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.

Fix It Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,899m (6,230ft) above sea level, located in Emery County, in the U.S. state of Utah. The trail has recently become rougher than it was in the past.

Geysers Road is a very scenic drive that winds through vineyards and wineries in Sonoma County, located in the U.S. state of California.

Red Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,589m (5,213ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. The road itself is an adventure: a steep, narrow cliff road, but it's well-maintained.

Monte Cristo Road is a short mountain trail located in eastern Snohomish County in the U.S. state of Washington. The road was washed out several years ago due to the South Fork Sauk River.

Middle Fork Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,767m (9,078ft) above sea level, located in Lemhi County, in the US state of Idaho. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

In 2021, drivers in Tennessee will travel nearly seven billion vehicle miles along the state’s many roads and highways. This isn’t a surprise, given that several major interstate highways run through the state. Major highways Interstate 65, Interstate 24, and Interstate 40 account for 750 miles of roads in Tennessee. Millions of drivers use these highways every year to travel in and through the state.

Located in Mariposa County, in the U.S. state of California, Mariposa Grove Road is a scenic drive leading to Mariposa Grove, the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and home to more than 500 giant sequoia trees.

Cal-Barrel Road is a very narrow, unpaved road 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.

The historic Costilla Crossing Bridge spanning the Rio Grande is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. It’s a thacher type truss bridge located in a remote area between Conejos and Costilla counties, in southern Colorado, in the USA.

La Mosca is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,364m (11,036 ft) above sea level, located in Cibola County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Bruin Point is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,107m (10,193ft) above sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s a must-drive for those aiming to reach Utah’s top 100 most prominent peaks.

Furnace Creek Road is a very exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. A high-clearance vehicle is required. Due to frequent flooding in the area, road conditions often vary. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Stunner Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,222m (10,570 ft) above sea level, located in Conejos County in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Lemoigne Canyon Road is an exciting, extremely slow, rocky drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. The road features numerous washouts and is often very rocky. It’s one of the most challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Eagle Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,602m (11,817ft) above sea level, located in La Plata County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Prospect Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,829m (12,562ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Colorado Mines Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,812m (12,506ft) above sea level, located in Clear Creek County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The drive offers amazing views in nearly every direction. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Nellie Creek Road (FSR#877) is a very gnarly drive located in Hinsdale County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. This is not a road for people inexperienced with 4wd roads.

Bridger Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,355m (11,007ft) above sea level, located in Carbon County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It’s one of the highest roads in Wyoming.

Green Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,407m (11,177ft) above sea level, located in Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. The road to the summit is an old logging road and is not well maintained. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Virginia Lakes is the name given to eight pristine alpine lakes in Mono County in the U.S. state of California. A road leads to three of them: Trumbull, Little Virginia, and Big Virginia. Topping out at 2,993m (9,819ft) above sea level, it's one of the highest roads in California.

Potato Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,060m (10,039ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Keys View is a very scenic overlook at an elevation of 1,574m (5,164ft) above sea level, located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.

Located in the US state of Texas, the Chisos Basin Road is a very scenic drive, featuring sharp curves and switchbacks, through one of America's true hidden gems: Big Bend National Park.

Taos Ski Valley is a village and ski resort at an elevation of 2,878 meters (9,442 feet) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the US state of New Mexico.

Upper Summers Meadow is a high mountain meadow at an elevation of 3,110m (10,203 ft) above sea level, located in Mono County in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Located at the eastern end of Southern California, in the USA, the Joshua Tree National Park is immense, nearly 800,000 acres, and infinitely variable. Two desert systems, the Mojave and the Colorado, divide the park into two arid ecosystems. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land with strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. For your own safety and for the protection of the natural features of the park please stay on established roads. 

Located in the Valdez-Cordova Census Area, in the U.S. state of Alaska, the Lakina River Bridge is a significant crossing in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. It was one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Picuris Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,280m (10,761ft) above sea level, located in Taos County, in the US state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Mouse's Tank Road is a very scenic drive located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It is probably one of the most scenic and photographed spots in the park, featuring narrow canyons, stunning viewpoints, colorful rocks, and petroglyphs.

Mount Marston is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,238m (7,342ft) above sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Libby Flats Observation Area is an observation tower at an elevation of 3,313m (10,869ft) above sea level, located in Albany County, in the US state of Wyoming. It's one of the highest roads of Wyoming.

Bursum Road is a stunningly scenic drive located in Catron County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Narrow and winding, this road is a single-lane route with occasional turnouts.

Mount Sherman is a high mountain peak located on the boundary between Park and Lake counties, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, Imperial Express SuperChair sits at an elevation of 3,652m (11,981ft) above sea level, just about 100 feet from the very top of Peak 8.

Dinkey Creek Road is a very scenic drive located in Fresno County, in the U.S. state of California.

Dagger Flat Auto Trail, also known as Dagger Flat Road, is a very scenic graded gravel road located in Big Bend National Park, in the western part of the U.S. state of Texas.

Pelican Butte is a dormant shield volcano at an elevation of 2,450m (8,037 ft) above sea level, located in Klamath County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It’s one of the highest roads in Oregon.

Mitchell Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,277m (4,189ft) above sea level, located in Scotts Bluff County, in the U.S. state of Nebraska.

Cyclone Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,212m (10,538ft) above sea level, located in Fremont County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It's one of the highest roads in Wyoming.

Located in Gila County, in the US state of Arizona, Phillips Mine Road is a short scenic drive into a seldom-seen part of Arizona mining history. High clearance is required, and 4WD is recommended but not necessary.

Barlow Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 718m (2,355ft) above sea level, located in Snohomish County, in the U.S. state of Washington.

Fairview Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,781m (12,404ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Plum Brook Road Bridge is a closed bridge over the Muscoot Reservoir, located in northern Westchester County, in the US state of New York. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Wild Horse Road is a very scenic drive located in the Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, in the US state of California. A 4WD vehicle is recommended. Its southern end is sandy and soft for two miles.

La Salle Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,973m (9,753ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Bill Williams Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,822 m (9,259 ft) above sea level, located in Coconino County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It's one of the highest roads in Arizona.

Mount Washington is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,493m (11,459ft) above sea level, located in White Pine County, in the US state of Nevada. The road becomes much more of an adventure. High clearance and four-wheel drive are required. It's one of the highest roads in Nevada.

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