
Conquering the Amazon: The Thrilling Drive on the BR-319 Mud Road of Brazil
Brazil, south-america
857 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Get ready for an epic adventure on BR-319, the wild Brazilian highway that slices through the heart of the Amazon from Manaus to Porto Velho! This 857km (532 miles) stretch is not for the faint of heart. Think deep mud that can make it completely impassable during the rainy season, turning your journey into a real test of resilience.
This rugged route connects Manaus, the bustling capital of Amazonas where the Negro and Solimões rivers meet, with Porto Velho, the capital of Rondônia nestled in the upper Amazon basin. You'll rumble through small cities like Humaitá and Manicoré, witnessing a side of Brazil few get to see.
Built in the '70s to open up the rainforest, BR-319 fell into disrepair pretty quickly. Expect a mix of asphalt, gravel, and sand, but brace yourself for crater-sized potholes, broken pavement, and a serious lack of guardrails. It's a true off-road experience! The debate continues about fully restoring the highway, with concerns about increased deforestation in this precious region. For now, most cargo goes by boat, leaving this challenging road to the truly adventurous, who camp out under the stars along the way.
Where is it?
Conquering the Amazon: The Thrilling Drive on the BR-319 Mud Road of Brazil is located in Brazil (south-america). Coordinates: -11.4159, -54.9973
Road Details
- Country
- Brazil
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 857 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -11.4159, -54.9973
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