{"id":11817,"date":"2024-05-28T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/?p=11817"},"modified":"2024-05-14T10:54:56","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T10:54:56","slug":"longest-roads-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/longest-roads-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about the longest roads in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever found yourself asking, \u201cWhat is the longest road in the world?\u201d Well, we\u2019ve got the answer. According to Guinness World Records, that prize goes to the Pan-American Highway, <\/strong>which covers almost 18,640 miles from Alaska to Argentina<\/strong>. Along the way, it passes through 14 different countries<\/strong> across two continents, as well as six different time zones<\/strong>. In second place you can find Highway 1<\/strong> on the other side of the world, in Australia <\/strong>with 9,000 miles, and behind that comes the Trans-Siberian Highway <\/strong>that runs through Russia<\/strong> covering 6,800 miles. If you are getting excited, keep on learning everything you need to know about the longest roadways in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pan-American Highway: A road of grand proportions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for a real road trip adventure, traveling the full length of the challenging Pan-American Highway has to be right up there. With the route stretching from North America to South America<\/strong> and winding through various climates and landscapes, it can take several months to complete the journey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Length and status of the longest road in the world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most consider the length of the Pan-American Highway to be around 18,640 miles \u2013 making it the longest road in the world \u2013 it\u2019s almost impossible to measure the exact length of this sprawling roadway. That\u2019s in part thanks to the fact that it crosses two vast continents, as well as the fact that many debate whether the numerous unofficial branch routes found along the highway should be included. Add those in and you could cover the full Arctic almost to the Antarctic<\/strong>, bringing the road to a total length of 24,855 miles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also worth noting that not all of the Pan-American Highway is paved. While the network of roads that make up the PAH are nearly continuous, there is a section of around 100 miles between Panama and Colombia<\/strong> that is not paved<\/strong>. This section is known as the Dari\u00e9n Gap, and is generally crossed by boat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Dari\u00e9n Gap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the Pan-American Highway has been crowned the longest road in the world, it is not actually possible to drive the entire length of the route<\/strong>. That is because of the Dari\u00e9n Gap, an unpassable section of dense jungle that is found around halfway along the Pan-American Highway<\/strong>. Here the road disconnects for around 100 miles<\/strong> in a stretch of remote wilderness between Panama and Colombia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This patch of jungle is widely regarded as one of the most remote locations on Earth, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t still complete a road trip along the Pan-American Highway. Most travelers simply hop on a ferry and ship their car from Panama City to Cartagena<\/strong> before hitting the road again from there. Or, if you\u2019re feeling really brave, it\u2019s a four-day hike to travel the distance by land<\/strong> \u2013 though you should bear in mind that the gap is made up of dense swampland and rainforest inhabited by indigenous tribes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A geographical journey of the longest roadway in the world: Countries connected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As well as being the longest roadway in the world, the Pan-American Highway travels through a staggering 14 different countries across two continents<\/strong>. The northern part<\/strong> of the road starts in frosty Prudhoe Bay, Alaska<\/strong>, and crosses through Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica before ending up in Panama<\/strong>. The southern part<\/strong>, meanwhile, traverses Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile, finishing up at the tip of Argentina in Ushuaia<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

SIXT has you covered no matter where you plan to start your road trip, with our multiple locations in countries, like Canada<\/a>, Mexico<\/a>, Honduras<\/a>, Nicaragua<\/a>, Costa Rica<\/a>, Colombia<\/a>, Peru<\/a>, Chile<\/a>, Panama<\/a>, Argentina<\/a>, and the USA<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The road’s historical development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The construction of the Pan-American Highway was a vast endeavor that started in 1923<\/strong>, coinciding with the rise in automobile ownership, and aimed to include both new roads as well as pull together existing highways in the countries it would pass through. As such, instead of being a single road, it is actually made up of a complicated network of interconnected routes<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea for the highway was approved in 1928 but stalled in 1929 when the Great Depression hit in the US. In 1937, a host of countries \u2013 including Argentina, Peru, Canada, and the US<\/strong> \u2013 signed a document agreeing to undertake speedy construction of the highway, and in 1950, Mexico became the first Latin American country to complete its section of the highway. Due to its complex nature and multiple routes and branches, today there is no one road that is officially deemed the Pan-American Highway in the US or Canada. Meanwhile, in Spanish, it is known as the Carretera Panamericana<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing the Highway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Due to its status as the longest road in the world and the fact that it crosses through so many different countries, you can expect to see plenty of spectacular scenery and diverse landscapes<\/strong> along the route. Drive the Pan-American Highway and you\u2019ll encounter an array of different climates<\/strong>, from impenetrable jungles and tropical rainforests to arctic tundra and scorched deserts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Pan-American Highway passes through so many varying ecological zones<\/strong>, it\u2019s worth bearing in mind that some areas are only passable during the dry season. In many of the regions, driving can also be dangerous at times, both due to the harsh climate and the potential to encounter criminals. Driving along the Pan-American Highway is the ultimate test of a driver\u2019s skills, which is no doubt why this is considered one of the best roads in the world<\/a> for a road trip like no other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scenic wonders of the longest road in the world<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though there are many legendary road trips in the US, from traveling the length of Route 66<\/a> to hitting the road between Florida and New York<\/a>, nothing can beat the Pan-American Highway when it comes to scenic wonders. Where else could you embark on a road trip that begins in the arctic tundra of Alaska and ends up in Ushaia, Argentina<\/strong>, known for its breathtaking mountainous scenery as well as being home to colonies of penguins? Located in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago<\/strong>, it\u2019s not for nothing that this part of Argentina is nicknamed the \u2018End of the World<\/strong>\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on which route you take along the longest road in the world, you can expect to pass through famous US cities<\/strong> including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas<\/strong>. Further south, you\u2019ll be able to drive through Mexico City<\/strong> and then on through every capital city in Central America (apart from Tegucigalpa in Honduras) before hitting the Dari\u00e9n Gap. When the main road picks up again in Turbo, Colombia<\/strong>, you\u2019ll be able to drive through Quito in Ecuador, Lima in Peru, and Buenos Aires in Argentina<\/strong>. Another branch of the route will also lead you through Uruguay and into Brazil<\/strong>, passing through Sao Paolo and Rio<\/strong>. Quite the epic road trip indeed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unique features<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Driving the length of the Pan-American Highway is truly an out-of-this-world experience<\/strong>. So, unsurprisingly, it comes with its fair share of challenges. Perhaps the most adrenaline-inducing of them all is the drive up to the 11,318-foot (3,450-meter) Cerro de la Muerte Mountain peak in Costa Rica<\/strong>. Roughly translated, the name means \u2018Summit of Death\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elsewhere, the most challenging terrain you\u2019re likely to come across is in the jungle, which you\u2019ll discover as you pass through Guatemala towards El Salvador<\/strong>. However, as long as you don\u2019t bother the exotic animals or the residents who live here, you should be fine. While you\u2019re in El Salvador<\/strong>, it\u2019s worth stopping off at the Joya de Cer\u00e9n Archaeological Site<\/strong>, which is believed to have been inhabited by the Mayans in the 1st century. Further south, don\u2019t miss the chance to stop off at Le\u00f3n in Nicaragua<\/strong>, where you can explore the ruins of Le\u00f3n Viejo<\/strong>, which has been declared a Historical-Cultural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What challenges might travelers face when journeying on the Pan-American Highway?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Travelers can expect to face a fair few challenges when driving along the Pan-American Highway. The first comes in the form of the terrain. Due to the vast length of the road and the fact that it travels through 14 different countries and two continents, drivers will encounter a variety of ecological zones along the way<\/strong>. Those who aren\u2019t used to driving in freezing, icy climates or arid desert landscapes might find the route challenging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelers must also take into consideration the fact that some regions can only be crossed during the dry season, while others can suffer from extreme weather during the rainy season, and should plan their routes and timings accordingly<\/strong>. Other challenges could come in the form of navigating steep terrain<\/strong> \u2013 most notably driving up the 11,318-foot Cerro de la Muerte Mountain peak in Costa Rica \u2013 as well as criminal activity. The Dari\u00e9n Gap in particular is a hotspot for crime, due to its remote location and few law enforcement officials in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highway 1 in Australia: One of the longest roads in the world<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the second longest road in the world, that accolade goes to Highway 1 in Australia. Otherwise known as the \u2018Big Lap\u2019, this network of roads covers just over 9,000 miles and links together all of Australia\u2019s state capitals (except for Canberra).<\/strong> Essentially, it\u2019s a giant coastal ring road that loops around the whole continent, taking in many of Australia\u2019s key sights and attractions along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The route passes through most of Australia\u2019s major cities<\/strong>, including Sidney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, before hopping across the Bass Strait to Hobart, Tasmania. Due to its vast size, you can expect it to take a fair while to complete the route. While it is possible to drive the full loop in less than a week, if you drive day and night and only stop to refuel, you certainly wouldn\u2019t take in any of the scenery that way. Most travelers tend to take around three to six months to complete the route, <\/strong>stopping off along the way to enjoy all that Australia has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trans-Siberian Highway: The longest road in Russia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The network of roads that makes up the Trans-Siberian Highway covers the entire length of Russia<\/strong>, stretching across a distance of around 6,800 miles<\/strong>. The route runs from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok<\/strong>, spanning from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Construction for the Trans-Siberian Highway began in 1949, but it only became fully paved in 2015, making it a fairly new addition to the world\u2019s longest roads.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of the route is a challenge to drive<\/strong>, due to the diverse terrain it covers. The highway passes through everything from tundra and forests to massive stretches of remote territory; in some areas, gasoline isn\u2019t even available<\/strong>. Be warned that the quality of the road varies along the route, and can be tricky to navigate in more remote areas. But if you\u2019re up for a challenge, this is one of the world\u2019s most thrilling drives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The world\u2019s three most epic road trips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking to test yourself by tackling one of the longest roads in the world, these are the top three to pick from<\/strong>. Whether traversing multiple countries and continents on the Pan-American Highway, looping around Australia on Highway 1 or crossing the length of Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway, these road trips are not for the faint of heart<\/strong> \u2013 but you\u2019ll be rewarded with plenty of stunning scenery and unforgettable adventures along the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever found yourself asking, \u201cWhat is the longest road in the world?\u201d Well, we\u2019ve got the answer. According to Guinness World Records, that prize goes to the Pan-American Highway, which covers almost 18,640 miles from Alaska to Argentina. Along the way, it passes through 14 different countries across two continents, as well as…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":11856,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-11817","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nAn insider\u2019s guide to the longest roads in the world | SIXT rent a car Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"When it comes to truly epic road trips, nothing beats cruising down the longest roads in the world. 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