Top 10 countries in the world for road quality

Facts

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Ever since the time of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol (and this, for a moment, 1809-1852), it is known that there are two troubles in Russia. But what to do with them is unclear, and where to get away from them is also a separate question. And if the rating of countries by the number of fools is rather difficult to compile, then by the quality of roads it is quite possible.

Therefore, we have compiled a rating of the 10 best countries in the world in terms of road quality – so that you know where to escape from one of the Russian troubles. To compile the top, the Global Competitiveness Index was used.

Rating of the best countries in the world for road quality

Nomination a place Country Global Ranking
Rating of the best countries in the world for road quality 10 United States of America 5,7 points
9 Austria 6.0 points
8 Portugal 6.0 points
7 France 6.0 points
6 Japan 6.1 points
5 Netherlands 6.1 points
4 Hong Kong 6.2 points
3 Switzerland 6,3 points
2 Singapore 6,3 points
1 United Arab Emirates, UAE 6.4 POINTS
And what about Russia? 2.9 POINTS
Where are the worst roads?

10th place: United States of America

Rating: 5.7 points

USA

The road network of the United States of America is one of the most complex and extensive in the world. This is due to the territorial and administrative division of the state. Highways connect states, metropolitan areas, are laid within regions, and so on. There are no such large-scale routes as the Russian M4 and the like on the territory of the United States.

Nevertheless, despite the complex topology (you cannot figure it out without a navigator or at least a map), American roads are characterized by the high quality of the pavement itself. It is not made from asphalt or similar materials, but from concrete. It is resistant to abrasion, mechanical stress, and weather. Therefore, some American roads can serve up to 40 years without the need for major repairs.

Russia also has concrete highways. One example is the federal road A-108, which encircles the capital. Unofficially, it is called 'Bolshaya Betonka' or 'Moscow Big Ring' (MBK), was built in 1957-1958 and since then has practically not been closed for major repairs of the canvas.

9th place: Austria

Rating: 6.0 points

Austria

Almost all highways connecting Austria are paid. But money is spent right and right. The quality of the road surface in Austria is consistently high, despite the fact that some highways pass along very difficult routes.

Austria is a mountainous country. And therefore, the highways connecting the individual regions pass through the rocky Alps. They approach road construction responsibly, using technologies that ensure high quality of the roadway and durability of the coating, regardless of climatic and transport conditions.

But, going on a trip to Austria by car, it is worth stocking up on money. A transport card called a 'vignette' will cost 9.2 euros and will allow you to use state toll roads for 10 days. Local residents prefer to buy the right to access the highways for a longer period. So, a 'vignette' for 2 months will cost 26.8 euros, and for a year – 89.2 euros.

8th place: Portugal

Rating: 6.0 points

Portugal

Portugal is called the 'Kingdom of the Sun' – and for good reason. The climate in this country is almost always hot and dry, winters are mild, and only in the regions adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea atmospheric 'cataclysms' occur regularly. Due to such conditions, Portuguese roads maintain a high quality of the surface – after all, rainfall practically does not penetrate the local asphalt, which freezes the next night: due to the absence of rain and frost.

The good quality of the road surface and the mild climate of Portugal make it one of the favorite countries for advertisers. Almost 50% of the videos, in which the car rushes along the ideal flat mountain highway under the pale blue sky and with the ocean in the background, were filmed here.

But in order to feel like the hero of a commercial, you have to get a bank card. Most of the routes connecting Portugal are toll, and they are paid only electronically. Tariffs vary depending on the length and type of the site, the fare will cost 0.85-13.4 euros.

7th place: France

Rating: 6.0 points

France

France, like the vast majority of European countries, is also linked by a toll road network. Moreover, the tariffication is very interesting. There are not only toll routes, but also certain road sections, for travel along which you will have to fork out.

So, if you want to cross the Viaduct Millau bridge (by the way, very beautiful) or the Mont Blanc tunnel, you will have to pay separately. The fare for crossing the latter is 45.6 euros one way or 142.3 euros for 10 trips. In principle, toll roads in France are very expensive – the minimum fare is € 3.9 for a 62 km motorway. For longer stretches you will have to 'fork out'. For example, traveling along the Paris-Bordeaux highway with a length of 571 km will cost 56.2 euros.

But the high cost is justified. The quality of French roads is also up to par. Special construction technologies ensure the reliability and durability of the canvas. That is why this country occupies an honorable 7th place in the ranking of the best countries in the world in terms of road quality.

6th place: Japan

Rating: 6.1 points

Japan

The inhabitants of Japan, like no other state, need high quality roads. The cold island climate with constantly high air humidity and suspiciously high seismic activity strongly affect the condition of the pavement. Therefore, the construction and materials of Japanese roads were originally developed to improve durability, reliability and resistance to various external factors.

However, there are not very many cars in Japan. The high density of urban development and the high cost of transport prevent local residents from using their own cars. It would be trite to put them nowhere – not to mention the fact that buying a car requires work, work and a little more work.

Japan produces cars primarily for export. And, like many other products, it does them very well. Therefore, Japanese cars are known for their reliability and durability.

One of the interesting features of Japanese road construction is the constant innovation. There are areas here that clear the snow on their own thanks to the built-in heaters. There are 'musical roads' where you can hear pleasant sounds while driving. In general, the canvas is made according to the 'American' technology, that is, from concrete, not asphalt. And the construction of roads is carried out by private companies of the NEXCO group operating under the auspices of the state.

The combination of 'private approach', innovation in construction and the need to achieve maximum reliability makes Japan one of the best countries for road quality.

5th place: the Netherlands

Rating: 6.1 points

Netherlands

Dutch roads are a true motorist's dream. High quality, reliable, wide and … free. Yes, unlike most European countries, Holland does not charge for most roads – only a few highways will require you to 'fork out'.

At the same time, the high quality of the roadway is ensured by a special construction technology. The Netherlands is one of the first countries to introduce 'anti-wear' coating. Porous asphalt is applied to the top layer of the web, absorbing and removing moisture. Considering that there are no sharp temperature changes in the Netherlands even in winter, this technology is quite effective in eliminating puddles on the roads.

The high quality of the road surface is also influenced by the culture of drivers' behavior. Most of the traffic in the Netherlands is calm and polite. Even in traffic jams, drivers do not drive onto the curbs or left lanes allocated for emergency vehicles (including ambulances).

The second feature of the Dutch that improves the quality of the road surface is the vigilance of ordinary citizens and the quick response of special services. If a pothole appears, local residents report it, and the hole is quickly patched up.

Thus, the Netherlands is a prime example of how mentality affects the quality of roads.

4th place: Hong Kong

Rating: 6.2 points

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is practically an autonomous region in China, so it can be considered separately from the rest of the country (which, however, does not have a high quality of roads – in the global ranking it is in 42nd place with 4.6 points).

The high quality of the roads in Hong Kong is due to two factors. Firstly, the expressway from Beijing to Macau passes through it. It is very busy, eight-lane (4 lanes in each direction) and is highly demanded by local residents, since it connects several regions of China at once. Of course, the condition of the roadway is closely monitored on it.

Secondly, Hong Kong is the business center of China. It is here that the offices of the largest technology and financial corporations are located, as well as many other enterprises. And it would be strange if between the skyscrapers there were disgusting roads with many puddles and other potholes.

Moreover, Hong Kong is a small territory. Therefore, it is easier to follow it than a large country. That is why it takes the honorable 4th place in our ranking.

3rd place: Switzerland

Rating: 6,3 points

Switzerland

It should be noted right away that Switzerland is one of the most expensive European countries. The multitude of taxes, fees and other duties make it shocking for many tourists. But drivers can calm down and not worry – the money spent on toll roads fully pays off: the quality of the road is impressively high.

So, when entering Switzerland, you will need to pay 40 euros (2820 rubles at the time of this writing). This is the amount of 'toll'. For 40 euros, you can drive on Swiss roads for a year – even if you are just crossing the country and plan to spend only 1 day here.

Despite the high quality of the road surface, the highways themselves sometimes leave much to be desired. Switzerland is a mountainous country and a number of trails run along alpine slopes. Here, in principle, it is not possible to build multi-lane autobahns, so sometimes you have to drive on single-lane roads. For 40 euros, yes. But the view from the window is gorgeous, and there are no pits, puddles and other potholes.

But gasoline in Switzerland is one of the cheapest in Europe. But everything else is expensive and paid. If you want to buy a sausage at a gas station and take a plastic disposable fork to it – you will have to 'lay out' 1 euro for it.

Overall, Switzerland is not really a 'driver's paradise'. But, if you want to see high-quality mountain roads, on which there are no potholes and holes, then it is quite possible to go to this country.

2nd place: Singapore

Rating: 6,3 points

Singapore

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Singapore is ranked among the countries with the best road surfaces. The country itself is showing impressive economic dynamics. Just a few decades ago, it was a poor territory, even forced to buy drinking water from neighboring states. Now it is a thriving business center, a city-state, a real pearl of modern Asia, strewn with skyscrapers, but retaining an amazing, authentic spirit. What are some buildings with holes so that the local deity The Lion King can fly to the sea are worth.

Of course, economic growth is impossible without high quality roads. After all, highways are the “arteries of the state” that unite the regions. In addition, Singapore is a well-known intermediate point from where you can travel to other Asian countries. That is, the traffic here is constantly saturated.

The Singapore authorities originally designed high-traffic roads. It uses concrete technology, which has already proven itself in Japan and the United States of America. This material is characterized by mechanical resistance, strength and durability.

True, it is worth considering that in many respects Singapore owes its honorable second place in the ranking to an expensive transport system. Here you have to pay for everything. For big dear ones, for parking, for the right to own a car. The money is spent primarily on maintaining the condition of the roads, so all this is justified. In addition, the fare depends on the volume of traffic. In particular, for example, travel by private car around the city during rush hour will cost $ 10, and after a couple of hours, when the load subsides, it will cost $ 2.

A similar technology of tariffication for road use has been introduced not only in Singapore, but also in three European cities – Milan, Stockholm and London. In addition, it is planned to introduce it in Moscow – and then the entrance to the center of the capital will be paid.

1st place: United Arab Emirates, UAE

Rating: 6.4 points

United Arab Emirates

Almost all stereotypes that come to mind when mentioning the United Arab Emirates turn out to be true. This is a country of sheikhs who love to travel through cities in supercars. And for some Lamborghini whose ground clearance is less than 10 centimeters, even a tiny pothole can be fatal. Therefore, the roads in the UAE are ideal.

They not only offer smooth road surfaces, but also competent interchanges. This is largely due to the country's 'youth'. While most of the districts and regions are only 'in the project', it is not difficult to lay a road network with a competent interchange.

The UAE is characterized by an almost ideal climate for road surface. It rarely rains here and, in principle, there is no frost, even in winter. The most dangerous factor is sand, which is carried by the wind and has abrasive properties. But the UAE road builders have dealt with this problem, using a special concrete composition to increase stability.

Thus, the roads of the United Arab Emirates are officially recognized as the best in the world.

And what about Russia?

Rating: 2.9 points

Russia, Russia

Despite popular public opinion, Russian roads are not the worst in the world. But there is absolutely nothing to be proud of. Russian roads scored 2.9 points in the global ranking and took 114th place – out of 137.

The rest of the CIS countries also cannot boast of high quality roads. In particular:

  1. Ukraine – 2.4 points, 130th place;
  2. Kazakhstan – 2.9 points, 115th place;
  3. Azerbaijan – 4.8 points, 36th place;
  4. Armenia – 3.7 points, 85th place;
  5. Kyrgyzstan – 2.7 points, 112th place;
  6. Moldova – 2.5 points, 128th place;
  7. Tajikistan – 4.1 points, 70th place.

The Republic of Belarus and Uzbekistan are not included in the rating.

Where are the worst roads?

Mauritania

And finally – a list of countries to which it is better not to go by private car, otherwise there is a risk of spending the whole vacation in a car service or traffic jams. The last 10 places in the ranking are occupied by Moldova, Mozambique, Ukraine, Paraguay, Yemen, Guinea, Madagascar, Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mauritania.


Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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