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.

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.

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.

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.

The Virgin River Gorge, located in the northwestern corner of Arizona, is one of the most geographically stunning and engineered-intense sections of the entire Interstate Highway System. Carved through sheer limestone cliffs, this 29-mile stretch of I-15 serves as a vital artery between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. However, its breathtaking beauty hides a treacherous environment where narrow lanes, extreme weather, and complex bridge structures create a high-stakes driving experience.

The Magruder Road Corridor, officially Forest Service Road 468, stretching between Elk City, Idaho, and Darby, Montana, is one of the most remote and primitive tracks in the lower 48 states. Carving a thin line between two massive wilderness areas—the Selway-Bitterroot and the Frank Church-River of No Return—this 101-mile (162 km) forest road offers no services, no cell signal, and no room for mechanical error. It is a high-altitude transit through the heart of the Bitterroot Mountains, where the environment remains as rugged and unforgiving as it was a century ago.

Las Vegas is a major hub for adventure travelers, but the roads surrounding "Sin City" are statistically among the most dangerous in the United States. Beyond the neon lights, drivers face a lethal combination of extreme desert heat, winding mountain passes, and long stretches of unlit, isolated highways. For those planning a road trip through Nevada, understanding these high-risk zones is essential for a safe expedition.

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.

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