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.

Redington Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.314m (4,311ft) above sea level, located in Pima County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. The route to the summit has been in existence for hundreds of years.

Mullan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,799 m (5,902 ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Powell and Lewis and Clark counties in the US state of Montana.

Pilot Rock OHV Road 2N33 is a roughly graded road located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Tenderfoot Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.124m (10,249ft) above sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Greens Peak is an extinct cinder-cone volcano at an elevation of 3,091m (10,141ft) above sea level, located in Apache County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads in Arizona.

Steptoe Butte is an isolated hill at an elevation of 1.101m (3,612ft) above sea level, located in Whitman County, in the US state of Washington.

Peavine Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.517m (8,257ft) above sea level, located in Washoe County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Located in Garfield County, in southern Utah, in the USA, Hell's Backbone Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Lake Como is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,755m (12,319ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Devil Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,026 m (9,927 ft) above sea level, located in Archuleta County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

The United States’ National Highway System is the most extensive in the world, serving as a critical artery for international commerce and personal transit. However, this complexity comes with significant hazards. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the NHTSA, the U.S. averages eleven highway casualties per 100,000 residents annually—a rate three times higher than that of the U.K. Understanding the specific topographical and behavioral risks of these ten "lethal corridors" is essential for safe interstate navigation.

Bountiful Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.787m (9,143ft) above sea level, located in Davis County, in the U.S. state of Utah.

Velocity Basin is a cirque basin with a small turquoise lake at its base, at an elevation of 3.449m (11,315ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Rocky Gap Road is an extremely rugged backcountry road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The road is rocky and rough in many areas where it has been washed out. The middle portion of the route can present some challenges.

Every state has at least one intersection that plays host to more accidents and close calls than all the rest. Time Magazine looked at data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to determine the most dangerous intersection in each US state.

Jelm Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.948m (9,671ft) above sea level located in Albany County, in the US state of Wyoming.

Cathedral Valley Driving Loop Tour is a very scenic drive located in Wayne County, in the US state of Utah. It is usually accessible to most cars with high clearance but 4WD is recommended. It’s one of the best drives in Capitol Reef National Park.

Cactus Forest Scenic Loop Drive is a one-way paved loop road located in Pima County, in the US state of Arizona.

Located in Park County, in the US state of Colorado, Alma is the highest incorporated town in North America at an elevation of 3.224m (10,578ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest towns on Earth accessible by car. 

Luther Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,364 m (7,755 ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California.

Paradise Basin is a high mountain basin at an elevation of 3.447m (11,309ft) above sea level located in Gunnison County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s an easy drive near the summit of Schofield Pass.

MacDonald Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.930m (6,332ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Montana.

Rebecca Creek Road is a short paved road located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. The road features a river crossing which floods during storm season.

Mammoth Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.364m (11,036ft) above sea level, located in Madera County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

The Pinkham Canyon-Thermal Canyon Road is a very scenic drive located in Riverside County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the most famous backcountry roads in the Joshua Tree National Park.

Located in Nevada County, in the US state of Califnornia, Donner Summit Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Rogers Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.049m (10,003ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. 4WD might be necessary beyond Thorndike Campground due to steep sections and ruts. No RVs or trailers. Expect snow and ice during winter and spring. It's one of the highest roads in California.

Mount Brigham is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.559m (11,676ft) above sea level located in Piute County, in the US state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

The Canadian-American (CanAm) Highway is an international highway running south-north from Mexico to Canada through the United States.

The Geology Tour Road is a very scenic drive located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California. The road leads through one of Joshua Tree National Park's most fascinating landscapes, where the forces of erosion, earthquakes and ancient volcanoes have played out in stunning splendor.

Hardscrabble Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.773m (9,097ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Owl Hole Spring Road is an exciting desert drive located in San Bernardino County, in the US state of California. It is one of the most remote locations in the park and one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Located in West Texas, in the USA, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is a wonderful journey through one of America's true hidden gems: Big Bend National Park, winding along the Rio Grande.

Alpine Plateau is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3.516m (11,535ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Louis Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,617 m (8,585 ft) above sea level, located in Fremont County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Anyone who has ever driven in or through a big city knows that it can be an agonizingly slow and possibly confusing experience that has the potential to drive you to sell your car and cut up your driver's license. Well, when driving in Atlanta, this kind of experience is… exactly what you can expect. While no amount of tips are going to make driving through Atlanta an enjoyable, relaxing experience, hopefully, they can at least minimize the madness.

Deadman Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 996 m (3,267 ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Ptarmigan Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.352m (11,777ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Summit and Eagle counties in the US state of Colorado.

Crescent Meadow Road is a paved narrow mountain road located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California.

Lake Sabrina is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,796 m (9,173 ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Napoleon Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,668m (12,034ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, with multiple creek crossings. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Mount Morgan is a high mountain peak located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. A gravel road near the summit climbs up to 3.619m (11,873ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in California. 

South Willow Canyon Road is a very scenic drive in Tooele County, in the US state of Utah. The road is mostly paved but becomes gravel at the National Forest boundary, and winds through some very interesting narrows.

Red Rock Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,180m (7,152ft) above sea level, located on the border of Idaho and Montana, in the USA.

North Twin Cone Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.759m (12,332ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Phon D Sutton Trail is a very scenic road located in Maricopa County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Grayback Mountain is a high mountain peak with an elevation of 3,853 m (12,641 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, offering great views of the surrounding mountains.

Cuchara Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,036m (9,960ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.

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