Take care crossing this street because it may take you a long time. The widest avenue in the world is 9 de Julio Avenue (9th of July Avenue) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The avenue has a total of 18 lanes at its widest point, with seven lanes going in either direction and two parallel streets on either side.
It’s not completely covered with pavement over its entire width and has green areas in-between the traffic that flows in opposite directions. The width of the avenue is about 360 feet, a little more than the length of a football field, and runs about 1.9 miles (3 km).
The beginning phase of the street began in 1937, but the idea had been planned since 1888. Construction wasn’t completed until the 1960s, and more sections running south were completed in the 1980s. It’s named for Argentina’s Independence Day of July 9, 1816.
There is some debate whether 9 de Julio is truly the widest avenue in the world. The Guinness Book of World Records had recognized it as the widest avenue but took away the honor in 2006 when it declared the Monumental Axis in Brasilia, Brazil, as the champion. That street is about 820 feet wide or almost 275 yards.
There are some distinct differences between the two, however. Monumental Axis has two six-lane highways, which are cut in two by a very large, central park. It may be argued that Monumental Axis is not a true “avenue,” which is defined as a “broad road in a town or city, typically having trees at regular intervals along its sides.” Either way, these are some really wide roads.
