Tillie Doyle
The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching across the Americas, covering about 30,000 to 48,000 kilometres. It passes through diverse climates and ecological types, from dense jungles to arid deserts and barren tundra. The highway is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest motorable road in the world.
While the highway is an extremely popular route for overlanding, there are some safety concerns. The highway passes through several countries with dangerous cartel activity, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. There are also road hazards, such as potholes, severe speed bumps, and police and military roadblocks.
Additionally, there is a 100-kilometre gap in the highway between Panama and Colombia, known as the Darien Gap, which is a stretch of rugged, mountainous jungle terrain. This gap presents a significant logistical challenge for those wishing to drive the entire length of the highway, as vehicles must be shipped between the two countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | 30,000-48,000 kilometres |
| Route | Passes through Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina |
| Safety | Some areas are fully passable only during the dry season. There are dangers such as wild animals, forests, swamps, and criminals. |
| Notable Hazards | Cartels, wild animals, poor road conditions, police and military roadblocks |
What You'll Learn
Crime and violence
One of the most significant dangers is posed by drug cartels operating in the region. In Mexico, for example, travellers have been warned of the risk of rape, kidnap, and murder by drug cartels. It is advised to avoid areas where cartels are known to operate and to follow local advice. Additionally, police and military roadblocks are a common sight in Mexico, with officers wearing riot gear and carrying assault rifles. While travellers are usually waved through these checkpoints without issue, it can be a daunting experience.
The Pan-American Highway also passes through areas with a history of political instability and unrest, which can increase the risk of violent crime and civil unrest. This includes protests and roadblocks, which have the potential to turn violent. In 2023, for instance, an American citizen was arrested in Panama after shooting and killing two environmental protesters blocking the highway. The incident occurred during a period of protests over a mining contract, which had caused up to $80 million in daily losses for businesses and had shuttered schools nationwide.
Another area of concern is the Darien Gap, a 100-mile stretch of jungle and swampland between Panama and Colombia that is not traversed by the highway. Travellers crossing this section by boat or plane are at risk of banditry, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities. It is crucial to research and choose reputable transportation providers when crossing the Darién Gap.
In addition to these more extreme examples of crime and violence, travellers on the Pan-American Highway should also be vigilant against theft and robbery. This is especially important in remote and isolated areas where access to cash and financial services may be limited. It is recommended to keep a low profile and avoid displaying valuable items or large amounts of cash.
Lastly, language barriers can also contribute to feelings of unsafety. Not being able to communicate effectively with locals or seek assistance in an emergency can be challenging and increase one's vulnerability. Learning basic phrases in the local language and carrying translation apps or dictionaries can help mitigate this risk.
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Dangerous road conditions
The Pan-American Highway is a challenging and dangerous road to drive on. The highway, which is approximately 30,000 kilometres (19,000 mi) long, passes through diverse climates and ecological types, from dense jungles to arid deserts, and some areas are only passable during the dry season. The highway's poor road coverage, with certain sections lacking a road surface, makes driving difficult and hazardous.
The section of the highway that passes through Costa Rica is particularly dangerous. This stretch of the highway leads to beautiful tropical forests and is the only way to reach these scenic spots. However, the road is in poor condition, with frequent floods and landslides causing destruction. The road is extremely narrow in the mountains, and large stones can be seen crumbling from the unfenced road slopes.
Another challenging aspect of driving on the Pan-American Highway is navigating through areas where cartels operate. There have been warnings of rape, kidnap, and murder in certain areas, particularly along the border regions. It is advisable to stay vigilant and follow the advice and recommendations for the specific area one is travelling through.
In addition, the highway passes through areas with wild animals, forests, and swamps, which can pose risks to drivers. The landscape truly tests drivers' skills as they navigate through mountains, jungles, deserts, and glaciers. Some sections of the highway are also known for having steep drop-offs, livestock on the road, and impassable sections during the wet season.
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Shipping your vehicle
There are several ways to ship your vehicle across the Darien Gap:
- RORO (Roll On/Roll Off)
- Container
- LOLO (Lift On/Lift Off)
RORO is the most common method of shipping a vehicle. You will need to hand over your keys to the port staff, and your vehicle will be left unattended. This method is cheaper but comes with a higher risk of theft.
Container shipping is more secure. You can drive your vehicle into a sealed container and keep the keys with you. However, this method is more expensive, and you will need to find a shipping partner to share a container with to split the cost.
LOLO shipping involves loading and unloading your vehicle using a crane. This method is typically used for vehicles that cannot be driven or rolled on and off the ship, such as those with mechanical issues.
The cost of shipping your vehicle will depend on its size and the method of shipping you choose. It typically costs between $1000 and a few thousand dollars.
It is important to note that passengers are not allowed on the ship. You will need to arrange alternative transportation, such as a flight, to Colombia while your vehicle is being shipped. Once your vehicle arrives, you will need to go to the dock in Cartagena and complete the necessary paperwork. This process can take a couple of days.
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Border crossings
The Pan-American Highway crosses through many diverse climates and ecological types, from dense jungles to arid deserts and barren tundra. Some areas are only passable during the dry season. There is no official authority for its composition, but it extends from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, in the north, to the southern cities of Puerto Montt and Quellón in Chile, and Ushuaia in Argentina.
The highway passes through the following countries:
- Canada
- United States
- Mexico
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Costa Rica
- Panama
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Chile
- Argentina
The Pan-American Highway is interrupted between Panama and Colombia by a 100-kilometre (60-mile) stretch of marshland known as the Darien Gap. There is no road connecting Central America and South America on this stretch, so travellers will have to ship their car from Panama to Colombia. This section is called the Darien Gap and is an impassable section of dangerous jungle.
- Make copies of car registration, passports, driver’s licences, and any other important documents before tucking them away somewhere safe. Also, make sure to scan and keep a backup online.
- Apply for an extra licence before leaving.
- Join the Pan-American Travellers Association Facebook Group. This is a public group with thousands of members who are travelling the Pan-American Highway and can offer advice and tips.
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Insurance
The Pan-American Highway is a challenging adventure and one of the biggest in the world. It is a network of roads covering almost 30,000 kilometres (19,000 miles) from North America to South America, making it the longest road on Earth. The highway passes through 14 countries, including Canada, the US, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
The Pan-American Highway is not often travelled in its entirety, as there are many branches and detours. The highway passes through many diverse climates and ecological types, from dense jungles to arid deserts, some of which are passable only during the dry season. The landscape truly tests drivers' skills as the road runs through mountains, jungles, deserts, and glaciers.
There are many dangers and risks involved in travelling the Pan-American Highway, including wild animals, forests, swamps, landslides, steep drop-offs, livestock on the road, and impassable sections during the wet season. Due to extreme winters, it is advisable to avoid the extreme North and South ends of the journey during winter. There may also be dangerous criminals hiding in the forests or swamps, and it is important to try to avoid areas where cartels operate and follow local advice.
In terms of insurance, it is a requirement in some countries along the Pan-American Highway. In North America, the countries requiring car insurance are Canada, the US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Panama. In South America, the countries requiring car insurance are Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina. In the US, Mexico, and Chile, insurance can be purchased online, but most of the time it can be bought at the border. Peru is the only country where insurance must be bought in the nearest town after crossing the border.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pan-American Highway is a network of roads stretching across the Americas, from Alaska to Argentina. It passes through diverse climates and ecological types, from dense jungles to arid deserts and barren tundra. Some areas are only passable during the dry season. While there are no official safety warnings, travellers should be aware of the dangers posed by wild animals, forests, swamps, and the presence of dangerous criminals, including drug cartels. It is also important to note that there is a break in the highway between Colombia and Panama, known as the Darien Gap, which is a swampy area used by drug cartels and paramilitary groups. This gap can be bypassed by ferry.
It is recommended to follow the advice for the specific area you are in and to avoid areas where cartels operate. It is also important to be aware of your surroundings, especially when crossing borders. Arrive at borders early in the morning to avoid long lines, and do not wait at the border after dark due to safety concerns. Additionally, only seek advice from people inside official offices or uniformed police officers, as locals may try to take advantage of you by offering help with paperwork for a fee.
Travellers have reported warnings of rape, kidnap, and murder, especially in areas along the border. There are also reports of dangerous driving conditions, including potholes, speed bumps, construction, and a variety of road hazards such as donkeys painted as zebras, children playing on the road, and broken-down vehicles. However, tens of thousands of people drive through Mexico each year without experiencing major safety incidents.
