What are the most spectacular roads in the USA?

The vast expanse of the USA, stretching from the amber waves of grain to the majestic purple mountain majesties, boasts a network of roads that are as diverse as the nation's tapestry of cultures. One such road, the Million Dollar Highway, is often touted as America's crown jewel of roadways, leading adventurers through awe-inspiring terrains and offering unparalleled vistas. Further north, the Iron Mountain Road, with its dizzying 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 pigtails, and 3 tunnels, stands as a testament to man's desire to conquer nature, providing a thrilling drive that's not for the faint-hearted.

Journey to Colorado, and you'll find yourself face to face with the infamous Black Bear Pass - a road that promises not just breathtaking beauty, but also adrenaline-pumping excitement. For the off-road enthusiasts, Engineer Pass offers an opportunity to get up close and personal with Colorado's high mountain terrains, challenging drivers to push their limits amidst staggering beauty. Not to be outdone, Utah’s Canyonlands beckons with the Shafer Trail Road, an iconic route that cuts through the heart of some of the most stunning canyons, making you feel like you're driving through the very pages of history.

In the USA, each road is a journey, an exploration, a challenge, and a story. They are gateways to discovering the grandeur of the nation, to feeling the pulse of its land, and to embracing the spirit of adventure that is quintessentially American. Whether bathed in the golden hues of sunrise or shrouded in the mysteries of twilight, these roads promise experiences that linger long after the journey's end.

Straddling the border between California and Nevada, in the USA, the Death Valley National Park is the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park. In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes.

Snowy Range Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,310m (10,859ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It's one of the highest roads of Wyoming.

Joe Brown Highway is a mountain road deeply located in the wilderness, straddling western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, in the USA.

Located in the Western region of the United States, Montana can be divided into two geographic areas in general: the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountain Region. The state is slightly larger than Japan and it’s a vast and varied state of mountains, canyons, river valleys, forests, grassy plains, badlands, and caverns. Its name is a word derived from the Spanish word meaning "mountainous."

Laurel Lake is a small backcountry sub-alpine lake at an elevation of 2,981m (9,780ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Located in the southwestern region of the United States of America, New Mexico is usually considered one of the Mountain States. The state is roughly bisected by the Rio Grande and has an approximate mean altitude of 5,700 ft (1,737 m). Its landscape ranges from wide, rose-colored deserts to broken mesas to high, snow-capped peaks. New Mexico is 2nd only to Arizona in days of sunshine per year. 

Brasstown Bald is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,458m (4,784ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Georgia. On clear days in late September and October, it’s even possible to see the skyline of Atlanta.

Lombard Street is located in San Francisco, in the US state of California. It's famous for having a steep, one-block section that consists of eight tight hairpin turns, making it one of the crookedest streets in the world.

Monitor Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.543m (8,343ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California. The road is closed in winter.

Sunrise Point is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 1,957m (6,420ft) above sea level, located in Pierce County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier National Park.

Rim Rock Drive is one of the most scenic drives in the American West. Located in Mesa County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, the drive delivers dizzying cliff’s edge views in Colorado National Monument.

Marshall Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.305m (10,842ft) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Stony Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.846m (12,618ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Hurricane Ridge Road is probably Washington's best driving road. Located within Olympic National Park, this paved road snakes up to Hurricane Ridge, at an elevation of 1,549m (5,082ft) above sea level.

Lobdell Lake is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.827m (9,274ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest roads in California.

Located in the U.S. state of New York, the Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. This cantilever bridge is 16,013 feet (4,881 m) long and is said to be the scary of scaries.

Located in Bulloch County, in the U.S. state of Georgia, Robertson Road is said to be one of America's Creepiest Roads and one of the most haunted parts of the state. As the story goes, people have witnessed unexplainable lights on the road as well as large ghost dogs.

Sitgreaves Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,096m (3,595ft) above sea level, located in Mohave County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. Very few guardrails give you no leeway for error.

Loop Road is a very scenic drive located in the Everglades National Park, in the U.S. state of Florida. In the summer, parts of the road can be under water.

Peak 10 is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,085m (13,402ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Experienced drivers in aggressive stock SUVs can do it. It's one of the highest roads in the USA.

Carr Canyon Road #368 is a winding, steep, gravel switchback road located in Cochise County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Ohio Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,072m (10,078ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s a scenic drive that any 2WD vehicle can handle in the summer.

Berdoo Canyon Road is a demanding trail located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California. Flash floods are a possibility. It’s one of the famous backcountry roads in Joshua Tree National Park.

Located in western Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, Decker Canyon Road is said to be one of the 5 Best Driving Roads in Malibu. It is a very narrow road that rises in elevation quickly (up to 10%). It’s the type of road you'll never forget.

Mount Equinox is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,170m (3,840ft) above sea level, located in Bennington County, in the U.S. state of Vermont. The climb is brutal, with some sections up to 14.66%. It’s an unforgettable drive to the summit of the highest peak in the Taconic Range.

Christmas Tree Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.210m (3,969ft) above sea level, located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. High clearance vehicle is helpful in spots. The pass is known for its decorations along the trail.

Boreas Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,507m (11,505ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s a low-maintenance, rough gravel road closed in winters but passable by two-wheel-drive automobiles in good weather.

Natchez Trace Parkway is a very scenic drive running through three states in the southeastern United States. It may not strike you at first, but as you drive along the road, you'll be traveling down the approximation of a 10,000-year-old pathway steeped in history.

Gates Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 969m (3,179ft) above sea level, located in Pima County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Located in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in North Park, Irwin Road is said to be haunted by a low-hanging blue mist and famous for various reports of paranormal activity and eerie encounters along its length.

The stunning Utah Scenic Byway 12 is a road trip through time that connects Wayne County and Garfield County, in the US state of Utah.

Big Sur Coast Highway is a very scenic drive hugging the California coast, in the USA. This twisting, cliff-hugging coastal scenic drive runs from Monterey to San Luis Obispo.

Coyote Flat is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3.061m (10,042ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads of California.

North La Veta Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.869m (9,413ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.

Deception Pass Bridge is located in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s a two-lane bridge linking Whidbey Island and Fidalgo in Deception Pass State Park. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Rich Mountain Road is a very scenic one-way drive located in Blount County, in the U.S. state of Tennessee.

Notom-Bullfrog Road is a very scenic drive running across Capitol Reef National Park, in the US state of Utah. It runs along the eastern side of the Waterpocket Fold and is considered one of the best drives in Capitol Reef National Park.

Mount Mitchell is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,007m (6,584ft) above sea level, located in Yancey County, in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It’s said to be the highest point east of the Mississippi.

Talimena Scenic Drive is a very scenic drive running across the Ouachita Mountains, straddling the southeastern part of Oklahoma and western Arkansas, in the USA.

Dunraven Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.718m (8,917ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. At this elevation, it is the highest pass inside the park.

McClure Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.681m (8,795ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the steepest paved roads in the state, hitting a 9% maximum gradient.

Railroad Ridge is a high mountain ridge at an elevation of 3.180m (10,433ft) above sea level located in Custer County, in the US state of Idaho. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s said to be the highest road accessible to full-size vehicles in Idaho.

Mackinac Bridge divides the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan. It was built in 1957, is 26,372 feet long and ascends to a height of 200 feet above water. Some drivers get so nervous about crossing the bridge that they don’t even go. And this happens so often that the Mackinac Bridge Authority will drive your car or motorcycle for you (and for free). It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Mount Baker Highway is a very scenic drive located within the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest in the US state of Washington. The end of the road at Artist Point is only open for 3-4 months in late summer and early fall.

Dillon Road is an isolated drive through the open desert, located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.

Kancamagus Highway is a very scenic drive located in Grafton County, in the U.S. state of New Hampshire. It is said to be one of the most popular fall foliage road trips in the world.

Capulin Volcano is an extinct cinder cone volcano at an elevation of 2,405m (7,890ft) above sea level, located in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world.

Kennebec Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,561m (11,683ft) above sea level, located in La Plata County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. 4WD with good clearance is needed for the last section of the road.

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