The 30 Most Gorgeous Roads in America

This 469-mile roller coaster from Cherokee, North Carolina to Rockfish Gap, Virginia, undulates past sweeping forested vistas as you pedal the Blue Ridge from Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you like to climb, the stretch from Asheville to Cherokee will give you a workout.

Considered one of the most outstanding byways in America, this 70-mile stretch of road threads through one-lane rock walled tunnels and features all the highlights of the legendary Black Hills and the spectacular granite spires of Needles Highway.

This tight, twisty 11.5-mile spine of tarmac that traverses Hogsback Ridge delivers some of the most jaw-dropping views of Utah’s spectacular sandstone cliffs and canyons you’ll ever see. With no guardrails and sheer drop offs to either side, it is not for the faint of heart.

Any stretch of this 75-mile California coast wonder is an oceanic feast for the senses as you climb along cliffs rising thousands of feet from the ocean while surf crashes on the rocks below.

Hit this 105-mile stretch of rolling road from Front Royal to Waynesboro, Virginia, in the fall to spin through a kaleidoscope of foliage throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Start on the north end to treat yourself to the 3,385-foot Hogback Overlook early in the ride.

This 33-mile ride around this massive volcanic crater offers 3,900 feet of climbing around the deepest, denim-hued waters in the country. Start at the Park Headquarters and ride around the lake clockwise to put the some of the steepest longest grades first while you’re still fresh.

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This endlessly curvy 62-mile road weaves through 600 hairpin turns, crosses 59 bridges and takes you through a pedaler’s paradise of waterfalls crashing from verdant cliffs, aquamarine seascapes, and soaring lush tropical rain forests along Maui’s northern coast.

This out and back from Mesa to Tortilla Flat drops into the Salt River Canyon along Canyon Lake and undulates through gorgeous desert wilderness. Keep pedaling for six miles past Tortilla Flat until the road turns to dirt for the most scenic stretches of the ride.

The Grand Mesa is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. This 63-mile byway wiggles through Grand Mesa National Forest delivering breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains and picturesque pine forests dotted with deep blue lakes.

This 63-mile loop with about 5,500 feet of elevation follows the Colorado River, climbs 4,000 feet to the Kokopelli Overlook, and eventually plunges you through Spanish Valley and past Ken’s lake before finishing in Moab. You can ride it in either direction, but locals prefer it clockwise for a nice flat warmup stretch.

The 56-mile road climbs 3,300 feet from the Apgar Visitor Center to Logan Pass as you travel through the heart of Glacier National Park. Riders who take on this steady climb are rewarded with spectacular views of snowcapped mountain peaks, bear sightings, and a trip through Heaven’s Peak Tunnel.

This 45-mile out-and-back cuts through the Monongahela National Forest and features postcard worthy vistas of the Mountain State’s finest raw rugged countryside. Bring your climbing legs, as this trip through central Pocahontas County racks up more than 5,500 feet of climbing by the time you’re done.

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Not all scenic roads require leg-searing climbs or lung-busting altitude. This 38 mile route that runs the north-south length of Delaware from Maryland to Pennsylvania is flounder flat, but a beauty to behold as it passes through colorful beach towns, sprawling soft sand beaches, and Delaware Seashore State Park—a 6-mile long barrier island.

Part of the soaring serrated Boulder Mountains of the Sawtooth National Forest, Galena Summit—a 29 mile pedal northwest of Ketchum—is one of the highest (8,701 feet at the summit) paved mountain roads in the state. It offers panoramic views of the Sawtooth range and the headwaters of the Salmon River in the Stanley Basin.

This 72-mile route through New Mexico’s colonial past is really several rural back roads strung together to follow the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains between Santa Fe and Taos. It passes through old Spanish villages, pinyon juniper woodlands, ponderosa forests, and views of some of the highest peaks in the Land of Enchantment.

Featuring dramatic overlooks of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse scenic drive is one of the most photographed landscapes in the world. The 22-mile ride is particularly stunning at sunrise.

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Popular among cyclists and runners, this 36-mile out and back route leaves Jackson’s Town square and winds its way up to Red Top Meadows. The final two-mile climb from Butler Creek is difficult, but riders are rewarded with stellar views of the Jackson Hole Valley and maybe a moose or two.

This 120+ mile stretch outside of the lower 48 takes you through the dazzling scenery of the Kenai Peninsula. The pristine snowfields, popping wildflowers, and towering mountains will take your mind off of the seven-mile climb over Turnagain Pass—the highest point on Seward Highway at milepost 70.

Pedal over the rugged rolling mountaintops from the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee into the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina. This 40-mile gem has been compared to the Blue Ridge Parkway for its numerous scenic overlooks. The endless long, sweeping corners make this a two-wheeled joy ride.

This historic pass on Route 108 between Stowe and Jeffersonville is a popular climb among locals and tourists alike. The winding 13-mile traverse rewards riders with sweeping vistas of Vermont’s famous Green Mountains.

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Technically, you could ride this entire 444-mile historical parkway that runs from Natchez Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee without putting a foot down, as there is not a single stop light or stop sign on this commercial-traffic free roadway. The 308-mile stretch across Mississippi is chockfull of points of interest, including tobacco farms, plantations, and Native American historical sites.

This 13-mile climb in the Santa Ynez Mountains is 6 ½ miles up and 6 ½ miles down and has consistently ranked as one of the Top 50 world class cycling climbs. At 2,600 feet with grades ranging from 7.5 percent to 15 percent, it’s not easy, but riders are rewarded with the best views of Santa Barbara, the bay, and the surrounding areas one can find.

Summit Road meanders along the north and eastern side of Maine’s stunning Cadillac Mountain for about 3 ½ miles before reaching the summit, Acadia Park’s highest point and the first spot in the US you can see the sunrise. Take advantage of the observation points along the way to soak in the amazing rugged coastal views.

This 65-mile Big Sky wonder is considered one of the most remarkable rides in North America. The views of the surrounding snaggletoothed Beartooth Mountains from this byway are spectacular in part because of the elevation. You roll out around 7,600 feet and kiss the sky at nearly 11,000 feet before you’re done.

Lake Tahoe is one of pro cyclist Peter Sagan’s favorite sections in the Tour of California. This 42-mile out and back ride along Donner Pass Road climbs about 1,300 feet in both directions and treats you to magnificent views of Donner Lake and snowcapped mountains in the distance.

This 47-mile stretch of the 170-mile Olympic Byway cuts through the heart of stunning Adirondack Park and spins by Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and over Raquette River before ending at Cranberry Lake. The route gently rolls and makes for a serene, scenic outing.

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This hilly 36-mile trip takes you from Traverse City to Mission Point Lighthouse and passes beautiful vineyards, farmlands, rolling hills, and the Grand Traverse Bay along the way. The Mission Point Lighthouse at the turnaround is located at the 45th parallel, which is halfway between the North Pole and the equator.

Kansas is not flat, nor is it boring. Rather it explodes with lush grassy meadows, rocky spires, red clay buttes, and endless fields of wildflowers along this 42-mile eye-poppingly span through the center of America. The trip from Medicine Lodge to Coldwater, Kansas includes mesas and ravines carved by ancient seas 65 million years ago.

Sitting at 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the tallest mountain in the Old Bay State. The 10-mile ascent on Rockwell Road, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930’s, is the more gradual way up and traverses through switchbacks and tight curves to the Memorial Tower at the summit, which serves up a 90 mile view on a clear day.

Less than 20 miles from the Vegas Strip is a breathtaking road through the brilliant red rock formations of Red Rock Canyon. This one-way 12-mile pedal brings you up close and personal with crimson cliffs, fossilized sand dunes, and other geological wonders that will make you forget how close you are to civilization.