26 Most Awesome Bridges In The United States: How Many Have You Crossed?
Bridges aren’t just ways to get from Point A to Point B, they’re engineering marvels, history keepers, and some of the most breathtaking photo ops in the country.
Whether you’re cruising above foggy bays, walking across roaring rivers, or driving through canyons carved by time, these bridges tell the story of America in steel, stone, and suspension cables.
But here’s the real question… How many of these bridges have you actually crossed? Or, even better, how many will you dare to cross after reading these fascinating details? From coast to coast, get ready to discover the most awesome bridges in the U.S., some famous, some hidden, all unforgettable.
Let’s take a trip across America, one jaw-dropping span at a time.
1. Golden Gate Bridge
Did you know the Golden Gate Bridge’s signature color, “International Orange”, was never actually meant to be permanent? It started as a primer, but architects loved how the vivid hue stood out against the sky and hills, so they made it official.
And here’s where it gets even more impressive, during the bridge’s 50th anniversary in 1987, a crowd of 300,000 pedestrians packed the span. It was so dense, it caused the roadway to flatten and sag nearly 7 feet in the middle!
Engineers had predicted this flexibility, which actually proved the brilliance of its design. Imagine standing on it, feeling the slight sway, knowing it’s built to dance with the forces of nature. Would you have dared to join the celebration crowd?
2. Brooklyn Bridge
Completed in 1883, this magnificent structure was the world’s first steel-wire suspension bridge, and it’s still standing strong. Can you believe its visionary designer, John A. Roebling, never saw it finished? After a tragic accident crushed his foot, he died from tetanus, leaving his son Washington to take over.
But here’s where the story really gets remarkable. Washington developed caisson disease and became bedridden, so his wife, Emily, stepped in. She relayed his instructions to engineers, helping oversee the project for years. Ever heard of a bigger team effort?
And to silence doubters who feared the bridge couldn’t hold up? Showman P.T. Barnum marched 21 elephants across it in 1884. That’s how you make a point in style! Would you have trusted the bridge after that pachyderm parade?
3. George Washington Bridge
Ever driven across the busiest bridge in the world? Connecting Manhattan to Fort Lee, New Jersey, this double-decked giant sees more vehicles daily than any other bridge on the planet. Funny enough, it wasn’t supposed to look the way it does today.
The original plan was to cover its steel frame with concrete and granite for a more classic vibe. But when the Great Depression hit, budget cuts left the steel exposed, and people loved it. That bold, industrial look ended up earning praise from architects around the world.
And if you’re around in December, don’t miss the massive 90-by-60-foot American flag unfurled from the New Jersey tower. It’s the largest free-flying flag in the country, and it’s an unforgettable sight!
4. Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Stretching over 4.3 miles of open water, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge isn’t just long, it’s legendary. Nicknamed “The Scariest Bridge in America”, this engineering behemoth has sparked enough white knuckles to inspire a driving service for nervous travelers.
But beyond the fear lies fascination: soaring above the Chesapeake Bay, the bridge offers panoramic views of sailboats, shoreline, and sky that feel almost surreal. Equal parts beautiful and intimidating, it’s the kind of structure you never forget crossing. That’s, of course, if you dared to keep your eyes open.
5. Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Rising like a golden sail over Tampa Bay, this striking cable-stayed bridge tells a story of tragedy, resilience, and renewal. In 1980, a violent storm caused the freighter MV Summit Venture to slam into its predecessor, collapsing a section and sending vehicles plummeting into the bay, an accident that shocked the nation.
But out of disaster came innovation. The new bridge was built with a state-of-the-art vessel collision protection system, and its iconic yellow cables now glow like sunbeams when lit at night.
And here’s a twist you might not expect: the remains of the old bridge weren’t demolished, they were turned into the world’s longest fishing pier, stretching nearly 2 miles into the water. Now that’s how you cast a new legacy. 🎣
6. Mackinac Bridge
If you’ve ever driven across the Mackinac Bridge, affectionately known as “Mighty Mac”, you know it’s more than just a bridge; it’s an experience. Spanning five miles over the choppy Straits of Mackinac, it connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas with jaw-dropping views. There’s also the thrill of knowing you’re on one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
I still remember my first time walking it during the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk. There’s something surreal about strolling across all that open water, surrounded by thousands of people, with the wind tugging at your clothes and freighters cruising below.
And the bridge itself? It sways, up to 35 feet in strong winds, but never loses its steady, solid feel.
Fun fact: the maintenance crew is constantly painting it. By the time they finish one end, it’s already time to start over again. Talk about a labor of love!
7. San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
Often overshadowed by its famous neighbor the Golden Gate, this workhorse bridge actually carries more traffic and consists of two distinct sections. After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake damaged the eastern span, it was replaced with a stunning self-anchored suspension design.
The new eastern span features the world’s largest LED light sculpture, “The Bay Lights”, consisting of 25,000 individually programmable LEDs. During construction of the original bridge in the 1930s, workers who fell into the bay and survived were inducted into the informal “Halfway to Hell Club.”
No need to panic, though. Safety standards have improved considerably since then, making this architectural workhorse far safer (and brighter) than ever before.
8. Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
Gracefully spanning the Cooper River in Charleston, this cable-stayed bridge resembles giant sailing ships with its diamond-shaped towers. Completed in 2005, it replaced two outdated bridges with a hurricane-resistant design capable of withstanding winds over 300 mph.
The bridge includes a dedicated pedestrian and cycling path called Wonders’ Way, named in honor of Garrett Wonders, a local Navy officer and cyclist who tragically lost his life while training. Today, it offers a safe and scenic route that turns every walk or ride into a tribute to his legacy.
Every April, the bridge hosts the Cooper River Bridge Run, one of the largest 10K races in the United States. Vehicle traffic comes to a rare standstill as 40,000 runners stream across its deck in a spectacular display of energy and community.
9. Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Today’s twin suspension bridges have a fascinating backstory. Their predecessor, nicknamed “Galloping Gertie,” spectacularly collapsed in 1940 just four months after opening.
Winds created an aerodynamic flutter that amplified until the bridge twisted and buckled into Puget Sound. How could such a massive structure fall apart so quickly? The disaster revolutionized bridge engineering worldwide. Footage of the collapse is still shown in physics and engineering classes as a textbook example of resonance.
The current bridges now include stabilizing structures and wind tunnels beneath the roadway to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.
10. Hernando de Soto Bridge
With its distinctive M-shaped steel arches, this Memphis landmark carries I-40 traffic across the Mississippi River between Tennessee and Arkansas. Locals call it the “M Bridge” for its shape, which lights up brilliantly at night with colorful LED displays.
Interestingly, the bridge’s arches are designed not only for structural strength but also to withstand the powerful currents and seasonal flooding of the Mississippi River.
In 2021, a routine inspection discovered a critical crack in one of the main support beams, leading to an emergency closure. River traffic on the Mississippi was halted, showing how crucial this crossing is to America’s transportation infrastructure. The bridge reopened after extensive repairs, with engineers monitoring its structural health more closely than ever.
11. Rainbow Bridge
Standing in the misty spray of Niagara Falls, this arched steel bridge connects the United States and Canada with front-row views of one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
Completed in 1941, it replaced the Honeymoon Bridge, which collapsed dramatically under the weight of ice in 1938. Its name? Inspired by the shimmering rainbows that often appear in the falls’ mist, a magical touch on sunny days.
And during Prohibition, this graceful crossing had a wilder side, it became a notorious route for bootleggers smuggling Canadian liquor into the U.S. You could say this bridge really spanned the distance between law and libations!
12. Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
Ever wondered how engineers build a bridge so massive that they had to consider the curvature of the Earth itself? The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, connecting Brooklyn and Staten Island, was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1964. The truth is, it’s still a jaw-dropping feat of engineering.
Its two towers stand perfectly parallel at the base but are actually 1⅝ inches farther apart at the top, thanks to the Earth’s curve. More than just an engineering marvel, this bridge kicks off the iconic New York City Marathon, as thousands of runners create a thrilling human wave across its span.
And here’s a quirky twist: after decades of misspelling, the bridge’s name was finally corrected in 2018 to honor the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano properly, double ‘z’ and all!
13. Sidney Lanier Bridge
Have you ever taken on Georgia’s version of Mount Everest? The Sidney Lanier Bridge, the state’s tallest cable-stayed span, rises gracefully over Brunswick’s busy shipping channel. Every February, thousands of runners and cyclists test their endurance on its steep 7% grade during the annual bridge run.
Named after poet Sidney Lanier, who famously captured the beauty of these coastal marshes in “The Marshes of Glynn,” the bridge offers more than just a workout.
From its 480-foot summit, you might even catch a glimpse of North Atlantic right whales below if you visit in winter. Not bad for a view with a little poetry and adrenaline, right?
14. Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge
Rising a staggering 890 feet above the Colorado River, the Mike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge is a concrete arch marvel that redefined engineering limits. Building it required innovative techniques, including a 2,300-foot-long cableway system to ferry materials across the deep canyon.
Today, its pedestrian walkway offers breathtaking views of the Hoover Dam, scenes that were once impossible to fully appreciate.
Did you know that in 2006, high winds caused a platform collapse, leaving workers dangling hundreds of feet above the river in a tense rescue? Would you dare to walk across it after hearing that story?
15. Royal Gorge Bridge
Perched 956 feet above the Arkansas River, the Royal Gorge Bridge was the highest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1929. Also, it’s still the highest in the U.S. today.
Originally built as a tourist attraction (not a transportation necessity), it dangles between sheer canyon walls with dramatic views that make your stomach drop.
The bridge is now part of a larger adventure park offering ziplining, gondola rides, and skycoaster thrills. However, even just walking across the narrow wooden planks is enough to get your heart racing.
It’s a true bucket-list experience for lovers of heights and natural beauty.
16. Walt Whitman Bridge
Spanning the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Gloucester City, New Jersey, the Walt Whitman Bridge stands as a tribute to one of America’s most iconic poets, though not without controversy.
When it was first proposed, some objected to naming the bridge after Whitman due to the provocative themes in his writing. Today, its seven green-painted lanes stretch confidently across the water, blending into the landscape and serving as a vital link for travelers.
The bridge made a memorable appearance in the 1983 comedy Trading Places, where Dan Aykroyd’s character contemplates jumping before Eddie Murphy hilariously steps in.
During Pope Francis’s 2015 visit to Philadelphia, the bridge was completely closed to traffic for the first time since its opening in 1957, a rare pause in the steady hum of daily crossings.
Whether you’re driving across or spotting it in a film, there’s more to this bridge than meets the eye.
17. Edmund Pettus Bridge
This unassuming steel arch bridge in Selma, Alabama became a powerful symbol of the Civil Rights Movement after “Bloody Sunday” on March 7, 1965. State troopers violently attacked peaceful marchers led by John Lewis and others as they attempted to cross en route to Montgomery.
The brutal confrontation shocked the nation and helped lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. Today, thousands gather annually to commemorate the march by crossing the bridge together.
Despite calls to rename it (Pettus was a Confederate general and KKK leader), many argue the bridge’s name should remain as a reminder of how far America has come.
18. San Diego-Coronado Bridge
Rising majestically from San Diego Bay, this 2.1-mile bridge features a gentle curve that resembles a stretched letter “S.” Engineers designed this unusual shape to achieve the necessary height for naval clearance while maintaining a comfortable gradient for drivers.
The bridge’s 30 massive concrete pillars have been transformed into stunning works of art as part of the Chicano Park murals project.
Artists have painted vibrant murals depicting Mexican-American heritage and history.
During the annual Holiday Bowl Parade, the bridge closes briefly. This allows F/A-18 fighter jets from nearby Naval Air Station North Island to perform thrilling flyovers.
19. Fremont Bridge
Portland’s highest bridge carries I-405 over the Willamette River with a distinctive tied-arch design painted in a vibrant blue-green hue. Unlike most bridges, it was largely assembled on the shore and then floated into place on barges, the 902-foot center span was the largest piece of steel ever moved on water at that time.
The bridge hosts an unusual artist-in-residence program, with a studio space built into the concrete anchor of the eastern span.
Selected artists work for months inside the bridge itself, creating works inspired by this unique urban perspective.
During the 2009 Red Bull Flugtag competition, a man parachuted from the bridge, landing safely but earning a citation from police.
20. Benjamin Franklin Bridge
Connecting Philadelphia and Camden, this steel suspension bridge was the world’s longest when it opened in 1926. Renamed for Benjamin Franklin in 1956, it features a pedestrian walkway with stunning skyline views, perfect for sunset strolls.
Insider tip: In 1976, Karl Wallenda wowed crowds with a high-wire walk 400 feet above the Delaware River during the Bicentennial.
Oh, and don’t miss the colorful light displays that change with holidays. View them from Camden for a quieter, unique perspective.
21. John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge
Predating its more famous sibling, the Brooklyn Bridge, this historic crossing between Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky was the world’s longest suspension bridge when completed in 1866. Its designer, John Roebling, used this bridge as a prototype for his later masterpiece in New York.
During the Ohio River flood of 1937, it was the only bridge remaining open between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. A local superstition claims that if you hold your breath while crossing the entire span, you can make a wish that will come true.
The bridge’s distinctive blue color wasn’t original. It was painted blue in 1896 to match Cincinnati’s new city flag.
22. Queensboro Bridge
You’ve probably heard the 59th Street Bridge in songs or seen it in movies, but there’s so much more to this New York City icon. Connecting Manhattan to Queens over the East River, it’s officially called the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge since 2011. However, locals still stick with the classic name or just call it “the 59th Street Bridge.”
Here’s a fun tidbit: there used to be an enclosed trolley station right in the middle, where passengers could hop on an elevator down to Roosevelt Island.
And if you’re a movie fan, you might remember the bridge from Woody Allen’s Manhattan, where he and Diane Keaton watch the sunrise in one of the city’s most unforgettable scenes. Next time you’re near, take a moment to soak in the view, it’s pure NYC magic.
23. Pulaski Skyway
Stretching across the industrial landscape of northern New Jersey, this cantilever bridge resembles a massive steel rollercoaster rising above the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers. When completed in 1932, it was considered an engineering marvel for its innovative design and 3.5-mile length.
The Skyway gained notoriety in the opening credits of “The Sopranos,” as Tony Soprano drives this route in the show’s introduction.
During World War II, the bridge was guarded by armed soldiers and anti-aircraft guns due to fears it might be targeted by German saboteurs. Its unusual height was designed to allow tall ships to pass underneath.
24. Sunshine Bridge
Rising 165 feet above the mighty Mississippi River in St. James Parish, Louisiana, this canary-yellow cantilever bridge connects rural communities on both sides of the river. Named not for the weather but for Governor Jimmie Davis’s popular song “You Are My Sunshine,” the bridge opened in 1964.
The bridge became critical to the region’s economy, allowing industrial development in previously isolated areas.
In 2018, a barge collision severely damaged the bridge, forcing its closure for months and requiring residents to make 90-minute detours. The incident highlighted how essential this crossing is to local communities who had come to depend on it.
25. Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
Ever driven across a bridge that feels like it stretches straight into the horizon? Stretching nearly 24 miles across Lake Pontchartrain, this remarkable bridge holds the Guinness World Record as the longest continuous bridge over water.
Drivers experience water in all directions as they make their way across. The bridge consists of two parallel spans, the southbound side opened in 1956, and the northbound side was added in 1969.
During construction, workers faced unusual challenges, including encounters with alligators and water moccasins. On foggy days, police lead special convoys, guiding vehicles at reduced speeds to ensure safety.
26. Vance Creek Bridge
Hidden in Washington’s Olympic Mountains, this abandoned railway bridge has become an unlikely social media star despite being closed to the public. Built in 1929 for logging operations, the 347-foot-high trestle is the second-tallest railroad bridge ever built in the United States.
After photos of its dramatic views went viral on Instagram around 2012, thrill-seekers began trespassing to capture the perfect shot. The bridge’s owners removed sections of the deck to discourage visitors after several deaths and injuries.
Despite being dangerous and illegal to access, it remains one of the most photographed abandoned structures in America.