The Longest and Shortest Freeways

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a freeway as "a toll-free highway." Of all the freeways or highways in the world, a few claim the distinction of being the longest --- and only one clear winner holds the honor of "shortest." From the Americas to Russia and from Canada to Australia, interesting highways span the world. For those seeking an on-the-road adventure, these freeways (a.k.a. highways) might just provide the trip of a lifetime.

World's Longest Highway

• At an astounding 15,000 miles, the Pan-American Highway is the world's longest continuous road. It is made of a network of many highways that begin in Alaska's Prudhoe Bay and end at the world's southernmost city --- Ushuaia, in Cape Horn, Argentina.

Australia's Highway 1

• Australia's Highway 1 travels the circumference of Australia, connecting all the mainland state capitals in a network of highways that spans 9,000 miles.

Trans-Siberian Highway

• At almost 6,000 miles, the Trans-Siberian Highway is third on our list of longest freeways. It spans Russia, connecting Moscow to Vladivostok.

Trans-Canada Highway

• The Trans-Canada Highway covers 4,860 miles from Vancouver Island, British Columbia to St. John's, Newfoundland. The highway is a four-lane connector of many of Canada's provinces, but much of it is a two-lane journey through the wilderness.

World's Shortest Highway

• Chandler Highway in Melbourne, Australia, is widely accepted as the world's shortest highway. It is listed at 1.4 km (0.87 miles). The next shortest "highway" is Yarra Bank Highway (part of City Road) also in Melbourne at 2 km (1.24 miles).