Ella Walter
The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina, covering around 30,000 miles. It is the world's longest motorable road according to the Guinness World Records, although it is not possible to drive the entire route due to the 100-mile Darién Gap between Central and South America. The official section of the highway runs from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, but there are many unofficial sections to the north and south of this route. The Pan-American Highway passes through 14 countries, and many people have travelled its full length, either by car, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total distance | 30,000 miles (48,000 kilometres) according to Guinness World Records; another source states 19,000 miles |
| Number of countries it passes through | 14 |
| Number of people who have travelled the full highway | Hundreds per year; one source mentions a Facebook group with tens of thousands of members |
| Means of travel | Motorbike, bicycle, 4x4, van, sedan, walking |
| Time taken | 741 days (Loren Upton and Patty Mercier); 2,425 days (George Meegan) |
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What You'll Learn
The Pan-American Highway is around 30,000 miles long
The Pan-American Highway is a vast network of roads stretching about 30,000 kilometres (19,000 miles) from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in the northernmost part of North America, to Ushuaia, Argentina, at the southern tip of South America. The highway officially begins at the U.S.-Mexico border in Nuevo Laredo and runs south, connecting 14 countries, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.
The idea for the Pan-American Highway was proposed in the early 1920s to boost tourism and promote American car sales by encouraging long-distance travel. In 1937, 14 countries signed the Convention of the Pan-American Highway, agreeing to develop their sections of the road to create a continuous route. By the early 1960s, the highway was open for continuous traffic, except for the Darién Gap, a dense rainforest area between Panama and Colombia that remains unconstructed due to environmental and cultural concerns.
The Pan-American Highway offers countless places to visit and experiences along its route. Travellers can explore the Inter-American Highway in Costa Rica, which separates the Santa Rosa National Park and the Guanacaste National Park, home to active volcanoes. In Peru, the highway traverses the central mountain ranges of Cordillera Blanca and Cordillera Huayhuash, offering impressive trekking opportunities. Colombia is known for its welcoming culture, and Argentina's Puna high desert region features unique landscapes, colourful mountains, rock formations, and lagoons.
The highway presents a range of safety considerations, and travellers are advised to seek advice from fellow adventurers. Language can also be a barrier, and a basic understanding of Spanish is recommended for interacting with locals. The Pan-American Highway is a challenging journey, and those who complete it cover almost 19,000 miles, navigating diverse terrains and experiencing the cultures of numerous countries.
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It passes through 14 countries
The Pan-American Highway is a road that stretches across 14 countries, from the northernmost part of North America to the southernmost tip of South America. The highway connects two continents and covers almost 19,000 miles through interconnected highways in North, Central, and South America.
The highway starts in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina. The route passes through the Canadian provinces of Yukon and British Columbia before reaching the United States border. In the US, the highway passes through the state of Alaska and several cities, including Denver, Albuquerque, and Mexico City. The highway then crosses into Mexico, where it follows Mexican Federal Highway 45 to the border with Guatemala.
In Central America, the Pan-American Highway passes through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. The highway also separates two national parks in Costa Rica: the Santa Rosa National Park and the Guanacaste National Park. From Panama, the highway continues into South America, passing through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
The highway follows Peru Highway 1 through Peru and enters the Atacama Desert as it crosses into Chile. In Chile, the highway splits into two parts, with one branch continuing down the Chilean coast to Quellón on Chiloé Island. The official route heads east through the Andes Mountains to Argentina, where it becomes Argentina National Route 7 and continues to Buenos Aires. The final leg of the highway runs from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, passing through Bahía Blanca and Comodoro Rivadavia.
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It is not possible to drive the entire route
The Pan-American Highway is a series of routes that passes through Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama in North America, and Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Argentina in South America. It is the longest motorable road in the world, stretching about 19,000 miles (30,000 km) depending on the route taken.
However, it is not possible to drive the entire route for several reasons. Firstly, there is the issue of the Darien Gap, a stretch of dense jungle and marshland between Panama and Colombia that has never been fully developed due to environmental and cultural concerns. While some travellers have bypassed this gap by ferry or by shipping their vehicles, it remains an obstacle that interrupts the continuity of the highway.
Secondly, not all sections of the highway are paved or easily navigable. Some portions in Central and South America are unpaved or rough, making a 4x4 vehicle the best option for those attempting the journey. Good mechanics and spare parts can be hard to come by in these remote areas, so travellers must be prepared for vehicle breakdowns and carry the necessary equipment and knowledge to fix common issues.
In addition, safety is a concern along the Pan-American Highway. While many travellers have reported positive experiences and helpful locals, there are also reports of bribery attempts and targeted crime. It is important for travellers to be aware of these potential risks and take necessary precautions, such as keeping a low profile and seeking advice from fellow travellers who have completed the journey.
Lastly, the sheer length of the Pan-American Highway makes it a challenging and time-consuming endeavour. With countless places to stop and experiences to be had, travellers must carefully plan their route and allocate sufficient time to complete the trip. For those with limited time or resources, covering the entire 19,000 miles may not be feasible.
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The Darién Gap must be crossed by ferry
The Pan-American Highway is a road that stretches across 14 countries, from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to the southernmost tip of South America in Argentina. The highway is almost 19,000 miles long and is considered the world's longest road. The highway has been open for continuous traffic since the early 1960s, except for a small section called the Darién Gap, located in dense jungle and marshland in Panama and Colombia. This gap is about 99 miles long and has never been fully developed due to concerns raised by environmentalists and Indigenous peoples.
The Darién Gap has been crossed in the past with military support, but it is not a feasible option for most travellers. For many years, the only way to cross the Darién Gap was by air freight, which is expensive, with costs around $1200 for a motorcycle and an additional $300-$400 for the rider. More recently, a ferry service has been introduced from Panama to the Caribbean coast of Colombia, providing a cheaper and more accessible option for travellers. This ferry service is similar to a roll-on/roll-off cross-channel ferry, where motorcycles must be ridden up a gangplank to board the vessel. The crossing takes approximately 18 hours, but travellers should allow extra time for paperwork and customs procedures, which can take up to two days.
The ferry crossing from Panama to Colombia offers a more affordable and convenient alternative to air freight, with costs around $360 for a motorcycle and rider. However, travellers should be prepared for possible delays due to refuelling or customs clearance, as well as potential safety concerns associated with travelling after dark in Colombia. It is recommended to obtain Colombian bike insurance and ensure all necessary paperwork is in order before embarking on the journey.
While the ferry service provides a viable option for crossing the Darién Gap, it is important to consider the potential risks involved. Some travellers have expressed concerns about the security of their vehicles and belongings during the crossing. Port workers are responsible for driving the vehicles onto the ferry, and the contents of the vehicles are accessible to them. While some travellers have not encountered any issues, others have reported incidents of theft and damage. It is essential to weigh the benefits of a more affordable and accessible mode of transportation against the potential risks of theft or vandalism.
In conclusion, the Darién Gap, a 99-mile stretch of swampland and forest between Panama and Colombia, presents a significant challenge for travellers on the Pan-American Highway. While it has been historically crossed by a ferry service, the suspension of this option has led to alternative methods such as air freight or shipping vehicles in containers. The recent introduction of a new ferry service offers a more cost-effective and efficient solution for travellers looking to cross the Darién Gap and complete their journey along the Pan-American Highway.
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The highway passes through many cities and towns
The Pan-American Highway is a network of highways that connects North America and South America, stretching across 14 countries and almost 19,000 miles. The highway begins in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and ends in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world. The route passes through many cities and towns, including Fairbanks and Skagway, Alaska; Lower Post, British Columbia; Denver, Colorado; Mexico City; San Miguel de Allende; Guatemala; Santa Ana, San Salvador, Santa Tecla, Antiguo Cuscatlán, and San Martín, El Salvador; Tegucigalpa, Choluteca, and San Marcos de Colón, Honduras; Somoto, Estelí, Sebaco, Managua, Jinotepe, and Rivas, Nicaragua; Liberia, San José, Cartago, Pérez Zeledón, Palmares, and Neily, Costa Rica; Panama; Cúcuta, Pamplona, Santander, Bucaramanga, Barbosa, Tunja, Ibagué, Armenia, Calarcá, Palmira, and Buga, Colombia; Pasto, Ipiales, and Buenaventura, Colombia; and Buenos Aires, Bahía Blanca, Comodoro Rivadavia, and Quellón, Chile.
The highway also passes through Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil, though specific cities and towns were not mentioned. In Ecuador, the highway crosses the border at the Rumichaca Bridge, and in Peru, it follows Peru Highway 1 through the country's major coastal cities, including Lima. The highway enters Brazil at the border with Chile, and the route through Brazil is not described in detail.
The final leg of the highway runs through Argentina, passing through the cities of Buenos Aires, Bahía Blanca, Comodoro Rivadavia, and Ushuaia. The route also includes a ferry ride across the Straits of Magellan, which connects the Chilean island of Chiloé to the Argentine mainland.
The Pan-American Highway is nearly continuous, but there is one major exception: the Darien Gap. This 60-mile stretch of rainforest and marshland between Panama and Colombia has never been fully developed due to environmental concerns and opposition from Indigenous peoples. Those travelling the length of the highway typically bypass the Darién Gap by boat or plane.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear how many people have travelled the full Pan-American Highway. However, several people have been documented attempting to cross the Darién Gap, the only incomplete stretch of the highway.
The first vehicular crossing of the Darién Gap was made by the Land Rover La Cucaracha Cariñosa and a Jeep of the international Trans-Darién Expedition of 1959–60, which took 136 days.
The first motorcycle crossing of the Darién Gap was by Robert L. Webb in March 1975.
George Meegan walked the entire distance from Tierra del Fuego to Alaska over a period of 2,425 days, becoming the first person to cross the Darién Gap on foot in 1981.
It takes several months to well over a year to cover the entire distance of the Pan-American Highway. Sebastian and Diamond, who drove the route from 2022 to 2024, recommend a bare minimum of one year to complete the Highway, with four months in Mexico and Central America, six months in South America, and two months for car shipping, logistics, and time buffers.
