‘This’ 30,600 Km Highway Has No Cuts or U-Turns, Spans 14 Countries, and Takes 60 Days to Drive
‘This’ 30,600 Km Highway Has No Cuts or U-Turns, Spans 14 Countries, and Takes 60 Days to Drive
Driving 500 kilometers each day would require approximately 60 days to finish the trip—this estimate does not include breaks or sightseeing.
Stretching an astonishing 30,600 kilometers (about 19,000 miles), the Pan American Highway holds the title of the longest drivable road in the world, passing through 14 countries and showcasing some of the most diverse landscapes on Earth. Stretching across two continents, the Pan-American Highway connects North America with South America, this epic route starts in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and winds all the way down to Ushuaia, Argentina, navigating deserts, mountains, rainforests, and coastlines.
No U-Turns, No Sharp Turns—Just Endless Highway
One of the standout features of the Pan-American Highway is its extensive, uninterrupted segments. Certain sections are renowned for their remarkable straightness, lacking significant turns or U-turns for thousands of kilometers, making it one of the most linear long-distance routes globally.
Driving 500 kilometers each day would require approximately 60 days to finish the trip—this estimate does not include breaks or sightseeing.
14 Countries, One Route
The Pan-American Highway serves as a gateway to cultural richness, traversing through:
l Canada
l United States
l Mexico
l Guatemala
l El Salvador
l Honduras
l Nicaragua
l Costa Rica
l Panama
l Colombia
l Ecuador
l Peru
l Chile
l Argentina
The construction of this massive road network was a combined effort of all these countries, working together to create a path that quite literally unites the Americas.
A Highway Founded on a Vision of Unity
The concept of the Pan-American Highway originated in the early 1920s as an ambitious initiative—not only to physically link countries but also to enhance tourism and bolster economic connections throughout the Americas.
By 1937, this vision materialized when 14 nations ratified the Convention of the Pan-American Highway, committing to the construction and upkeep of their respective road segments. By the 1960s, the highway was mostly finished—except for one significant gap.
The Darién Gap: The Road That Was Never Constructed
Between Panama and Colombia, the Pan-American Highway encounters a significant obstacle: the Darién Gap, a 100-kilometer stretch of dense jungle and swamp. Construction was halted in 1975 after environmentalists and Indigenous communities raised serious concerns about the potential harm to delicate ecosystems and traditional lifestyles.
Although the ban was lifted in 1992, ongoing opposition has kept this area without a road. To this day, the Darién Gap remains the sole interruption in the Pan-American Highway.
Travelers must transport their vehicles from Panama to Colombia and fly separately to continue their journey south.
So, if you ever dream of a road trip that takes you across multiple borders, cultures, and time zones without needing to make a turn for thousands of kilometers — the Pan-American Highway might just be the ultimate adventure on wheels.
