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.
How to drive the unpaved road to High Mountain in Utah?
High Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,030m (9,940ft) above sea level, located in Iron County, in the US state of Utah.
How to drive the 4x4 road to Duck Creek Point in Idaho?
Duck Creek Point is a mountain peak at an elevation of 2,515m (8,251ft) above sea level located in Lemhi County, in the US state of Idaho.
How to drive the unpaved road to Treasure Hill in Nevada?
Treasure Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,805m (9,202ft) above sea level located in White Pine County, in the US state of Nevada.
Driving the Forest Service Road 310 to Blue Nose
Blue Nose is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,641m (8,664ft) above sea level located on the border between Montana and Idaho.
How to drive the unpaved road to Old Baldy Mountain in Montana?
Old Baldy Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,499m (8,198ft) above sea level, located in Lewis and Clark County, in the U.S. state of Montana.
How to drive the unpaved road to Lookout Mountain in Ravalli County?
Lookout Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,387m (7,831ft) above sea level, located in Ravalli County, in the US state of Montana.
How to drive the unpaved road to Casita de Piedra Peak in New Mexico
Casita de Piedra Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,061m (10,042ft) 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.
How to drive the unpaved road to Bald Knoll in Sevier County
Bald Knoll is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,881m (9,452ft) above sea level, located in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Utah.
How to drive the unpaved road to Lake Mountain in Wyoming?
Lake Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.827m (9,274ft) above sea level located in Albany County, in the US state of Wyoming.
What the Safest and Riskiest States for Driving Reveal About Road Risk in America
Where you drive in the United States has a measurable effect on how likely you are to be hurt or killed in a crash. The gap between the safest and riskiest states is not small, and it is not random. It reflects a combination of road design, driver behavior, traffic law, geography, and enforcement that varies dramatically from one state to the next.
How to drive the scenic U.S. Route 101 along the Oregon Coast?
U.S. Route 101 in Oregon (officially Oregon Coast Highway No. 9) is a fully paved two-lane coastal route spanning 584 kilometers (363 miles) along the Pacific Ocean. Running from the California state line near Brookings to the Columbia River at Astoria, it cuts through six coastal counties along steep ocean cliffs and historic arch bridges.
Can I drive the unpaved road to Mission Peak in Washington?
Mission Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,078m (6,817ft) above sea level, located on the border between Kittitas and Chelan counties in Washington. Reaching an altitude near the summit, it was historically one of the highest roads in Washington, but the driving route is now permanently closed to all motorized traffic.
How to Drive the Western Divide Highway (M90 / FS 107) in California?
The Western Divide Highway (officially designated as County Route M90 and Forest Route 107) is a high-altitude asphalt road traversing the crest of the southern Sierra Nevada. Winding through the Sequoia National Forest, it serves as the critical mountain link between the CA-190 corridor and the Kern River basin.
How to drive the unpaved road to State Line Peak on the New Mexico-Colorado border?
State Line Peak is a high mountain peak located on the New Mexico-Colorado border, in the USA. South of the summit, a gravel road climbs up to an elevation of 3,676m (12,060ft) above sea level. It is one of the highest roads in New Mexico.
How to drive the paved road to Dixie Summit in Oregon?
Dixie Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.603m (5,259ft) above sea level, located in Grant County, in the US state of Oregon.
How to drive the unpaved road to Indian Peak in Idaho?
Indian Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.366m (7,762ft) above sea level, located in the Lemhi County, in the US state of Idaho.
How to drive the unpaved road to Vintrero Peak in New Mexico?
Vintrero Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,720m (12,204ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the US state of New Mexico. It is one of the highest roads in New Mexico.