea level, located in eastern Garfield County, in the US state of Utah.

How to drive the Staircase Road in Washington?

Staircase Road, or Forest Service Road 24 (NF-24), is the only access to the southeastern corner of Olympic National Park in Washington.

How to drive the mine road to Gibbs Peak in Colorado?

Gibbs Peak is a high mountain peak located on the boundary between La Plata and Montezuma counties in southwestern Colorado. While the summit sits higher, a minor gravel road situated on its eastern side tops out at an elevation of 3,507m (11,505ft) above sea level. This rugged mine road within the San Juan National Forest is a demanding 4x4 transit that requires precise vehicle placement and high-altitude experience.

How to drive the paved Battle Highway Scenic Highway to the historic Battle Pass in Wyoming

Battle Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,038 m (9,967 ft) above sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

How to drive the unpaved road to the lookout at Stonewall Mountain in Montana

Stonewall Mountain is a mountain peak at an elevation of 2.525m (8,284ft) above sea level, located in Lewis and Clark County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Can I drive to the lookout at the summit of Hershberger Mountain in Oregon?

Hershberger Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,853m (6,079ft) above sea level, located in Douglas County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

How steep is the 4x4 road to Uncompahgre Butte?

Uncompahgre Butte is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,955m (9,694ft) above sea level, located in Mesa County, in the US state of Colorado. The summit is reached via a short but brutal 1.6 km spur that branches off the Divide Road on the Uncompahgre Plateau.

How to drive the unpaved road to Indian Creek Point in Idaho?

Indian Creek Point is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,608m (8,556ft) above sea level located in Valley County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

How to drive the 31 hairpins of the abandoned road to Diorite Peak?

Diorite Peak is a high mountain peak located on the boundary of La Plata and Montezuma counties in southwestern Colorado. While the summit sits higher, a gravel road situated south of the peak tops out at an elevation of 3,583m (11,755ft) above sea level. This route, an abandoned wagon road within the San Juan National Forest, is one of the most technical and eroded tracks in the region.

How to drive to Mount Union in Arizona?

Mount Union is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,431m (7,975ft) above sea level, located in Yavapai County, in the US state of Arizona.

How to drive the Forest Road 91B to Burned Mountain in New Mexico?

Burned Mountain is a high pass at an elevation of 3,048m (10,000ft) above sea level located in Rio Arriba County, in the US state of New Mexico. It is the highest roads of New Mexico.

How high is the unpaved road to Van Diest Peak in New Mexico?

Van Diest Peak is a high mountain summit in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. While the peak reaches 3,731m, the unpaved track stops at an elevation of 3,396m (11,141ft) above sea level in Taos County. This high-altitude spur is one of the highest roads of New Mexico, though it remains behind private gates.

How to drive the unpaved road to Cougar Peak in Oregon?

Cougar Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,415m (7,923ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the US state of Oregon.

How to drive the unpaved road to Thunder Mountain in California?

Thunder Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,613m (8,572ft) above sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in the US state of California. The road to the summit is a service road for the ski lifts.

How to drive the 30 hairpin turns to Skalkaho Mountain in Montana

Skalkaho Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,580m (8,464ft) above sea level, located in Ravalli County, in the US state of Montana.

Driving the steep Forest Road 4717 to South Mountain in Utah

South Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,258m (10,688ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Utah. It is one of the highest roads in Utah.

How Long Do You Have to Drive to Bar Island Before the Tide Covers the Track?

Bar Island Land Bridge (commonly known as The Bar) is a tidal gravel causeway in Bar Harbor, in the US state of Maine. Located within Acadia National Park, the natural land bridge emerges across Frenchman Bay during low tide to connect the town of Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island with Bar Island. It’s one of the periodically flooded roads around the world.