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.

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.

Amasa Back Trail is a challenging trail located in Grand County, in the US state of Utah. It’s one of the classic rides of Moab.

Waunita Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,143m (10,311ft) above sea level located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The area can be very treacherous during the winter months.

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.

Mount Tilton is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,777m (12,391ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Butte Lake is a bright blue water lake at an elevation of 1,864m (6,115ft) above sea level, located in Lassen County, in the U.S. state of California.

Goldstone Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,774 m (9,101 ft) above sea level, located on the Idaho-Montana border, in the USA.

Verdi Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,562m (8,405ft) above sea level, located in Sierra County, in the US state of California. Make sure you have high clearance.

Located in Carter County, in the US state of Kentucky, this pratt through truss bridge over the Little Sandy River is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Hogback Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,380m (7,808ft) above sea level, located in Lewis and Clark County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Gibbons Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,126m (6,975ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Montana.

South Eureka Valley 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.

Liberty-Beehive Road #9712 is a very scenic winding mountain road straddling Chelan and Kittitas counties, in the US state of Washington.

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.

Big Lookout Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,172m (7,125ft) above sea level, located in Baker County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Tierod Canyon is an off-road trail located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The canyon cuts through the rugged terrain of the Mojave Desert and is known for its steep, rocky walls and dry wash bottom. The trail that runs through it is popular among off-road enthusiasts due to its challenging surface, rock ledges, and lack of bypasses. The route is suitable only for high-clearance, modified 4x4 vehicles.

Portage Glacier Road, nestled in the U.S. state of Alaska south of Anchorage, ranks among the most scenic drives the state has to offer. This 11.59-mile (18.65 km) route connects the Seward Highway near the ghost town of Portage with the town of Whittier, treating travelers to stunning vistas along the way. Completed in 2000, this paved highway is an impressive feat of engineering, featuring a series of roads, bridges, and the iconic Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel.

Sardine Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,482m (8,143ft) above sea level, located in Sierra County, in the U.S. state of California.

Mead-Davis Powerline Road is a scenic unpaved road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada, on the shore of Lake Mohave. It’s the gateway to a variety of roads leading to the Nevada side of Lake Mohave.

Battle Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,038 m (9,967 ft) above sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Keystone Peak, reaching an elevation of 1,886m (6,188ft) above sea level, stands in Pima County, in the US state of Arizona. This region bears the marks of past extensive mining and ranching.

Pastora Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,786m (9,140ft) above sea level, located in Apache County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads in Arizona. The road is passable by most stock high-clearance 4wd vehicles.

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.

Hurricane Basin is a beautiful basin at an elevation of 3,776m (12,388ft) above sea level, located in Hinsdale County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The trail is a bit rocky, and in some sections it is narrow with a severe drop-off to one side. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Vinegar Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,471m (8,106ft) above sea level, located in Grant County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It’s one of the highest roads in Oregon.

Pilot Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,795m (9,169ft) above sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Kingman Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,170 m (7,119 ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

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.

Chester Warner Valley Road is a scenic drive located in Lassen Volcanic National Park in the U.S. state of California.

Griffin Top is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,283m (10,771ft) above sea level located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah. There are panoramic views from the summit.

Left Hand Reservoir is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 3.256m (10,682ft) above the sea level, located in the heart of the Indian Peaks, in Boulder County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

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.

Located in Mariposa County, in the U.S. state of California, Hite Cove is a small mining camp tucked along the Merced River. The road to the town is a nice 4x4 trail with tight turns.

Forest Road 207 is a high mountain road located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It’s one of the highest roads in Wyoming.

Alamo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,825m (9,270ft) above sea level, located in Otero County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Melendrez Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,763m (5,784ft) above sea level, located in Pima County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Macedonia Canyon Road is a scenic drive located in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California. 4WD, high clearance vehicle required.

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.

Denver Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,660 m (12,007 ft) above sea level located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Tobin Ridge Road is a very challenging drive located in Plumas County, in the U.S. state of California. The drive is not easy, featuring 64 hairpin turns.

Located in Iowa County, in the U.S. state of Iowa, Clear Creek Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Nellis Cove Road is a scenic sandy road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada, leading to the shore of Lake Mohave. It’s a stock-friendly track, but you’ll want four-wheel drive and tires that have some gripping power in the sand.

Fisher Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,122m (10,242ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the US state of Montana. It's one of the highest roads in Montana.

Boobe Hole Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,209 m (10,528 ft) above sea level, located in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Marsh Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,860 m (6,102 ft) above sea level, located in Navajo County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

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

Success Loop Scenic Drive is a very enjoyable scenic drive nestled in the deliciously remote high-elevation mountains of White Pine County, in the US state of Nevada.

Park Boulevard is a very scenic drive located in the US state of California. If you have time only for a short visit in the park, driving Park Boulevard is your best choice.

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