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.

Verdi Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.562m (8,405ft) above the sea level, located in Sierra County, just across the Nevada/California border, in USA.

Butte Lake is a bright blue water lake at an elevation of 1.864m (6,115ft) above the sea level, located in Lassen County, in the northeastern portion of the U.S. state of California.

Chester Warner Valley Road is a scenic drive located in Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California, USA.

Big Lookout Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.172m (7,125ft) above the sea level, located in Baker County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Hogback Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.380m (7,808ft) above the sea level located in Lewis and Clark County, in Montana, USA.

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

Battle Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.038m (9,967ft) above the sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Tie Rod Canyon is a fun and challenging trail located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada, just south of Las Vegas. This is a good hard trail.

Kingman Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.170m (7,119ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Kachina Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.606m (11,830ft) above the sea level, located in Taos County, in Northern New Mexico, United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Red Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.830m (9,284ft) above the sea level located in Custer County, in the center of the U.S. state of Idaho. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Griffin Top is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.283m (10,771ft) above the sea level located in Garfield County, in Utah, USA. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah. There are panoramic views from the high plateau.

Waunita Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.143m (10,311ft) above the sea level located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The area can be very treacherous during the winter months.

Vinegar Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.471m (8,106ft) above the sea level, located in Grant County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It’s one of the highest roads of Oregon.

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

Nellis Cove Road is a scenic sandy road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada, on 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.

South Eureka Valley Road is a very exciting desert drive located in Inyo County is a county in the eastern central part of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in the Death Valley National Park.

Masonic Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.812m (9,225 ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads of California.

Melendrez Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.763m (5,784ft) above the sea level, located in Pima County, in the south central region of the U.S. state of Arizona.

Located in the U.S. state of Alaska, the Portage Glacier Road is one of the great Alaskan drives, featuring stunning views.

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

Davison Road is a scenic drive located in Humboldt County, in the U.S. state of California.

Alamo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.825m (9,270ft) above the sea level, located in Otero County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

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

Marsh Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.860m (6,102ft) above the sea level, located in Navajo County, in the northern part of the U.S. state of Arizona.

Hurricane Basin is a beautiful basin at an elevation of 3.776m (12,388ft) above the 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 of Colorado.

Sardine Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.482m (8,143ft) above the sea level, located in Sierra County, in the U.S. state of California.

Miller Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.571m (8,435ft) above the sea level, located in Deer Lodge County, in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Montana.

Cerro Gordo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.786m (9,140ft) above the sea level, located in Inyo County, in the eastern central part of California, USA.

Kavanaugh Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.347m (10,980ft) above the sea level, located in Mono County, in the east central portion of the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Capilla Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.859m (9,379ft) above the sea level, located in Torrance County, central New Mexico, United States.

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

Denver Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.660m (12,007ft) above the sea level located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of thehighest roads of Colorado.

Pilot Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.795m (9,169ft) above the sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

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.

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 mountain roads of Wyoming.

Robidoux Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.403m (4,603ft) above sea level, located in Scotts Bluff County, on the western border of the U.S. state of Nebraska.

Liberty-Beehive Road #9712 is a very scenic winding mountain road located in Chelan and Kittitas counties, in Washington, United States.

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

Driving in a high mountain road can be a wonderful experience. But if you are not used, be warned, because it can be dangerous. Not only in winters...

Sand Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.741m (8,992ft) above the sea level, located in Larimer County, in north central Colorado, USA.

Smith Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.442m (8,011ft) above the sea level located in Adams County, in the US state of Idaho.

Bearwallow Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.039m (9,970ft) above the sea level, located in Catron County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Glacier Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.793m (12,444ft) above the sea level, located in eastern Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Full size vehicles should not attempt to drive all the way, as there are a few very narrow spots. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Park Boulevard is a very scenic loop drive located in the Joshua Tree National Park, in Southern California, USA. If you have time only for a short visit in the park, driving Park Boulevard is your best choice.

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.

Mount Sheridan is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.021m (13,192ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. Plenty of mining structures remain in the area. It’sone of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Boobe Hole Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.209m (10,528ft)  above the sea level, located in Sevier County, in the central section of the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

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