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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Located in Contra Costa County, in the U.S. state of California, the mysterious Empire Mine Road is said to be one of the most haunted roads in the area.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 roads in Wyoming.

Dosewallips River Road (NF-2610 Road) is a former forest road located in Jefferson County, in the US state of Washington, that once led into Olympic National Park. In 2002, a major washout blocked vehicle access, and the road has remained partially closed since.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Miller Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2,571m (8,435ft) above sea level, located in Deer Lodge County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Capilla Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,859m (9,379ft) above sea level, located in Torrance County, in the US state of New Mexico.

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.

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.

Boobe Hole Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.209m (10,528ft) above 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.

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.

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