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.

MT-569 is a high mountain road located in Deer Lodge 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.

Gravity Hill in Bedford County, in the US state of Pennsylvania, is one of the most famous optical illusions in the United States. Located just south of New Paris, this quiet country lane makes cars, water, and even balls appear to roll uphill against gravity. What seems like a supernatural force is, in reality, a fascinating trick of perspective that draws curious travelers from across the country.

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. It’s one of the highest roads in Alaska.

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.

Texas consistently records some of the highest traffic fatality numbers in the country, and certain roads stand out as especially hazardous. Analysts who study federal and state crash data focus not only on total collisions, but also on factors like fatalities per mile, crash clusters, driver behavior, and roadway design. With more than 554,000 crashes reported in Texas in 2024, the scale of the problem is clear.

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.

Nestled in the lush redwoods of Santa Cruz, in the US state of California, Mystery Spot Road is home to one of the most famous gravity hill attractions in the world. Since its founding in 1939, the Mystery Spot has been baffling visitors with optical illusions that make balls roll uphill, people appear to lean impossibly, and everyday physics seem… optional.

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.

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.

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.

Located in Greene County, in the US state of Missouri, Fantastic Caverns offers a unique tram-based tour that takes visitors through the heart of a natural cave system. It’s a must-see for anyone exploring scenic drives or road adventures in southwestern Missouri. It’s one of the few roads in the world that runs through a cave.

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.

Mount Leecher is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,531m (5,022 ft) above sea level, located in Okanogan County, in the U.S. state of Washington.

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.

Leidy Peak is a high mountain peak located in Uintah County, in the US state of Utah. To the east of the summit, a gravel road climbs up to 3,361m (11,026ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

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.

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.

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.

TV Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,137m (10,291ft) above sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It's one of the highest roads in Nevada.

Lucky Strike Mine is an old abandoned mining ghost town at an elevation of 1,771 m (5,810 ft) above sea level, located in Emery County, in the U.S. state of Utah. You are best exploring it with a high-clearance 4WD.

Santa Cruz Island is the largest and most ecologically diverse of the Channel Islands, located approximately 20 miles (32 km) off the coast of Ventura, California. It is managed jointly by the National Park Service (NPS) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Although the island is covered in rugged dirt tracks and utility roads, no public motor vehicles are allowed. Visitors must explore this remote and wild territory exclusively on foot or by kayak, making it a rugged and rewarding destination for wilderness adventure seekers.

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.

Muddy Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,632m (8,635ft) above sea level, located in Eagle County in the US state of Colorado.

San Miguel Island, the westernmost and windiest of the Channel Islands, is a destination where adventure comes with a mandatory safety briefing. Like its neighbors, no public motor vehicles are allowed—visitors must traverse the rough terrain on foot. However, due to its history as a military target, San Miguel presents a unique challenge: most of the island’s roads and trails are only accessible when accompanied by a park ranger or authorized guide.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.