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Imagine driving for hours without turning the steering wheel even once. While winding mountain passes offer thrills, these roads are a testament to engineering extremes and vast, empty landscapes. This is the definitive list of the world's longest straight roads, where the journey itself becomes a mesmerizing endurance test of pure, unbending efficiency.

Bridges come in all forms and defy gravity, connecting even the most remote and treacherous terrains. Brace yourself as we embark on a thrilling adventure to explore some of the most awe-inspiring bridges on our planet.

Determining the highest road on Earth is an arduous task, primarily due to the ambiguity surrounding the term 'road' itself. Does it refer to a treacherous mountain pass accessible only to skilled drivers with specialized vehicles? Or does it signify a pathway exclusively suited for bicycles or motorcycles? Alternatively, should we consider a mountain road that can be traversed by an average driver with a regular vehicle? 

Many roads around the world are known for their hairpin turns, sharp curves that require drivers to almost double back on their path. These turns, also known as switchbacks, help vehicles navigate steep terrains safely by allowing gradual ascent or descent.

While a signpost at the base of Col de la Bonette boldly declares it as 'the highest road in Europe' at 2,802 meters above sea level, this assertion stands corrected on several fronts. The claim emanates from a two-kilometer-long teardrop-shaped loop encircling the Cime de la Bonette peak, which sits at 2,860 meters. Although this loop represents one of the highest paved through routes in the Alps and across France, there exist other mountain passes in Europe that surpass its altitude.

A truly scenic road is more than just a path through a landscape; it is a masterpiece of engineering that allows us to access the inaccessible. From the dizzying heights of the Himalayas to the wave-lashed cliffs of the Atlantic coast, these 30 routes have been meticulously selected by the dangerousroads.org community.

Determinar la carretera más alta de la Tierra es una tarea ardua, principalmente debido a la ambigüedad que rodea el término 'carretera' en sí mismo. ¿Se refiere a un paso de montaña traicionero accesible solo para conductores hábiles con vehículos especializados? ¿O significa un camino exclusivamente adecuado para bicicletas o motocicletas? Alternativamente, ¿deberíamos considerar una carretera de montaña que puede ser transitada por un conductor promedio con un vehículo regular? 

Explore the vast expanse of the world's longest highways with us. The Pan-American Highway secures its place in the Guinness Book of World Records, covering an impressive 29,800 miles from the frosty Prudhoe Bay in North Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina, Ushuaia. While the United States takes pride in hosting some of the planet's longest highways, the adventure doesn't stop there.

Coastal driving is the ultimate intersection of engineering and nature. From the cliff-hanging hairpins of the Amalfi Coast to the wave-battered bridges of Norway’s Atlantic Ocean Road, these are the 50 most spectacular coastal drives on Earth, as voted by the dangerousroads.org community. These routes are defined by sheer drops, unpredictable maritime weather, and some of the most dramatic geological formations accessible by car.

Understanding road safety is crucial for any traveler or driver. According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) reports, road traffic injuries remain a leading cause of death globally, resulting in an estimated 1.28 million fatalities per year.

While the global average stands at 15 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, there is a massive disparity between regions. Over 90% of these fatalities occur in low- and middle-income countries, where infrastructure and emergency services are often under strain.

The Alps are a mountain system located in south-central Europe, to the immediate north of the Mediterranean Sea. They extend for almost 700 miles in a crescent shape from the coastline of southern France (near Monaco) into Switzerland, then through northern Italy and into Austria, and down through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro - then ending in Albania on the rugged coastline of the Adriatic Sea.

Regardless of how "streetwise" you are at home, driving abroad means facing unpredictable hazards: unlit mountain passes, shared lanes with livestock, or high-speed motorways with no limits. Safety standards vary wildly across borders, and what is considered a routine drive in one country could be a survival challenge in another.

A highway is more than just asphalt; it’s a feat of engineering designed to move people and goods across continents. By definition, a highway is any public road on land with two or more lanes per direction. While the first modern highways appeared about 175 years ago, today they have evolved into massive infrastructures that hold staggering world records.

Across the globe, from the bustling streets of Hong Kong to the remote forests of New Jersey, certain roads are defined by more than just their asphalt. These routes carry chilling legends of ghostly hitchhikers, spectral soldiers, and inexplicable tragedies. For the adventurous driver, these 20 locations represent the intersection of high-risk driving and the supernatural.

We are constantly bombarded with data about the most dangerous mountain passes, but sometimes the real "danger zones" are right in the middle of a metropolis. If you are planning an international road trip, you might want to reconsider getting behind the wheel in these destinations. From absolute disregard for traffic lights to staggering gridlocks, these are the most frustrating cities for any driver.

Google Maps launched some years ago, on February 8, 2005, and it's become the gold standard for apps that help get you from point A to point B. But it's also the greatest prank platform ever designed. Here are some of the best deliberate (and non-deliberate) ways that Maps has been borked over the last years.

Tidal roads are the ultimate test of timing and nerve. These unique routes are built across coastal flats, estuaries, or lake beds that disappear completely under the water twice a day. Driving here means navigating slippery seaweed, shifting sands, and a ticking clock. If you get your timing wrong, the ocean wins.

Driving to the edge of the world is the ultimate test for any overlander. These are not mere pathways; they are fragile lifelines carved through permafrost and Arctic tundra, reaching latitudes where the compass starts to fail. From the ice roads of Canada and Russia to the salt-battered cliffs of Northern Norway, these 86 routes represent the limit of the global road network. Reaching these coordinates requires more than just a sturdy 4x4; it demands extreme preparation against sub-zero temperatures and total isolation.

Embark on a journey with us as we share some of our cherished roads from around the world. This list is far from objective, and undoubtedly, we might be overlooking a few gems. Nevertheless, it's a delightful beginning. These roads aren't ranked by importance or preference; it's not a definitive 'best of the best' compilation. Instead, these are simply our favorites – each one extraordinary in its own right.

If you’re planning an international road trip or an overlanding adventure, knowing the safety profile of your destination is essential. While some roads are dangerous due to extreme terrain, many countries face high fatality rates due to infrastructure, traffic volume, and lack of enforcement.

While our passion at Dangerous Roads is exploring the world's most challenging routes, we also recognize the incredible engineering and policy work that makes some nations the safest places on Earth to get behind the wheel. If you are planning a trip and safety is your top priority, these rankings offer a glimpse into where road risk is at its absolute minimum. However, as you will see, the "safest" countries are often those that combine cutting-edge technology with strict traffic enforcement.

The most fundamental rule of driving isn't about speed or signs; it's about which side of the road you occupy. While it might seem like a minor detail, the choice between Left-Hand Traffic (LHT) and Right-Hand Traffic (RHT) is a historical legacy that has shaped continents. Today, approximately 35% of the world's population still drives on the left, mostly in former British colonies, Japan, and several island nations.

Journeying above 4,000 meters, where the air is thin and temperatures often plummet, the creation of the world's highest vehicular tunnels stands as a testament to human ingenuity and determination.

Tunnels are some of the most amazing marvels of engineering. But the world's longest tunnels are definitely not the place for a car to break down. The great breakthrough in engineering and construction has ensured infrastructure today with a high level.

The Dead Sea (that borders Israel, the West Bank and Jordan) is the lowest place on land that’s below sea level, at 1,360 feet. But dozens of land areas of the Earth sit below current sea level. The ten places with the lowest elevations are listed below. 33 countries have land below sea level.

dangerousroads.org has always been on a quest: to explore and spotlight the world's most exhilarating and challenging roads. From vertigo-inducing mountain ledges to scenic coastal drives that take your breath away, we delve deep into the heart of road adventures.

This is the list of the world’s highest bridges, ranked by the maximum distance from the road of the bridge down to the ground or water beneath.

We decided to ask the stars of Formula 1 to combine their love of music and fast cars by telling us their favorite songs to listen to whenever they get the chance to hit the open road.The resulting playlist is as eclectic, exciting, traditional and fun as the F1 grid itself.

Iconic bridges are often celebrated as masterpieces of engineering and symbols of architectural progress. However, some of these structures have also gained a somber reputation due to the high number of fatalities recorded since their completion. These landmarks are now part of a complex history where architectural grandeur meets human tragedy.

Just when you think you’ve seen every kind of road sign out there—stop, yield, sharp turn ahead—along comes something completely bizarre. All over the world, signs are designed to guide drivers, warn of dangers, or give directions. But occasionally, they end up doing something else entirely: confusing, amusing, or just plain baffling everyone who sees them.

Finding the highest mountain road in South America may also mean discovering some of the highest roads in the world. But in the South American Andes the situation is confusing like in the Himalayas and the results are often questionable and conflicting. Many high altitude gravel roads are particularly being reported in Bolivia and Chile. But all elevation indications vary greatly in different reports and you can actually not rely on them.

Petrol heads, take note. The world's best road has just been announced. There are few things as thrilling as accelerating past breathtaking countryside views, and now we know where to find the most thrilling stretch of tarmac possible. The N-222 road from Peso de Regua to Pinhao in Portugal has been awarded the prestigious honour.

Sometimes we’re so high up in the mountains that we take a deep breath and it feels like we havent’ any oxygen left at all. Even in these conditions, human beings have adapted to a huge variety of conditions, living in sky-high elevations over 16,700ft above the sea level.

While many road signs in the Alps claim that Col de la Bonette is the highest road in Europe, the reality of mountain driving is a bit more complex. If we stick to the geographical borders of the continent, the "crown" actually belongs to the south of Spain, and several Austrian glacier roads climb higher than the famous French passes.

For most drivers, a road is a strip of asphalt or concrete. But in many parts of the world, "paved" is a luxury. According to global infrastructure data, there are several nations where the vast majority of the road network consists of dirt, gravel, or sand tracks.

Driving in these countries isn't just a trip; it’s a test of endurance for both the vehicle and the driver. When less than 10% of a nation’s roads are paved, logistics change completely: rainy seasons can cut off entire regions, and a simple 100-mile journey can take days instead of hours.

It’s difficult so say where’s the African highest mountain pass. Some sources say they should be found either in Morocco, in the mountainous East Africa or in South Africa/Lesotho. But some of these areas are still not well developed and is hard to obtain reliable information about the condition and elevation of mountain roads there.

Tunnels, with their extreme low lighting, echoing darkness, and often damp conditions, are intrinsically eerie places. It's no wonder that many tunnels are steeped in legends of haunting and paranormal encounters. From spine-chilling discoveries to ghostly apparitions, these subterranean passages have gained sinister reputations. Enter these eerie tunnels at your own peril, where mysteries and phantoms await.

When it comes to purchasing a car, subscribing to a car service, or renting a vehicle, one of the foremost considerations is the level of safety while driving. However, the safety of the roads on which your vehicle will traverse is beyond your control. Road safety standards vary significantly worldwide, influenced by multiple factors such as driver competence, road conditions, regulations, and speed limits. Consequently, it is essential to identify the countries with the safest roads and those that warrant caution.

The James Bond film series, started by Ian Fleming in 1953, often features well-known roads as key parts of its action scenes and settings. These roads are chosen to show off the region's landscape and provide the setting for car chases and dramatic escapes.

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.