- Romania’s longest straight road is 15.8 km on E70 between Drăgănești-Vlașca and Vițănești
- Longest straight road globally: Saudi Highway 85 at 260 km; Pan-American is ~50,000 km
- Apusenilor Road nearing completion with 20% left, linking three major tourist areas
- Transalpina is Romania’s highest-altitude road, max altitude 2145 m at Urdele Pass
Romania can pride itself on three of the world’s most spectacular roads: the Apusenilor Road (still under construction), Transalpina, and Transfăgărășan. However, when it comes to motorways and straight roads, our country does not excel compared with other nations. Yet it’s fascinating to explore national and international records in this field, as well as the engineering gems that have earned us worldwide recognition.
The Longest Straight Road in Romania
According to specialists, the longest straight stretch in Romania does not belong to a highway, but lies in the Romanian Plain area, connecting Bucharest and Alexandria on European Road E70.
More precisely, between Drăgănești-Vlașca and Vițănești there is a straight line about 15.8 km long in a southward direction. This stretch passes through the village of Văceni and represents the national record for this category.
When we refer to a “straight road”, we mean a line with a defined length. On standard metrics, a straight line is defined as the shortest road between two points, without significant curves or serpentine sections.
World Records: Straight and Long Roads
The Longest Straight Road in the World
The world record for the longest straight road belongs to Saudi Arabia, a country undergoing continuous infrastructural progress. Highway 85 has a straight-line length of 260 kilometers, linking the towns of Haradh and Badha through the Saudi desert.
In second place is 90 Mile Straight, a straight segment of 146.6 kilometers on the Australian Eyre Highway, which has a total length of 1,668 kilometers and traverses the Nullarbor Desert.
The Longest Road in the World
If we look at the longest road globally, the Pan-American Highway holds the absolute record. It starts in Fairbanks (Alaska) and ends in Buenos Aires (Argentina), totaling roughly 50,000 km and crossing nearly the entire American continent.
The Apusenilor Road – Romania’s Coming Star
The “Apusenilor Road” is poised to be a true revelation for Romanian mountain tourism. The project completion is nearing, with only about 20% remaining to be finished.
Technical characteristics and route
- The first section is already accessible by car, with a two-lane road winding along the Capra hill.
- Many specialists believe the road will surpass the famous Transfăgărășan in beauty.
- According to Bianca Firezar, spokesperson for the Bihor County Council: “The road links three important tourist areas in the county: Stâna de Vale, Valea Iadului, and the border with Cluj County — Valea Draganului, a place very well known and loved by tourists. Works began in November 2019, with a completion deadline in November 2022, but they were completed three months ahead of schedule.”
Transalpina – “The King’s Road”
Transalpina is the road at Romania’s highest altitude, connecting the town of Novaci in Gorj County with Sebeș in Alba County.
Technical specifications
- Maximum altitude: 2,145 meters at Urdele Pass
- Total length: approximately 150 km
- Counties crossed: Gorj, Vâlcea, Sibiu, Alba
- Accessibility period: closed in winter due to extreme weather conditions
The route is also known as the “Devil’s Trail” and was initially used by shepherds from Mărginimea Sibiului to move sheep toward Wallachia. On a stretch of about 20 km, in Gorj and Vâlcea counties, it appears as a “crest road”, offering spectacular views of the Parâng Mountains.
Transfăgărășan – “The Road Through the Clouds”
Transfăgărășan remains the most renowned road achievement in Romania, earning the nickname “the road through the clouds” or “the mountain subway”. This legendary route spans 151 kilometers and is part of DN 7C.
Route and points of interest
The road starts in Argeș County, in the town of Basarab, and intersects DN1 between Sibiu and Brașov. The route includes:
- Vidraru Hydroelectric Plant – a masterpiece of hydroengineering
- Poenari Fortress – linked to the legend of Vlad the Impaler
- Vidraru Dam – one of the most impressive hydro projects
- Capra Waterfall – a natural attraction
- Balea Tunnel – the longest tunnel in Romania (887 meters)
Balea Tunnel – engineering feat
The crossing from Capra to Balea Lac is made through the Balea Tunnel, located at an altitude of 2,042 meters — the highest tunnel in Romania. Its impressive specs include:
- Length: 887 meters
- Height: 4.4 meters
- Width: 6 meters
- Sidewalk: 1 meter
- Lighting: electric
- Ventilation: natural
For the construction of this tunnel, three million tons of rock were displaced with the help of 6,000 tons of dynamite.
International recognition
Transfăgărășan has been described as the “most spectacular road in the world” by Jeremy Clarkson, one of the hosts of the TV show “Top Gear”, which brought it unprecedented international recognition.
Major tourist attractions
Along the route, visitors can explore:
- Curtea de Argeș Monastery
- Poenari Fortress
- Valea lui Stan
- Vidraru Dam
- Capra Waterfall
- Balea Lake
- Balea Falls
- Balea Ice Hotel
- Badea Cârțan Ethnographic Museum
- Prometheus Statue
Conclusions
Although Romania does not hold records for straight roads, the country compensates with the spectacle of mountain roads. Transfăgărășan and Transalpina are already internationally established, and the future Apusenilor Road promises to complete this trio of Romanian road excellence. These achievements demonstrate that, despite topographic challenges, Romanian engineering can create masterpieces that attract millions of tourists from around the world.
