Top 10 World Record-Breaking Roads

Among the millions of roads crisscrossing the globe, some stand out as truly exceptional, like the narrowest street, only 31 cm wide, or the icy road where temperatures can drop to -67.7°C. The M56 in Kolyma, Russia, passes through one of the coldest places on Earth. Spanning 2,000 kilometers from Nizhny Bestyakh to Magadan, the section from Khandyga to Magadan is often referred to as the 'Road of Bones,' as it is said to be lined with the remains of forced laborers who perished while building the road. The town of Oymyakon, located along this road, experiences an average temperature of -46°C in January, with extreme lows reaching -67.7°C. Today, the road is in poor condition, with sections destroyed by flooding. In mid-December, temperatures can drop to -50°C, making travel extremely challenging due to the ice.

Oymyakon is a remote, impoverished town with only one outdoor toilet, and food is scarce because vegetation cannot survive in the area. The locals mainly consume reindeer meat, horse meat, soup, fish, and frozen foods. To combat the intense cold, they regularly drink a beverage called Russki chai, or Russian black tea, made from sliced fruit, cinnamon, and clover. In addition to the Russians, various minority ethnic groups live in the area. Oymyakon is located 350 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, perched on the Siberian Plateau, and surrounded by mountains that block the warm winds from the south. These conditions make Oymyakon the coldest inhabited place on Earth. Despite the harsh environment, children are still allowed to attend school as long as the temperature is above -55°C (-67°F).

Route 90 runs along the coastline of Israel and the western shore of the Dead Sea, stretching from north to south, and is located 394 meters below sea level. This makes it the lowest road on Earth. Spanning approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles), it is Israel's longest highway, extending from Metula at the northern border with Lebanon, passing the western side of the Sea of Galilee, through the Jordan River Valley, and along the western shore of the Dead Sea, making it the lowest road in the world. For thousands of years, the Dead Sea has attracted visitors from the Mediterranean region, serving as a retreat for King David and one of the earliest resting places of Herod the Great. Additionally, the Dead Sea has provided various products, such as resin used in Egyptian mummification and potassium for fertilizers.

In fact, the Dead Sea is not a sea at all, but the world's largest saltwater lake. It spans about 80 kilometers in length, with a maximum width of 18 kilometers, an average depth of 400 meters, and a maximum depth of 700 meters, covering more than 1,000 square kilometers. The surface of the Dead Sea lies 423 meters below sea level, making it the lowest point on Earth's surface. The central portion of Route 90 runs through the Israeli-occupied West Bank, passing near Jericho, and does not enter areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority. Route 90 also has two permanent checkpoints: one at Beit She'an-Bardala in the north, near Sdei Trumot and Bezeq Stream, and another at the southern end, just north of Ein Gedi.

Construction of the Eyre Highway began in July 1941, connecting the northwest of Australia and cutting through the vast, barren Nullarbor Plain. Due to the challenging terrain, the road was built as a straight line spanning 1,675 kilometers from Augusta Port to Norseman. Along the way, travelers can witness spectacular landscapes, such as the towering 100-meter Bunda Cliffs on the edge of the plain, leading directly to the Southern Ocean. The highway also passes the famous Dingo Fence, the longest fence in the world, and is known as the loneliest road in the world.

While the eastern side of the highway is dotted with a few towns like Kimba, Wudinna, and Ceduna, the western stretch offers little in terms of life, with vast stretches of dry scrubland flanking the straight highway. Occasionally, there are some rough patches, but most of the journey is along a smooth, straight path. Rest stops along the route provide basic services like fuel, food, and rest, though not all are open 24 hours. A particularly straight section between Balladonia and Caiguna, known as the '90-Mile Straight,' stretches for an uninterrupted 145.6 kilometers, making it the longest straight section of road in Australia and one of the longest in the world.

Katy Freeway, also known as Interstate 10, was built in the 1960s as an expansion of a 37,000-kilometer stretch that connects the intersection with the 610 Loop to the city of Katy in Texas, one of the busiest traffic areas in the U.S. To accommodate the high volume of traffic, the city government constructed a road with 26 lanes: 12 main lanes and 8 access lanes. Around 219,000 vehicles travel this freeway daily. This means that if you are driving on Beltway 8 around downtown Houston and then head west towards San Antonio, Austin, or further destinations, you'll likely be on the Katy Freeway. And of course, if you don't mind Houston's notorious traffic (plus the occasional delay), you can drive to Katy Freeway from anywhere in the area. This makes it the widest highway in the world.

Out of the 26 lanes, 12 are for general traffic, 8 lanes serve as access roads along the edges, and 6 central lanes are reserved for high-capacity vehicles traveling at higher speeds. The section of Interstate 10 near Houston, the fourth most populous city in the U.S., is home to the Katy Freeway, the widest road in the world. This freeway, with its intricate engineering structures, including multi-level interchanges, perfectly exemplifies the modern challenges of road transport and the ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road.

The North Yungas Road, connecting La Paz to Coroico, is often referred to as the 'Death Road' or the 'Grove Road.' Located in the northeastern region of La Paz in Bolivia, this 69.2 km road is infamous for its sheer cliffs on one side and deep ravines on the other. The slippery surface and lack of guardrails have claimed the lives of 200-300 people annually. Rising over 3,000 meters in altitude, this road becomes especially perilous during the rainy season. Originally built in the 1930s during the Chaco War by Paraguayan prisoners, the road's 610-meter vertical drops and isolated nature make it one of the most dangerous roads in the world.

Fog, heavy rain, and slippery conditions often reduce visibility, while the jagged cliff faces add to the peril. As a result, drivers must move cautiously, inching along the road at a slow pace for safety. The weather varies dramatically, with wet mountain air giving way to gusty winds, sheer cliffs, and gentle hillside slopes. In the early 1990s, despite its dangers, the road became a popular tourist destination, especially among thrill-seeking cyclists, who embraced the 'Death Road' as a thrilling downhill ride.

The Karakoram Highway, built by the governments of Pakistan and China, began construction in 1959 and was completed and opened to the public in 1979. Running through the mountainous region of Gilgit-Baltistan, it reaches over 5,000 meters above sea level, where drivers may feel the effects of oxygen depletion. This highway is not only the highest paved road in the world, but it is also hailed as the 'eighth wonder of the world.' Stretching 1,290 kilometers, it connects Pakistan's provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan with China's Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Its legendary status comes from its extreme altitude of 4,600 meters above sea level, traversing the rugged and treacherous Karakoram mountain range, which is prone to natural disasters like floods and landslides.

During its construction, 810 Pakistani workers and 202 Chinese workers lost their lives due to falling rocks, deep ravines, disease, and insect bites. Due to the challenging terrain, modern machinery was nearly impossible to use, so engineers resorted to disassembling bulldozers and using mules to transport the parts up the mountain for assembly. On one occasion, the Pakistani military attempted to use a Mi-17 helicopter to transport a bulldozer, but due to narrow valleys and strong winds, the helicopter crashed, killing all nine people aboard. One of the most stunning sections of the highway is the Passu Cathedral Ridge, an awe-inspiring mountain range that stands out against the clear blue sky. Every stretch of the road offers travelers a breathtaking view of nature's masterpieces, leaving them in awe of those who contributed to this iconic and legendary road, which truly deserves the title of the 'eighth wonder of the world.'

The oldest roads known to history date back to around 2,700 BCE in Egypt. However, the oldest road still in use today is the Via Appia in Italy, which runs from Rome to Brindisi. Built in 312 BCE, this ancient road still has cobblestones and numerous potholes. Known as the first and most famous of Roman roads, the Appian Way (or Via Appia in Latin) connects Rome to Campania and southern Italy. The construction of the Appian Way began in 312 BCE under the direction of the Roman censor Appius Claudius Caecus. Initially, it stretched for 132 miles (212 km) southward from Rome to the ancient city of Capua in Campania. By 244 BCE, it was extended an additional 230 miles (370 km) to the port of Brundisium (modern-day Brindisi), located on the southeastern coast of Italy, along the Adriatic Sea.

The Appian Way was celebrated by Roman poets such as Horace and Statius, who referred to it as the longarum regina viarum, or “queen of long roads.” It served as the primary route to the southeastern ports of Italy, linking Rome to Greece and the eastern Mediterranean. The road was so crucial that during the Roman Empire, it was managed by a high-ranking magistrate. The Appian Way was paved with large stone blocks, covered with a layer of lime mortar, and topped with closely fitted basalt stones, creating a durable and smooth surface. The first few miles of the road outside Rome were lined with impressive monuments, and throughout its length, the road was marked with significant events and inscriptions that highlight its historical importance.

The Pan-American Highway stretches over approximately 48,000 km, crossing through the highest points in Central America. It is a vast network of roads that passes through 14 countries: the USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. As such, it traverses a variety of climates and landscapes, from high plains and mountain ranges to dry deserts and tropical rainforests. According to the Guinness World Records, the Pan-American Highway holds the title as the longest highway in the world. However, driving the entire length is no easy feat, as the route is interrupted by the infamous 100 km Darien Gap, a stretch of impassable jungle between Central and South America. As the world’s longest road, it connects two continents—North and South America—and is roughly the same length as the circumference of the Earth.

Throughout its journey, the Pan-American Highway passes through some of the most dangerous terrains on the planet. It weaves through deserts, evergreen forests, tropical rainforests, rocky mountains, volcanic fields, the Arctic tundra, and crosses the mighty Amazon River. With inconsistent road conditions and no universal signposting system, parts of the highway can only be navigated during dry seasons. One of the highway's most perilous sections is the “Summit of Death,” located at 3,335 meters above sea level. Along its route, the Pan-American Highway also passes through three key landmarks. The first is Lima, Peru, known as the driest city in the world, where it rarely sees any rainfall. Despite this, the city enjoys mild temperatures year-round, with highs of just 31°C in summer and lows of 13°C in winter, making it quite pleasant.

The Lombard Street is a one-way street located in San Francisco, connecting Russian Hill with Leavenworth Street. It is famously known for its eight hairpin turns, making it one of the most winding roads in the world. The unusual design was originally conceived to reduce the 27% grade of the short road connecting the hilltop to the street below. A straight path would have been too steep for vehicles to ascend. Even more peculiar, the street is only one-way, with cars traveling downhill. The winding section of Lombard Street is only about 400 meters long and is paved with red bricks. Visitors to San Francisco can experience the unique twists and turns while exploring the residential neighborhoods of Lombard Street. The winding road cuts through Cow Hollow and passes by 12 buildings between Broderick Street and Van Ness Avenue, eventually reaching Russian Hill and Telegraph Hill, ending at The Embarcadero. However, the most popular segment for tourists is the one-way section between Russian Hill and Hyde Street, extending to Leavenworth Street.

As you drive or walk along, you’ll witness cars speeding downhill like roller coasters, adding to the thrill. This renowned winding road was designed in 1922 to reduce the steep incline and allow better access, even for people with disabilities. Visitors flock to Lombard Street to experience its sharp curves and admire the charming Victorian-style houses lining the street. The elevated sidewalks are beautifully decorated with small flower gardens, making it a picturesque and popular attraction.

Located in Dunedin, New Zealand, Baldwin Street spans just 350 meters but has a vertical rise of 70 meters. With a gradient of 1 in 2.86, equivalent to an incline of 38.3°, Baldwin Street holds the title of the steepest street in the world (until 2019). Remarkably, the road’s steepness is entirely natural, without any intentional design or modification. Every July since 2002, a charity event is held where over 10,000 round chocolate candies are rolled from the top of the hill, racing down to the bottom. Each candy represents a donation, and the person whose candy reaches the finish line first wins a prize, with all proceeds going to a local charity for the underprivileged and children. Baldwin Street, nestled in a quiet suburb of Dunedin in southern New Zealand, used to be considered the steepest road globally.

Named after William Baldwin, an Otago Provincial Council member and founder of a local newspaper, Baldwin Street was developed by planners from London, England, who were unfamiliar with Dunedin's topography. Rather than adjusting their plans to accommodate the steep hill, the construction teams were allowed to proceed and build the roads as planned. Today, residents of Baldwin Street, and Dunedin in general, take pride in the street’s renowned steepness. Each summer since the mid-1990s, typically in February, a race is held where participants run up and down the slope, attracting over 1,000 competitors annually.