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.

Bullion King Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.832m (12,572ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado. This trail is well worth the drive; however, it is steep in places and has a limited number of places to pass other vehicles. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Bald Hills Road is a very scenic drive located in Humboldt County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the Redwood National and State Parks. 

Wawona Road (Route 41) is a very rewarding journey with stunning views, located in Mariposa County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s a scenic drive with plenty of things to do along the way.

The Miles Glacier Bridge, completed in the early 1900s, spans the Copper River in Alaska and is notable for its multiple-span Pennsylvania truss design. Built to facilitate a 196-mile railroad line for the Copper River and Northwestern Railway, the bridge was essential for transporting copper from the mining town of Kennicott to the port of Cordova. It is considered one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Storm Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,006m (9,862ft) above sea level, located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Trinity Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.868m (9,409ft) above sea level, located in Elmore County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. The road may be blocked by snow until early July. It’s one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Lytle Creek Road is a short mountain road located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Twin Peaks South is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.154m (10,347ft) above sea level located in the U.S. state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Located in Portage County, in the US state of Wisconsin, Bloody Bride Bridge is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a bride. According to a local legend, she was killed in an accident here on the way to her wedding, thus giving it its name.

San Antonio Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.335m (10,941ft) above sea level, located in Rio Arriba County, in the US state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Onyx Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,579m (8,461ft) above sea level, located in San Bernardino County, in the US state of California.

Trout Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.896m (9,501ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.

Flat Iron Mesa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.171m (7,122ft) above sea level, located in Carbon County, in the US state of Utah.

Hole in the Wall Road is a very scenic drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the most challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Horseshoe Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,742 meters (8,996 feet) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the US state of California. It is known for its hazardous conditions due to high levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) seeping from the ground. Warnings about CO₂ exposure are posted in the area.

Lost Trail Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.143m (7,030ft) above sea level, located on the border between Idaho and Montana, in the northwestern United States.

Located in the heart of Utah’s southwest, the Patchwork Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in America. The road connects Heritage Highway 89 and Scenic Byway 12, following a 51 mile long course that rises from 6,000 feet on the western slope to elevations over 10,000 feet on a majestic plateau, and eventually descends again to 6,500 feet along the eastern slope.

Located in Dane County, in the US state of Wisconsin, the Dyreson Road Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Dishpan Springs Trail is a short but demanding off-road challenge located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Chloride City is a ghost town located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in the Death Valley National Park. 

Sheep Creek Truck Trail is a scenic mountain road located in San Bernardino County, in the US state of California.

Foote's Crossing Road is a very scenic drive straddling Nevada and Sierra counties in the U.S. state of California. The road is narrow, steep, twisting and potentially hazardous as it winds through the Tahoe National Forest.

Logan Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.964m (9,724ft) above sea level, located in Cache County, in the US state of Utah.

Polihale Ridge Road is a very scenic drive located in Kauaʻi County, in the US state of Hawaiʻi.

McKenzie Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,623m (5,335ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Linn and Deschutes counties in the US state of Oregon.

Scotty's Castle Road is a scenic drive located in the desolate northern section of Death Valley National Park, in the US state of California, and it provides access to Scotty’s Castle historic house museum.

Goose Lake is a pair of high mountain lakes at an elevation of 3.021m (9,911ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Montana. It’s one of the highest roads in Montana.

Thompson Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 841m (2,759ft) above sea level, located in Valdez–Cordova Census Area, in the US state of Alaska.

Kendall Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.895m (12,778ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado. The road to the summit is precarious, offering the best in drop-offs and a boulder-lined roadbed. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Located in Mariposa County in the U.S. state of California, Glacier Point Road is the most scenic drive in Yosemite National Park. It’s one of the world's most scenic drives. 

Caineville Wash Road is a highly scenic trail located in Wayne County, in the U.S. state of Utah. A high-clearance vehicle is required, but a 4x4 might be necessary.

Mountain Springs Road is a mountain road located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Apache Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.563m (5,127ft) above sea level, located in Cochise County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Lassen Volcanic National Highway is a scenic drive located within the Lassen Volcanic National Park, in the U.S. state of California. The road, snaking across the western side of the park between the Southwest and Manzanita Lake Entrances, takes the driver near the major volcanic features.

American Basin is a high alpine basin located in Hinsdale County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Be aware of high altitude sickness, which can be life-threatening.

Marias Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,602 meters (5,255 feet) above sea level, located in the US state of Montana. It is one of the lowest and most accessible passes over the Continental Divide in the United States, making it an important transportation corridor.

Adams Lake is a scenic high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.314m (10,872ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The remote location and steep climb to the lake keep traffic to a minimum.

Baker Lake is a pristine sub-alpine lake located in the US state of Washington. The lake and its surroundings are home to diverse wildlife, including black bears, deer, eagles, and various bird species.

Located in Clallam County, in the US state of Washington, Lake Crescent Highway is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. The road runs along the southern shore of Lake Crescent.

North Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

La Sal Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,093m (10,147ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Utah.

31 Mile Road is a scenic mountain drive located on the boundary between Rio Arriba and Sandoval counties, in the US state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Cloverdale Mine is an abandoned gold mine at an elevation of 3,497m (11,473ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the US state of Colorado. This trail is truly breathtaking.

Whiskey Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.546m (11,633ft) above sea level, located in Costilla County, in the US state of Colorado.

Bluebell Knoll is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.449m (11,317ft) above sea level, located in Wayne County, in the US state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Hat Point is an overlook located in Wallowa County, in the U.S. state of Oregon, at an elevation of 2,130m (6,988ft) above sea level. This is a journey that some will never attempt again because it frightened them so much: there are steep drop-offs and a very narrow road.

Green Man Tunnel is located in South Park Township, in the US state of Pennsylvania. Locals believe that a man with no face used to walk through this tunnel in the middle of the night. The Green Man is said to have been an electrical worker who was in an accident that melted his face and killed him. His ghost has subsequently been seen near the site of the accident.

Devil’s Hole is a subaqueous cavern, located in Nye County, in the US state of Nevada, with an eerie legend.

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.