# What's the longest detour? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 18, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985 "2023-02-18T13:38:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/1 "2023-02-18T13:38:35Z")
I was just up at the Grand Canyon taking winter photos. From the South Rim, you can see the North Rim visitor’s center, around 10 miles away. But, it’s over 200 miles to actually drive from one to the other. Is this the longest “detour” required to get somewhere? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/2 "2023-02-18T14:13:16Z")
I’ll define “detour” as “a road route that actually exists between two points visible to each other on a good day.” The OP may have other intents. I’m going to suggest there are probably spots along the Great Lakes where one can see the other side, but driving halfway around the lake to get there is more total mileage. But OTOH it’ll be tough to beat the OP’s Grand Canyon cite/site. A problem with the Great Lakes is that there’s little vertical topography, so due to the horizon you’ll only see across any lake at a narrow point or where there’s a city with tall buildings on the other side. Both of which tend to set up for both convenient road networks and being near the end of the lake. The Sea of Marmara is another candidate. There are enough mountains nearby that one might be able to see straight across the sea, but have to drive around it to get there. > **[Sea of Marmara](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_of_Marmara)** > > The Sea of Marmara,\[a\] also known as the Marmara Sea, is an inland sea located entirely within the borders of Turkey. It connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea via the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, separating the country's European and Asian sides. The Sea of Marmara is a small sea with an area of 11,350 km2 (4,380 sq mi), and dimensions of 280 km × 80 km (174 mi × 50 mi). Its greatest depth is 1,370 m (4,490 ft). > The Sea of Marmara is named after the largest island to its south side which... ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/3 "2023-02-18T14:23:27Z")
I’m going to say the record is Moulhoule, Djibouti to Murad, Yemen. 22 miles across the Bab al-Mandab Straight yet 3575 miles by road. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/4 "2023-02-18T14:31:26Z")
If you elect to [sail around Cape Horn](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/16/yacht-sets-record-from-new-york-to-san-francisco/1925311/) instead of taking the land route from New York to San Francisco, it’s 10,319 extra miles compared to traveling on I-80. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/5 "2023-02-18T14:34:45Z")
Maybe, rather than “detour,” this thread lists places where “you can’t get there from here.” ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/6 "2023-02-18T14:41:32Z")
Well in all fairness we are using the OP’s definition. My longest detour was around 70 miles when PCH was closed and I had to backtrack 50 miles to take a one lane road over the mountains in order to continue on US 101 to San Francisco. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/7 "2023-02-18T14:46:52Z")
It’s not clear the OP _had_ a clear definition. But I for one really like your Moulhoule, Djibouti to Murad, Yemen run. Assuming, by _my_ definition, one can see the other from across the water I have no doubt you win the thread by a mile. More like 3,400 of them. Congrats! Seriously, not snarkily. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/8 "2023-02-18T15:07:08Z")
I wonder if there are ferries between the two cities. Not trying to disqualify this suggestion on a technicality … more like idle curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/9 "2023-02-18T15:15:00Z")
I can personally attest that when the Icefields Parkway in Alberta is closed (which it often is in winter) the shortest detour is a 120 mile long unpaved logging road. Otherwise you pretty much have to go to Edmonton, which will add at least 4 hours to your already long and challenging drive. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/10 "2023-02-18T15:35:07Z")
If you exclude ferries the North Fork of Lawn Guyland to CT…especially with respect to time & driving thru NYC traffic ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/11 "2023-02-18T15:50:21Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I’m going to say the record is Moulhoule, Djibouti to Murad, Yemen. 22 miles across the Bab al-Mandab Straight yet 3575 miles by road. > [@HeyHomie](#): > > I wonder if there are ferries between the two cities. Excluding ferries, the Strait of Gibraltar beats this by a factor of two. It’s only about 5 miles across, but the road route would be 7,000 miles all around the Mediterranean. It’s not clear exactly what OP’s criteria are for transportation. You can of course walk across the Grand Canyon. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/12 "2023-02-18T16:05:15Z")
Tarifa, Spain to Tangier, Morocco are only right across the Straight of Gibraltar, but by road comes in just under 7000 miles. [https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tarifa/35.6647587,-5.8247795/@35.9366896,6.6428074,5.26z/data=!4m16!4m15!1m10!1m1!1s0xd0c8ef7c23f1c63:0x2ce0f2832aa48963!2m2!1d-5.6044497!2d36.0143209!3m4!1m2!1d35.8425512!2d31.8800141!3s0x151ca665d6c0a38d:0xfa9e08ba9be3ce72!1m0!2m1!3b1!3e0](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tarifa/35.6647587,-5.8247795/@35.9366896,6.6428074,5.26z/data=!4m16!4m15!1m10!1m1!1s0xd0c8ef7c23f1c63:0x2ce0f2832aa48963!2m2!1d-5.6044497!2d36.0143209!3m4!1m2!1d35.8425512!2d31.8800141!3s0x151ca665d6c0a38d:0xfa9e08ba9be3ce72!1m0!2m1!3b1!3e0) ETA: ninja’d by Riemann. I almost had this ready to post, but got interrupted and it took a while to get google to let me route a road around it. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/13 "2023-02-18T16:12:19Z")
The Straights of Gibraltar was the first one I checked but there are ferries. Assuming they can transport cars it’s not a detour. AFAIK Djibouti to Yemen has no ferries. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/14 "2023-02-18T16:22:53Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > It’s not clear exactly what OP’s criteria are for transportation. That’s because this was more of a puzzle than a rigorous problem. I was thinking about automobile transportation, because most water obstacles can be traveled by ship, and obviously, walking is possible almost anywhere, as is air travel. In the Grand Canyon, you can take mules part way… The Strait of Gibraltar is pretty amazing, and might be the winner. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/15 "2023-02-18T16:25:19Z")
What’s the driving route from Sarah Palin’s house to Russia? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/16 "2023-02-18T18:13:57Z")
The longest detour is from Walmart to my house when I _really_ need to hit the head. This is open to debate. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/17 "2023-02-18T18:21:20Z")
The OP reminded me of one of my favorite road signs. I first saw it while driving in a car. It’s not a great place to stop (or very safe), but on my motorcycle I just _ **had to** _ get this picture! This sign makes it seem like the north and south rims are close to each other. [![](https://i.imgur.com/HLc8TzG.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/HLc8TzG.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/18 "2023-02-18T18:26:01Z")
I know exactly where that is… https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=%213m2%212sen%214v0%216m8%211m7%211si4ynq66Y7OVxDqIxwGnhUg%212m2%211d36.075714%212d-111.3917898%213f327.84%214f9.028%215f0.161 ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/19 "2023-02-18T19:00:32Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > walking is possible almost anywhere, “A man attempting to walk around the world…drowned today.” -George Carlin I too, wanted to say the Strait of Gibraltar, but now I can’t. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985/20 "2023-02-18T20:20:59Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > What’s the driving route from Sarah Palin’s house to Russia? I’m not sure, but it’s pretty obvious that anyone following Palin and her route is already around the bend. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-longest-detour/979985.md?page=2)