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CNT Research of 2023 Reveals Which Are the Roads With the Best Pavement, Signage and Infrastructure in the Country; See the Ranking and the Reasons for the Paulista Hegemony.
The research evaluated 111,502 kilometers of highways and the results show an absolute dominance of roads granted to the private sector, with a special highlight for the state of São Paulo. Knowing the best highways in Brazil helps to understand the quality standard that can be achieved with continuous investments and efficient management.
According to the 26th edition of the CNT Highway Survey, released on November 29, 2023, the quality of Brazilian roads is still a major challenge, but some segments stand out as examples of excellence. The study, carried out by the National Transportation Confederation (CNT) in partnership with SEST SENAT, is the most extensive analysis of the country’s road infrastructure and serves as a thermometer for national logistics safety and efficiency.
What Defines an Excellent Highway?
To classify the roads, the CNT Highway Survey analyzes three major variables: pavement, signage and road geometry. In terms of pavement, the conditions of the surface are observed, such as the presence of cracks, patches and potholes. The signage evaluates the legibility and visibility of speed limit and indication signs, as well as the conditions of the painted lanes on the road. Finally, the road geometry takes into account characteristics such as the type of road (single or dual carriageway), the presence of shoulders, and the existence of dangerous curves.
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The 2023 study pointed out that 67.5% of the assessed road network presented some deficiency, being classified as regular, bad, or poor. In contrast, the granted roads, which represent 25.3% of the total surveyed, received the classification of “excellent” or “good” in 84.4% of their segments.
The Ranking of the 5 Best Highways in Brazil in 2023
The Paulista hegemony in the ranking of the best highways in Brazil is a direct reflection of the state’s concession program, initiated in the 1990s. All five top-ranked highways are in São Paulo and are managed by the private sector.
Bandeirantes Highway (SP-348): the main connection between the city of São Paulo and the municipality of Cordeirópolis.
Governor Carvalho Pinto Highway (SP-070): part of the Ayrton Senna/Carvalho Pinto complex, which connects the capital to the Paraíba Valley.
Brigadeiro Faria Lima Highway (SP-326): an important road that crosses the Ribeirão Preto region.
D. Pedro I Highway (SP-065): forms the ring road of the Campinas Metropolitan Region.
Immigrants Highway (SP-160): the main link between São Paulo and the southern coast, famous for its modern infrastructure.
A Detailed Look at the Champions of São Paulo
The leadership in the ranking is not by chance. The Bandeirantes Highway (SP-348), managed by the concessionaire CCR AutoBAn, is often cited as a model of management. The road has high-quality pavement, exemplary signage, and a robust monitoring system with cameras and sensors that ensure rapid response in case of incidents.
Similarly, the Governor Carvalho Pinto Highway (SP-070), managed by Ecopistas, stands out for its investments in technology. The concessionaire uses variable message panels and real-time traffic analysis systems to ensure greater flow and safety for users, especially during holidays and peak demand seasons.
The Challenge of Public Roads
While the granted roads in São Paulo exhibit a standard of excellence, the reality in much of the country is challenging. The CNT survey indicated that, on public-managed highways, 77.1% of the segments were classified as regular, bad, or poor.
The lack of continuous investments in maintenance is the main factor for the degradation. In 2023, federal investment in transportation infrastructure was R$ 13.22 billion, an amount considered insufficient by the CNT to reverse the situation. Poor quality roads not only increase the risk of accidents but also generate economic losses. According to the CNT, the operational cost of transportation is 33.1% higher in segments with pavement in poor condition, impacting the final price of products.
The Bet on New Concessions
To reverse the scenario of degradation and expand the quality seen on the best highways in Brazil to other regions, the bet remains on the concession model. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, and several state governments have plans to auction new segments in the coming years.
The expectation is that the injection of private capital can accelerate the recovery and modernization of infrastructure. Improving the roads is a long-term project that requires planning, legal security to attract investors, and efficient contract oversight to ensure that safety and efficiency become the rule, not the exception, on Brazilian highways.
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