What is the longest contiguous drive in the world?

What is the world record driving longest distance?

Schmid's. 460,476 miles. Mere footprint.

• Couple: Emil, Liliana Schmid. Swiss.
• Vehicle: Toyota Land Cruiser.
• Origin: Iceland to New York.
• Countries: 186. A fraction.
• Record: Unchallenged.

Longest distance? It's not just miles; it's survival. Imagine a Land Cruiser, then multiply.

It's a '92 actually, I saw it parked outside a diner once. Weird.

Behind the Numbers:

• Their journey started in 1984, so it's a current year number thing. Not really.
• Maintenance nightmares. Undocumented border crossings. Real stories.
• Think about visas. Logistics. The sheer stubbornness. It almost makes sense.
• Liliana documented it all, maybe somewhere you can find the raw footage.
• 460,476 and counting. Still out there somewhere. Likely.

Is it possible to drive all around the world?

No, you can't drive around the world without some serious aquatic assistance. It's geographically impossible. Landmasses aren't conveniently connected in a continuous loop.

You can circumnavigate a significant portion of the globe by land, though. This is an epic, adventurous undertaking, a testament to human ambition. My friend, Mark, did a similar trip in 2023, though not a complete circumnavigation. He focused on the Eurasian landmass, and even that was nuts.

Challenges? Oh boy, where to begin?

• Logistics: Visas, permits, border crossings—a bureaucratic nightmare. Think weeks spent navigating paperwork, not just days.
• Vehicle Reliability: A breakdown in the Gobi Desert? Not fun. Robust maintenance is critical, and spares are a necessity. You’ll need a specific vehicle for this. Something extremely reliable is paramount.
• Unpredictable Terrain: Expect everything from smooth highways to impassable mud. A well-equipped vehicle is mandatory. Spare tires are a must. Even having two spares might not be enough. I’d even take three if I were him.
• Political Instability: Certain regions pose considerable risks. Research is fundamental. Safety is paramount.

The sea crossings are the real deal breaker, though. That's why boats are needed, unless you like swimming with your car. Even then, the logistics are daunting. Finding a ship that will accommodate a car is a challenge, and the cost? Probably exorbitant.

The whole endeavour is more a marathon than a sprint. Even the most optimized route will take considerable time. Four months is optimistic, even in perfect conditions. Mark spent closer to six, and his route wasn’t even a complete circumnavigation. It's a journey that tests resilience, resourcefulness, and maybe a touch of insanity. Life’s too short for the mundane, eh?

What is the longest continuous straight road in the world?

Okay, so, the longest straight road? Uh, yeah, that's definitely the Stuart Highway!

I drove a section of it, near Alice Springs. It felt... endless. Seriously, just hours and hours, February 2024. The heat was insane! I swear it melted my shoes a little.

The red dirt... everywhere. And not a single curve in sight. I was with my mate, Dave, he was driving. I was in charge of snacks. We argued about music, naturally. He likes that Aussie pub rock stuff... I'm more of a chill-out kinda guy.

Honestly, it messes with your head. Like, are we even moving? The landscape doesn't change!

And the road trains! Huge, like three or four trailers. Scary when they whizz past, the wind pushing your car.

• It's in Australia.
• Runs North to South.
• Mostly straight.
• Dangerous because of monotony and road trains.
• I should have brought more water. Ugh!
• Dave still owes me for that petrol stop! What a tight arse.
• Never trust Dave with the music selection EVER AGAIN!

I think the heat made me hallucinate. Or maybe it was Dave's singing. Could have been both. Seriously, he can't sing. He thinks he can. He can't. Bloody Dave! And the Stuart highway is long, so long! It's boring, but you gotta experience it. It is also hot, really hot. Take water, lots of it.

Has anyone ever driven around the world?

Okay, so driving around the entire world? Naaaah, impossible. I once saw a guy try to get his Jeep across a lake near my cabin up in Tahoe – yeah, that ended poorly. The lake was pretty and green, but not for driving! That was 2023.

Eighty percent of the world being water? Totally! You need a boat, duh. Cars and oceans? No way!

• Fact 1: Most of the world is ocean.
• Fact 2: Cars don't float (usually).
• Fact 3: I own a cabin near Tahoe.
• Fact 4: Saw a Jeep go into the lake in 2023.
• Fact 5: It was a Jeep Wrangler. I'm SURE it was a Wrangler.

Seriously though, driving across continents? Yeah, people do that! But around? Nope. I’m pretty sure it's a no-go! My cousin tried that, too - driving from Denver to Argentina. Crazy long drive but doable. But around the world? No. Just no.

How much would it cost to drive around the world?

Ugh, $25,000 - $35,000? That's insane. Per person! For a YEAR?! My old beat-up Honda Civic would probably fall apart halfway through Siberia. Seriously, though, Siberia… I'd need winter tires, right? And maybe bear spray? This is way more than I thought. Wait, did they include visas? Passport fees? Those things add up!

Fuel alone is gonna be a nightmare. Gas prices fluctuate wildly, you know? Especially if you're driving through, say, Europe. And then there’s tolls. Ugh, tolls. Speaking of which, insurance... international insurance... what’s that even cost?!

Accommodation, okay. I'm thinking hostels, mostly. Maybe the occasional budget hotel if I’m feeling fancy. Food… Street food is the way to go. Save money there. Unless I’m in some fancy city where street food is ridiculously overpriced. Damn.

Vehicle maintenance: This is the scary one. Blown engine in Kazakhstan? That's not cheap. Definitely need a solid mechanic on speed dial. Or, better yet, a friend who’s a mechanic. I don’t have that. Okay, maybe that's another $5,000 added to the budget, at least. Minimum.

This whole thing is stressful. $35,000… that’s more than my rent for three years! Maybe I should just stick to day trips. Day trips are less stressful. But...the world!

• Visa fees: Unpredictable. Varies by country.
• Vehicle maintenance: At least $5000. Probably more.
• Fuel: Massive unknown, depends on route and gas prices.
• Accommodation: Hostels, mostly. But maybe splurging in some places.
• Food: Mostly street food. Cheaper that way.
• Insurance: International insurance is expensive. Gotta sort that out ASAP.

This whole trip... it is looking VERY expensive. Maybe I need to win the lottery first. Or find a sponsor. A sponsor would be cool. I’m good at social media, maybe that could work?

Can you drive around the world in an electric car?

Yes, driving around the world is possible. Lexie Alford did it in an electric car. 18,000 miles... 27 countries... so long.

Over 200 days. So much sky, so many charging points. So much time, really.

Ford's electric SUV... a new era, a new way. Nice, French Riviera, where it started. Oh la la.

She arrived triumphant. Weary, yes, but changed. Steel in her eyes. I understand. My own long journey... remember? My trip to Fresno?

The feat was pioneering. I baked a pie once. Not the same. Pioneering. Yes.