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.

Montana Mountain Trail is a very scenic and challenging loop drive located in Gila County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. It’s a narrow trail up the mountain, with multiple river crossings.

Harquahala Mountain is a high peak at an elevation of 1,732m (5,681ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between La Paz and Maricopa counties in the U.S. state of Arizona.

Saddle Mountain Road is a very scenic drive running around the uniquely formed volcanic Saddle Mountain in Maricopa County, in the U.S. state of Arizona.

County Highway 730 is a high mountain road located in Grand County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Mount Champion is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,930m (12,893ft) above sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Cottonwood Canyon Road is an exciting desert drive located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. Be aware that it’s highly susceptible to washouts after precipitation events. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Tyee Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,029m (6,656ft) above sea level, located in Chelan County, in the U.S. state of Washington. The peak is most notable for the fire lookout atop its summit. It’s one of the highest roads in Washington.

Mormon Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,039m (6,689ft) above sea level, located in Clark County, Nevada. The road should be no problem for 2WD high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions.

Black Sage Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,976m (9,763ft) above sea level, located in Gunnison County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Saratoga Spring Road is a thrilling desert drive located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California. It is one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Boulder Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,035m (13,238ft) above sea level, located in Chaffee County, in the US state of Colorado. Full-sized vehicles might have problems. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Mount Dutton is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,371m (11,059ft) above sea level, located in Garfield County, in the U.S. state of Utah. It’s one of the highest roads in Utah.

Lydia’s Bridge is an abandoned railroad bridge located in Jamestown, Guilford County, North Carolina, in USA. Rumors of a vanishing hitchhiker have been reported on this road.

Muddy Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,657 m (8,717 ft) above sea level, located in the US state of Colorado.

Phinney Canyon Road is an exciting desert drive located in Nye County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. A high-clearance vehicle is required for the first 21 miles, and 4x4 is necessary beyond that. It’s one of the challenging backcountry roads in Death Valley National Park.

Wise Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,675m (12,057ft) above sea level, located in eastern Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The road to the summit is dangerously steep with big, loose rocks. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Banner Creek Summit is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,153 meters (7,063 feet) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Located in Blount County, in the U.S. state of Tennessee, Cades Cove Loop Road is a very scenic drive running through a lush valley where you’ll see wildlife and historic buildings.

Spring Creek Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,323 meters (10,901 feet) above sea level, located in Hinsdale County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Buffalo Boy Mine was a small gold and silver mine located in San Juan County, in the U.S. state of Colorado, at an elevation of 3,984m (13,070ft) above sea level. It is one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Scanlon Ferry Road is a dangerous and challenging route located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. It’s one of the most grueling and remote trails in the country—very narrow and cliff-exposed.

Rocky Bottom Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3,280m (10,761ft) above sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. It’s one of the highest roads in California.

Tesuque Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,678m (12,066ft) above sea level, located in Santa Fe County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico. The road to the summit is currently closed to private vehicles, blocked with a barrier.

Patterson Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,260m (7,414ft) above sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.

Castle Creek Road (County Road 15) is a very scenic drive while seeing beautiful aspen trees in Pitkin County, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Tassajara Road is a mountain road located on the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California, with one-lane corners and deep ruts in the road at various times of the year.

Redondo Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,441 m (11,289 ft) above sea level, located in Sandoval County, in the US state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Agua Fria Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,380m (11,089ft) above sea level, located in southwestern Colfax County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Black Canyon Road is a very scenic drive with desert views, located in San Bernardino County, in the U.S. state of California.

Moonville Tunnel is located deep in the backwoods of Vinton County, in the U.S. state of Ohio. The ghost of a drunken man who was murdered near the tunnel is said to walk above it and toss pebbles at those below.

Little Giant Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,727 m (12,227 ft) above sea level, located in San Juan County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Bennett Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,029 m (13,218 ft) above sea level, located in Rio Grande County, in the US state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Gold Hill is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,752m (12,309ft) above sea level, located in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado. The extremely fun and scenic trail through the summit connects Taylor Park to the south and Ashcroft/Aspen to the north.

Located in Gunnison County, in the US state of Colorado, the Alpine Tunnel was once the highest railroad tunnel in the world, at an elevation of 3,559 meters (11,676 feet) above sea level.

Kings Hill Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,251 meters (7,385 feet) above sea level, located in the US state of Montana.

Buckeye Peak is a high mountain peak located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. A gravel road to the south climbs up to 3,757m (12,326ft) above sea level. This is truly a breathtaking trail. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Buffalo Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,610m (8,562ft) above sea level, located in Apache County, in the US state of Arizona.

Tofty is an abandoned mining town located in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Peak 8 is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,712m (12,178ft) above sea level, located in Summit County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. It’s one of the highest roads in Colorado.

Located in the Tongass National Forest, in the US state of Alaska, the bridge over the Harlequin Lake is very challenging. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Hells Half Acre Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2,474m (8,116ft) above sea level, located in Idaho County, in the U.S. state of Idaho.

Mount Grant is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,388m (11,115ft) above sea level, located in Mineral County, in the U.S. state of Nevada. The road to the summit has steep cliffs along the shoulder, so drive cautiously. It's one of the highest roads in Nevada.

Hot Springs was a thermal bathhouse located in southern Brewster County, in the U.S. state of Texas.

Chrome Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,078m (10,098ft) above sea level, located in Sweet Grass County, in the U.S. state of Montana. It's one of the highest roads in Montana.

Buck Mountain is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,287m (10,784ft) above sea level, located in Lincoln County, in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It’s one of the highest roads in New Mexico.

Forest Road 640 is a very scenic drive located in Sevier County, in the U.S. state of Utah, running entirely over 2,500m above sea level.

Starr Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3,209m (10,528ft) above sea level, located in the northeastern corner of Gilpin County in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Antelope Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,726m (8,943ft) above sea level, located in Custer County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It’s one of the highest roads in Idaho.

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