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.

Located in the U.S. state of California, the San Diego–Coronado Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. The bridge crosses over San Diego Bay and links San Diego with Coronado.

Located in Otoe County, in the US state of Nebraska, L Road is supposedly haunted by the screams of 7 sisters. If you’re sensitive to sibling drama, you’ll want to stay off this old road.

Chicken Corners Trail is a very scenic drive located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Utah. The road follows the Colorado River downstream.

Located in the heart of Owens Valley, in Inyo County, in the US state of California, Onion Valley Road is one of the steepest roads of California: this climb averages nearly 8%.

Peru Creek Trail is a very scenic mountain road located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Powder River Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.946m (9,666ft) above sea level, located in Johnson County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Cochetopa Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.076m (10,091ft) above sea level, located in Saguache County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

McCarthy Road is an epic road trip in a very Alaskan sort of way, located deep in the heart of Valdez-Cordova Census Area, in the USA. Rough road conditions and potholes are common.

South Grade Road is a very challenging yet dangerous drive located in San Diego County, in the US state of California. The road features 21 switchbacks.

This unique and historically significant bridge is located in the borough of Skagway, in the U.S. state of Alaska. It is considered one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in Kitsap County, in the U.S. state of Washington, Holland Road is supposedly haunted by a girl that was hit by a car while riding her horse.

Mount Greylock is a mountain peak at an elevation of 1.064m (3,491ft) above sea level, located in Berkshire County, in the US state of Massachusetts.

Wildrose Road is a very scenic drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. The road is drivable by most of the vehicles.

Antelope Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.875m (6,151ft) above sea level, located in Coconino County, in the US state of Arizona. The climb is very steep climbing up 1,000 feet in 3 miles.

Chief Joseph Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.218m (7,276ft) above sea level, located on the Montana-Idaho border in the northwestern United States.

Mount Locke is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.070m (6,790ft) above sea level, located in Jeff Davis County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It's one of the highest roads in Texas.

Mount Constitution is a mountain peak at an elevation of 735m (2,411ft) above sea level, located on Orcas Island, in San Juan County, in the US state of Washington.

Located in Virginia, this bridge–tunnel is 23-mile (37 km) long. It opened in 1964 and links the Delmarva Peninsula with Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads. As its name implies, the structure functions as both a bridge and a tunnel. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Skilak Lake is a very deep lake with exceptionally clear water located on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, in the USA. The road to the lake offers spectacular views of lakes and glaciers.

Covington Flat Road is a very scenic drive located in Joshua Tree National Park, in the U.S. state of California. The road offers fascinating landscapes and access to some of the park’s largest Joshua trees, junipers, and pinyon pines. It’s one of the famous backcountry roads in Joshua Tree National Park.

Cordova Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.428m (11,248ft) above sea level, located in Huerfano County, in the US state of Colorado.

Steel Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.565m (5,134ft) above sea level located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. Experienced 4WD drivers only.

Located in Siskiyou County, in the U.S. state of California, Salmon River Road is a narrow road with ledges and cliffs through a dramatic river canyon.

Buckle up and brace yourself, for we're about to embark on a roller-coaster journey through Colorado's towering titans. From the whispering pines to the snow-capped peaks, Colorado is not just a state; it's a state of mind for thrill-seekers.

Chain of Craters Road is an amazing drive located on the island of Hawaii, in the USA, that will take you from 4,000 feet to sea level and back again. Stretching 19 miles, the road is an exceptionally scenic and spectacular drive.

Tripoli Road (Forest Road 30) is a scenic drive located in the White Mountain National Forest, in Grafton County, in the US state of New Hampshire.

Cumbres Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.057m (10,029ft) above sea level, located in Conejos County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

American Flag Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.878m (12,723ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads of Colorado.

Located in Middletown, in the US state of New Jersey, Normandy Road is New Jersey’s less traveled road. The road is completely off limits to civilians and reserved exclusively for use by the military.

Tucked beneath the scenic Chihuahuan Desert, in Eddy County in the U.S. state of New Mexico, near the base of the Guadalupe Mountains, the switchbacks are the natural entrance to the Big Room, in Carlsbad Caverns. Pedestrians only.

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway is a scenic road located in Fresno County, in the U.S. state of California. Be ready for the route's many curves, and allow plenty of time to stop for photo ops.

Devil's Gate Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.292m (7,519ft) above sea level, located in Mono County, in the U.S. state of California.

Ski Santa Fe is a ski resort at an elevation of 3.167m (10,390ft) above sea level, located in Santa Fe County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads of New Mexico.

State Route 153 (SR-153) is a very scenic drive linking Beaver and Piute counties, in the US state of Utah. The road tops out at 10,242 feet (3.122m) above sea level.

Pinto Basin Road is a very scenic desert drive located in Riverside County, in the U.S. state of California.

Pinyon Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,032m (9,947ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Dead Indian Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,465 m (8,087 ft) above sea level, located in Park County, in the U.S. state of Wyoming.

Elwood Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.559m (11,676ft) above the sea level located in Rio Grande County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. There are a few water crossings along the way.

Westgard Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.236m (7,335ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the US state of California.

Mount Princeton is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,699 meters (12,137 feet) above sea level, located in Chaffee County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Located in Hamilton County, in the US state of Tennessee, the infamous W Road is a short mountain road with 3 really tight hairpin turns. The turns are so steep that ‘you can see your taillights ahead of you’. The road is prohibited to semi-trailer trucks.

Skyline Drive is a very scenic drive running along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the US state of Virginia, that runs the entire length of the Shenandoah National Park. Inclement weather may necessitate closure of Skyline Drive at any time.

Bear Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2.893m (9,491ft) above sea level, located in Larimer County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the picture-postcard lake, sitting at the base of the Continental Divide, is usually open in winter.

Shrine Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.410m (11,187ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. This dirt road is passable by all but the lowest passenger cars.

Cerro Gordo (Spanish for "Fat Hill") is a silver mining ghost town located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California.

Situated within Los Angeles County, in the US state of California, the Rowher Flat Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area presents a captivating array of trails, granting visitors with breathtaking vistas and an extensive array of exhilarating challenges.

Fall River Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,595m (11,796ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It's one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Palisades Interstate Parkway is a very scenic highway straddling the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. The road shows the best of the states, with beautiful views of the Hudson River.

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.