Let’s be careful out there
People have mixed opinions on driving. Some people wait eagerly to reach the legal driving age in their state so they can finally jump in their cars, roll down the windows, put on some good driving jams and take to the open roads. Maybe they’ll stop at their favorite drive through on the way and pick up a snack that they would only let themselves eat on a trip like this. Or perhaps they’ll round up a few pals and take the road less wandered with their arms dangling out of the window, and the wind lightly hitting their faces as they cruise, with no exact destination. But, some people aren’t such a big fan of driving. Driving for them feels like a death sentence. They tense up when they’re behind the wheel and become anxious when they drive on the highway.
Well, these so-called “scaredy cats,” do have a point. As fun and freeing as driving can be, it can also be dangerous. Even on normal roads, accidents occur. As a driver, it’s important to stay alert at all times and follow traffic rules to avoid getting into an accident. With that being said, it’s impossible to control the state of your surroundings, i.e., other drivers, the road maintenance, and weather conditions. Well, in this list, we’ll cover the most dangerous roads in the world. These roads are not to be taken lightly. They get even NASCAR drivers fearing for their lives. The following roads vary drastically from your average work commute. Some of them pass through high mountains, with roads so narrow that only one car can pass at a time. Some of the roads are so remote, that if you run into a problem, help wouldn’t be able to make it to you for hours, if ever. And some of the roads are so high up in the mountains, that you feel like you’re driving off a cliff. So, check them out, and ask yourself, would you have what it takes to drive up and down these roads? Some of you may be adding these roads to your bucket list, while others, will feel quite grateful that your morning commute doesn’t involve these roads.
Paso de los Libertadores
This road running along the Chile-Argentina border may be one of the most scenic drives in the world, but unfortunately for the driver, he can’t take in the view at all. Rather, it’s vital for his safety and other passengers in the car and on the road that his eyes stay glued to the road at all times. The road climbs over 10,000 feet and winds through the Andes. The portion of the road which is particularly hazardous is called Los Caracoles, which means “the snails.” The reason for its name is that it has 20 hairpin turns.
The road here is not only steep but also swerves a lot. Messing around on Paso de Los Libertadores and not adhering to the reduced speed limit can result in fatalities. If the road doesn’t seem scary enough to you, then you should also know that there are no guardrails in parts of the road. Oh, and have we mentioned the potential here for rockslides and heavy snow? Yep, this is definitely one of the scariest drives in the world.
Fairy Mountain
Pakistan is a stunning country with an extraordinary and magnificent variety of landscapes, including five of the highest mountain peaks in the world. Where there are high mountains, often times, there are dangerous roads accompanying them. Fairy Mountain Road is an unmaintained gravel road that leads to Nanga Parbat mountain.
Don’t be deceived by the road’s glittery name. The road becomes so narrow in the end that you must walk or bike the rest of the way. If you have it as your mission to get to the top of Nanga Parbat mountain, this is the only road that leads to the mountain. Measuring around the same width as one jeep, it was built years ago by the local residents. The only reason for taking the road would be to climb the Nanga Parbat, and even then, I’d say maybe choose another mountain to climb… like K2.
Guoliang
Here you have a tunnel road in Henan Province, China. As you can see, the road is carved along the side of a mountain. The tunnel connects the village of Guoliang to the outside through the Taihang Mountains. It was built by 13 people who lived in a nearby village in 1977, mostly using hammers and chisels.
The creation of the road has turned the nearby village into a tourist attraction. It has also been used as a film location. The road has no railing and looks nothing short of terrifying. On top of the dangers of being built on the side of a mountain, the tunnel itself measures only 15 feet wide and 12 feet high which makes for a completely distressing experience and freaks me out just thinking about it. I think i’ll go elsewhere.
Yunga Road
For a long time, this road had the reputation of being the world’s most dangerous road. Somewhere between 200-300 people have lost their lives on this mountainous route between La Paz, Bolivia, and Coroico, 43 miles away. Unsurprisingly, the road is also called the Death Road. The road, which has no guardrails, isn’t paved. Much of the road has one lane and cliff drops of up to 2,000 feet. The road is especially dangerous during the rainy season from November to March when rain and fog can hamper visibility and water runoff turns the road muddy.
Nowadays, the road isn’t used much anymore thanks to a new highway which is paved and flat. That sounds like a much safer option! With fewer people driving on La Carretera de los Yungas, there are surely less fatalities as well. But, the road does attract a significant number of thrillseekers every year who come for downhill mountain biking. At least 18 cyclists have died over the last 20 years so if you do find yourself driving on the road, drive very slow and carefully.
Zoji La Pass
You know a road is dangerous when it’s off limits during the winter time. Zoji la pass takes two months following winter to be cleared. The high mountain pass is in India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. While the road obviously looks dangerous, what you can’t see is how high the road is which is the real reason for its danger.
It has an elevation of over 11,000 feet. Besides that, the mountain pass is very narrow and has loads of steep drops. The road would be better as a walking trail rather than a road for cars. Simply said, this road isn’t for those with weak stomachs.
Atlantic Road
There’s no doubt that this Norwegian road is surrounded by some stunning scenery. But, with those roller-coaster like dips and curves, it’s a road that only the most adventurous of thrillseekers will want to take on. The most dangerous part of the road are the bridges which are scattered throughout the 8.3 kilometer road.
The road has a total of eight bridges, some of which have pretty steep dips and bends. Take that and combine it with Norway’s severe weather and winter storms, and you’re looking at a pretty petrifying situation.
Kabul-Jalalabad Highway
In 1969, this nice asphalt road was built between two Afghan cities. Since then, the road has not been maintained and has deteriorated, and thus has made it onto our list as one of the most dangerous roads in the world. But, the road isn’t only dangerous because of its poor quality.
Thanks to the road being so narrow, crashes are fairly common whether it’s between two buses that aren’t able to make it past one another or trucks that miss a turn and drive over the side of the cliff accidentally. Definitely one reason for there being so many accidents is the lack of speed limit here. Which quite literally, drives people over the edge.
BR-116
There are many things in Brazil which are beautiful, and this highway is one of them. Also known as the Highway of Death, it runs parallel to the coast and carries on for more than 2,700 miles. It is the busiest and most important highway in the country. Most of the road is paved, which is nice, and offers stunning panoramic views. But, the road is also one of the most dangerous in the world and is jam-packed with nerve-racking obstacles.
A lot of the road has curves and mountainous sections that require 100% complete focus to avoid an accident. But, the dangers of the road doesn’t end just there. Along the merciless route, there is risk of being attacked by gangs and armed bandits. Because many parts of the road are remote, you won’t have much luck getting in touch with the police. Even if you do manage to reach them, it won’t be a while until they make it to you, during which the gang members will already have you under their full control. On top of this, it’s also the worst road in the world for the sexual exploitation of children. So, yea, not your average driving experience.
Stelvio Pass
Lush green and snow peaked mountains alongside one another? The Stelvio Pass is a very scenic mountain pass in northern Italy bordering Switzerland. This road in the Italian Alps is one of the highest roads in Europe with an average elevation of over 9,000 feet. As you can see by the picture, the road has many hairpin turns, 48 to be exact! In some places, the road has a small stone wall as a barrier, but in a lot of parts it doesn’t have anything.
It’s only open during the summer, but even then, it’s possible to meet snowy conditions on the road which of course heighten the danger of the road even more.
Commonwealth Avenue
Up until now we’ve shown you freakishly narrow mountain passes. Commonwealth Avenue departs from that trend. Instead, it’s a rather wide road. By rather wide, we mean eighteen lanes wide! The road can be found in Quezon City, Philippines. It’s a relatively flat road and is also paved, so what makes this road dangerous at all? Well, there is a lot of traffic on the road. On top of this, there isn’t so much regulation or enforcement of traffic laws.
This results in 3-5 accidents every day on just an 8-mile stretch of road. The road also has no streetlights and is susceptible to flooding during the rainy season. In short, things tend to get messy here.
Adriatic Highway
This coastal drive along the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea is absolutely stunning. It is a part of the European route E65 and goes through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
The road winds and has a steep sea drop on one side. In some places, your car is protected by barriers, but in other places, you’re all on your own. In most of the road, there are only two lanes, which makes passing other vehicles nearly impossible.
Karnali Highway
Nepal is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and trekkers paradise. It holds eight of the highest mountains in the world. Even its roads are smack dab in the middle of gorgeous scenery. Unfortunately, many of its roads are also quite dangerous as they aren’t paved and in poor condition. The Karnali Highway is one such road.
This road is so dangerous that it’s illegal to drive on it at night. The best way to travel on the road is in a Jeep because of all the bumps and rocks you pass over. For locals who live near the road, this road often prevents them from getting out of their village and accessing essential items like food and medical care.
Dalton Highway
This Alaskan road is one of the most famous roads in the United States. It’s not only frigid, but it’s also one of the most remote roads in the world. The road begins at Fairbanks and runs north for over 400 miles to Deadhorse. Driving on this road is especially risky for cars. Because the road is actually a truck route, cars may encounter many large vehicles. The road has been featured on Ice Road Truckers.
The road is mostly gravel and very primitive in places. The nearest medical centers are either in Fairbanks or Deadhorse. If you’re planning to take this road, it is advisable to bring survival gear with you because getting stuck here could mean being stranded for long a while.
Ruta Nacional 5
South America is racking up quite the number of dangerous roads on our list! The Ruta nacional 5 runs through Chile for more than 2,000 miles. The road has many hills and valleys. Part of what makes the road so scary are its steep and very sudden drops. But, what’s even more frightening is that the road is mostly surrounded by desert. While you may think to yourself “that sounds beautiful,” it is also what makes this road so dangerous.
Thanks to the road being so unvarying, it often causes drivers to nod off and lose their concentration, which increases the chances of an accident occurring. The road is also known for thick fogs, which doesn’t help the whole danger thing.
Pan-American Highway
The Pan-American Highway is one of the most impressive road networks in the world. It runs for around 19,000 miles through a staggering fifteen countries across North, Central, and South America. It passes through many diverse climates like dense jungles, arid deserts and barren tundra.
There is a 100-mile gap in Panama due to dense rainforest. So what makes this beautiful road so hazardous? Parts of the highway go through uninhabited land with nothing at all for hundreds of miles. It is not recommended to drive through alone, and definitely only recommended for the most well practiced travelers.
Cotopaxi Volcano Road
Cotopaxi Volcano Road is exactly what it sounds like; a road in Ecuador that leads up to an active volcano, Cotopaxi, in the Andes Mountains. The Cotopaxi volcano has erupted more than 50 times since 1738 and numerous valleys have formed surrounding the volcano.
Ecuador is known for having bad roads, but the Cotopaxi Volcano Road is on another level. While that itself is enough to send chills down your spine, that’s not all. The road is unpaved and covered in potholes which are hidden among the dirt road. On top of that, part of the road is a stream which tends to flash flood with even small amounts of rain. Needless to say, the road claims the lives of several tourists annually and you should exercise full precaution should you visit.
Trans-Siberian
Another famous network of highways in the world is the Trans-Siberian highway. The Trans-Siberian runs for almost 7,000 miles from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. Many parts of the road weren’t finished until years after its initial construction.
Although most of the road is now finished and nicely paved, it’s almost impossible to keep the road maintained thanks to its sheer size. Despite millions travelling on this road every year, the road is very dangerous. Because it’s in Siberia, you could run into trouble in the winter if you run out of gas. Parts of the road are in complete desolation.
Sichuan-Tibet Highway
If you can’t handle roller coasters and you’re thinking to drive on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, you might want to rethink your plans. The highway crosses over 14 mountains that have an average elevation of 13,000 feet. The oxygen levels along the highway are only half of what we have at sea level. As you can see in the picture, the road also has 99 switchbacks to get down the Yela Mountain.
If you can handle that, that’s great, but you’ll still need to worry about the landslides which happen on the regular. Oh, and not to mention, there are also some parts of the highway which aren’t paved. So, yea, good luck!
Cat and Fiddle Road
As you can see from the sign, this road in England is not to be taken lightly. The road is nicknamed “the widow maker,” because it turns spouses into widows. It has a very high incidence of fatal accidents due to its many sharp turns. Motorcyclists who are thirsty for adventure see these turns as a reason to bring their bikes out to the open road. But, because the road is in the countryside, other members are also encouraged to come hang out in the road, livestock. This poses an additional danger. Cows and sheep like to wander out into the middle of the road frequently.
So, if you’re planning to drive out to this road any time soon, be sure to watch out for speedy motorcyclists and cows who are just chilling, grazing, and are completely unaware of their surroundings. In order to manage the danger, safety measures have been taken, like lowering the speed limit.
Skippers Canyon Road
If you don’t trust a road that was hand carved 140 years ago, then don’t come to Skipper Canyon Road on New Zealand’s South Island. The road is so narrow that if you come up against a car coming in the opposite direction, one of you will have to reverse until there’s a wider place to pass.
This could lead to you reversing for up to two miles on an unpaved road with no barriers. And even worse than this, if you get into an accident on this road and you’re in a rental car, the rental car insurance might not cover the damage done.
Bayburt Of Yolu
Located in Turkey’s Trabzon province, you’ll find the Bayburt of Yolu road. The road is surrounded by a steep drop of hundreds of feet. While most people would be scared off from that alone, that’s not the only reason to make you turn your car around the other way (if you’re able to).
The road is extremely narrow and has a lot of sharp curves. Plus, it’s a gravel road. The worst is that the gravel on the road is loose and you can feel the rocks falling down from beneath your car while you drive. Definitely not the way you want to feel when you’re that high up. Even an expert driver needs to take major precaution.
Furka Pass
The Furka Pass is a high mountain pass in the Swiss Alps. While it is a paved wide road, it has a large number of switchbacks and hairpin turns, which will make even the biggest roller coaster enthusiast dizzy.
When you combine that with the fact that you’re driving on the side of cliffs plus the fact that you’ll have to drive up and down steep gradients, you can imagine why this road is so challenging. And if you’re thinking about driving this road in the winter, you better rethink that idea.
Oh-My-God Road
This trail in Colorado might offer you some stunning scenery, but it will definitely have you saying “Oh my god” while driving through it. The 8.46 mile road is a two-way road, but it doesn’t fit much more than a car and three quarters. So, passing anybody on this road can result in an accident. The road has no guard rails and washed out shoulders not to mention it has incredibly steep cliffs.
The road is also poorly maintained during the winter so it’s not recommended to drive on it unless you’re in a 4WD vehicle and you’re an experienced driver. Formerly, the road was used as a main passageway between mining camps. These days, it’s simply reserved for those amongst us who are daring enough and in seek of an exhilarating and rustic driving experience.
Col du Chaussy
You can’t have a grand mountain region like the Alps without also having some dangerous roads in it well. The Col du Chassy is a high mountain pass in France which is at an elevation of 5,029 feet. It is one of the most stunning drives in the world. It’s also one of the most amazing examples of mountainside engineering. It has 17 hairpin turns, which allow the road to climb a cliff face. This is about the last place you want your breaks to stop working.
The road is a type of balcony road. If you have a fear of heights, this is one road you’ll definitely want to avoid. The slope is around 7-8% most of the way, but looking at the view can make your stomach turn, although the view is unbeatable and you may just want to peek.
Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road
The Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road can be found in the Hunan Province in China. Like its name suggests, it is in the Tianmen Mountain National Park. The road climbs up 3,600 feet for over 6 miles. If you have the courage to make it up to the top, you will be rewarded with a priceless view and a natural rock arch.
And if you don’t have what it takes, then you’re also in luck! There is a cable car which goes up the mountain and allows you to avoid tackling the scary road on your own.
Gorges du Dadès
There’s no denying that the higher you go up a mountain, the prettier the views become. There is a very scenic drive in Morocco which culminates in the Dades Gorge. Of course, the views here are stunning, but they aren’t 100% priceless, as the drive is risky and can come with a price.
While the roads are fortunately paved, there isn’t so much space between your car and the side of the mountain. Moroccan drivers don’t exactly have the reputation for being the safest drivers. So, if you’re not an experienced driver, you’ll want to let somebody else take the wheel.
Amalfi Coast Highway
The Amalfi coast brings millions of visitors to its coast every year and it’s no surprise why; it is one of the best coastal drives in the world. The popular Italian coastal route which runs from Sorrento to Salerno for 30 miles offers beautiful views of the ocean the entire way.
The road is on our list because of its many hairpins, zigzags, and lack of stable railings. The road is very winding and narrow and can be dangerous if you don’t drive safely on it.
Leh-Manali Highway
The Leh-Manali Highway is one of the highest highways in the world. It has an average elevation of 17,000 feet and serves as the connection between the Indian cities of Leh and Manali. Fortunately for drivers on the road, the road is well-maintained because it is important to the Indian army. So, what makes this road so dangerous? It’s open only during the summer months because in the winter it’s not possible to pass through it.
Buses and trucks are able to travel at a reduced speed of 15 mph on the road because of its narrowness and difficulty to navigate in some places. And if you get sick in high elevation, then this is one road you’ll want to avoid as its high elevation can cause people to feel sick.
Colorado 550
Where there is great beauty and mountains, also comes dangerous roads. The road, which is also called the “Million Dollar Highway” is a north-south route that runs through the state of Colorado. Apparently, the road cost a million dollars per mile to build because it runs through the mountains.
The weather on this road is very questionable and can change fast, going from clear skies to storms in a moment’s notice. There are also areas in the road which have a steep drop-off and no rail. So basically, if you’re planning to drive on the road, you must pay attention at all times or you can forget about being able to carry on with your trip.
Karakoram Highway
Also referred to as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, the Karakoram Highway is anything but friendly. It is full of hazards: landslides, avalanches, floods, animals herds, boarder-less cliffs and, of course, reckless drivers who make matters just that more treacherous. This dangerous road spans more than 810 miles (1,300 kilometers), cutting through the most mountainous region in the world.
Many consider the Karakoram Highway to be the Eighth Wonder of the World because of its marvelous construction under unimaginably rough conditions. At its peak it reaches as high as 15,000 ft. (4572 m) above sea level, making it one of the highest paved roads in the world.
Road to Heaven
China sure has its share of dangerous roads, and the the Road to Heaven, located in south-western China, is one of them. Because for those who aren't extremely cautious, it is in fact, one of the quickest ways to get to heaven. This cliff-side, nerve-wrecking road, is carved into the side of a steep mountain with overpasses constructed hundreds of feet in the air, with 45 hairpin turns and several astonishingly steep bends.
But on the bright side, if you get too frightened, just take a look at the surrounding luscious greenery, you'll cam right down. Just don't keep you eyes off the road.
A44, England
The A44 is one of the major roads in the UK that spans from Oxford in southern England to Aberystwyth in west Wales.
While this road may not seem as dangerous as some of the previous roads we've mentioned; for some odd reason, the A44 has been responsible for so many fatal head-on collisions that eventually the government action was taken and countermeasures were implemented.
Trollstigen, Norway
Trollstigen, also known as “the Troll Ladder" by the locals, is an engineering masterpiece in the midst of blissful natural landscape, which is why it's become the country's most visited tourist road. It may seem like an absolute joy to drive along, but beware, its plague with 11 magnificent hairpin turns, each bend even has its own name.
If you ever take this road you'll notice that some of its parts are actually carved into the mountain itself and in other places, it built in stone. Historically, Trollstigen used to be an famous transport passage between the villages Valldal in Indre Sunnmøre and Åndalsnes in Romsdalen.
Cetinje - Kotor road, Montenegro
Located on the coast of Montenegro, Cetinje is an historic road connecting the old city, Kotor, with the small city Cetinje, from which you can enjoy the spectacular view of Kotor bay along the way. As beautiful as it sounds, this road is famous for being one of the most hairpinned roads in the world. This curvy and mountainous road rarely permits you to go over 18 mph (30km/h). The most infamous part of the road is the Kotor Serpentine, a short 5 mile (8.3km) stretch with 16 hairpin turns. Usually when travelers remark about the danger of the roads in Montenegro, they're often referring to Cetinje.
To make matters even more worrying, this road isn't in the best condition and requires strong nerves to negotiate it. Some days there are lanes for passing, but then other days, rock falls and get in the way, but at least there's the gorgeous coastal view, just don;t get too distracted, as often impatient local drivers make hunk at you to hurry it up. Enjoy, but be cautious.
Killar to Pangi Road (via Kishtwar), India
This hair-raising road should only be taken by experienced drivers who have nerves of steel. This rocky, road is about 100 miles long, with a 6-mile stretch that's particularly hazardous; as it looks as if you could fall off the roadway at any moment. You must be very patient as well if you choose this route, it's only wide enough for one jeep at a time to pass, and with no guardrails in sight, this dirt and gravel road is unstable in many parts.
The Highway road was built hundreds of years ago by locals and has not been maintained over the decades. One wrong move by a driver could send a vehicle down a vertical fall of 2,000 feet. This road is so frightening, that it’s even nerve wrecking to watch videos of people driving over it.
Carretera Federal 1 (Highway 1), Mexico
Highway 1, stretches 1,063 miles (1,711 km), along the Baja California Peninsula, from Cabo San Lucas in the south to Tijuana in the north. While some parts of the road are paved with asphalt, most of its barriers offer little more than token protection, as a result, large stretches should be taken at a snail's pace. As there are many blind corners and drivers should always be alert for vehicles coming from the opposite direction.
Because of the lack of shoulders, road signs, and the fact that there are so many blind corners, accidents are common and, in many areas, you can see guardrails that are split open where previous drivers have missed their turns and met their doom.
Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, Kenya
The Nairobi-Nakuru highway's 99 mile (159 km) stretch is notorious for being the most dangerous road in the country. The got it's infamous reputation mainly because its local driver's. Speeding, poor overtaking skills, and drunk driving (which is pretty common to see), are common, and if that wasn't bad enough, there hardly any traffic law enforcement in sight. Those factors, along with pedestrians and animals wandering into the road makes this highway one dangerous place to be, in fact, in one year alone, 320 people were killed on it.
While defensive driving lessons could make this road a bit safer, it's still quite risky. It was recently repaved in effort to lessen road traffic accidents, but sadly this still hasn't helped much. At least the Kenyan Government has recently begun to crack down on drunk drivers which is a major part of the problems s well.
Transfagarasan Road, Romania
In the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, and at an altitude of up to 6,000 feet, this highway is a shortcut between Transylvania and Walachia, and as is known to be one of the most difficult and dangerous in the world. This iconic highway has even been referenced in the television show Top Gear.
Drivers should be extremely cautious because not only is the oxygen much more rare on such a high altitude, but the road also drops so suddenly from the hill, you may feel as though you’re on a rollercoaster ride. Driving can very tricky since you can’t hit your breaks too suddenly since you never know if someone is coming up right behind you.
Highway 1, Florida, U.S.A.
The Overseas Highway is one of the most beautiful scenic drives you can take. It's southernmost leg of U.S. 1 is in Florida- it runs through Central Florida along the east coast, through 13 counties, stretching 545 miles. It's mostly over water, so you can enjoy the beautiful ocean scenery and of course, the incredible sunrises and sunsets.
In 2017 Highway 1 in Florida was ranked the most dangerous road in the U.S.. In the last 10 years alone 1,079 people have died from traffic fatalities on the road, compared to 40 in the last 10 years on Rhode Island's section of the I-95.
Le Passage du Gois, France
Le Passage du Gois is probably the most unique road on this list. This road actually disappears! Located on the Atlantic coast of France, the road connects the island Île de Noirmoutier with the mainland, whenever ocean tide rises, the road is covered with 13 feet (4 m) of water. People can only use the road few a hours a day, so for most of the day the road is completely useless.
While that sounds pretty cool, it also very dangerous. I mean, imagine getting caught on the road exactly when the tide is rising. In fact, the government has thought of that too, and elevated rescue towers built so that people can climb them and wait to be rescued if they get caught between the tides. One thing's for certain, if you plan to to take the fascinating Passage du Gois, it's best to have the tide times right. Fun fact: the name “Gois” comes from the verb goiser which means to walk while wetting one’s shoes in French .
Patiopoulo-Perdikaki Road, Greece
The Patiopoulo-Perdikaki Road in Greece is a very narrow road, lacking guardrails, filled with potholes, and is very slippery, especially in rainy weather. Unlike most of the roads here, it's hard to recommend you attempt this road if you are visiting Greece, as it's not exactly a fun drive, and has humbled many egos. So, unless you’re up for a challenge, your best bet is to take a different route or walk.
The surface of Patiopoulo-Perdikaki is gravel, and with all of its twists and turns, plummeting off the edge is not a rare occurrence. To make matters even worse, this area region is prone to heavy mist and fog so the visibility isn't on the drivers side either. Please do not look down at your phone.
U.S. Route 431, Alabama, U.S.A.
Route 431, also known as the “Highway to Hell,” has made Alabama is one of the most dangerous states for drivers. Proof to the fact are the dozens of crosses and other memorials that decorate the roadsides that'll surely sit heavy with you.
Route 431 is plagued by safety hazards including poor visibility and sudden 2-4 lane changes, that, along with speeding and tired drivers make a cocktail for disaster. The state has been working hard to make the road safer for motorists, by widening dangerous stretches and increasing road patrols.
The Barton Highway, Australia
Located in the Down Under, Barton Highway is a relatively short highway in Canberra, in the New South Wales. It connects the capital to the Hume Highway at Yass, and it is also part of the route from Melbourne to Canberra. Despite it's relativity short stretch, it's widely recognized as the worst highway in Australia, especially when it comes to getting people to their destinations safely.
In 2015, road statistics revealed more than 300 casualty crashes occurred on this deadly highway.
Luxor-al-Hurghada Road, Egypt
This road links the ancient city of Luxor in southern Egypt with Hurghada. The Luxor-al-Hurghada Road is another interesting road, because while some of the other roads are dangerous for their risky construction, the weather in the region or other natural reasons, none of those are the case for this road. The driver on the Luxor-al-Hurghada Road have a very different reason to be cautious.
After dark, many local people turn off their headlights due to frequent attacks from bandits in the area. So instead of being visible, they chose to drive in the dark. Needless to say, this road is extremely dangerous with many head-on collisions and fatal accidents.
Halsema Highway, Philippines
Our second Philippine dangerous road is the Halsema Highway, the popular tourist destination of Sagada. This road highly prone to landslides and is generally poorly maintained. The unpaved roads and the lack of safety guard railing only adds to its deadly reputation. Every year one or two buses roll over its edges.
To make matters worse, the Halsema road is often heavily covered with fog during rainy season, making for poor visibility.
Pasubio, Italy
Otherwise known as ‘Strada delle 52 Gallerie’ in Italian (‘Road of 52 Tunnels’) located on the massif Pasubio in Veneto, Italy. With its sheer drops, many tight, hair-pin bends, and deep canyons, it was strategically built during World War I to be protected from Austro-Hungarian artillery fire.
As you have probably already guessed by the name, this road boasts 52 spectacular carved tunnels, all of which seem to plunge into deep darkness only to then flood you with light and a mesmerizing view once you're get to the other side. The tunnels on the Pasubio all vary in size and length, with the longest one measuring a whopping 984 ft. (300 m). So if you can handle the uncomfortable height of it, you’ll surely be blown away by how gorgeous the surrounding mountains are. Driving on this treacherous road can be so challenging, that parts of it have been restricted for vehicular access. But this doesn't stop cyclists from risking their lives on it.
Taroko Gorge Road, Taiwan
The word gorge means “magnificent and beautiful” in the local Truku language, and the scenery around the Taroko Gorge Road stays true to its name. But be careful not to get lost in the hypnotizing view, as there are many blind bends, sharp turns and narrow paths that go through the cliffs and mountains, that can lead right off the edge if you're not fully concentrated. Taiwanese guidebooks even boast that its construction alone took 450 lives.
Although the Taroko Gorge Road is known as one of the most treacherous roads in Taiwan (and the world), that doesn't seem to stop thousands of tourists from all over globe from making it one of their stops. The problem is, the high volume of visitors in this area means that there are plenty of vehicles and pedestrians on the road, so drive with caution.
Canning Stock Route, Australia
Unlike the previous roads, this one doesn’t exactly offer much for the eyes. There's dust, hardly any road signs, dangerous bends, and did we mention dust? This 1,150-mile-long track located in Western Australia is the world’s most remote road, and you’ll need approximately three weeks to drive it from start to finish.
Doing this road trip during the summer months is nearly impossible due to the scorching heat, and drivers are advised to travel in multi-vehicle convoys. The road isn't maintained either, which isn't ideal for your tires, so drivers are urged to pack plenty of food and drink but also spare parts.
Tizi-n-Test, Morocco
A very narrow, curvy road stuck to the side of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, the Tizi-n-Test was literally blasted out of the rocks in the 1920s and officially became the first modern road link between Marrakech and the Souss plains. This road is only one car wide in many places, and is full of very steep drops, which should avoided for those who suffer from vertigo. local drivers are known to pass by at frightening speeds, ignoring the road rules followed in other parts of the world. The lack of safety barriers means it should only be attempt to drive here in daylight. During the winter landslides and avalanches are pretty common so take that into consideration as well.
On the plus side, you’ll enjoy the amazing scenery of the Atlas mountains, the gorges of Moulay Brahim, and the Souss Valley. Which is actually one of the biggest dangers- trying to fight the temptation of looking at the view.