World's Longest Drive

Going on holiday? Just returned with pictures or news? Found an interesting website? Post everything international in here.

Moderator: Site Management Team

User avatar
Euan
Member
Posts: 1851
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2018 07:59
Location: North Ayrshire

World's Longest Drive

Post by Euan »

I recently stumbled upon this video on YouTube which discusses the possibilities for the world's longest continuous drive:



The longest possible drive starts in Sagres in Portugal and ends in Khasan in the Russian Far East, a distance of 14043km (8726 miles) which would theoretically take 163 hours to drive from end to end.

EDIT: If the video does not work, try this link:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o1bIKvHDNWI
E-roads, M-roads, A-roads, N-roads, B-roads, R-roads, C-roads, L-roads, U-roads, footpaths
User avatar
Alderpoint
Member
Posts: 1682
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2015 14:25
Location: Leamington Spa

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by Alderpoint »

Cape Town (S.Africa) to Vladivostok is 22,632km according to google maps.
Let it snow.
User avatar
Euan
Member
Posts: 1851
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2018 07:59
Location: North Ayrshire

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by Euan »

Alderpoint wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 13:40 Cape Town (S.Africa) to Vladivostok is 22,632km according to google maps.
Ah, but the route cannot include ferries according to the criteria - it has to be continuous. A direct route is disqualified if it uses a ferry, even if the two locations can be linked by an indirect route that is entirely on land. The sparseness of the road network in Sudan and Egypt means that the quickest routes to Asia from the south almost invariably require a short ferry crossing at some point. The Cape Town - Vladivostok route could still be driven without a ferry, but not without taking a detour. It's also worth pointing out that direct routes to Russia from West Africa cross over to Europe first rather than going via Cairo thus requiring a ferry as well.
E-roads, M-roads, A-roads, N-roads, B-roads, R-roads, C-roads, L-roads, U-roads, footpaths
User avatar
multiraider2
Member
Posts: 3698
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2004 17:42
Location: London, SE

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by multiraider2 »

Several war or near war zones there. I would not fancy getting through the whole of Africa, Syria and Russia etc. alive.
User avatar
Alderpoint
Member
Posts: 1682
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2015 14:25
Location: Leamington Spa

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by Alderpoint »

Friends drove 2 cars from UK to Mongolia last year. It was, ahem, an adventure.

And I say drove to as they flew back as the cars were only fit for scrapping by the time they (almost) got there.
Let it snow.
User avatar
Euan
Member
Posts: 1851
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2018 07:59
Location: North Ayrshire

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by Euan »

multiraider2 wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 15:48 Several war or near war zones there. I would not fancy getting through the whole of Africa, Syria and Russia etc. alive.
Indeed. It should be stressed that this "longest drive" is purely theoretical and does not take into account issues such as political turmoil, dodgy borders, civil war and so on. But luckily the longest drive as stated in the video is relatively free from much of this.
E-roads, M-roads, A-roads, N-roads, B-roads, R-roads, C-roads, L-roads, U-roads, footpaths
WHBM
Member
Posts: 9706
Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 18:01
Location: London

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by WHBM »

I've posted this before, but my uncle drove from Colombo, Sri Lanka to the UK 40 years ago, in 1979, in an Austin Allegro. Here's the description of the journey

http://rcdening.co.uk/overland_trip/firstleg.htm

The Allegro then lasted with him, on the road all the time, for another 30 years until his death, when we sold it in about 2006.

He had also driven across Canada in the 1930s, when the road system was even less complete than he found going across Asia.

These posts above about getting across Russia will not work, the road system is not complete across Siberia and it's necessary to put cars on the train, where a service is provided for this.
Last edited by WHBM on Mon Nov 26, 2018 19:20, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
roadtester
Member
Posts: 31475
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2007 18:05
Location: Cambridgeshire

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by roadtester »

I follow this bloke on Twitter who is driving his electric car around the world:

https://rac.com.au/car-motoring/info/fu ... d-in-an-ev

He's been crossing Oz for several months now!
Electrophorus Electricus

Check out #davidsdailycar on Mastodon
User avatar
KeithW
Member
Posts: 19201
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 13:25
Location: Marton-In-Cleveland North Yorks

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by KeithW »

Alderpoint wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 18:51 Friends drove 2 cars from UK to Mongolia last year. It was, ahem, an adventure.

And I say drove to as they flew back as the cars were only fit for scrapping by the time they (almost) got there.
At least one driver went all the way to Mongolia in a 41 year old Land Rover Defender.


I read an article about a German driver who made the return drive to Siberia in a Landie from Hamburg. As I recall the main problem was that unfordable rivers had to be crossed by bumping along the sleepers on railway bridges. Do not try this in a Subaru Forester along the ECML. ISTR he cheated a little on the return trip by shipping the car from Vladivstok to Shanghai and making the return trip through China, India, Pakistan. Iran and Turkey.

Then there was the army team who drove 2 Range Rovers across the impassable Darien Gap in 1972 but did take over 3 months as they had to break their own trails. A lot quicker than the first crossing which started in 1928 and finished in 1938 ! Apparently covering a mile a day is really good going.

On a more prosaic note when I lived in Kent I got to know someone who drove to Kenya, worked there for 3 years at the British Embassy and drove back in a Morris 1000. He was to say the least an eccentric who on hot days would walk to the pub wearing white tropical kit and wearing a Solar Topee aka Pith Helmet.

Image

The old Captain Howey in New Romney attracted a varied crowd including the landlord who drove a 1930's Bentley.
User avatar
roadtester
Member
Posts: 31475
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2007 18:05
Location: Cambridgeshire

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by roadtester »

KeithW wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 19:45 At least one driver went all the way to Mongolia in a 41 year old Land Rover Defender.
That's a Forward Control Land Rover, not a Defender!

http://www.dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/col ... ol-chassis

Not to be compared with the later military FC which was a military-only job:

http://www.dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/col ... no-1-lhd#v
Electrophorus Electricus

Check out #davidsdailycar on Mastodon
User avatar
RichardA626
Member
Posts: 7809
Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2012 22:19
Location: Stockport
Contact:

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by RichardA626 »

WHBM wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 19:17 I've posted this before, but my uncle drove from Colombo, Sri Lanka to the UK 40 years ago, in 1979, in an Austin Allegro. Here's the description of the journey

http://rcdening.co.uk/overland_trip/firstleg.htm

The Allegro then lasted with him, on the road all the time, for another 30 years until his death, when we sold it in about 2006.

He had also driven across Canada in the 1930s, when the road system was even less complete than he found going across Asia.

These posts above about getting across Russia will not work, the road system is not complete across Siberia and it's necessary to put cars on the train, where a service is provided for this.
I remember reading about that drive when you first posted it. It was quite a feat, especially as he had to drive through 4 countries with troubles going on at the time.
Beware of the trickster on the roof
User avatar
KeithW
Member
Posts: 19201
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 13:25
Location: Marton-In-Cleveland North Yorks

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by KeithW »

roadtester wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 19:59
Not to be compared with the later military FC which was a military-only job:

http://www.dunsfoldcollection.co.uk/col ... no-1-lhd#v
More than one ended up in non military hands , there are a lot of variations on that theme around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6fvB72 ... QvMQFXkNDY
User avatar
FosseWay
Assistant Site Manager
Posts: 19621
Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2006 22:26
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by FosseWay »

WHBM wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 19:17 These posts above about getting across Russia will not work, the road system is not complete across Siberia and it's necessary to put cars on the train, where a service is provided for this.
This probably explains the chosen route of a pair of Norwegian comedians who drove a fire engine from Norway to Ulaan Bator, with the aim of donating it to the fire department there. (I have no idea whether it was in a fit state to use for firefighting afterwards.) There was a series following them on Norwegian TV a few years back. They did drive in Russia but only in the western part. Further east they were mostly in Kazakhstan. There was obviously no insuperable hurdle to driving in Russia as they did so at various points, but not for long.
Did you know there's more to SABRE than just the Forums?
Add your roads knowledge to the SABRE Wiki today!
Have you browsed SABRE Maps recently? Try getting involved!
User avatar
Owain
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 26208
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 17:02
Location: Leodis

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by Owain »

WHBM wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 19:17 I've posted this before, but my uncle drove from Colombo, Sri Lanka to the UK 40 years ago, in 1979, in an Austin Allegro...
Awesome! :thumbsup:

There is a very strong chance that I am the only person in the world to have driven both the length (Mont Blanc to Santa Maria di Leuca) and the breadth (Trieste to Ventmiglia) of Italy in a Rover 75.
Former President & F99 Driver

Viva la Repubblica!
User avatar
Alderpoint
Member
Posts: 1682
Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2015 14:25
Location: Leamington Spa

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by Alderpoint »

Owain wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 21:38 the length (Mont Blanc to Santa Maria di Leuca)
It's another 200km if you go down to the toe of Italy instead of the heel.
Let it snow.
User avatar
Owain
Elected Committee Member
Posts: 26208
Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 17:02
Location: Leodis

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by Owain »

Alderpoint wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 22:00
Owain wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 21:38 the length (Mont Blanc to Santa Maria di Leuca)
It's another 200km if you go down to the toe of Italy instead of the heel.
That's for the next trip!
Former President & F99 Driver

Viva la Repubblica!
User avatar
toowise
Member
Posts: 52
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2008 23:57
Location: Cheshire, England

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by toowise »

Owain wrote: Tue Dec 04, 2018 21:38


There is a very strong chance that I am the only person in the world to have driven both the length (Mont Blanc to Santa Maria di Leuca) and the breadth (Trieste to Ventmiglia) of Italy in a Rover 75.
I did both those journeys in an F12 Volvo truck in the early 90s. ..almost...I was delivering to the village/town of Gagliano del Capo a few km north of Santa Maria. I have done from Mont Blanc to Reggio Calabria and then onto Sicily as well though.
Dont forget the shiny side stays UP !!!
Glenn A
Member
Posts: 9776
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2005 19:31
Location: Cumbria

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by Glenn A »

If you could get permission to drive through North Korea, then Gibraltar to Pusan would be a very interesting drive, going via Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Russia and North Korea.
User avatar
Euan
Member
Posts: 1851
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2018 07:59
Location: North Ayrshire

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by Euan »

Glenn A wrote: Sat Jan 19, 2019 11:52 If you could get permission to drive through North Korea, then Gibraltar to Pusan would be a very interesting drive, going via Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Russia and North Korea.
That would be some drive, but how would you reach North Korea from Russia without passing through China? On the map I see no road crossings between Russia and North Korea, only a railway line passes between the two countries. Additionally, isn't a Chinese licence specifically required for driving through China, otherwise an escort would be required? This is of course purely within the hypothetical scenario of being able to travel through North Korea in order to reach South Korea by road.
E-roads, M-roads, A-roads, N-roads, B-roads, R-roads, C-roads, L-roads, U-roads, footpaths
User avatar
roadtester
Member
Posts: 31475
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2007 18:05
Location: Cambridgeshire

Re: World's Longest Drive

Post by roadtester »

Slight variation on the theme - this is supposed to be the world’s longest walk:

https://brilliantmaps.com/longest-walk/
Electrophorus Electricus

Check out #davidsdailycar on Mastodon
Post Reply