Top 6 Longest Highways in the World 2024
While flying is certainly faster, it lacks the flexibility of a road trip. Driving along scenic routes allows for spontaneous stops to enjoy beautiful landscapes, and less-traveled paths enable exploration of unique destinations—something trains and planes can’t provide.
To get job news in Qatar, join us on WhatsApp.
Understanding the Longest Highways
Highways are found worldwide, enhancing accessibility and often offering stunning views. A well-developed highway network can reach almost any part of a country, and in some cases, highways are the only way to access remote villages.
But which highway holds the title of the longest in the world? Let’s explore the top six longest highways globally.
Pan-American Highway
According to Guinness World Records, the Pan-American Highway is the longest roadway, stretching approximately 19,000 miles (30,000 km) from the southern tip of South America to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. It traverses 14 countries and diverse landscapes, from tropical forests to arctic tundra. Established in 1936, it includes challenging segments like the 11,322-foot (3,450-meter) Cerro de la Muerte in Costa Rica and the unpaved Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia.
Like our Facebook page to get job vacancies in Qatar
Australia Highway One
Known as the “Big Lap,” Australia’s Highway 1 is both the longest national road and the second-longest highway in the world, spanning 9,000 kilometers. It connects seven of Australia’s eight capital cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and is a vital route for over a million users daily. Constructed in 1955, it integrates existing local roads and railways and is the only highway linking all Australian states and territories, aside from the Australian Capital Territory.
To get job news in UAE, join us on WhatsApp.
Trans-Siberian Highway
The Trans-Siberian Highway runs 6,800 miles (11,000 km) between St. Petersburg and Vladivostok. Most of this federal highway system was fully paved in 2015, although construction began in 1949. It spans vast, remote areas where fuel can be scarce, making it the longest non-loop road within a single country. It is also referred to as AH6.
Trans-Canada Highway
Spanning 4,645 miles (7,476 km) from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, the Trans-Canada Highway is among the longest national highways in the world. It connects all Canadian provinces and major cities and was the longest continuous highway upon its completion in 1971. The challenging terrain made construction difficult, and a gold medal was offered in 1912 to anyone who could drive from Halifax to Vancouver. Today, it can be traversed in about 57 hours.
Like our Facebook page to get job vacancies in UAE
Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network
Covering 3,633 miles (5,846 km), the Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network connects India’s four major cities: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. Designed to reduce travel time between major urban centers and facilitate agricultural transport from rural areas, this extensive highway system was completed in 2012 and features multiple sections with four or six lanes.
China National Highway 318
The Shanghai-Tibet Highway spans 5,476 kilometers (3,403 miles) and traverses eight provinces, serving as a crucial route into Tibet. The challenging conditions of this road, which experiences all four seasons in a day, have led to safety concerns. It links Zhangmu near the Nepal border with Shanghai and includes notable structures like the Si Du River Bridge, which had the highest vertical clearance in the world when completed in 2009. Also known as the Friendship Highway, it connects Lhasa to Zhangmu and features a 115-kilometer stretch leading to Kathmandu, with the road peaking at 5,220 meters (17,125 feet) above sea level.
Read More:
Economy Middle East