Pan-American Highway (North America)
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Pan-American Highway route in North America
Note: The U.S. and Canadian governments have never officially defined any specific routes as being part of the Pan-American Highway, in spite of the U.S. having funded the majority of the highway's original construction. Mexico officially has many branches to the U.S. border, with the original ending at Laredo, Texas.
Total length: 16,000 miles (25,750 km)
Partial lengths (with references):
- Length: 162 miles/261 km (from Circle to Fairbanks) [1] (http://www.travelalaska.com/Transportation/roadmap.aspx)
- Length: 980 km/609 miles (from Fairbanks, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon) [2] (http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/trans/highways/distancechart.html)
- Length: (1890 km/1174 miles) (from: Whitehorse, Yukon to Prince George, B. C.) [3] (http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/trans/highways/distancechart.html)
- Length: (778 km) (from Prince George, B.C. to Vancouver, B.C.) [4] (http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topics/distances/calculator.htm)
- Length: (276.62 miles) (total length of I-5 in Washington state) [5] (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/routefinder/table1.htm)
Please continue looking up partial distance lengths and adding them to this list; when we have a full length, we can compare it to the large variety of lengths that are suggested in various places.
Note: This is not meant to be an official guide to travelling the Pan-American Highway. Always check into local seasonal conditions before planning to travel any significant stretch of the highway, especially south of the United States.
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United States
Alaska
- Circle
The Pan-American Highway unofficially begins in Circle, Alaska, following Alaska Highway 6 southwest to Fairbanks, Alaska.
- Fairbanks
From Alaska's third largest city, the Pan-American Highway and the Alaska Highway become one and the same, following Alaska Highway 2 southeast to the Canadian border southeast of Northway, Alaska, and adjacent to the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge.
Note: The Pan-American Highway reenters the U.S., potentially in several locations along the U.S.-Canadian border.
Canada
Yukon
Yukon Road Map (http://www.hpw.gov.yk.ca/images/roadmap.gif)
Crossing the border into Canada, Alaska Highway 2 turns into Yukon Highway 1. The first significant settlement along the way is Beaver Creek, Yukon.
- Haines Junction
At Haines Junction, Yukon Highway 1 turns east toward Whitehorse, the capital of the Yukon Territory.
- Whitehorse
At Whitehorse (probably a good place to rest), Yukon Highway 2 cuts south while Yukon Highway 1 piggybacks Yukon 2. Yukon Highway 1 cuts southeast toward McClintlock, Yukon. Eventually, Yukon Highway 1 intersects with Yukon Highway 6 in an uninhabited area while Yukon Highway 7 continues a southward path; continue on Yukon 1 (piggybacking Yukon 6) northeast of this junction.
- Johnsons Crossing
At Johnsons Crossings, Yukon Highway 1 separates from Yukon 6 and travels southeast through Teslin. Continue on Yukon 1 as you cross over into British Columbia. After several miles, the highway reenters the Yukon (once again as Highway 1); continue on Yukon 1 southeast of Watson Lake and once again enter British Columbia as B.C. Highway 97.
British Columbia
British Columbia Road Map (http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/popular-topics/maps/bcmaps.htm)
- Lower Post
After travelling about 5 miles (8 km) past the B.C.-Yukon border, the Pan-American Highway reaches the first settlement in British Columbia at Lower Post. After travelling about 20 miles (32.4 km) roughly east, the highway once again reenters the Yukon for roughly 8 miles (13 km). The highway then reenters British Columbia (as B.C. 97) for the final time. The Pan-American Highway continues south to southeast through a long, uninhabited stretch until it passes through the villages of Fireside and Coal River. Keep following the highway east along the Rabbit River.
- Liard River
Roughly 8 miles (13 km) south of Liard River is Muncho Lake Provincial Park. Continue on B.C. Highway 97 as it passes through Toad River Post. Eventually, the highway passes through Summit Lake, which is nested between Stone Mountain and Mount Saint George. Further down the road, B.C. Highway 97 intersects with B.C. Highway 77; continue on B.C. 97 east to Fort Nelson.
- Fort Nelson
From Fort Nelson, the highway travels south for roughly 180 miles (292 km) until it reaches Fort St. John.
- Fort St. John
Once the Pan-American Highway reaches Fort St. John, the highway traveler has already nearly completed a large stretch of their travels through North America. Continue on B.C. Highway 97 southeast for another 38 miles (62 km) to reach the end of the Alaska Highway at Dawson Creek.
The rest of Canada's length of the Pan-American Highway is not officially defined beyond the end of the Alaska Highway.
United States
Note: The Pan-American Highway is almost never referred to by name in the U.S. Additionally, it may have multiple branches.
In 1932, a bill introduced to the U.S. Congress proposed, among other roads, a route from Duluth, Minnesota, to Laredo, Texas, to connect with the Pan-American Highway in Mexico; this route probably followed today's Interstate 35. When the section of Interstate 35 in San Antonio, Texas was built, it was named the Pan Am Expressway, as it lies along this route. However, this route was never officially named the Pan-American Highway.
The Pan-American Highway unofficially has four terminals entering into Mexico, with the Inter-American Highway beginning in Laredo, Texas.
Mexico
- Monterrey, Nuevo León
Monterrey is the third largest city in Mexico after Mexico City and Guadalajara. Monterrey is a largely industrial city with approximately 4.5 million people. The Pan-American Highway continues south on Mexico Highway 85, which is a divided limited-access highway until just past the village of Hualahuises. This is the beginning of the stretch of the Pan-American Highway known as the Inter-American Highway, which parallels (and may cross into) the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains.
From Monterrey to Hualahuises is about 65 miles (105.3 km). Continue south on Mexico 85 for another 85 miles (138 km) until the highway reaches Ciudad Victoria. About 15 miles (24.3 km) past the village of Linares, the Inter-American Highway enters the state of Tamaulipas.
- Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas
Ciudad Victoria is probably a good place to stop since there is not much south of the city for quite a distance. From Ciudad Victoria, continue south on Mexico 85; it is about 80 miles (129.6 km) to the next town, Ciudad Mante. About 55 miles (88 km) south of Ciudad Mante is the town of Ciudad Valles; about halfway to Ciudad Valles, the Pan-American Highway enters the state of San Luis Potosí.
From Ciudad Valles to Zimapán is about 122 miles (198 km) of winding mountain road; Zimapán is in the state of Hidalgo. From Zimapán to the Hidalgo state capital of Pachuca is about 76 miles (123 km).
- Pachuca, Hidalgo
Once the Pan-American Highway enters Pachuca, the going should get a bit easier, at least in terms of road travel as the road becomes a divided limited-access route. About 25 miles southwest of Pachuca, the highway transforms from Mexico Highway 85 to Mexico Highway 85D as it enters the state of México; for about another 25 miles (40.5 km), the highway is a toll road, so be prepared to pay the tolls. Consider visiting the Teotihuacan ruins along the roadside. Another 20 to 25 miles (32.5 to 40.5 km) and the highway enters the Mexico City metropolitan area in the suburb of Ecatepec de Morelos.
- Mexico City (La Ciudad de México)
Upon entering Mexico City, the traveler may want to consider how badly they really want to exactly follow the Pan-American Highway. Although there are a myriad attractions in Mexico's national capital, it is also an extremely large city with poor air quality, a hectic driving style, and a fair amount of crime (although tourists are generally not targeted in particular). Mexico City is one of the world's most populated urban areas, with a population of over 20 million people. If the traveler wishes to avoid downtown Mexico City, they can attempt to bypass the city on Mexico Highway 136 (a divided limited-access route) and Mexico Highway 115, which reconnects to Mexico Highway 95D south of the Mexican Federal District.
Mexico City does have many tourist attractions. These include the Zócalo, the central plaza with a Spanish Cathedral and Aztec ruins; the wide elegant avenues of Paseo de la Reforma and Avenida Insurgentes; Chapultepec, a hill with a palace museum on top surrounded by a park with many attractions, the National Museum of Anthropology, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Plaza of Three Cultures in the Tlatelolco district, and the shrine and Basilicas of Our Lady of Guadalupe. There are also many museums, art galleries, and concert halls.
- Cuernavaca, Morelos
As the Pan-American Highway continues south of Mexico City and the Distrito Federal (Federal District), the road arrives in the city of Cuernavaca about 30 miles (50 km) south of the Mexican capital. Here, the Inter-American Highway section of the Pan-American Highway heads east along Mexico Highway 190; for about 20 miles (32.5 km), it is a limited-access divided highway. Continue on Mexico 190 for the near duration; the road leaves the state of Puebla and enters the state of Oaxaca. Keep traveling as there isn't much on this stretch of road. From Huajuapan de León to the Oaxaca state capital of Oaxaca is about 90 miles (146 km).
- Oaxaca, Oaxaca
From the city of Oaxaca, continue southeast on Mexico Highway 190. From Oaxaca to the village of Juchitán de Zaragoza is about 142 miles (230 km). The Pan-American Highway is now in southern Mexico, which is a combination of small mountains, hills, and jungle areas. It is another 56 miles (91 km) to the border with the state of Chiapas and another trip across the Continental Divide.
- Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas
From the Oaxaca-Chiapas state border, it is 100 miles (162 km) to the Chiapas state capital of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Note that Chiapas is an extremely impoverished region so don't expect many services, especially outside of Tuxtla Gutiérrez. A large number of Chiapas residents are partly or completely of Mayan descent and do not speak Spanish, let alone English. Again, think carefully before straying from Mexican Federal Highways while in Chiapas, as Chiapas is also the home of the anti-Mexico City Zapatista Army of National Liberation rebel group. Consult your nation's embassy for updated information on dangerous areas in foreign nations before planning any travels.
On a lighter note, there are several areas in Chiapas with historic Mayan ruins. Continue on Mexico Highway 190; it is 242 miles (392 km) from Tuxtla Gutiérrez to the Mexico-Guatemala border.
Guatemala
Upon crossing into Guatemala, Mexico Highway 190 transforms into Central America Highway 1. From the border village of La Mesilla to the city of Huehuetenango is about 50 miles (80 km).
- Huehuetenango
A short distance from the Huehuetenago are the Maya ruins of Zaculeu.
By the time the Pan-American Highway reaches Huehuetenango, the traveler has to once again cross over the Continental Divide and into the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes mountains. It may be advisable to stop here for any necessary supplies to be had and lodging, as there isn't much beyond here for quite some distance. Continue south on CA Highway 1.
- Chimaltenango
From Huehuetenango to Chimaltenango is roughly 100 miles (160 km). On the way to Chimaltenango, there are some Maya ruins at Iximché just north of Tecpán Guatemala. From Chimaltenango, it is only about 22 to 25 miles (35 to 40 km) to Guatemala City.
- Guatemala City (La Ciudad de Guatemala)
Guatemala City is the capital and largest city in Guatemala with a population between 1 and 2.5 million people; it is also the largest city in Central America. Guatemala City is, in many ways, a typical large city, but it does have several attractions, such as the Centro Cívico (Civic Center), Centro Cultural Miguel Angel Asturias (live theater), the Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden), Lake Amatitlán (with a view of active volcanoes), the Mercado Central (Central Market with fruits and vegetables), Kaminal Juyú Mayan ruins, and the Zoológico La Aurora (Aurora Zoo).
From Guatemala City to Cuilapa is about 31 miles (50 km) and another 35 miles (56 km) to Jutiapa. Again, keep following CA Highway 1.
- Jutiapa
From Jutiapa, the Pan-American Highway isn't too far from the border with El Salvador. It is 32 miles (52 km) to the border crossing at San Cristobal Frontera.
El Salvador
El Salvador is the smallest country (in area) that the Pan-American Highway travels through. Like Guatemala, El Salvador is a very poor nation that exists in the aftermath of past civil warfare, lack of foreign investment, and Hurricane Mitch. After crossing into El Salvador at Candelaria de la Frontera, the Inter-American Highway continues on toward Santa Ana as Central America Highway 1. From the border crossing to Santa Ana is about 8 miles (13 km).
- Santa Ana
From Santa Ana to San Salvador is about 28 miles (45 km). At Nueva San Salvador, the traveler will pass near the Volcano de San Salvador.
- San Salvador
San Salvador, with a population of 402,448, is the capital and largest city in El Salvador. Some attractions are the New World Museum, Dixon Hill Lighthouse, and Watling's Castle, which is an old pirate hangout.
- San Miguel
From San Salvador to Cojutepeque is about 9.3 miles (15 km); following the highway southeast to San Miguel is about 40 miles (65 km). From San Miguel to the El Salvador-Honduras border is about 19 miles (30 km).
Honduras
From the border with El Salvador, the Pan-American Highway doesn't spend much time in Honduras. The highway's total distance in the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere is about 65 miles (105 km). Honduras is a fairly dangerous place, as the crime rate is high and many people wander around armed with guns, so the traveler must be extra cautious.
- Nacaome
From the border crossing to Nacaome is only about 25 miles (40.5 km). Just past Nacaome is a highway traveling north to Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. It is about another 25 miles (40.5 km) to Choluteca, the second largest city in Honduras. It is recommended to avoid staying in Choluteca if at all possible. From Choluteca to the border crossing just past San Marcos de Colón is about 42 miles (68 km).
Nicaragua
From the border crossing at the Honduras-Nicaragua border, continue following Central America Highway 1. From the border to the town of Ocotal is about 26 miles (42 km); from Ocotal to Estelí is about 36 miles (58 km).
- Estelí
From Estelí to the village of Sébaco is about 28.5 miles (46 km); the Inter-American Highway turns from southeast to south towards Ciudad Dario, which is 9.3 miles (15 km) from Sébaco. From Ciudad Dario to the village of San Benito is 34 miles (55 km).
- Managua
From San Benito, it is about 23.5 miles (38 km) to the Nicaraguan capital and largest city of Managua. Managua is located on the shores of Lake Managua and is about 35 miles (56.6 km) west of Lake Nicaragua. Unfortunately, Managua is also located on an active fault line and has been devastated by several large earthquakes, the most recent one having hit the city in 1972. Attractions include the Plaza de la República, which includes a lakeside cathedral, the Palacio Nacional (National Palace), the Huellas de Acahualinca museum, and the Museo de la Revolución (Museum of the Revolution).
From Managua south to the town of Jinotepe is about 30 miles (48 km).
- Jinotepe
From Jinotepe to the town of Rivas is about 43.4 miles (70 km). From Rivas, the Pan-American Highway traveler should be able to see the shores of Lake Nicaragua, which is the largest lake in Central America.
From Rivas to the Nicaragua-Costa Rica border is about 22.3 miles (36 km).
Costa Rica
Costa Rica contrasts sharply to the other nations in Central America, as it is a "second world" developing country compared to its underdeveloped, poorer neighbors. Costa Rica also has a history of relative peace and neutrality compared to other Central American countries. Costa Rica is the second smallest Central American country in area (after El Salvador).
From the Nicaragua-Costa Rica border to the town of Liberia is about 45 miles (73 km). In the region of Costa Rica, the Pan-American Highway (still CA 1) is just west of the Cordillera de Guanacaste (Guanacaste Mountains), which includes the active volcanoes of Rincón de la Vieja and Miravalles.
- Liberia
From Liberia to the town of Barranca is about 65 miles (105 km). From Barranca, the Cordillera de Tilarán (Tilarán Mountains) can be seen from the Pan-American Highway. The Tilarán range includes Arenal, one of the world's most active volcanoes. From Barranca, the highway heads east across the mountains and the Continental Divide once again. From Barranca, it is roughly 44 miles (71 km) to the town of Alajuela.
- Alajuela
From Alajuela, the Cordillera Central (Central Mountains) come into view from the Inter-American Highway. The Central Mountains include four large volcanoes--Poás, Barva, Irazú and Turrialba. From Alajuela to San José is about 15 miles (24.3 km).
- San José
San José is the capital and largest city in Costa Rica. Although San José is more modern than other large Central American cities with its shopping malls, department stores, and even fast food restaurants, it also includes more culturally stimulating attractions. These include the Museo Nacional (National Museum), the Museo del Oro Precolombino (Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold), the Museo de Jade (Jade Museum), the Teatro Nacional (National Theatre), and the Mercado Central (Central Market; open air).
Leaving San José, the Pan-American Highway winds its way roughly southeast. From San José to San Isidro is about 84 miles (136 km).
- San Isidro
From San Isidro, the Cordillera Talamanca (Talamanca Mountains) rise up from the rain forest canopy. The Talamanca range, which is non-volcanic, includes Cerro Chirripó. Cerro Chirripó, at 3,797 meters (12,457 ft.), is Costa Rica's highest mountain peak. From San Isidro to Palmar Sur is roughly 65 miles (105.3 km).
- Palmar Sur
From Palmar Sur to the Costa Rica-Panama border is about 55 miles (89 km).
Panama
Upon entering Panama, the Pan-American Highway traveler returns to travel and living conditions similar to those experienced in Nicaragua. From the Costa Rica-Panama border to the village of La Concepción is about 13 miles (21 km). From La Concepción to the city of David (not to be confused with the biblical City of David) is about another 15 miles (24 km). The highway enters Panama traveling generally from west to east.
- David
David, with an estimated population of 115,173, is located about 5 miles (8 km) north of the town of Pedregal and the Golfo de Chiriquí (Gulf of Chiriquí). David is a center of trade for agricultural products such as bananas, sugar, and coffee, as well as smaller manufactured goods. David is probably a good place to rest and replenish supplies, as the next notable population center (Tolé) is east about 55 miles (88 km).
- Tolé
From Tolé to the town of Santiago is about 50 miles (81 km). Immediately east of Tolé, the highway crosses through some mountains for the next 36 miles (58.3 km). About halfway to Santiago, the Inter-American Highway crosses over the Rio San Pablo river.
- Santiago (Panama)
From Santiago to Aguadulce is about 38 miles (61.6 km), where the Pan-American Highway (still CA Highway 1) reenters the tropical lowlands. From Aguadulce to Panonomé is roughly 30 miles (48.6 km). This stretch of highway crosses the Rio Santa María river.
- Panonomé
From Panonomé, the highway travels southeast, then northeast, then roughly north in a loop as it mostly (but not completely) avoids crossing into Panama's Central Mountains. From Panonomé to La Chorerra is about 63 miles (102 km). From La Chorerra, it is only about 15 miles (24.3 km) to Balboa just west of Panama City.
- Panama City (La Ciudad de Panamá)
Panama City, with a population of roughly 708,738, is the capital and largest city in Panama. Before entering the city, the Pan-American Highway crosses over the Panama Canal on the Bridge of the Americas. Panama City, compared to many other large Central American cities, is fairly modern and is a good place to exchange currency if necessary. Some local attractions include the 17th-century Metropolitan Church, the Interoceanic Canal Museum of Panama, the Plaza de Bolívar, the Palacio Presidential (Presidential Palace), and the History Museum of Panama.
From Panama City, the highway turns northeast; from Panama City to Chepo is roughly 35 miles (58 km); from Chepo to Cañita is another 15 miles (24.3 km).
- Cañita
At the village of Cañita is the old terminus (end) of the northern route of the Pan-American Highway. Supposedly, the highway continues another 110 miles (178 km) past Cañita to the village of Yaviza. This stretch of highway is extremely remote, so the traveler must take caution.
- Yaviza
Yaviza is a village near the junction of the Rio Tuira and the Rio Chucunaque rivers. It is here that the Inter-American Highway officially ends and, consequently, the northern Pan-American Highway. From Yaviza southeast lies the virtually impenetrable Darién Gap, a 57-mile stretch of some of the world's most rugged, mountainous jungle terrain. It is NOT recommended that the traveler enter the Darién Gap as it is EXTREMELY dangerous; it is a haven for bandits, smugglers, and Colombian paramilitary forces.
See Pan-American Highway (South America) for continuation.
Sources
- Plan Federal Highway System, New York Times, May 15, 1932 page XX7
- Reported from the Motor World, New York Times, January 26, 1936 page XX6