What are the Main Highways in El Salvador?

 |  Jun 10th, 2022
Highways in El Salvador
El Salvador main Highways.

The main highways in El Salvador are the Pan-American highway (CA-1) or Carretera Panamericana, the Litoral Highway (CA-2) or coastal highway, and the North Longitudinal Highway or Carretera Longitudinal del Norte.

These highways are the main arteries that connect major cities in El Salvador and provide connectivity with the neighboring countries, Honduras and Guatemala.

El Salvador has other roads that will connect with neighboring countries or the top cities in the country. However, the three highways mentioned above are the principal roads in El Salvador.

Pan-American Highway, CA-1, or Carretera Panamericana

The Pan-American Highway, CA-1, or Carretera Panamericana, is the nation’s main road that connects the western Guatemalan border through San Salvador to the eastern Honduran border.

The CA-1 Pan-American Highway links El Salvador with Guatemala in the western part of the country and Honduras in the eastern region.

The Pan-American Highway also links the nation’s capital with the main cities that El Salvador has, such as Santa Ana in western El Salvador and San Miguel in the eastern region of the country.

Pan-American Highway, CA-1, or Carretera Panamericana. Photo by Carolina Regalado de Rivera

The CA-1 Panamerican Highway is considered the longest stretch of road in the world. The route goes from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to the Patagonia of Argentina or Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego in Argentina.

CA-2, Coastal Highway, or Carretera del Litoral

CA-2, the coastal highway or Carretera Litoral in Spanish, is one of the most transited roads in El Salvador. It runs along the Pacific Ocean coastal area and crosses the entire country,

The coastal highways go from the Guatemalan border in Auhuachapan to the Fonseca Gulf in Eastern El Salvador. This is a fascinating road that takes you near some of the best beaches in El Salvador.

Salvadoran Highway
CA-2, Coastal Highway or Carretera Litoral.

This highway has been improved and is well maintained; parts of this road are included in the Surf City El Salvador project. It is also an essential connection between the international airport and the coastal areas of the country.

North Longitudinal Highway or Carretera Longitudinal del Norte

The North Longitudinal Highway OR Carretera Longitudinal del Norte is a road that runs through the northern part of El Salvador.

This highway was completed in 2013, and it has an extension of 242 kilometers. It was built with donations from the United States.

The North Longitudinal Highway crosses all the departments in the northern part of El Salvador that have borders with Honduras.

One of the highest bridges in El Salvador was built on this highway; it is located over the Lempa River, between the municipalities of Nombre de Jesus in Chalatenango and Cabañas. It is near the November 5ht Hydroelectric Power Plant.

El Salvador Highway
North Longitudinal Highway OR Carretera Longitudinal del Norte.

highways in El Salvador

The main roads in El Salvador listed above are the principal roads linked to El Salvador’s transportation, either for passengers or commercial.

These Highways are the central infrastructure that keeps the small nation connected with neighboring countries, Honduras and Guatemala. And with the most significant cities in the country.