Pan-American Highway
Photo: Created by en:User:Seaweege and released to PD, Copyrighted free use via Wikimedia Commons
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 listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest motorable road in the world. While the Pan-American Highway doesn't have a route through the U.S. and Canada, some people start in Alaska and drive/bike to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost tip of South America. It is necessary to bypass the Darién Gap between Panama and Colombia by ferry, however.
UnderstandThe Pan-American Highway is about 19,000 miles (30,000 km) long depending on the route you take. There are many options in the United States, Canada, and Mexico because of the large area and number of roads.
PrepareThe Pan-American 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, and in many regions driving is occasionally…
TalkMost of the route passes through Spanish-speaking countries and thus you should definitely make an effort to learn some Spanish.
Get aroundThere are several modes of travel that are used on the Pan-American Highway.
RouteBecause the route of the Pan-American Highway essentially consists of a number of other famous driving routes (such as the Alaska Highway and the Inter-American Highway) in succession, more detailed planning should be…
North AmericaThe original Inter-American (Pan-American) Highway begins in Yaviza, Panama and goes up north through Central America and Mexico and ends at the US border in Laredo, Texas.
Central AmericaThe Pan-American Highway is well defined through Central America and runs continuously from the Mexican border at La Mesilla, Guatemala to Yaviza, Panama in the Darien Gap as a singular route.
South AmericaThe Pan-American Highway officially begins in Turbo, Colombia (nearest to the Darien Gap) and winds its way down towards Santiago Chile through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Northern Chile.
Stay safeTry to avoid areas where cartels operate, particularly in the Mexican states south of Texas. Follow the advice for the areas you are planning to travel through.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Pan-American Highway" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Created by en:User:Seaweege and released to PD, Copyrighted free use via Wikimedia Commons