One of the highlights of any great road trip inarguably is driving down endless roads. Below you will find out which are the longest roads in the world. These roads are:
– Pan – American Highway
– Highway 1 – Australia
– Trans-Canada Highway
– Golden Quadrilateral Highway
– US Route 20
– US Route 6
1) Pan-American Highway
Length in total: 30 000 miles/48 000 km
Point of departure: Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
Arrival destination: Ushuaia, Argentina
Duration of road trip: Approximately 6.5 months
On the bucket list of travelers around the globe is driving across the Pan-American Highway. Many believe the Pan-American Highway to be the greatest road trip in the world. While we all have various visions of the ideal road trip, there is no doubt that this is the longest one of them all.
The Pan-American Highway is the longest “motorable road” in the world reported by Guinness World Records.
The whole journey from the northern tip of Alaska all the way to the south of Argentina in total spans nearly 30 000 miles (50 000 kilometers). Those individuals who decide to complete this captivating journey will pass through 14 countries on 2 continents and also 6 different time zones before reaching the point of destination. Though the Panamericana is thought to be the longest road in the world, not all of it can be traveled by car. In fact, nearly in the middle of the journey, the road disconnects for about 100 miles.
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Darien Gap
the Darien Gap is a 100-mile stretch of remote wilderness in Panama and Colombia. The Pan-American Highway does not go through this jungle. Rather, the road cuts off in Yaviza in Panama and continues in Turbo, Colombia. There have been projects to build a road through the ill-famed Darien Gap, although with no success, however.
Even though it’s only around 60 miles long the Darien Gap is widely considered one of the most remote locations on the planet. This stretch of vibrant jungle represents one of the most unsafe places in the world, thanks to both dangerous wildlife and also to criminal activity.
The jungle is the only way to cross from Colombia to Panama by land, that is why Darien Gap has become the road of choice for unlawful immigrants who want to get to North America. Because of the lack of law enforcement, the spot is ideal for cartels and other criminals, so, choosing this road you end up in a quite hazardous area.
The scary Darien Gap does not mean that finishing this road trip is impossible. As a matter of fact, most travelers prefer to ship their vehicles over from Panama City to Cartagena and continue the road trip from there. In the past, the ferry was functioning, though it is not in service anymore.
It is debatable whether the Pan-American Highway can really be considered the world’s longest road as the two roads aren’t connected to one other.
Crossing the Pan-American Highway would certainly make for a long adventure. Most travelers need at least six months to complete this journey.
2) Highway 1 – Australia
Length in total: 9 000 miles/14 500 km/
Point of departure: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Arrival destination: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 months
Australia’s Highway 1 takes the trophy as the world’s longest national highway in addition to being the second-longest roadway in the world. Driving down this giant 9000 miles (14 500 km) loop is one of the best ways to see the best of what Australia has got to offer.
This highway will take you through all the states of the country. You can start the journey in Sydney and proceed south towards Melbourne. This piece of the journey alone already makes for a great road trip idea.
A part of Highway 1 south of Sydney is named the Grand Pacific Drive. The 140 scenic coastal route is thought to be one of the most picturesque driving roads in the world.
You can also bypass Melbourne and head down the Great Ocean Road, which is yet another panoramic coastal drive. All things considered, there is an abundance of attractions worth visiting along the way.
The advised duration for this road trip is no less than two months. That way you can make the most out of each stop along the way, and will not have a feeling that you’ve rushed through too fast.
3) Trans-Canada Highway
Length in total: 5 000 miles/7 000 km
Point of departure: Victoria, British Columbia
Arrival destination: St. John, Newfoundland, and Labrador
Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 weeks
Trans-Canada Highway is considered the longest national highway on Earth, though it is not the longest road on the planet.
The Trans-Canada Highway will take travelers who decide to drive across this lengthy scenic route in for a real treat, the highway will take them right through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. By all means, try to plan stops in some of the country’s mesmerizing National Parks, Glacier, and Gros Morne, to name a few.
Note that you will require at least two weeks on the road to finish this road trip across one of the longest roads in the world. As you will certainly find yourself stopping to take in the views rather often try to accommodate some extra time for stops at scenic overlooks.
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4) Golden Quadrilateral Highway – India
Length in total: 3 600 miles/6 000 km
Point of departure: Delhi, India
Arrival destination: Delhi, India
Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 weeks
This Highway is the second-longest road in all of Asia. This road is essential for India, as it connects the four major cities in the country such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.
Travelers should think twice before deciding to drive through Delhi and Mumbai, two of the largest cities in India. Each of these cities’ populations is around 20 million people, so you can imagine what rush hour traffic must look like in such a huge city.
However, driving down the Golden Quadrilateral Highway will definitely be an extraordinary adventure. Travelers will have a chance to visit landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, and also the chance to see some of the largest urban populations in the world. Definitely try to stop by Belgaum and admire some of the stunning waterfalls around the area.
5) US Route 20
Length in total: 3 400 miles/5 500 km
Point of departure: Newport, Oregon
Arrival destination: Boston, Massachusetts
Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 weeks
US Route 20 goes along just one single highway. This highway is perfect for travelers who looks for an alternative cross-country road trip.
This 3400 miles (5500-kilometer) long road stretches over the East Coast, from Newport in Oregon all the way to Boston. Unarguably, of all the attractions that you’ll see along the way, a highlight is the Yellowstone National Park.
It is recommended to spend at least two weeks on the road to make the most out of each destination, as this is one of the longest roads in the world. GPS navigation won’t be required for this road trip. You will have to follow the same road from start to finish.
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6) US Route 6
Length in total: 3 100 miles/5 100 km
Point of departure: Long Beach, California
Arrival destination: Provincetown, Massachusetts
Duration of road trip: Approximately 2.5 weeks
US Route 6 is one of the best cross-country road trips apart from being one of the longest roads in the world. It is the best way to explore the United States by traversing the entire country.
It is recommended to spend at least two weeks on the road to complete this road trip, as covering this much distance can be challenging. You should get on the US Route 6 in the small town of Provincetown, Massachusets. Before reaching the destination in Long Beach, California, you will pass through nearly 15 states in total.
With Utah’s spectacular natural beauty, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Nevada, with its hidden gems, as well as myriad other points of interest along the way, this really makes one of the best road trips you could ever plan.