Driving is inherently dangerous, but when done right it's the most freeing form of transportation on Earth. But roads are another matter.
Here are 20 of the world's most dangerous roads that make I-5 just a little more bearable.
1
Keylong Kishtwar Road, India
This skinny dirt road through high mountain passes is pretty self explanatory.
2
James Dalton Highway, Alaska
This arctic highway links Fairbanks to the town of Deadhorse. It’s only paved for a third of the distance, and although navigated regularly by truckers, it’s so isolated that a breakdown can be life threatening.
3
Ibarska Magistrala, Serbia
Known as the “Black Highway,” this busy road connects cities in Serbia to each other and a few nearby nations. Long straights with sharp corners make it particularly dangerous, especially at night.
4
Khardungla Pass, India
With an altitude of over 18,000 feet, this pass in India is the highest drivable road in the world. That makes it especially icy, windy, and dangerous.
5
Fairy Meadows Road, Pakistan
Along the side of the world’s 9th highest peak, this narrow dirt road has some steep climbs and drops, along with a high risk of ice.
6
Skippers Canyon Road, New Zealand
Built to handle the New Zealand gold rush, it was never intended to support traffic. Barely wide enough for one way vehicles, some car insurance is void the instant you start using it.
7
Guoliang Tunnel Road, China
8
The Transfăgărășan Highway, Romania
Although declared the “greatest driving road in the world” by Top Gear, this scenic Romanian highway can be bumpy, twisty, icy, and covered in sheep.
9
Zojila Pass, India
As the only road between Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley, this single lane, icy, twisty, elevated gravel pathway gets much more traffic than it should.
10
Yungas Road, Bolivia
Also known as “death road,” Yungas is narrow, wet, and full of loose stones. One wrong inch and you can fall hundreds of feet to your death.
11
Yungas Road, Bolivia, Continued
Famously shown in the Top Gear Bolivia Special, this iconic shot of Jeremy Clarkson navigating around another car is often cited as the show’s scariest moment.
12
Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
13
Sichuan-Tibet Highway, China
Although a scenic “miracle of road construction,” the twisty highway can be icy and technical.
14
Tongtian Avenue, China
Also known as “The Road to Heaven,” this seven mile stretch of road features some of the tightest turns and sharpest climbs you’ll ever encounter.
15
Bayburt D915, Turkey
Originally a part of silk trade with China, this winding road is loose, elevated, and impacted by weather.
17
Commonwealth Avenue, Philippines
Although not dangerous by nature, this avenue is so crowded it’s one of the deadliest roads in the world by fatalities.
18
BR-116, Brazil
Weather conditions can be so bad they render an otherwise normal road dangerous.
19
Outback Highway, Australia
Good luck getting rescued if you need it.
20
M56 Kolyma Federal Highway, Russia
Also known as the “Road of Bones.”
21
I-95, United States
Trucks and traffic make it the deadliest road per 100 miles in the United States.
