Longest Road In The World: Top 7 Lengthy Drives For Adventurers

If you’re a road trip or travel enthusiast, odds are you’re always looking for new places to explore, be it scenic roads or routes with plenty of attractions. But have you ever wondered what a trip across the longest road in the world will feel like? This article is for anyone curious about what roadway holds that title. Whether you’re planning a tour or simply interested in knowing, join us as we explore the longest roads across continents.

Table Of Contents

1 Top 7 Longest Roads In The World
2 Notable Mentions
3 What’s The Longest Road In The UK?
4 Frequently Asked Questions
5 Conclusion

Top 7 Longest Roads In The World

We can go on and on because there are numerous roads of incredible length but we’ll keep this list short by sticking to the top seven among the world’s longest roads.

1. Pan-American Highway – 30,000 km (18,600 mi)

The Pan-American Highway holds the title of the longest road in the world. Reaching 30,000 km (18,600 mi), it is twice as long as the next road on our list. Guinness World Records has it as the ‘longest motorable road’, but there’s an area known as the Darien Gap at the point where Central America meets South America, which requires a four-day hike if you want to keep travelling by land.

To get past the Darien Gap with your car, you can ship it from Panama City to Cartagena and resume the road trip from there.

This road runs from the Arctic Ocean at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia in Argentina. The Pan-American Highway passes across 14 countries and takes you through all sorts of landscapes and climate zones. All in all, this route promises an exciting journey but requires proper planning.

2. Australia Highway One – 14,500 km (9,000 mi)

Next, we head all the way to Australia, where you’ll find Highway One. This route, known as ‘The Big Lap’, stretches over 14,500 km (9,000 mi). This route makes for a great road trip as it passes through the entire continent while connecting seven of its eight capitals.

Aside from being the second-longest road in the world, The Big Lap is also the world’s longest national highway. It is estimated that over one million motorists pass through this route daily when travelling to other states or linking up with local roads. If you’re planning a road trip here, you should explore the Grand Pacific Drive, a segment of Highway One known for its impressive scenery.

See our road trip planning guide for everything you need to know about planning a trip.

3. Trans-Siberian Highway – 11,000 km (6,800 mi)

As we continue to explore the longest roads in the world, we make our way to Russia, which is home to the Trans-Siberian Highway. This highway links St. Petersburg in the west with Vladivostok in the east, covering 11,000 km (6,800 mi). Construction on the Trans-Siberian Highway began as far back as 1949, but the road didn’t become fully paved until 2015.

Driving while taking very few breaks, it will take you about 14 days to travel from one end of this highway to the other. Keep in mind that this route features a vast number of remote areas and some places don’t even have a petrol station.

4. Trans-Canada Highway – 8,000 km (5,000 mi)

Now let’s look at the fourth-longest road and the second-longest national highway in the world, Trans-Canada Highway. This road, which spans approximately 8,000 km (5,000 mi), connects the 10 provinces of Canada, running from east to west.

The Trans-Canada Highway was launched in 1962, but it wasn’t until 1971 that the road network was completed. This highway is perfect for a road trip, as it takes you right through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country. You can make a stop at Gros Morne, Glacier and some of the other fascinating national parks along the route.

See here for our detailed blog post about the UK’s highest roads.

5. The Golden Quadrilateral Highway – 5,800 km (3,600 mi)

The Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network comes in fifth on our list of longest roads in the world, with a total length of 5,800 km (3,600 mi). This highway gets its unique name because it forms a four-sided polygon, connecting Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. This road was constructed in 2012 to reduce travel time between the major cities and allow people in rural parts of the country to bring agricultural goods to markets.

Planning a road trip across the Golden Quadrilateral Highway allows you to explore the four major cities and immerse yourself in the beauty of various attractions. You’ll need between two and four weeks if you plan to make multiple stops.

6. China National Highway 318 – 5,500 km (3,400 mi)

China has many interlinked highways that can’t really be considered a single highway. Put together, they exceed the length of many of the other roads on this list. Singly, China National Highway 318 is the longest highway in the country and one of the longest roads in the world. This route, also known as the Shanghai Tibet Highway, runs for about 5,500 km (3,400 mi), connecting Shanghai to China’s border with Nepal.

The Shanghai Tibet Highway is a popular route for road trips and travel adventures, as it allows you to experience stunning scenery across diverse landscapes in China. The Tibetan Plateau would probably be the highlight of your journey, with its snow-capped peaks and turquoise lakes.

7. U.S. Route 20 – 5,500 km (3,400 mi)

To wrap up our list, we have U.S. Route 20, which has a similar length to China National Highway 318. Also known as US Highway 20, this is the longest road in the United States, beating Route 6 and Interstate 90, the longest interstate highway in the U.S. It runs from Boston, Massachusetts, on the east coast to Newport, Oregon, on the west, covering 12 states.

U.S. Route 20 features numerous attractions, but Yellowstone National Park stands out among the lot. Another thing that makes this route great for a road trip is that no GPS navigation is needed; just follow the same path from start to finish.

Still on the matter of the longest roads, see the longest straight roads in the world.

Notable Mentions

From the Pan-American Highway to the Trans-Canada Highway and Trans-Siberian Highway, we’ve covered the longest roads in the world. Now, let’s check out other notable long roads across the world.

Sagres To Talon: The Longest Overland Road– 15,000 km (9,300 mi)

If a long ride is what you’re looking for, you’ll be happy to learn about the longest overland road trip. The route from Sagres in Portugal to Talon in eastern Russia is the longest you can drive without the need for a hike, ferries or trains. This epic road runs through seven countries while covering an impressive 15,000 km (9,300 mi).

For anyone planning a trip across the route, expect to spend close to two weeks touring the road. If you have enough time on your hands, you can explore various countries like Spain, France, Belgium and Germany as you pass through.

Hire a 7-seater car from SDVH and enjoy the most comfortable road trip with friends or family. You can also check out our 9-seater options if you need more space.

Serai, Indonesia To Cape Town, South Africa: The Longest Land Route with Ferries – 33,600 km (20,900 mi)

If you don’t mind spending some time on water during your travel, there’s an even longer trip than the Pan-American Highway. The journey from Serai, Indonesia to Cape Town, South Africa, covers a distance of 33,600 km (20,900 mi). This epic expedition doesn’t just take you across countries but also continents.

After commencing your journey in Indonesia, you’ll make your way through Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos before entering China. The road trip will also take you through central Asia, Russia, and east and western Europe before finishing in Africa.

John O’Groats, UK To Cape Town, South Africa: The Longest Euro-African Road – 14,650 km (9,100 mi)

Here’s one that’s perfect for Brits looking to visit Africa. The drive from John O’Groats, United Kingdom, to Cape Town, South Africa, is the longest Euro-African road trip, covering 14,650 km (9,100 mi). This epic journey will take you through numerous countries in Europe and Africa, as you explore different climates and landscapes.

Your trip begins in John O’Groats, a small village in the northernmost part of Scotland. Like the previous route, you’ll pass through European countries like France and Spain before reaching African countries like Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. You can turn this trip into an epic adventure by visiting game reserves and national parks along the way.

China National Highway 219 [Uncompleted] – 10,000 km (6,200 mi)

If this were 2030, China National Highway 219 would have made our initial top 7 list of longest roads in the world. Although this highway is only 2,342 km (1,455 mi) long at the moment, it is incomplete. The route is part of the China National Highway Network Planning (2013–2030), and once completed, it will be the longest National Highway in the world, surpassing Australia’s Highway One and Trans-Siberian Highway, stretching over 10,000 km (6,200 mi).

What’s The Longest Road In The UK?

The longest road in the UK is the A1, which stretches for about 660 km (410 mi) from London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland. Also known as the Great North Road, this A road originally served as a trade route for the Anglo-Saxons and was an important transportation passage for centuries. Today, it connects multiple villages across the country.

If you’re interested in the UK’s longest motorways, we’ve got that covered in a blog post.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Longest Road In The World?

The Pan-American Highway is the longest road in the world, reaching an impressive 30,000 km (18,600 mi). This road runs all the way from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Ushuaia, Argentina, connecting North and South America. However, there’s a famous gap in the middle of the Pan-American Highway called the Darien Gap where driving isn’t possible due to the dense jungle terrain.

What Is The Longest National Highway In The World?

The longest national highway in the world is Highway One in Australia. Also known as the ‘Big Lap’, this route stretches over 14,500 km (9,000 mi), putting it above Trans-Siberian Highway and Trans-Canada Highway. It is also the second-longest road in the world, behind the Pan-American Highway.

What Is The Most Scenic Long Road In The World?

The most scenic long road in the world is the Great Ocean Road. This 254-km (157-mi) route runs along the southern coast of Australia, taking you across dramatic rock formations, including the Twelve Apostles. You’ll also see a number of pristine beaches and plenty of greenery. Milford Road and Route 1 in Iceland are also great alternatives to the Great Ocean Road.

How Long Does It Take To Complete A Road Trip Around The Pan American Highway?

It takes about three months to a year to complete a road trip around the Pan-American Highway. The exact time spent on the journey depends on the number of stops you’ll be making and your driving speed. Hypothetically, it will only take around 25 days to cover this route if you plan on driving without making a stop.

What Is The UK’s Most Scenic Road Trip?

The most scenic road trip is the Peak District National Park. You’re guaranteed the ultimate adventure with this road as it takes you across hills and beautiful villages. The park also offers outdoor activities like cycling and rock climbing. North Coast 500 and Lake District National Park are other great road trip experiences in the UK.

Conclusion

There you go – the longest road in the world is the Pan-American Highway, reaching 30,000 km (18,600 mi) and spanning continents. Whether you’re planning road trips or simply a curious cat, you now know about these various impressive roadways across the world. If you’re a road tripper, be sure to learn extensively about each road before getting in your car and most importantly, remember to have fun.