Britain may be known for its winding country lanes and historic roads that twist through narrow towns and villages, but one stretch of tarmac stands out for doing the exact opposite. Often dubbed the “UK’s longest straight road”, one section of the A15 in Lincolnshire runs for an astonishing 18 miles without a single bend, making it one of the most unusual driving experiences in the country.
The road is part of an English highway that stretches north from Peterborough through Market Deeping, Bourne, Sleaford and Lincoln. It follows a blend of ancient, Roman, and Turnpike routes until it reaches its junction with the M180 near Scawby. The section of the A15 – between Scampton and the M180 – holds the record for the longest straight road in the UK, where drivers can go for 18 miles without having to turn their steering wheel once. Drivers heading along the road are treated to an uninterrupted view of fields, skies and distant horizons – with no corners to break the line of sight.
The A15’s unusual layout is no accident. Much of the route follows the path of Ermine Street, a major Roman road built nearly 2,000 years ago. Roman engineers were famous for efficiency, often building roads in straight lines regardless of the terrain, and the A15 is one of the best surviving examples of their influence on Britain’s modern road network.
Because Lincolnshire is relatively flat, the road was able to remain straight over long distances, unlike routes in hillier parts of the UK, where natural obstacles forced engineers to adapt. Today, the result is a road that feels almost surreal compared to the nation’s more familiar winding routes.
While the title of longest straight road is sometimes debated – with other contenders including parts of the A303 and A16 – the A15’s uninterrupted 18-mile stretch is widely regarded as the longest continuous straight line on a UK public road.
Despite its simplicity, the road presents challenges of its own. Drivers are warned that the lack of bends can lead to fatigue and reduced concentration, particularly on long journeys. Speed cameras and safety reminders are in place along the route to help prevent accidents.
The longest straight road in the world is located in Saudi Arabia. Highway 85 is a 510-mile straight road running from Arar, the capital of Northern Borders Province, to Al Nairyah, a governorate in Eastern Province.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
