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.

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.

Peak 8 is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,712m (12,178ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Black Canyon Road is a very scenic drive with desert views, located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Buck Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,287m (10,784ft) above sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

County Road 36 is a high mountain road located in Hinsdale County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado, topping out at 3.772m (12,375ft) above sea level.

Redondo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,441 m (11,289 ft) above sea level, located in Sandoval County, in the US state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Deer Park Road is a defiant drive located in Clallam County, in the US state of Washington. There are a number of sharp turns and dangerous ledges. Gravel, narrow, winding and steep in places. This is one of those roads that is easier for the driver than the passengers.

Indiana Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,645m (11,958ft) above sea level, located in Rio Grande County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Starr Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,209m (10,528ft) above sea level, located in the northeastern corner of Gilpin County in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Skalkaho Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,212m (7,258ft) above sea level located in the U.S. state of Montana.

North Eureka Valley Road is a very exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Tofty is an abandoned mining town located in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Antelope Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,726m (8,943ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Chicoma Mountain is a high mountain peak located in Rio Arriba County, in the US state of New Mexico. A gravel road, to the north of the peak, climbs up to an elevation of 3,403 m (11,164 ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Located in Allen County, in the U.S. state of Indiana, the bridge on the Van Zile Road is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Forest Road 640 is a very scenic drive located in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Utah, running entirely over 2,500m above sea level.

Moon Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,225m (10,580ft) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Johnson Canyon Road is a very exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Scanlon Ferry Road is a dangerous and challenging route located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s one of the most grueling and remote trails in the country—very narrow and cliff-exposed.

Buckeye Peak is a high mountain peak located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. A gravel road to the south climbs up to 3,757m (12,326ft) above sea level. This is truly a breathtaking trail. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Forest Road 132 is a scenic drive running through the high mountains of Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It's one of the highest roads in Utah.

Dunderberg Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,347m (10,980ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Bully Choop Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,126m (6,975ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of California.

The Pan-American Highway and the I-95 are both well-known highways in American. Their reputations are not entirely positive, as they are both known for their dangerous conditions and histories. 

Owl Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,335m (10,941ft) above sea level, located in Jackson County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is recommended to bring tree removal supplies.

Breakneck Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,335m (10,941ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. High clearance 4x4 is required to drive to the summit.

Apache Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,318m (7,604ft) above sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Crystal Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,902 m (6,240 ft) above sea level, located in Pierce County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s one of the highest roads in Washington.

Poison Spider Mesa is a very popular trail and is considered one of the "Must Do" rides in Moab, in the US state of Utah. If you're an adventurous driver or biker looking for a challenge, this trail offers thrilling obstacles and incredible views. The trail is 9.6 miles (15.44 km) long and accessible all year round.

Fish Lake Hightop is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 3,491m (11,453ft) above sea level, located in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Eagle Summit is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,113m (3,652ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Alaska.

Cedar Canyon Road is a very scenic drive located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Located in Blount County, in the US state of Alabama, this pony truss bridge over the Copeland Creek is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Scotch Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,222m (10,570ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Today, there are around 4,071,000 miles of roads in the United States. Many of these roads cut across rural or uninhabited areas where numerous domesticated and wild animals wander freely. As a result, many of them die due to accidental roadkill. It is estimated that, daily, over one million animals die due to car collisions.

Graham Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 509m (1,669ft) above sea level, located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.

Hunter Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,511m (8,238ft) above sea level, located in Washoe County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Located in the heart of the Indian Peaks, in Boulder County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, Niwot Ridge sits at an elevation of 3,741m (12,273ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is located in the U.S. state of Alaska. It passes under Maynard Mountain and carries the scenic Portage Glacier Road. Also known as the Whittier Tunnel, it is the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America. The tunnel is a single-lane, multi-use tunnel shared by cars and trains traveling in both directions.

Hot Springs was a thermal bathhouse located in southern Brewster County, in the U.S. state of Texas.

Kachina Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,606 m (11,830 ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the US state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Masonic Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,812m (9,225 ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Driving through the high mountains of the USA — whether in Colorado, California, Montana, or elsewhere — can be an unforgettable adventure. Towering peaks, sweeping views, and scenic byways await. But if you’re not used to high-altitude driving, be prepared: it can also be dangerous, even in summer.

Sawnee Mountain is a mountain peak at an elevation of 593m (1,946ft) above sea level, located in Forsyth County, in the U.S. state of Georgia.

Cerro Gordo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,786 m (9,140 ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California.

Montana Snowbowl is a ski resort at an elevation of 1,520m (4,986ft) above sea level, located in Missoula County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Quail Mountain is a high mountain peak located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. East of the summit, an old mining road climbs up to an elevation of 4,006m (13,143ft) above sea level. This is truly a breathtaking trail. It’s one of the highest mountain roads in Colorado.

What makes a road dangerous? Many factors make a particular road dangerous: traffic congestion, excessive speed, drowsy drivers, distracted drivers, and drunk drivers. However, the greatest risk for injury or death isn't a single road. It’s intersections.

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