Road Network Size by Country 2024

The number and spread of roads in a country is a vital factor in a country's development and economic potential. However, there are some very significant differences in road network size around the world.

The United States comes out on top for the most extensive road network, with nearly 4.1 million miles (6.6 million kilometers) of roads, ranging from the country's expansive interstate highway system to the vast selection of state, county, and local roads that access nearly every part of the nation. India takes second place, with just under 4 million miles (6.4 million kilometers) of roads created to move the country's billion-plus residents over a relatively small area. Another of the world's largest countries comes in third, China. Just over 3.2 million miles (5.2 million kilometers) span a nation roughly the size of the contiguous United States. There's a steep drop to fourth place, with Brazil's 1.2 million miles (2 million kilometers) less than half of China's count. Russia rounds out the top five with approximately 800,000 miles (1.3 million kilometers) of road network, a notably low amount considering its status as the world's largest country by area.

It's no surprise that the world's numerous island nations typically have the smallest road networks. Tuvalu has just five miles (eight kilometers) of roads on the 10-square-mile island, while Tokelau packs six miles (10 kilometers) of road network onto under four square miles of land. The British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar has the smallest network on a continent, with 18 miles (29 kilometers) of roadway in the tiny peninsula. This is followed by the microstate of San Marino, which is surrounded by Italy and provides 181 miles (292 kilometers) of roads.

These numbers are constantly shifting and evolving as countries build new road projects and, in some cases, previously created roads fall into disrepair.