Apparently, we need to get our cars over seas, through mountain passes, and across complete wildernesses, so we as a species have built some of the longest, strangest, steepest, and most incredible roads in the world. You may see them as incredible feats of engineering and the unconquerable nature of the human spirit, or you can take this list as proof positive that human beings are naturally insane.
1. Overseas Highway, Florida, United States
Enjoy 6.79 miles of nothing but sea on either side of you as you drive out over a system of 42 bridges to the islands in the Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
2. Atlantic Road, Norway
This dangerous, breathtaking road is considered by some to offer the world’s most beautiful drive. Hop across tiny islands over a system of eight roller-coaster-like bridges, including the “bridge to nowhere,” which at first appears like one’s about to drive off into the ocean.
3. Guoliang Tunnel, China
Considered to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world, this mile-long tunnel through a cliff was reportedly chiseled by only 13 villagers in Huixian, Xinxiang, Henan Province.
4. Trollstigen, Norway
Called the “Troll Ladder,” this 65.8-mile stretch contains 11 hairpin bends, which help you to manage the crazy incline of nine percent and get up to 858 meters above sea level (2,814.96 feet, which is still higher than the world’s highest skyscraper).
5. North Yungas Road, Bolivia
On another one of the most dangerous roads, your trip across the “road of fate” or “death road” will include having a rock cliff on one side and a 2,000-foot drop on the other. Oh, and it’s mostly a one-lane road. “Shouldn’t it have guardrails?” you ask. “Shouldn’t we respect our own mortality?” we answer. Also, there’s severe fog occasionally, making it even more ridiculously treacherous.
6. Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand
Rated as one of the world’s most dangerous roads, the scary, beautiful, narrow, mostly one-way path over the Shotover River outside of Queenstown is a tense drive to an area that gold miners really, really wanted to get to.
7. Stelvio Pass, Italy
Considered by some to be the world’s greatest road, the Passo dello Stelvio allows you to zip and turn along the top of the Alps at 9,045 feet.
8. Trans-Sahara Highway, Africa
Sometimes paved, sometimes not, this 2,796-mile roadway is one of Africa’s most complete border-crossing highways.
9. Hana Highway, Hawaii, United States
Off the coast of Maui is the favorite highway for honeymooners: the Hana Highway, which is known for its rainforests, waterfalls, and unique beaches. It’s the ideal spot for a tropical road trip.
10. Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel, Virginia
Alternating between a couple not-so-scenic tunnels and way-too-scenic bridges, this was considered to be a huge engineering feat when it was originally constructed in the 1960s.