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.
Elephant Hill Road is a thrilling off road experience in Utah
Located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Utah, Elephant Hill is said to be one of the most technical four-wheel-drive roads in Utah.
Manchac Swamp Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the world over water
Located in the Tangipahoa Parish of the US state of Louisiana, over the Lake Maurepas the Manchac Swamp Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
What's America’s most dangerous intersection?
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on fatal traffic accidents, the most dangerous intersection of USA is located in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
A rocky and rough road to Hermit Pass in Colorado
Hermit Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.986m (13,077ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.
Long Canyon Road is a challenging drive in Utah
Long Canyon Road is an epic adventure located in Grand County, in the US state of Utah, in the western part of the United States. The road is truly dangerous.
Hoosier Pass in Colorado: enjoy a drive among the clouds
Hoosier Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.518m (11,542ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. The small road with beautiful nature views is one of the steepest paved mountain passes in Colorado.
Is the Nada Tunnel in Kentucky haunted?
Located in Powell County, in the US state of Kentucky, Nada Tunnel is a harrowing one-lane tunnel on a two-way road. The tiny hole, with layers and layers of limestone outcroppings sitting above it, is reportedly haunted.
Trail Creek Road in Idaho is not for novice mountain drivers
Trail Creek Road is a very scenic high mountain drive located on the boundary between Blaine and Custer counties in the U.S. state of Idaho.
Eisenhower Tunnel is one of the highest tunnels in the world
Located on the boundary between Summit and Clear Creek counties, in the U.S. state of Colorado, the famous Eisenhower Tunnel is one of the highest vehicular tunnels in the world, at 3,401m (11,158ft) above sea level.
Lake Como is said to be Colorado's roughest road
Lake Como is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,586m (11,765ft) above sea level, located in Alamosa County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.
The closed road to Mount Ka'ala, the highest peak of Oahu
Mount Ka'ala is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1,231m (4,038ft) above sea level, located in Honolulu County, in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The road to the summit is closed to private vehicles.
Scenic Byway 163 is where Forrest Gump stopped running
Scenic Byway 163 is a beautiful drive from the Arizona border through Monument Valley in the US state of Utah. It is a fascinating experience in itself.
Rim Drive is a scenic 33-mile road around Crater Lake in Oregon
Rim Drive is a very scenic drive loop located in Klamath County, in the US state of Oregon, which circumnavigates Crater Lake. It’s one of the highest roads in Oregon.
Driving the truly epic Big Pine Death Valley Road
Big Pine Death Valley Road is a very exciting desert drive in the heart of Death Valley National Park, in the USA. It’s often signed as CLOSED by Inyo County after floods.
What are the highest roads in Montana?
Located in the Western region of the United States, Montana can be divided into two geographic areas in general: the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountain Region. The state is slightly larger than Japan and it’s a vast and varied state of mountains, canyons, river valleys, forests, grassy plains, badlands, and caverns. Its name is a word derived from the Spanish word meaning "mountainous."
Denali Highway in Alaska is one of America's top drives
Located in Alaska, the Denali Highway (Alaska Route 8) is one of the most scenic highways in the entire United States. Watch out for potholes and stretches of 'washboard' road if it's been raining.
What are the highest roads in Utah?
Located in the Rocky Mountain Region of the western United States, Utah is known by its vast expanses of desert and the Wasatch Range mountains. It’s a land of snow-covered peaks, natural rock formations, and beautifully colored canyons. The state is famous for its natural diversity and is home to features ranging from arid deserts with sand dunes to thriving pineforests in mountain valleys.
Crossing the historic Gandy Bridge in Florida
Located in the US state of Florida, Gandy Bridge is a famous 14,859 feet (4.529m) long bridge over the sea. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Bald Mountain Pass is the highest paved road in Utah
Bald Mountain Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.272m (10,734ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s said to be the highest paved road in the state.
Brazos Summit in New Mexico: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Brazos Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,209m (10,528ft) above sea level, located in northern Rio Arriba County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.
The spectacular San Luis Pass Bridge in Texas
Located at the south-western end of Galveston Island off the shores of the U.S. state of Texas, the San Luis Pass Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Steens Mountain is one of the highest roads of Oregon
Steens Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,968m (9,737ft) above sea level, located in Harney County, in the U.S. state of Oregon. It’s said to be the highest road of Oregon.
Mana Road is one of the oldest dirt roads on the Big Island
Located in the U.S. state of Hawai’i in the Pacific Ocean, the scenic Mana Road is one of the locals' best-kept secrets. This is a road that you don’t want to travel alone. Be warned, it's not for the faint of heart.
Carson Pass in California: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Carson Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,619m (8,592ft) above sea level, located in Alpine County, in the US state of California.
Inside North Fork Road is a scenic dirt road in Glacier NP
Inside North Fork Road is a very scenic drive located in Flathead County, in the U.S. state of Montana, near the Canadian border.
Driving the scenic Door County Coastal Byway in Wisconsin
Door County Coastal Byway is a very scenic drive with stunning views across the beautiful Door Peninsula, in the U.S. state of Wisconsin.
The Road to Dante's View Offers Death Valley's Best Views
Dante's View is a viewpoint at an elevation of 1.672m (5,485ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California. It’s one of the hardest and most epic climbs you can ride on two wheels.
Decker Canyon Road is a drive you'll never forget in Malibu
Located in western Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, Decker Canyon Road is said to be one of the 7 Best Driving Roads in Malibu. It is a very narrow road that rises in elevation quickly (up to 10%). It’s the type of road you'll never forget. It’s one of the Top Scenic Drives in Malibu.
Black Mountain is the highest road of Kentucky
Black Mountain is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,263m (4,145ft) above sea level, located in Harlan County, in the US state of Kentucky.
Aztec Peak is a road to the highest point of Sierra Anchas
Aztec Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,361m (7,746ft) above sea level, located in Gila County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.
How to drive the Madeline Island Ice Road of Wisconsin?
Madeline Island Ice Road is an ice road located on Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area, in the US state of Wisconsin. Drive at your own risk.
Boy Scout Lane is one of the American Top Haunted Roads
Boy Scout Lane is a secluded street located in Portage County, in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. According to local legend, the street derives its name from a tragedy that occurred there several decades ago. It's one of the Top Haunted Roads in the world.
Bolam Pass in Colorado: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Bolam Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,487m (11,440ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. Although the lower portions of the road to the summit can accommodate cars, the upper portions should only be traveled by 4WD vehicles with high clearance.
Horseshoe Meadow is one of the highest roads of California
Horseshoe Meadow is a sub-alpine meadow at an elevation of 3,070m (10,072ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.
Rim of the World is a Scenic Byway in Southern California
Rim of the World Scenic Byway is a very scenic drive running through some of the most beautiful areas of Southern California, in the USA.
Why is Lombard Street in San Francisco so famous?
Lombard Street is located in San Francisco, in the US state of California. It's famous for having a steep, one-block section that consists of eight tight hairpin turns, making it one of the crookedest streets in the world.
The beautiful and scenic road to Ohio Pass in Colorado
Ohio Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,072m (10,078ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s a scenic drive that any 2WD vehicle can handle in the summer.
Robertson Road is one of America's Creepiest Roads
Located in Bulloch County, in the U.S. state of Georgia, Robertson Road is said to be one of America's Creepiest Roads and one of the most haunted parts of the state. As the story goes, people have witnessed unexplainable lights on the road as well as large ghost dogs.
Ebbetts Pass is a very steep narrow road in Sierra Nevada
Ebbetts Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.666m (8,746ft) above sea level, located in Alpine County, in the US state of California. The pass is not plowed for snow. It is an idyllic drive for those who crave tight switchbacks, tiny hamlets, and multiple alpine vistas.
What are the highest roads in New Mexico?
Located in the southwestern region of the United States of America, New Mexico is usually considered one of the Mountain States. The state is roughly bisected by the Rio Grande and has an approximate mean altitude of 5,700 ft (1,737 m). Its landscape ranges from wide, rose-colored deserts to broken mesas to high, snow-capped peaks. New Mexico is 2nd only to Arizona in days of sunshine per year.
The 32 Best Death Valley Backcountry Roads
Straddling the border between California and Nevada, in the USA, the Death Valley National Park is the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park. In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes.
Brasstown Bald is the highest road in the US state of Georgia
Brasstown Bald is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1,458m (4,784ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Georgia. On clear days in late September and October, it’s even possible to see the skyline of Atlanta.
Hayden Pass: The Complete Guide to Colorado's Scenic and Challenging Off-road Adventure
Hayden Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.274m (10,741ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado.
Titus Canyon Road is a rugged drive in Death Valley
Titus Canyon Road is a rugged trail located to the east of Death Valley in the Mojave Desert of the US state of California. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.
Snowy Range Pass is one of the most beautiful drives in Wyoming
Snowy Range Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,310m (10,859ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Wyoming. It's one of the highest roads of Wyoming.
Take the Scenic Route and Discover Wheeler Peak in Nevada
Wheeler Peak is a high mountain peak located in White Pine County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It's one of the highest roads of Nevada.
Sitgreaves Pass in Arizona is a fabulous road if you are not scared of heights
Sitgreaves Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,096m (3,595ft) above sea level, located in Mohave County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. Very few guardrails give you no leeway for error.
Kolob Terrace Road is a very scenic drive into the mountains of Utah
Kolob Terrace Road is a very scenic drive through Zion National Park, in the US state of Utah. In winter, this road is not plowed beyond Maloney Hill (one mile north of the Hop Valley Trailhead).