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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gold Bluffs Beach is a remote beach, renowned for its golden sands, rugged bluffs, and proximity to old-growth redwood forests, located in Humboldt County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the Redwood National and State Parks.

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.

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.

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.

Red Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,830 m (9,284 ft) above sea level located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Located in the U.S. state of Alaska, the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America.

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.

Fisher Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.122m (10,242ft) above the sea level located in Park County, in Montana, USA. It's one of the highest roads of Montana.

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.

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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