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.

Mount Withington is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,087m (10,127ft) above sea level, located in Socorro County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Bald Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,955m (12,975ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Located in Blount County, in the U.S. state of Tennessee, Cades Cove Loop Road is a very scenic drive running through a lush valley where you’ll see wildlife and historic buildings.

Tassajara Road is a mountain road located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, with one-lane corners and deep ruts in the road at various times of the year.

Located in the village of Bertram in southern Linn County, in the US state of Iowa, Bertram Bridge is a bridge across the Big Creek river. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Cottonwood Canyon Road is an exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. Be aware that it’s highly susceptible to washouts after precipitation events. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Thousand Lake Mountain is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3,417m (11,210ft) above sea level, located in Wayne County, in the US state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Highway 99 is well-known among Fresno drivers, and most have witnessed at least one serious collision on it. Highway 99, regarded as the most hazardous road in the country, is fraught with dangers due to its outdated structure and poor lighting. This is because this roadway, which runs through Central California, sees more fatal accidents than any other highway.

Sheep Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.626m (11,896ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It's one of the highest roads in California.

Fredonyer Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.762m (5,780ft) above sea level, located in Lassen County, in the US state of California.

Tyee Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,029m (6,656ft) above sea level, located in Chelan County, in the U.S. state of Washington. The peak is most notable for the fire lookout atop its summit. It’s one of the highest roads in Washington.

Patterson Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,260m (7,414ft) above sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Mount Dutton is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,371m (11,059ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

While Nantucket is only about 30 miles away from the Cape Cod coast, there are no bridges or tunnels to drive there from mainland Massachusetts.

Mount Champion is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,930m (12,893ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

La Sal Mountain Loop Road is a scenic mountain drive in Moab, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Utah. Though paved, it’s narrow and lacks guardrails.

Gold Hill is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,752m (12,309ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado. The extremely fun and scenic trail through the summit connects Taylor Park to the south and Ashcroft/Aspen to the north.

Saddle Mountain Road is a very scenic drive running around the uniquely formed volcanic Saddle Mountain in Maricopa County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Saratoga Spring Road is a thrilling desert drive located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California. It is one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Glacier Point is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 2,198m (7,211ft) above sea level, located in Mariposa County, in the U.S. state of California.

Muddy Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,657 m (8,717 ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.

Buffalo Boy Mine was a small gold and silver mine located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, at an elevation of 3,984m (13,070ft) above sea level. It is one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Moonville Tunnel is located deep in the backwoods of Vinton County, in the U.S. state of Ohio. The ghost of a drunken man who was murdered near the tunnel is said to walk above it and toss pebbles at those below.

Iron Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.082m (10,111ft) above sea level, located in Sweet Grass County, in the U.S. state of Montana. It’s one of the highest roads in Montana.

Dipper Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,279m (10,757ft) above sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It’s one of the highest roads in Wyoming.

Located in Snohomish County, in the US state of Washington, Marine Drive and Fire Trail Road is said to be haunted. Legend has it that this road gets its name because the Ghost of Firetrail.

Tesuque Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,678m (12,066ft) above sea level, located in Santa Fe County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico. The road to the summit is currently closed to private vehicles, blocked with a barrier.

Spring Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,323 meters (10,901 feet) above sea level, located in Hinsdale County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Rocky Bottom Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,280m (10,761ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Black Sage Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,976m (9,763ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Wise Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,675m (12,057ft) above sea level, located in eastern Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit is dangerously steep with big, loose rocks. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Crescent Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,287m (10,784ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the US state of Colorado.

Montana Mountain Trail is a very scenic and challenging loop drive located in Gila County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It’s a narrow trail up the mountain, with multiple river crossings.

Phinney Canyon Road is an exciting desert drive located in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. A high-clearance vehicle is required for the first 21 miles, and 4x4 is necessary beyond that. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Mormon Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,039m (6,689ft) above sea level, located in Clark County, Nevada. The road should be no problem for 2WD high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions.

Banner Creek Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,153 meters (7,063 feet) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Agua Fria Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,380m (11,089ft) above sea level, located in southwestern Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Harquahala Mountain is a high peak at an elevation of 1,732m (5,681ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between La Paz and Maricopa counties in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Upper Pomeroy Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,744m (12,283ft) above sea level, located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Boulder Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,035m (13,238ft) above sea level, located in Chaffee County, in the US state of Colorado. Full-sized vehicles might have problems. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Barney Lake is a secluded high-mountain lake at an elevation of 3,090m (10,137ft) above sea level, located in Piute County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Chrome Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,078m (10,098ft) above sea level, located in Sweet Grass County, in the U.S. state of Montana. It's one of the highest roads in Montana.

Bennett Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,029 m (13,218 ft) above sea level, located in Rio Grande County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Kings Hill Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,251 meters (7,385 feet) above sea level, located in the US state of Montana.

Located in the Tongass National Forest, in the US state of Alaska, the bridge over the Harlequin Lake is very challenging. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Hells Half Acre Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,474m (8,116ft) above sea level, located in Idaho County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Tucumcari Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,514m (4,967ft) above sea level, located in Quay County, in the US state of New Mexico.

Born in Estonia and raised in California, Otto Mears emerged as a pivotal entrepreneur, leaving an indelible mark on the development of Southwestern Colorado. His legacy is defined by the construction of over 450 miles of toll roads and railroads, contributing significantly to the region's accessibility, settlement, and mining.

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