Highways That Test Your Limits
Do you consider yourself an experienced driver? While driving can be an adventure, some highways just push the limits of safety and sanity and challenge even the most ambitious drivers with their treacherous terrain and unpredictable conditions. So, if you're a risk-adverse driver, you'd be wise to take note of these incredibly dangerous highways and do your best to avoid them.
1. North Yungas Road, Bolivia
Do you know that over 200 people lose their lives on North Yungas Road in Bolivia every year? Nicknamed “Death Road,” this perilous route is carved into the steep slopes of the Andes Mountains. With plunging cliffs and unpredictable weather, it remains one of the most dangerous roads in the world.
2. James Dalton Highway, Alaska
The James Dalton Highway in Alaska is a test of survival. Stretching 414 miles through unforgiving terrain, it was built to serve the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Now, it challenges truckers with icy winds and vast isolation. While gas stations exist at specific points, the gaps demand careful planning.
3. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan
The Karakoram Highway, an 810-mile route linking China and Pakistan, soars over 15,000 feet through rugged mountain terrain. Built in the 1970s, it faces constant threats from rockslides, avalanches, and floods. Extreme weather causes frequent closures, making it a perilous journey that only highly experienced drivers should attempt.
4. Ruta 40, Argentina
Stretching over 5,000 kilometers from northern Argentina to the windswept expanses of Patagonia, Ruta 40 is not only one of the longest highways in the world but also one of the most challenging. The highway cuts through remote and varied terrains, from arid plains to icy mountain passes, often with limited roadside services.
5. Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China
Rough roads and frequent landslides make this 1,300-mile route nothing short of an adventure. While it offers jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas, it also demands extreme caution. Avalanches and thick fog can erase visibility in seconds, and some sections collapse without warning. Here, a strong vehicle and steady nerves are survival essentials.
6. Rodovia Regis Bittencourt (BR-116), Brazil
The Rodovia Regis Bittencourt (BR-116) is a 496-kilometer highway connecting Sao Paulo to Curitiba, Brazil. Despite a 5% reduction in fatalities in 2024, it remains one of Brazil's most hazardous roads. However, significant improvements have been made, such as the completion of duplication efforts in 2017.
7. Kabul–Behsud Highway, Afghanistan
The Kabul–Behsud Highway, officially known as National Highway 13 (NH13), connects Kabul to Behsud and traverses Maidan Wardak Province. This 141-kilometer route is notorious for its high danger levels, particularly in the Jalrez and Markazi Behsud districts, earning it the moniker "Death Road."
World's Most Dangerous Roads - Afghanistan: Death Path by Show Me the World
8. Old Highway 101, California
Before modern highways, this route claimed countless lives due to poor visibility and high speeds, earning it the nickname “Slaughter Alley.” Though upgrades have improved safety, it still sees more crashes than drivers would like to admit. With long, desolate stretches and few exits, getting help isn’t always quick.
9. Eyre Highway, Australia
The Eyre Highway stretches 1,040 miles across Australia’s vast Nullarbor Plain, featuring some of the longest, straightest roads in the world, including the famous 90-mile Straight. It has endless straightaways that lull drivers into a trance, and when boredom peaks, a kangaroo or an emu might suddenly appear—especially after dark.
10. Rodovia da Morte, Brazil
Nicknamed the “Highway of Death,” Brazil’s BR-116 is one of the country’s most perilous roads. Lots of fatal crashes occur yearly due to poor infrastructure, reckless driving, and overloaded trucks dominating the lanes. Many sections also have portholes, adding to the chaos.
MARCO AURÉLIO ESPARZ… on Wikimedia
11. Highway 1, Florida
Did you know this is the deadliest road in the United States? Florida’s Highway 1 may offer stunning coastal views but ranks highest in fatal accidents. Heavy tourist traffic and sudden weather changes, including hurricanes, create a perfect storm of danger. Staying alert and following speed limits can make all the difference.
12. Highway 63, Canada
Highway 63 is a nerve-wracking route leading to Alberta’s oil sands. With heavy truck traffic and impatient drivers attempting risky passes, fatal crashes are all too common. Efforts to twin the highway have helped, but winter still turns it into a frozen battleground.
13. M25 Junction 10, UK
As one of the UK’s busiest junctions, it’s notorious for severe congestion and nerve-wracking merges. Poor lane discipline turns every exit into a battle for position, while high speeds increase the risk of multi-car pileups. Add in unpredictable weather, and it’s no surprise this stretch sees frequent collisions.
Oast House Archive on Wikimedia
14. Interstate 5, California
Interstate 5 isn’t just California’s backbone; it’s also one of its most unpredictable highways. Stretching the entire state, it throws everything at drivers: heavy congestion and sudden weather shifts. The infamous Grapevine section tests even seasoned drivers with its steep grades, while snow and landslides can turn a routine trip into a nerve-wracking ordeal.
15. A360 Lena Highway, Russia
Also known as the “Amur-Yakutsk Highway,” this 1,235-kilometer road traverses Siberia's remote regions. Historically unpaved, it becomes a muddy quagmire, swallowing vehicles whole during summer rains. While recent paving efforts have improved conditions, challenges like extreme weather persist.
16. Commonwealth Avenue, Philippines
Referred to as the “Killer Highway,” this urban stretch in Manila sees lots of accidents yearly. Uncontrolled intersections, reckless motorcyclists, and jaywalking pedestrians turn every commute into a high-stakes challenge. Despite efforts to improve traffic control, congestion remains a daily nightmare.
17. Highway 99, Canada
Twisting roads and frequent head-on collisions make British Columbia’s Highway 99 one of the most dangerous routes in Canada. Fog and heavy rain often reduce visibility, and reckless overtaking turns every curve into a gamble. In winter, icy patches add to the peril, making the highway a year-round challenge for drivers.
Vince Alongi from Delta, B.C., Canada on Wikimedia
18. California State Route 17, USA
Have you ever driven a road that feels more like a rollercoaster without the safety harness? That’s California State Route 17, a twisting, turning thrill ride through the Santa Cruz Mountains. Sharp curves and relentless commuter traffic make every trip an adventure. Add in rain and fog, and the challenge only grows.
19. Grand Trunk Road, South Asia
To drive on this road, you need nerves of steel and a sharp eye for unpredictability. The Grand Trunk Road, one of Asia’s oldest and busiest highways, stretches across multiple countries, carrying everything from trucks and buses to bicycles and livestock. Heavy congestion and a chaotic mix of vehicle types make accidents almost inevitable.
20. Kabul–Jalalabad Road, Afghanistan
This 152-kilometer stretch connects Kabul to Jalalabad and is known for its tight lanes, sharp curves, and steep cliffs. Running parallel to the Kabul River, the road's perilous conditions have earned it a reputation as one of the world's most dangerous highways.
