The World’s Longest Straight Road: A 240-Kilometer Desert Line That Redefines Driving
The world’s longest perfectly straight road isn’t found in the United States, Australia, or Canada—the countries often associated with endless highways. Instead, this extraordinary stretch of asphalt lies in the vast, shimmering deserts of Saudi Arabia, where a road so straight and so uninterrupted cuts through the sand like a man-made laser.
This incredible engineering feat covers 240 kilometers without a single curve, making it the longest straight road on Earth. Drivers can literally keep the steering wheel perfectly still for nearly two hours—a rare and surreal experience even for the most seasoned travelers.
Highway 10: The 240-Kilometer Arrow Through the Rub’ al Khali Desert
The road is officially known as Highway 10, and it connects the town of Haradh to Al Batha, near the border with the United Arab Emirates. According to Express, this astonishing stretch holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous straight road ever built.
What makes this record even more impressive is its location:
Highway 10 runs through the Rub’ al Khali, also called the Empty Quarter, the largest uninterrupted sand desert in the world. The landscape is so flat and uniform that the horizon looks like a straight line drawn by hand—making the highway feel almost otherworldly.
Built for a King, Transformed Into a National Route
The road was originally constructed as a private corridor for King Fahd, designed to allow quick and direct access across the desert. Eventually, it was connected to Highway 95, transforming it from a royal route to one of the most remarkable public roads on the planet.
Despite its harsh environment, the road features:
- No curves
- No slopes
- No major elevation changes
- A perfectly linear trajectory from start to finish
A driver can cover the entire stretch in roughly two hours, without ever needing to turn the steering wheel.
Surpassing Australia’s Eyre Highway
Before Highway 10 claimed the world title, the record was held by Australia’s Eyre Highway, famous for its 146-kilometer straight section. While still iconic, the Eyre Highway now takes second place—far behind Saudi Arabia’s unmatched 240 kilometers.
A Road That Challenges Drivers’ Minds, Not Their Skills
While the road is smooth and easy to drive, authorities caution motorists not to underestimate it. The monotonous scenery and the absence of curves can create a dangerous sense of comfort and even drowsiness.
Drivers are frequently warned about:
- Over-speeding on empty stretches
- Fatigue caused by visual monotony
- Losing focus, since steering is barely required
Highway 10 may be simple to navigate, but it demands strong concentration.
Saudi Arabia’s Fascination With Straight Lines: Enter NEOM and “The Line”
Interestingly, the world’s longest straight road is not the only example of Saudi Arabia’s obsession with linear design.
The country is also building NEOM, an ambitious futuristic megacity in the province of Tabuk. At its center stands The Line, a revolutionary smart city concept:
- 170 kilometers (110 miles) long
- Two parallel skyscraper-like structures
- Mirror-coated exteriors
- AI-driven urban systems
- Zero cars, zero streets, zero emissions
The project was conceived by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who envisions it as a new economic pillar designed to shift Saudi Arabia away from fossil fuel dependency and toward innovation, tourism, and high-tech sustainability.
A Symbol of Ambition Carved Into the Desert
Highway 10 is more than a world record—it is a symbol of how Saudi Arabia is reshaping its identity through bold, visionary projects. From a perfectly straight desert highway to a futuristic straight-line city, the country is pushing the boundaries of architecture, mobility, and imagination.
For travelers, engineers, and lovers of road-trip legends, the 240-kilometer arrow of Highway 10 remains one of the most surreal and unforgettable roads on Earth.
