The 10 Longest Expressways and Highways in the World
Modern highways are the lifelines of continents, stretching across nations and landscapes to connect people, economies, and cultures. Here is a look at the world’s longest expressways and highways, showcasing remarkable feats of engineering and ambition.
Pan-American Highway
Spanning approximately 30,000 km (19,000 miles), the Pan-American Highway holds the record as the longest motorable road globally.
- It connects Prudhoe Bay in Alaska with Ushuaia in Argentina, passing through 14 countries across two continents.
- The only major break in the route is the infamous Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia, a dense jungle with no conventional roadway.
Highway 1 (Australia)
Australia’s Highway 1 is a continuous highway stretching about 14,500 km (9,000 miles), encircling the entire continent.
- It links key cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Darwin, making it the longest national highway in the world.
- The route integrates multiple existing roads, serving as a critical artery for domestic travel and commerce.
Trans-Siberian Highway (Russia)
Covering around 11,000 km (6,800 miles), the Trans-Siberian Highway is an extensive network cutting across the vastness of Russia.
- From St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, it crosses diverse terrains including forests, mountains, and tundra regions.
- This highway plays a vital role in national connectivity and is integral to economic logistics.
Trans-Canada Highway (Canada)
The Trans-Canada Highway stretches approximately 7,821 km (4,860 miles), linking the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Canada.
- It traverses all ten provinces, passing through major cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal.
- Renowned for its scenic routes, it fosters national unity and is a popular corridor for tourism and trade.
Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network (India)
India’s Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network covers around 5,846 km (3,633 miles), forming a grand loop between key cities.
- It connects Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, catalyzing economic development across the country.
- This project significantly enhances logistics, road safety, and interstate commerce.
China National Highway 010 (China)
Running approximately 5,700 km (3,542 miles), China National Highway 010 stretches from Tongjiang in the northeast to Sanya in the south.
- It traverses a variety of climate zones, linking industrial hubs, rural areas, and tourist regions.
- As one of China’s backbone roads, it drives regional growth and inter-provincial connectivity.
U.S. Route 20 (United States)
U.S. Route 20 is the longest road in the United States, measuring about 5,415 km (3,365 miles).
- It stretches from Boston, Massachusetts, to Newport, Oregon, cutting across 12 states.
- Famous for its proximity to numerous national parks and historic towns, it is beloved by road trippers and historians alike.
U.S. Route 6 (United States)
Extending around 5,158 km (3,199 miles), U.S. Route 6 is steeped in American history.
- Originally running coast-to-coast, today it spans from Provincetown, Massachusetts, to Bishop, California.
- Known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, it is rich in cultural heritage and natural beauty.
European Route E40 (Europe)
At approximately 8,500 km (5,282 miles), the European Route E40 is the longest transcontinental highway in Europe.
- It links Calais, France, to Ridder, Kazakhstan, cutting across Western, Central, and Eastern Europe.
- The E40 boosts pan-European trade, cultural exchanges, and serves as a bridge between East and West.
Interstate 90 (United States)
The Interstate 90 (I-90) in the United States covers about 4,860 km (3,020 miles), making it the country’s longest interstate.
- Running from Boston, Massachusetts, to Seattle, Washington, it passes through 13 diverse states.
- As a crucial transcontinental corridor, I-90 supports the movement of goods, tourists, and daily commuters across the nation.
These highways are not merely roads—they represent engineering marvels, cultural corridors, and economic lifelines that drive modern civilization. From the frozen Arctic routes of Alaska to the tropical highways of Australia, the scale and ambition behind these projects are a testament to humanity’s enduring drive to connect and explore.
