Traveling by flight can surely be quick, but it doesn’t give you the flexibility of a road trip. When driving along a scenic route, you can always stop by the roadside for a quick break and take in the breathtaking scenery. If you have taken a less busy route, you can explore offbeat destinations. Now that spontaneity is something a train journey or flight cannot offer.
Understanding the longest highways
You can see highways practically anywhere in the world. In addition to improving accessibility and convenience, roads frequently provide stunning views. Almost any area in a nation may be reached by car with a good highway network. Highways can occasionally be the sole route into distant villages.
Nevertheless, which is the world’s longest highway? To what extent does it expand? Let’s take a look at the top 10 longest highways in the world.
1. Pan-American Highway
The Guinness World Records state that the Pan-American Highway is the world’s longest motorway. Stretching about 19,000 miles (30,000 km) from the southernmost tip of South America to the frozen ocean at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, it passes through 14 different nations and a dazzling array of topography, from tropical jungles to frozen tundra. It was constructed in 1936. The Pan-American Highway requires drivers to be prepared to climb the 11,322-foot (3,450-meter) Cerro de la Muerte, sometimes known as the Summit of Death, in Costa Rica. They also need to be brave enough to cross the unpaved Darién Gap, which is located around 60 miles (97 km) between Panama and Colombia.
2. Australia Highway One
The longest national roadway in the world and the second-longest highway in the world are two different titles awarded to Australia’s roadway 1, popularly known as the ‘Big Lap’. In general, it links seven of Australia’s eight capital cities. Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Perth, Esperance, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Hobart, Tasmania are all on the route, which also crosses the Bass Strait. The Highway 1 is one of the world’s longest roadways, stretching 9,000 kilometres in total. Over a million people use this section of the route every day. After a compilation of the pre-existing local railroads and roads, Highway 1 was built in 1955. With the exception of the Australian Capital Territory, it is the sole route connecting all of the Australian states and territories. The majority of the country’s highways are tributaries of Highway 1.
3. Trans-Siberian Highway
The Trans-Siberian Highway connects St. Petersburg and Vladivostok over a distance of 6,800 miles (11,000 km). The majority of this patchwork system of federal highways is very new, having just been entirely paved in 2015. Construction of the Trans-Siberian began in 1949. It stretches across a great deal of isolated land between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, where petrol isn’t even readily available in certain areas. The longest non-loop road in a single nation is this highway. Trans-Siberian Highway is sometimes referred to as AH6.
4. Trans-Canada Highway
One of the world’s longest national highways, the Trans-Canada Highway runs 4,645 miles (7,476 km) from east to west between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It travels across all provinces in Canada and connects all major cities. It was the world’s longest continuous highway when it completed in 1971. Because of the difficult terrain, it wasn’t easy to build a highway throughout Canada. A gold medal was presented in 1912 by a group of enthusiasts for automobiles to anyone who could drive a vehicle from Halifax to Vancouver. The first guy to finish the challenge did it in two months, but he was not awarded a medal since he had to spend a significant amount of the trip with his automobile fastened to a railroad on the deck of a ship. Today the Trans-Canada Highway is driveable in 57 hours.
5. Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network
The aptly titled Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network spans 3,633 miles (5,846 km) and connects the four major Indian cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. It is a four-sided polygon. It was constructed to shorten the distance between the nation’s major cities and to enable residents of the more rural areas to transport agricultural products to markets. Completed in 2012, this relatively new highway system is large by any highway’s standards, with several sections having four or six lanes.
6. China National Highway 318
The Shanghai Tibet Highway is a 5.476-kilometer (3,403-mile) stretch of road. The condition of this route into Tibet, which crosses eight provinces, was a primary motivator for the construction of the Tibetan railway network to Lhasa. The four seasons this road experiences in a day — freezing, cool, warm, and hot — according to the locals cause unnecessary casualties. The route connects Zhangmu, which is near the Nepal border, with Shanghai. Unfavourable weather is not uncommon. The Si Du River Bridge, which had the highest vertical clearance in the world when it was completed in 2009, is one prominent portion of this road. It is also known as the Friendship Highway, and it runs from Lhasa to Zhangmu. The Arniko Rajmarg is the 115-kilometer stretch that leads to Kathmandu. Given that Tibet is home to some of the world’s most inhospitable terrain, its roads are probably not the finest. By Gyatso La, the road peaks at 5.220m (17,125ft) above sea level.
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Factors to consider before you plan road trip
When you plan a road trip, it is very important to consider the following points, as it helps to make your trip hassle-free.
1. Check your vehicle
Having a breakdown on a lengthy road journey is one of the worst things that may happen. Being lost or abandoned may be frightening, especially if it seems very spooky, isolated or dangerous. Making sure your car is in good working order before you leave the house can make the difference between a fast fix and a car accident. Among the things to look for are: fluids used in vehicles, such as coolant, oil, brake, wiper, and steering. Also check wheels, tires, keys, extra keys, etc.
2. Activities during the trip
Driving for hours is a part of long road journeys. It could feel fresh and thrilling at first. When the first excitement fades, you should make sure you know what to do if the road starts to get to you. Podcasts, fresh music selections, driving games and a regular stretching routine can all contribute to a more pleasurable driving experience. Travelling to your next location is made more pleasurable by these little activities.
3. Group interaction
When organizing a road trip with other people, communication is crucial. While some people want to finish the journey in one sitting, others may prefer many short stops. To get the group off to a good start, be sure to express both your requirements and those of the others. To ensure that everyone is in agreement, duties such as driver, navigator, and DJ should be divided. Conflicts later on are likely to arise if one person begins to feel as though they are the only one driving.
4. Documents and funds
Make sure you have your cash and formal documentation ready before embarking on a lengthy road trip. Set a budget for the trip, let your bank or credit card company know, and make sure everyone has their IDs and other essentials. You don’t want to go to pay for petrol and discover that your card has been frozen by the bank because of ‘suspicious activity’. Planning a vacation budget allows you to ensure that your funds are in order and ensures that you won’t be surprised when you come back. This will direct your actions. Budgets are useful for deciding how to divide expenses in a group.
5. Weather condition
Every state’s citizens appear to believe that their state’s weather is more unpredictable than another’s. No matter which state you are travelling through, the journey will be more pleasurable if you check the weather every day and prepare for rain, snow or sun. Planning for activities, difficulties and routine events like bathroom breaks and pit stops is much easier when you keep track of the weather. A few pleasant days might lead you to slow down and explore additional places. However, if the forecast is for two days of intense rain, you could be compelled to travel sooner. You can increase your chances of success by using the local weather forecasts for the areas you travel through.
Safety and precautions during the trip
When you plan for a long trip on a highway or the countryside, it is of the utmost importance to ensure safety and take precautionary measures in order to avoid any mishap. Below are some points that you need to keep in mind:
1. Be ready for unexpected
Drivers must be on the lookout for unforeseen events. Search for cars with a noticeable number of bags and supplies for a weekend vacation. That’s one indication that the driver might not be focused on the road ahead but rather on their objective. Keep a minimum following distance of four seconds between your car and the one in front of you. It offers you more time, clarity and less stress. If the car in front of you applies their brakes suddenly and forcefully, then you will be able to stop in time.
2. Be watchful about distractions
Extended weekends may bring their own unique set of driving distractions. Plan with extra traffic in mind when you travel. Also plan backup routes in case of emergencies. To ensure that you can focus on the road, plan your route in advance if you are using a navigation system. Make sure the GPS is giving voice directions in addition to visual directions to prevent another cause of distraction. You will require an additional few seconds to refocus on your driving surroundings if you take your eyes and attention from the road for even a little period of time. Those little moments might be the difference between being involved in an accident and avoiding one.
3. Put on your seat belts
Without a doubt, seat belts prevent injuries and save lives. Choosing to use seat belts for you and your passengers contributes to the safety of everyone inside your car. It is your duty as a driver to keep your family and other passengers safe amid heavy traffic. During the holiday weekend, using a seat belt can help prevent injuries. It can also avoid causing fatalities due to traffic, rapid stops and quick lane changes.
4. Don’t drink and drive
Undoubtedly, driving after consuming alcohol is a major concern. Celebratory events may involve drinking, and regrettably, many people fail to understand that they shouldn’t drive after consuming alcohol. It is your duty as a driver to ensure that you are always aware of what is going on around you on the road. Utilize your mirrors to view what is going on behind you and pay attention to the traffic on each side of you.
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