Where does Road BR-116 start and end?

Where does Road BR-116 start and end?

Brazil, south-america

Length

4,385 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

BR-116 is a massive coastal highway in Brazil, stretching a whopping 4,385 kilometers (2,725 miles) from Fortaleza in the north (Ceará State) all the way down to Jaguarão near the Uruguay border (Rio Grande do Sul). It's a major artery, known for being super busy with truckers.

Now, this road has earned the grim nickname "Highway of Death" for a reason. Unstable weather patterns contribute to a high accident rate, making it a nerve-wracking drive. Think about it: you've got tons of big rigs, often driven by overworked truckers, combined with unpredictable terrain. The Sao Paulo-Curitiba section is particularly notorious.

Parts of the BR-116 are paved, but other sections? Not so much. Some stretches cling to the edges of steep cliffs, demanding your full attention. Speaking of attention, you’ll need 100% concentration to navigate this route.

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Road Details

Country
Brazil
Continent
south-america
Length
4,385 km
Difficulty
extreme

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