# Unpaved road > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Unpaved_road > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Unpaved_road.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unpaved_road > Source revision: 1353292431 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Type of road A paved road in Switzerland transitioning to a gravel track An **unpaved road** is a type of [road](/source/Road) whose surface has not been [sealed](/source/Sealed_road) with a pavement treatment,[1] such as [concrete](/source/Concrete) or [bitumen](/source/Bitumen). An unpaved road can be a [dirt road](/source/Dirt_road), whose surface is the native material of the land surface (known as [subgrade](/source/Subgrade) material), or it could be a [gravel road](/source/Gravel_road), where the subgrade material has been covered by gravel but not sealed. There are approximately 13 million km (8.1 million mi) of unpaved road in the world, making up 57% of the total road length.[2] ## Types This section needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) ### Forest or logging road Logging road near [Eséka](/source/Es%C3%A9ka) in [Cameroon](/source/Cameroon) Main article: [Forest road](/source/Forest_road) A forest road is a type of rudimentary access road, built by private companies, or government entities such as the [United States Forest Service](/source/Forest_Service_Road_System) to access remote undeveloped areas. These roads are built mainly for the purposes of forest management, [timber harvest](/source/Timber_harvest), and [livestock grazing](/source/Grazing),[3] although in some cases they are also used for [backcountry](/source/Backcountry) recreation access. Typically, a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle is required to travel effectively on a forest road, especially where large [potholes](/source/Pothole) and/or [waterbars](/source/Waterbar) are present. [Switchbacks](/source/Hairpin_turn) are employed to make the road passable through steep terrain. These roads rapidly fall into disrepair and quickly become impassable. Remnants of old roads can exist for decades. They are eventually erased by [washout](/source/Washout_(erosion)), [erosion](/source/Erosion), and [ecological succession](/source/Ecological_succession). [Logging trucks](/source/Logging_truck) are generally given right of way. In areas that the practice is regulated, on non-highway roads with heavy logging traffic may be "radio-controlled", meaning that a [CB radio](/source/Citizens'_band_radio) on board any vehicle on the road is advised for safety reasons. ### Resource road According to the [British Columbia](/source/British_Columbia) Ministry of Forests, resource roads are typically "one- or two-lane gravel roads built for industrial purposes to access natural resources in remote areas".[4] They may be used by industrial vehicles or the general public, and as a link to rural communities.[4] Driving on resource roads can be hazardous for many reasons, including limited [visibility](/source/Visibility), unusual [road geometry](/source/Road_geometry), and the presence of [wildlife](/source/Wildlife).[4] Disused resource roads can pose a danger to both drivers and passersby, due to the danger of [landslides](/source/Landslide) forming on unstable, [poorly-drained](/source/Drainage) ground.[5] ### Primitive road A primitive road near [Buwenda](/source/Buwenda), [Uganda](/source/Uganda) A primitive road is a [minor road](/source/Minor_road) system, used for travel or transportation that is generally not maintained or paved.[6] Primitive roads primarily occur in rural farmlands, deserts, or forests rather than in developed areas. There is no universal definition of primitive road. According to [Washington (state)](/source/Washington_(state)) law, an unpaved road is a primitive road if: 1. It is not part of the county's [primary road system](/source/County_road) 1. It has an average annual daily traffic of one hundred or fewer vehicles.[7] [Road maintenance](/source/Road_maintenance) on primitive roads is optional for the county in Washington.[7] ## Design and maintenance The performance of unpaved roads is highly dependent on the properties of the underlying soil and the effectiveness of drainage systems. Proper design of unpaved roads includes consideration of material selection, compaction, and moisture control to ensure adequate bearing capacity and resistance to deformation. Unpaved roads are particularly sensitive to moisture variations and changes in groundwater conditions, which can significantly affect their bearing capacity and surface stability. Rising groundwater levels and prolonged wet conditions may lead to softening of the road structure, increased rutting, and reduced trafficability. Field studies have demonstrated that variations in groundwater table levels can directly influence the performance of gravel roads, highlighting the importance of drainage design and environmental considerations in maintaining long-term functionality.[8] Gravel track in Spain Research has shown that improved drainage solutions, such as the use of stone mattresses, can enhance the structural performance of unpaved and forest roads by facilitating water movement and reducing excess pore water pressure. This leads to improved load distribution and reduced deformation under traffic loading.[9] Recent advancements in unpaved roads monitoring include the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surface condition assessment and profiling. Studies have shown that UAV-based techniques can provide accurate and efficient measurements of road surface characteristics, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods such as road surface testers and laser-based systems.[10] ## Driving hazards While most gravel roads are all-weather roads and can be used by ordinary [cars](/source/Car), dirt roads may only be passable by [trucks](/source/Truck) or [four-wheel drive](/source/Four-wheel_drive) [vehicles](/source/Vehicle), especially in wet weather, or on rocky or very sandy sections. It is as easy to become bogged in sand as it is in mud; a high clearance under the vehicle may be required for rocky sections.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Driving on unpaved roads presents hazards often not present on paved or sealed roads: - Dust can be thrown up from a passing vehicle reducing visibility.[11] - [Washboard](/source/Washboarding) corrugations cause loss of control due to lack of tire contact.[12] These are most often found near intersections as stopping or braking causes them to form.[13] - Skidding on mud after rain[14] - Vehicle [fishtailing](/source/Fishtailing) as a result of ruts in the surface. Often found on frequently traveled roads. - In higher rainfall areas, the increased camber required to drain water, and open drainage ditches at the sides of the road, often cause vehicles with a high [centre of gravity](/source/Centre_of_gravity), such as trucks and off-road vehicles, to overturn if they do not keep close to the crown of the road. - Many unpaved roads are only [one lane wide](/source/Single_track_road) or slightly larger, thus requiring special attention when driving at higher speeds. ## Length by country The CIA Worldbook provides an estimate of the total length of unpaved roads per country for most, but not all countries in the world. The top 10 countries with the largest amount of roads is shown in the table, below:[15] Rank Country Length of unpaved roads (km) 1 United States 2,281,895 2 Brazil 1,754,000 3 Australia 727,645 4 Canada 626,700 5 China 622,000 6 Mexico 529,358 7 South Africa 591,876 8 Sweden 433,034 8 Russia 355,666 10 Finland 350,000 ## External links - [Development of forest roads in Sweden – research project overview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MufrBcZ4HQ) ## See also - [Byway (road)](/source/Byway_(United_Kingdom)) - [Country lane](/source/Country_lane) - [Dirt road](/source/Dirt_road) - [Forest Highway](/source/Forest_Highway) - [Forest railway](/source/Forest_railway) - [Forest road](/source/Forest_road) - [Gravel road](/source/Gravel_road) - [Logging](/source/Logging) - [Roads](/source/Road) - [Road surface](/source/Road_surface) - [Track bed](/source/Track_bed) - [Trail](/source/Trail) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Leonardi, Giovanni; Lo Bosco, Dario; Palamara, Rocco; Suraci, Federica (2020). ["Finite Element Analysis of Geogrid-Stabilized Unpaved Roads"](https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fsu12051929). *Sustainability*. **12** (5): 1929. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3390/su12051929](https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fsu12051929). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Faiz, Asif (September 2012). ["The Promise of Rural Roads"](https://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/circulars/ec167.pdf) (PDF). Transportation Research Board of the National Academies. Transportation Research Circular E-C167. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Al-Chokhachy, R; Black, TA; Thomas, C; et al. (2016). "Linkages between unpaved forest roads and streambed sediment: why context matters in directing road restoration". *Restor Ecol*. **24**: 589–598. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/rec.12365](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Frec.12365). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Min._Forestry_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Min._Forestry_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Min._Forestry_4-2) ["Resource roads"](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/resource-roads). *Ministry of Forests, Province of British Columbia*. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2022-10-28. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Brend, Yvette; Duncombe, Lyndsay (2022-10-27). ["Fatal landslide blamed on old logging road raises fears about hidden risks near Canada's highways"](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/landslide-risk-service-roads-1.6628050). *CBC News*. Retrieved 2022-10-28. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*ROS Users Guide*](https://books.google.com/books?id=xCIcxieP--wC&pg=PP20). Forest Service. 1982. p. 16. Retrieved 8 March 2020. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Chelan_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Chelan_7-1) ["Primitive Roads"](https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/public-works/pages/primitive-roads). *Public Works*. County of Chelan. Retrieved 2026-01-30. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Kuttah, D.; Arvidsson, H. (2017). "Effect of Groundwater Table Rising on the Performance of a Swedish-Designed Gravel Road". *Transportation Geotechnics*. **11**: 82–96. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Kuttah, D.; Persson, J. (2025). "Stabilization through improved drainage using stone mattresses". *International Journal of Forest Engineering*: 1–17. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/14942119.2025.2544413](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F14942119.2025.2544413). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Kuttah, D.; Waldemarson, A. (2024). "Next generation gravel road profiling – The potential of advanced UAV drone in comparison with road surface tester and rotary laser levels". *Transportation Engineering*. **27**. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.treng.2024.100260](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.treng.2024.100260). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Handy, RL; Hoover, JM; Bergeson, KL; Fox, DE (1975). "Unpaved Roads as Sources of Fugitive Dust". *Hearings, Reports and Prints of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry*. US Government Printing Office. pp. 94–97. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Gravel Roads"](https://jacksoncountyor.gov/departments/roads/general_information/gravel_roads.php). Jackson County, Oregon. 2026-01-31. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Bowers, Norm. ["Gravel Road Washboards"](https://www.salinecountyks.gov/media/Road%20and%20Bridge/documents/Washboards.pdf?ver=20260122172610) (PDF). *On The Road*. Saline County, Kansas. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-ucanr_14-0)** ["Off-road driving safety"](https://ucanr.edu/sites/default/files/2019-02/298544.pdf) (PDF). University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Safety Note #195. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-cia_15-0)** ["Roadways"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250716013016/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/field/roadways). *CIA World Factbook*. 2023. Archived from [the original](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/field/roadways/) on July 16, 2025. v t e Road hierarchy Types of road Limited-access Freeway / Motorway Dual carriageway / Divided highway / Expressway Elevated highway By country Australia Belgium Brazil Canada China Croatia Czech Republic Germany Greece Hong Kong India Ireland Italy Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Poland Portugal Spain Taiwan United Kingdom United States Main roads Arterial road Collector road County highway Express–collector setup Farm-to-market road Highway Link road Two-lane expressway 2+1 road 2+2 road Parkway Ring road Trunk road Highway systems by country Local roads Alley Avenue Back road Bicycle boulevard Boulevard Country lane Dead end Driveway Frontage road Green lane Main street Primitive road Side road Single-track road Sunken lane Other terms Concurrency Detour Road hierarchy Private highway Route number special route business route Street hierarchy Stravenue Stroad Toll road Winter road Bicycle highway Single carriageway Road junctions Interchanges (grade-separated) Cloverleaf Diamond Free-flow Directional T Diverging diamond Parclo Raindrop Roundabout Single-point urban (SPUI) Stack Three-level diamond Trumpet Intersections (at-grade) 3-way junction Bowtie Box junction Channelization Continuous flow Hook turn Jughandle Michigan left Offset T-intersection Protected intersection Quadrant roadway Right-in/right-out (RIRO) Roundabout Seagull intersection Split intersection Superstreet Texas U-turn Turnaround Surfaces Asphalt concrete Bioasphalt Chipseal Cobblestone Concrete Reinforced concrete Corduroy Crocodile cracking Crushed stone Diamond grinding of pavement Dirt Full depth recycling Glassphalt Gravel Ice Macadam Pavement milling Permeable Plank Plastic Rubberized asphalt Sealcoat Sett Stamped asphalt Tarmac Texture Unpaved Road safety factors Road and environment Aquaplaning Avalanche Black ice Bleeding Crosswind Dead Man's Curve Expansion joint Fog Ford Hairpin turn Level crossing Manhole cover Oil spill Oversize load Pothole Road debris Road slipperiness Road train Roadkill Rockfall Rut Snow squall Speed bump Storm drain Traffic light Traffic sign Washboarding Washout Whiteout Human factors Driver's education Driving under the influence Drowsy driving Road rage Single-vehicle crash Vehicles Airbag Automotive safety Crumple zone Seat belt Risk compensation (road transport) Underride guard Space and time allocation Barrier transfer machine Bike lane Chicane Climbing lane Complete streets Contraflow lane Contraflow lane reversal High-occupancy toll lane High-occupancy vehicle lane Living street Managed lane Median / Central reservation Motorcycle lane Passing lane Pedestrian crossing Pedestrian zone Refuge island Reversible lane Road diet Road verge Runaway truck ramp Shared space Sidewalk / Pavement Shoulder Street-running railway Traffic calming Traffic directionality Traffic island Traffic lanes Traffic signal preemption Truck bypass Unused highway Wide outside lane Woonerf Demarcation Bollard Botts' dots Cable barrier Cat's eye (road) Concrete step barrier Constant-slope barrier F-shape barrier Guard rail Jersey barrier Kassel kerb Noise barrier Raised pavement marker Road surface marking Rumble strip Traffic barrier Traffic cone Structures Causeway Overpass / Flyover Underpass / Tunnel Performance indicators Pavement condition index International roughness index Present serviceability index Pavement performance modeling Granular base equivalency Glossary of road transport terms Road types by features Template:Traffic signs **Unpaved road** at Wikipedia's [sister projects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikimedia_sister_projects): - [**Media**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Unpaved_roads) from Commons --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Unpaved road](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unpaved_road) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unpaved_road?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.