Saudi Arabia’s Highway 10 has been officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world’s longest straight road, stretching a whopping 159 miles from Haradh to Al Batha and cutting through the Rub Al-Khali desert.
The previous record holder was Australia’s Eyre Highway, which boasts about 91 miles of straight road.
Originally built as a private route for King Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who ruled Saudi Arabia from June 1982 until 2005, the highway is completely straight with no bends or noticeable gradients.
This heavily trafficked road is crucial for transporting goods across the desert, linking the central and western regions of Saudi Arabia to the UAE.
Despite its length, the estimated driving time on this super-straight stretch is approximately two hours, reports the Express.
This recognition comes as Saudi Arabia continues to pump billions into its tourism sector, in an effort to diversify away from oil.
The Saudi government is making a massive push in tourism, planning to invest a staggering £618 billion into the industry by 2030.
This ambitious plan includes the construction of 500,000 hotel rooms and the creation of 1.6 million jobs.
The Red Sea Project is one of several initiatives at the heart of this transformation, which is already starting to yield results.
Sheybarah Island is a key part of the development, offering a sustainable paradise for tourists.
Visitors to the island will discover the luxurious Shebara Resort, featuring futuristic design and accommodation options, including overwater villas that resemble spaceships.
The groundbreaking design and layout is the brainchild of architects from UAE firm Killa Design.
The resort is built from steel orbs, which float atop the waters of Al Wajh Lagoon.
This unique construction allows guests to fully appreciate the stunning natural surroundings whilst causing minimal disruption to the environment.