
Travel the Road BR-116 with unstable weather conditions
Brazil, south-america
4,385 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
BR-116 carves its way up the Brazilian coast, a whopping 4,385 kilometers (2,725 miles) stretching from Fortaleza in the north to Jaguarão near the Uruguayan border in the south. It's one of the country's major highways, a real artery for commerce, and sees a HUGE amount of truck traffic.
But this isn't just a scenic coastal cruise. BR-116 carries the somber nickname "Rodovia da Morte" – Highway of Death – and it's not hard to see why. Unstable weather is a constant threat, leading to frequent accidents. The sheer volume of heavy trucks, combined with inconsistent road conditions, creates a challenging and often dangerous environment. The section between Sao Paulo and Curitiba is particularly notorious, clinging to the edges of steep cliffs with sections of questionable pavement.
Driving the BR-116 demands your full attention. Be prepared for a serious mental workout behind the wheel.
Where is it?
Travel the Road BR-116 with unstable weather conditions is located in Brazil (south-america). Coordinates: -13.9875, -53.6812
Road Details
- Country
- Brazil
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 4,385 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -13.9875, -53.6812
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