The Most Remote Places You Can Drive To

In an era where GPS navigation can guide us to nearly any destination with pinpoint accuracy, the allure of truly remote places—those untouched by mass tourism and far from the bustle of modern life—remains strong. For those who crave adventure, solitude, and the raw beauty of nature, there are still corners of the world accessible by road that feel like the edge of civilization. These are places where the journey itself is as significant as the destination, where vast landscapes stretch endlessly, and where human presence is a rare sight.

From the frozen tundras of the Arctic to the scorching deserts of Africa, from the high-altitude plateaus of the Andes to the rugged outback of Australia, these are some of the most remote places you can drive to—if you dare.

1. The Dalton Highway, Alaska, USA

Distance from Major Cities: Fairbanks (500 miles south), Prudhoe Bay (240 miles north)
Why It’s Remote: One of the most isolated roads in North America, the Dalton Highway stretches 414 miles through the Alaskan wilderness, paralleling the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. With only three small towns along the route (Coldfoot, Wiseman, and Deadhorse), drivers must be entirely self-sufficient. The road is mostly gravel, prone to extreme weather, and frequented by massive trucks hauling supplies to the oil fields.

What You’ll See: Endless tundra, the Arctic Circle, the Brooks Mountain Range, and, if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights. Wildlife includes grizzly bears, moose, and caribou.

2. The Canning Stock Route, Australia

Distance from Major Cities: Nearest town is Wiluna (1,100 km from Perth)
Why It’s Remote: Stretching 1,850 km through the heart of Western Australia’s outback, the Canning Stock Route is one of the most challenging 4×4 tracks in the world. Originally used to drive cattle, it crosses hundreds of sand dunes, salt lakes, and rocky terrain. There are no fuel stations, no cell service, and no settlements—just vast, empty desert.

What You’ll See: The Great Sandy Desert, the Gibson Desert, ancient Aboriginal rock art, and some of the most pristine night skies on Earth.

3. The Road to Tuktoyaktuk, Canada

Distance from Major Cities: Inuvik (138 km south)
Why It’s Remote: Until 2017, Tuktoyaktuk—a small Inuvialuit village on the Arctic Ocean—was only accessible by ice road in winter or by air. Now, the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway is the first all-season road to Canada’s Arctic coast. The drive is desolate, with nothing but tundra, frozen lakes, and the occasional caribou herd.

What You’ll See: The Mackenzie Delta, pingos (ice-cored hills unique to the Arctic), and, if you visit in summer, the midnight sun.

4. The Pamir Highway, Tajikistan & Kyrgyzstan

Distance from Major Cities: Dushanbe (500 km west), Osh (300 km east)
Why It’s Remote: One of the highest roads in the world, the Pamir Highway (M41) winds through the rugged Pamir Mountains, reaching altitudes over 4,600 meters (15,000 feet). The route is treacherous, with steep cliffs, landslides, and extreme weather. Villages are sparse, and infrastructure is minimal.

What You’ll See: The Wakhan Valley (with views into Afghanistan), turquoise alpine lakes, and remote Kyrgyz yurt camps.

5. The Trans-Taiga Road, Quebec, Canada

Distance from Major Cities: Radisson (620 km south)
Why It’s Remote: Extending 666 km into the boreal wilderness of northern Quebec, the Trans-Taiga is one of the most isolated roads in the world. It ends at the Caniapiscau Reservoir, with no towns or services along the way. The road is mostly gravel, and breakdowns can be deadly due to the lack of traffic.

What You’ll See: Dense forests, vast lakes, and the occasional moose or black bear.

6. The Skeleton Coast, Namibia

Distance from Major Cities: Swakopmund (500 km south)
Why It’s Remote: Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth—a barren desert where the Atlantic Ocean meets towering dunes. The few roads that exist are rough, and travelers must carry extra fuel and water. Shipwrecks dot the coastline, remnants of vessels lost to the treacherous fog and currents.

What You’ll See: Desert-adapted elephants, seal colonies, and surreal landscapes where the desert meets the sea.

7. The Road to Ushuaia, Argentina

Distance from Major Cities: Buenos Aires (3,000 km north)
Why It’s Remote: The southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia is the gateway to Antarctica. The drive through Patagonia is long and windswept, with vast stretches of empty steppe, glacial rivers, and the jagged peaks of the Andes.

What You’ll See: Tierra del Fuego National Park, penguin colonies, and the Beagle Channel.

Conclusion: The Call of the Remote

Driving to these far-flung destinations is not for the faint of heart. It requires preparation, resilience, and a deep respect for nature’s power. But for those who answer the call, the rewards are unparalleled—solitude, breathtaking landscapes, and the rare privilege of standing where few have ventured.

So, if you’re ready to leave the beaten path behind, pack your supplies, check your vehicle, and set out for one of these remote corners of the world. The road less traveled awaits.