Explore the 13 Highest Towns on Earth That You Can Actually Drive To!
Sometimes we’re so high up in the mountains that we take a deep breath and it feels like we havent’ any oxygen left at all. Even in these conditions, human beings have adapted to a huge variety of conditions, living in sky-high elevations over 16,700ft above the sea level.
This is the list of permanent settlements occupied year-round, accessible by car, from capital cities to remote villages, from the Himalayas to the Andes, where live life at astonishing heights. In many cases, the cold climate in winter necessitates a particular style of house; the type of agriculture practised and the domestic animals kept there are limited; or, the type of work carried on is specialised.
This is the list of the highest accessible towns by car on Earth by country, over the 3.300m above the sea level. Only permanent settlements occupied year-round are included.
| Town | Country | Elevation | Road surface |
| Najia | China | 5.154m (16,909ft) | Gravel |
| La Rinconada | Peru | 5.100m (16,732ft) | Gravel |
| Wenquan | China | 5.100m (16,732ft) | Asphalt |
| El Aguilar | Argentina | 4.895m (16,060ft) | Gravel |
| Komic | India | 4.572m (15,000ft) | Gravel |
| Parinacota | Chile | 4.400m (14,400ft) | Gravel |
| Colquechaca | Bolivia | 4.167m (13,671ft) | Gravel |
| Murghab | Tajikistan | 3.618m (11,869ft) | Gravel |
| Raíces | Mexico | 3.531m (11,919ft) | Asphalt |
| Apartaderos | Venezuela | 3.505m (11,499ft) | Asphalt |
| Vetas | Colombia | 3.350m (10,990ft) | Gravel |
| Papallacta | Ecuador | 3.300m (10,827ft) | Asphalt |
| Alma | United States | 3.224m (10,578ft) | Asphalt |