The Longest Drivable Route on Earth
Regardless of where we reside, we all harbor dreams of embarking on our own epic road trip across America, pondering the countless possible routes we could take. One of the most iconic journeys would be the drive from Los Angeles to New York – spanning 2,800 miles, a journey that would require over 40 hours of continuous driving. Personally, I once embarked on a road trip from Los Angeles to Raleigh, North Carolina, taking a leisurely week or two to reach my destination. Nowadays, the idea of traversing the east coast from Maine to Key West – covering a more manageable 1,900 miles – fills my daydreams. But for those true road trip enthusiasts, venturing beyond borders becomes essential.
This sentiment is echoed in a fascinating video by Half as Interesting, which delves into the longest drivable distance on our planet. As the video’s creator, Sam Denby, points out, the North American road network extends from Prudhoe Bay in Canada’s Canada, Alaska, to Yaviza in Panama, totaling 7,500 miles. While this may require six consecutive days of driving, it does not set any records. Routes from southern Africa and East Asia may seem promising, but they necessitate passing through Western Europe and crossing the Mediterranean via ferry, which might tarnish the integrity of the true road trip experience.
Thus, the ultimate driving route begins in Europe, specifically Sagres, Portugal – the westernmost point on the contiguous road network. From there, travelers can journey eastward to the banks of the Aldan River in Russia, covering a distance of 8,437 miles. But the adventure doesn’t end there. Brave souls can continue onwards to Khasan, the sole Russian town bordering North Korea, elevating the total mileage to 8,726 and completing the world’s longest direct driving route. This epic journey, if pursued non-stop (while respecting local speed limits), would take six days and 19 hours, offering the opportunity to savor exquisite local dishes along the way, such as cataplana and Khasan oysters.
Related content:
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- Animated Maps Reveal the True Size of Countries (and Show How Traditional Maps Distort Our World)
- Why Route 66 Became America’s Most Famous Road
- 12 Classic Literary Road Trips in One Handy Interactive Map
- A Brief History of the Great American Road Trip
Based in Seoul, Colin Marshall writes and broadcasts on cities, language, and culture. His projects include the Substack newsletter Books on Cities and the book The Stateless City: a Walk through 21st-Century Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter at @colinmarshall or on Facebook.
