The Longest Roads in the World

Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime road trip or love discovering travel trivia, we’ve put together a list of the seven longest roads in the world. These epic highways stretch for thousands of miles through mountains, deserts, and coastlines – from America’s historic Route 20 to the monumental Pan-American Highway.

7. US Route 20

• Length: 3,400 miles / 5,500 km
• Start point: Newport, Oregon
• End point: Boston, Massachusetts
• Travel time: 2 weeks+

US Route 20 is America’s longest road, stretching 3,400 miles (5,500 km) from Newport, Oregon, on the Pacific coast, all the way to Boston, Massachusetts, on the Atlantic. This coast-to-coast highway crosses 12 states, showcasing an incredible cross-section of American landscapes along the way.

Starting in Oregon, the route winds through dense coastal forests, volcanic terrain, and the majestic peaks of the Cascade Range before cutting across the high desert and lava fields near Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho.

Further east, it passes through Yellowstone National Park, where travellers can spot geysers, canyons and abundant wildlife, before descending into the endless Great Plains of Nebraska and Iowa.

The scenery gradually softens into rolling farmland and river valleys as the road continues through the Midwest, before finally reaching the historic streets of Boston.

For comparison, the legendary Route 66 is almost 1,000 miles shorter – making Route 20 a true contender for the ultimate American road trip.

6. China National Highway G318

• Length: 3,400 miles / 5,500 km
• Start point: Shanghai, China
• End point: Zhangmu, China
• Travel time: 2 weeks+

Also known as the Shanghai–Tibet Highway, China National Highway G318 stretches for approximately 3,400 miles (5,500 km), making it the longest national highway in China.

The route begins in the heart of Shanghai and winds westward across the country, eventually reaching Zhangmu, at the border with Nepal.

What makes G318 especially compelling is how it transforms along the journey – from dense urban landscapes and fertile river basins, through rolling hills, and ultimately into the high-altitude, dramatic terrain of Tibet.

Travellers along G318 frequently report rapid weather shifts (“four seasons in one day”), ice, snow, cloud cover, and huge drops in temperature.

In short, G318 isn’t just long, it’s a route through China’s most diverse and extreme landscapes, offering a journey that’s as much about changing geography and culture as it is about distance.

5. Golden Quadrilateral National Highway (India)

• Length: 3,700 miles / 6,000 km
• Start point: Delhi, India
• End point: Delhi, India
• Travel time: 2 weeks+

India’s Golden Quadrilateral Highway, often called the GQ Highway, forms a massive loop connecting four of the country’s biggest cities – Delhi in the north, Kolkata in the east, Chennai in the south, and Mumbai in the west.

Spanning 3,700 miles (6,000 km), it’s one of the largest highway networks in the world and the backbone of India’s road transport system.

Completed in 2012, the Golden Quadrilateral links some of India’s most important economic and cultural hubs, making it vital for trade and travel. Along the way, drivers pass through everything from bustling city centres to rural farmland, arid plains, and tropical coastal stretches.

It’s a journey that captures India’s incredible diversity, both in scenery and culture – all within one vast, interconnected highway.

4. Trans-Canada Highway

• Length: 4,600 miles / 7,400 km
• Start point: Victoria, British Columbia
• End point: St. John’s, Newfoundland
• Travel time: 3 weeks+

The Trans-Canada Highway stretches from the Pacific coast of British Columbia to the Atlantic shores of Newfoundland, making it one of the world’s greatest cross-country drives.

Covering around 4,600 miles (7,400 km), it’s the longest national highway in North America and the lifeline that connects every major region of Canada.

Starting in Victoria, British Columbia, and ending in St. John’s, Newfoundland, the route crosses six time zones and passes through towering mountains, open prairies, dense forests, and countless lakes. It’s a journey that captures Canada’s breathtaking natural beauty, from the dramatic peaks of the Rockies to the windswept coastlines of the Atlantic.

Marked by its iconic green-and-white maple leaf signs, the Trans-Canada Highway isn’t just a route for road-trippers – it’s a symbol of national unity, linking some of the most remote and spectacular corners of the country.

3. Trans-Siberian Highway (Russia)

• Length: 6,800 miles / 11,000 km
• Start point: St. Petersburg, Russia
• End point: Vladivostok, Russia
• Travel time: 1 month+

The Trans-Siberian Highway spans the vast expanse of Russia, running from St. Petersburg in the west to Vladivostok in the east, near the Sea of Japan. Covering more than 6,800 miles (11,000 km), it’s one of the longest continuous road routes in the world, crossing an entire continent in the process.

Much like the famous Trans-Siberian Railway, this route offers a journey through Russia’s most diverse and remote landscapes – from dense European forests and sprawling grasslands to icy Siberian tundra. Travellers encounter everything from small, isolated villages to major cities, all connected by this monumental stretch of road.

The journey is not without its challenges. Some sections are well-maintained highways, while others can be rugged and unpredictable, especially in Siberia’s harsher climates. But for those seeking adventure, the Trans-Siberian Highway remains one of the most epic overland routes ever built.

2. Highway 1 (Australia)

• Length: 9,000 miles / 14,500 km
• Start point: Sydney, Australia
• End point: Sydney, Australia
• Travel time: 2 months+

Australia’s Highway 1 is the longest national highway in the world, forming a massive loop around the continent and connecting almost every major coastal city – including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, and Adelaide.

Spanning around 9,000 miles (14,500 km), it’s essentially a huge ring road that showcases the astonishing variety of Australia’s landscapes and climates.

Following Highway 1 takes you from the tropical rainforests of Queensland to the sun-baked deserts of Western Australia, and along the rocky cliffs of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria.

Completing the full circuit would take most drivers several weeks, if not months, depending on how often you stop to explore. While many travellers choose to experience shorter sections, tackling Highway 1 in its entirety remains a bucket-list challenge for those wanting to see Australia in all its natural glory.

1. Pan-American Highway

• Length: 19,000 miles / 30,000 km
• Start point: Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
• End point: Ushuaia, Argentina
• Travel time: 6 months+

The Pan-American Highway holds the title of the longest road in the world, stretching a staggering 19,000 miles (30,000 km) from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, at the top of North America, all the way down to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.

This legendary route passes through 14 countries, traversing an incredible range of landscapes and climates – from the icy tundra of Alaska and the towering peaks of the Andes to the arid deserts of Peru and the lush rainforests of Central America.

It’s a journey unlike any other, offering glimpses of vastly different cultures, ecosystems, and terrains along the way.

Despite its near-continuous path, there’s one major interruption: the Darién Gap, a dense 66-mile (106 km) stretch of rainforest that separates Panama and Colombia. This area has no official road connection, meaning travellers must ship their vehicles by sea or air to continue the journey south.

For the few adventurous drivers who attempt it, the Pan-American Highway represents the ultimate test of endurance and exploration. Completing it can take several months, making it the road trip of a lifetime.

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