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.

Osha Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.997m (9,832ft) above the sea level, located in Taos County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico.

Mount Bigelow is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.571m (8,434ft) above the sea level, located in the Santa Catalina Mountains, in Pima County, in the south central region of the U.S. state of Arizona.

Missouri Hill is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.684m (12,086ft) above the sea level, located in Chaffee County, Colorado, in USA. This is truly a breathtaking trail. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

North Lake road is a mountainous journey located in California's Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range, in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California.

Piney Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.864m (9,396ft) above the sea level, located in Eagle County, Colorado, in USA. It is one of the highest lakes in the state that you can drive to. The road is a bit rough.

Yaki Point is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 2.213m (7,262ft) above the sea level, located in Coconino County, in the US state of Arizona.

Black Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.132m (10,275ft) above the sea level, located in Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of New Mexico.

Medicine Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.039m (9,970ft) above the sea level, located in Big Horn County, in north-central Wyoming, USA.

Big Ridge is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.383m (11,099ft) above the sea level, located in Duchesne County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

Located in Linn County, Iowa, United States, the bridge on the Red Bridge Road is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Wenatchee Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.059m (6,755ft) above the sea level, located in Chelan County, in central Washington State, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Washington. Near the summit there’s a lookout site.

Abajo Loop Scenic Backway is a very exciting journey located in San Juan County, in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Utah. The trail loops up through the forested Abajo Mountains north of Blanding, climbs to nearly 11,000 ft, then descends to Monticello. The road is single-lane dirt/gravel and is impassable when wet.

Located at an elevation of 2.748m (9,015ft) above the sea level, in Tooele County in the U.S. state of Utah, Bingham Mine Overlook offers stunning 360 degree views. The average gradient is 9.35%.

Located on the border of Coconino and Yavapai counties, in the U.S. state of Arizona, Broken Arrow Trail is one of the most popular off-road trails in all of Arizona and offers one of Sedona’s most exhilarating off-road adventure.

Campito Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.294m (10,807ft) 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.

Walkers Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.735m (8,973ft) above the sea level located in the Salmon River Mountains, in Valley County, Idaho, in USA. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Cathey Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.940m (9,645ft) above the sea level, located in Otero County, in the south-central part of the US State of New Mexico.

La Junta Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.926m (12,880ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Terry Flat is a large meadow at an elevation of 3.033m (9,950ft) above the sea level, located in Apache County, in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Arizona. It’sone of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.

Pioneer Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.004m (9,855ft) above the sea level, located in Madison County, in the U.S. state of Montana. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Montana.

Boathouse Cove Road is a bumpy gravel road located on the Northshore of Lake Mead, in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. Backcountry travel is not recommended in summer.

McKinney Tanks Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.951m (6,400ft) above the sea level, located in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Mount Peale is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.287m (10,784ft) above the sea level, located in San Juan County, in the southeastern part of Utah, United States. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Utah.

Elk Lake Road is a very scenic drive located in the Adirondack Mountains, in the northeast of Upstate New York in the United States. There are many excellent photo opportunities. The road is lost in space and time.

Jordan Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.619m (8,592ft) above the sea level, located in Tulare County, in the U.S. state of California.

Supreme Lift is a high mountain lift at an elevation of 3.200m (10,498ft) above the sea level, located in Salt Lake County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

Eagle Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.753m (9,032ft) above the sea level, located in Tuolumne County, in the U.S. state of California.

Hahns Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.217m (10,554ft) above the sea level, located in Routt County, Colorado, in United States.

Arizona 62 (Highway 62) is a very scenic drive through the Santa Rita Mountains, in Pima County, in the south central region of the U.S. state of Arizona.

Ruby Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.607m (11,833ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

North Star Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.960m (12,992ft) above the sea level, located in Summit County, Colorado, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado. The wind is usually quite strong at mountain areas. High winds blow here all year long. Even in summer you can confront with snowy days.

Salinas Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.730m (8,956ft) above the sea level, located in the White Sands Missile Range of Sierra County, south-central New Mexico, in the United States. There is no public access to this peak nor is photography permitted.

Mingus Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.146m (7,040ft) above the sea level, located in Yavapai County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Nogal Peak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.685m (8,809ft) above the sea level, located in the Southern White Mountain Wilderness in Otero County, in the southeastern part of New Mexico.

Haines Highway is one of the most spectacular drives in North America. This scenic drive running from Alaska in the United States to Yukon in Canada is truly awesome when you travel it in the fall.

Grand Targhee Resort is a ski resort at an elevation of 2.430m (7,972ft) above the sea level, located on the Wyoming/Idaho border near Grand Teton, in USA.

Golden Bear Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.725m (12,221ft) above the sea level, located in Clear Creek County,  in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Colorado.

Henderson Mountain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.043m (9,983ft) above the sea level located in Park County, in Montana, USA. It's one of the highest roads of Montana.

Skidoo Road is a very exciting desert drive in the Death Valley National Park, in USA. High-clearance vehicle required. Steep grade with protruding rocks at 3.5 miles. Sedans risk undercarriage damage. Subject to snow and mud conditions. It’s one of the challenging Backcountry roads in the Death Valley National Park.

Jones Gap is a mountain pass at an elevation of 893m (2,929ft) above the sea level, located on the border between South Carolina and North Carolina, in the Southeastern region of the United States.

Road trips across America are often the staple of many people’s travel bucket lists. If you’re looking for adventure, America’s vast map of relaxing unchanging open roads might not be your cup of tea. 

Sheriff Reservoir is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.987m (9,799ft) above the sea level, located in Rio Blanco County, in northwest Colorado, USA.

Barillas Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.847m (9,340ft) above the sea level, located in San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States.

Located in Iowa, in USA, the 200th Street Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Bull of the Woods Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.010m (9,875ft) above the sea level, located in Park County, Montana, in USA. It's one of the highest roads of Montana.

Black Canyon Road is a very scenic drive in Arizona, United States, located within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

Reno Lookout is a high mountain lookout tower at an elevation of 2.775m (9,104ft) above the sea level, located in Greenlee County, Arizona, in USA. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of Arizona.

Spectacle Lake is a high mountain sub-alpine lake at an elevation of 3.323m (10,902ft) above the sea level, located in Wayne County, in south-central Utah, in USA. Altitude and extreme weather is always a factor at any time of year. It’s one of the highest roads of Utah.

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