There’s no better feeling than being on a long empty road in a comfortable SUV like the Toyota Fortuner in the Philippines. Especially in a country where traffic is a constant problem and inevitable part of daily life, getting to experience an open road just feels like all your troubles are thrown out the window. Pair that up with great company and a bucket-list destination, the distance won’t even matter anymore. Below are some of the greatest stretches of road all around the world.
Highway 1 (Australia)
The first road on the list brings to the “Land Down Under”, on a road that is over 60-years old. Built in 1955, Highway 1 was the first national highway in Australia. Spanning a whopping 14,500 Km, Highway 1 also is the best way to get around Australia, especially If you want a more scenic route to most of the states. It has access to almost all areas outside of Brisbane and Darwin. Now there are more highways that are direct and faster routes between states but where’s the fun in that when there is so much to see, this is definitely a must for road trips.
Trans-Canada Highway (Canada)
Let’s move on to the Great North, the Land of endless maple syrup, and cold weather all year long. What can be referred to as Canada’s backbone, the Trans-Canada Highway is the longest national highway in the country with a length of 7,821km that is just a bit short of going coast to coast. This is the best way to travel if you want the full Canadian road trip experience. Through the highway you have access to most of the states in Canada, and it also gives you access to a lot of tourist sites. You can start with St. John’s Harbour, visit the Fort Louisbourg National Historical Site in Nova Scotia, be charmed by the French-influenced Quebec City, take a break by Lake Louise, and see nature and the urban city be in perfect harmony at Stanley Park in Vancouver.
Golden Quadrilateral Highway Network (India)
This next highway is in India. Compared to the other roads on this short list, it is fairly new, as it was finished in 2012. This network is 5,846km long and offers direct routes to the major cities of India, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. This highway also boasts 4 to 6 lanes in efforts to avoid the regular traffic jams in the city. This is the most straight-forward way to get through all the major cities of India and immerse yourself in the colorful culture of India.
Pan-American Highway (America)
The Pan-American Highway at 48,000Km is currently the longest highway in the world. This man made marvel extends from Ushuaia, Argentina and travels north all the way to Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, having a short 160km break between Panama and Colombia called the Darien Gap. This network of roads also contains what could be the most diverse collection of scenery that can be seen in one highway. The entire route will take you by coastlines, next to mountains, and more. It will allow you to experience all types of climates, from the cold of the north to the tropical heat in the equator. What more could you want on a life-changing road trip, did I mention it goes through more than 14 countries along the way.
It’s in most people’s bucket list to travel and there are so many ways to do it. You could take a cruise or book a flight, but the joy of driving to and from the destination is underrated. When you drive, you have full control of where to go, what to do, when to stop and the amount of time you spend at every stop. It’s also the more scenic route, showing you the beautiful landscape of the country. So pack your bags get in your car and drive safely!
