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.

Capitol Gorge Road is a very scenic, unpaved drive located in Wayne County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s fairly well-maintained, though still somewhat rough.

California State Route 127 is a breathtaking drive with stunning desert views, straddling Inyo and San Bernardino counties.

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.

Blacktail Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,785m (9,137ft) above sea level, located in Beaverhead County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Centralia Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.876m (9,435ft) above sea level, located in Jefferson County, in the US state of Colorado.

Straddling Wayne and Emery counties, Wild Horse Canyon Road is a scenic dirt road that runs through the San Rafael Swell in the US state of 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mount Shavano is a high mountain peak located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. An old mining road, southeast of the peak, climbs up to 3,217m (10,554ft) above sea level.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lockes Gap is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.035m (6,676ft) 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.

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.

Located in San Luis Obispo, in the U.S. state of California, Bubblegum Alley is a quirky and somewhat gross tourist attraction—a narrow alleyway covered in layers of chewed gum.

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.

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.

Cedar Mountain is a high mountain pass with an elevation of 2,339m (7,673ft) above sea level, located in Emery County in the U.S. state of Utah.

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

Ranchos Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,851m (9,353ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

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.

Gilbert Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,948 meters (6,391 feet) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California.

McMillan Peak is a high mountain located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. A gravel road east of the summit climbs up to an elevation of 3,587 m (11,768 ft) above sea level.

Coffeepot Crater is a large breached cinder cone, located in Malheur County, in the US state of Oregon.

Bonito Mountain is a high mountain pass 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’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

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.

Main Boulder Road is a very scenic drive located in the U.S. state of Montana. The route closely follows the Boulder River and provides access to countless campgrounds.

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.

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.

Highway 93 is a north-south route that runs through the southeastern part of British Columbia, connecting with U.S. Highway 93 at the Canada-U.S. border. It follows the Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3) and Highway 95, passing through Radium Hot Springs, and crosses the Continental Divide into Alberta at Vermilion Pass, where it continues as Alberta Highway 93.

Chilkat Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,061m (3,480ft) above sea level, located in the province of British Columbia, Canada.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sheep Ridge is a mountain peak located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. A gravel road, south of the peak, climbs up to 3,418m (11,213ft) above sea level.

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.

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.

Blueberry-Paulson Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,517m (4,977ft) above sea level, located in British Columbia, Canada's westernmost province.

Kelso-Cima Road is a very scenic paved road, running through the heart of the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California. As you travel this road, remember to exercise caution and watch out for wildlife, particularly the desert tortoise.

The Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is a designated All-American Road in the U.S. states of California and Oregon. Spanning approximately 500 miles (800 km), it follows the Cascade Range and passes numerous volcanic sites, including Crater Lake National Park, Mount Shasta, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. The route is recognized for its geological significance and connects a range of natural and cultural landmarks.

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