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.

Kite Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,671m (12,043ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Carson-Guler Road is a very scenic gravel road located in Skamania County, in the U.S. state of Washington.

Abajo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,450m (11,318ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Located in the Glacier National Park of Montana, United States, the Quarter Circle Bridge is a wood bridge where McDonald Creek merges with the Middle Fork Flathead River. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

El Camino del Diablo ("The Devil's Highway") offers an exciting and historic journey through the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, running close to the Mexican border. This route is suited only for those well-experienced in backcountry travel.

Richmond Hill is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,738m (12,265ft) above sea level, located in Pitkin County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Calispell Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,090m (6,856ft) above sea level, located in Stevens County, in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s one of the highest roads in Washington. 

Enderts Beach is a rugged beach on the Pacific Ocean, located on the coast of Del Norte County in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the Redwood National and State Parks.

Located in Mariposa County, California, in USA, the one-lane-metal-and-wood bridge over the Merced River is one of the most spectacular bridges of the world.

Yaqui Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 526m (1.725ft) above sea level, located in San Diego County, in the US state of California.

Beef Pasture Gap is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,878 m (6,161 ft) above sea level, located in Jeff Davis County, in the US state of Texas. It's one of the highest roads in Texas.

Palo Flechado Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.779m (9,117ft) above sea level, located in the US state of New Mexico.

The McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway is an unforgettable drive in central Oregon. This iconic route takes you through a dramatic landscape, climbing up to McKenzie Pass and Santiam Pass.

Angel Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.707m (8,881ft) above sea level, located in Clark County, in the US state of Nevada.

Mount Pisgah is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,173m (10,410 ft) above sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Cerro Vista is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,645 m (11,958 ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Genoa Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,745m (9,005ft) above sea level, located in Douglas County in the U.S. state of Nevada. Some parts of the road can be tricky.

Dunckley Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,982m (9,783ft) above sea level, located in Rio Blanco County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

17-Mile Drive is a scenic road running along a romantic stretch of coastline through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove in Monterey County, on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California.

McClellan Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,996m (13,110ft) above sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Battle Ax Road is a primitive dirt road located in Pinal County, in the US state of Arizona. It leads to the White Canyon Wilderness area.

Salmo Mountain is a high mountain peak with an elevation of 2,083m (6,833ft) above sea level, located in Pend Oreille County in the U.S. state of Washington. It’s one of the highest roads in Washington.

Trail 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 the Death Valley National Park.

Brian Head Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,450 m (11,318 ft) above sea level, located in Iron County, in the US state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Harry Wade Road is a very exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. The road leads visitors into the rugged and remote backcountry of Death Valley National Park. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Located in the Lower Geyser Basin near Fountain Paint Pot, in the US state of Wyoming, Firehole Lake Drive is a one-way road that passes through a thermal area. In 2014, the road was temporarily closed because the ground became too hot, melting the asphalt.

Red Rock Canyon Loop is a stunning scenic road located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Jubilee Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 403m (1,322ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California.

Hidden Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,344m (10,971 ft) above sea level, located in Salt Lake County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Mount Mansfield is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,216m (3,989ft) above sea level, located in Lamoille County, in the U.S. state of Vermont. The road to the summit offers spectacular views along the way, with plenty of twists and turns. It’s one of the highest roads in Vermont.

Hanaupah Canyon Road is an exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the most challenging Backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

East End Road is a very scenic drive located at the head of Kachemak Bay on the Kenai Peninsula, in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Located in San Bernardino County, California, the road from Goffs to Ivanpah offers a scenic drive through the breathtaking high desert landscape.

Rim Butte OHV Jeep Trail is a very difficult trail with some awesome scenic views, located in Deschutes County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Located in Grand County, in the US state of Utah, Hell's Revenge Trail is a thrilling roller-coaster 4x4 route over slickrock fins. Though incredibly popular, this trail is extremely challenging due to its hazardous terrain.

Daisy Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,966m (9,730ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Big Four Mine is an abandoned mine located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Mosca Pass is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,007 m (9,865 ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Deadman Pass is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,129m (10,265ft) above sea level, located in the US state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Cayuse Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,425 m (4,675 ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Washington.

Wind River Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,790m (9,150ft) above sea level, located in Larimer County in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Kennaday Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,300m (10,826ft) above sea level, located in Carbon County, in the US state of Wyoming. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. It's one of the highest roads in Wyoming.

Victor Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,115m (10,219ft) above sea level, located in Teller County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Scott Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,491m (8,172ft) above sea level, located in Boise County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Grapevine Hills Road is an improved dirt road located in Brewster County, in the U.S. state of Texas. Some areas can be very rough, and you’ll need to be cautious.

Bull Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,206m (10,518ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Mount Ashland is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,284m (7,493ft) above sea level, located in Jackson County, in the U.S. state of Oregon.

Salmon River Road is said to be one of America's Best Road Trips. Located in Lemhi County, in the U.S. state of Idaho, this scenic route follows central Idaho’s largest river north.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.