Some journeys change your life, but road trips? They change your soul.
Why Road Trips Are the Ultimate Travel Experience
There’s something magical about hitting the open road with nothing but a playlist, a packed trunk, and the thrill of discovery ahead. Unlike air travel, road trips invite spontaneity. They let you chase sunsets, pull over for unexpected viewpoints, and feel the pulse of a place mile by mile. Whether you’re meandering along a tropical coast or snaking through snow-capped mountains, these epic road trip routes offer more than scenery, they offer stories.
Let’s buckle up and explore the best road trips in the world that deserve a spot on every traveler’s bucket list.
1. Pacific Coast Highway, USA – California Dreaming on the Open Road
Route: San Francisco to Los Angeles (Highway 1, USA)
Distance: ~750 km (470 miles)
Road Condition: Well-paved, winding coastal highway
Best Time to Visit: April to October
Cruising the Pacific Coast Highway is the ultimate California dream. Start your drive in fog-kissed San Francisco, wind through Monterey’s Cannery Row, marvel at the craggy cliffs of Big Sur, and finish with sunsets in Santa Monica.
What makes this drive spectacular is the constant interplay between land and sea. The highway hugs the cliffs, revealing turquoise coves, sea lion-dotted rocks, and redwood forests all in one stretch.
Must-stops: Bixby Creek Bridge, Pfeiffer Beach (purple sand!), McWay Falls, and Hearst Castle.
Local Tip: Start early to avoid traffic near Big Sur. Overnight in Carmel-by-the-Sea for the most romantic detour.
Perfect for: Coastal lovers, photographers, and foodies.
2. Great Ocean Road, Australia – Cliffs, Koalas, and Coastal Legends
Route: Torquay to Allansford, Victoria
Distance: ~243 km (151 miles)
Road Condition: Good, sealed road with sharp bends
Best Time to Visit: November to April
Australia’s Great Ocean Road is a masterclass in coastal drama. This short but jaw-dropping route takes you past towering sea stacks, eucalyptus forests filled with koalas, and surf towns that feel like something out of a vintage postcard.
Highlights include the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and Apollo Bay. At every curve, you’ll feel like pulling over for a photo – and you should.
Local Tip: For a peaceful detour, stop at Great Otway National Park for waterfalls and glow worm caves.
Perfect for: Beach lovers, wildlife watchers, and nature seekers.
3. Ring Road, Iceland – Ice, Fire, and Fjords
Route: Entire loop around Iceland via Route 1
Distance: ~1,332 km (828 miles)
Road Condition: Mostly paved, but slippery and icy in winter
Best Time to Visit: May to September
Driving Iceland’s Ring Road feels like wandering through another planet. Volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches – you’ll see it all, often with no other cars in sight.
You’ll pass by iconic spots like Skógafoss, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and the charming village of Vik. Add in the occasional puffin or reindeer, and you’re in a real-life nature documentary.
Local Tip: Allow at least 7–10 days. Rent a 4WD in shoulder season for safety.
Perfect for: Adventure junkies, photographers, and solitude lovers.
4. Garden Route, South Africa – Wild Coasts and Wine Country
Route: Mossel Bay to Storms River
Distance: ~300 km (186 miles)
Road Condition: Mostly good, some potholes near towns
Best Time to Visit: November to March
The Garden Route is South Africa’s answer to the perfect blend of coast, culture, and nature. From ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn to elephant sanctuaries in Knysna, this road trip is packed with variety.
You’ll drive through lagoons, forests, and maybe even spot whales off the shore in Hermanus. Bonus: South Africa’s wine region is a delicious detour.
Local Tip: Stop in Tsitsikamma for bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge, the highest bridge jump in the world!
Perfect for: Wildlife enthusiasts and thrill-seekers.
5. Amalfi Coast Drive, Italy – Romance on a Ribbon of Road
Route: Sorrento to Salerno
Distance: ~75 km (47 miles)
Road Condition: Narrow, curvy, and busy in summer
Best Time to Visit: April to June, September to October
Italy’s Amalfi Coast Drive may be short, but it’s steeped in drama, both in scenery and driving! Sheer cliffs drop into sapphire seas, lemon groves cling to the hills, and pastel villages pop like confetti.
Stop in Positano for seafood pasta with a view, wander the historic alleys of Amalfi, and sip limoncello in Ravello’s gardens.
Local Tip: Consider taking a scooter or hiring a driver, the road is tight, and parking is scarce.
Perfect for: Romantics, foodies, and luxury lovers.
6. North Coast 500, Scotland – Castles, Cliffs, and Coastal Magic
Route: Inverness loop around northern Scotland
Distance: ~830 km (516 miles)
Road Condition: Narrow rural roads, generally good
Best Time to Visit: May to September
Scotland’s North Coast 500 is like a Highland fairytale. Rugged cliffs, historic castles, lonely lochs, and whisky distilleries await as you curve through one of the UK’s most scenic drives.
Durness Beach, Applecross Pass, and the ruins of Ardvreck Castle are unforgettable.
Local Tip: Book stays in advance, especially in smaller towns. And yes, try the haggis at least once!
Perfect for: History buffs, whisky lovers, and landscape photographers.
7. Ruta 40, Argentina – A Desert Epic Along the Andes
Route: From La Quiaca to Río Gallegos
Distance: ~5,200 km (3,231 miles)
Road Condition: Mixed (paved and gravel), remote stretches
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Ruta 40 is Argentina’s backbone, running along the spine of the Andes and through the heart of Patagonian wilderness. This isn’t a drive; it’s an expedition.
Pass through Mendoza’s wine country, the colorful hills of Salta, and the windswept plains of Patagonia. Guanacos may be your only company for hours.
Local Tip: Stock up on fuel and snacks, services can be hours apart.
Perfect for: Long-distance travelers and off-the-beaten-path explorers.
8. Ticlio Pass, Peru – A Drive Through the Clouds
Route: Lima to La Oroya (Via Central Highway)
Distance: ~180 km (112 miles)
Road Condition: Paved but steep and curvy; altitudes over 4,800 m
Best Time to Visit: May to October (dry season)
The Ticlio Pass is one of the highest paved roads in the world, and you’ll feel it. Starting from sea level in Lima and climbing to nearly 16,000 feet, this trip takes your breath away, literally and metaphorically.
You’ll pass mining towns, foggy cliffs, and views that touch the heavens.
Local Tip: Acclimatize before the trip. Carry coca tea or altitude sickness meds.
Perfect for: High-altitude adventurers and thrill-seekers.
9. Highway 93A – Canada’s Icefields Parkway: Banff to Jasper
Route: Banff to Jasper, Alberta
Distance: ~230 km (143 miles)
Road Condition: Excellent, paved and scenic all the way
Best Time to Visit: June to September
This is my personal favorite, the Icefields Parkway is Canada’s crown jewel of road trips. Picture crystal-clear lakes, thundering waterfalls, and ancient glaciers – all within a few hours’ drive.
You’ll stop at Lake Louise, Peyto Lake (that wolf-head shape!), Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls. Every turn looks like a postcard.
Local Tip: Bring layers, the weather shifts fast, even in summer.
Perfect for: Mountain lovers, photographers, and anyone who wants their jaw dropped every 10 minutes.
10. Dempster Highway, Canada – Into the Arctic Wild
Route: Dawson City, Yukon to Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories
Distance: ~740 km (460 miles)
Road Condition: Gravel, remote, and rugged
Best Time to Visit: June to September
The Dempster Highway is a raw, remote road into Canada’s Arctic. Few travelers make it this far, but those who do are rewarded with untouched wilderness, migrating caribou, and the surreal experience of reaching the Arctic Ocean.
Pass through Tombstone Territorial Park, Inuvik, and traditional Inuit communities.
Local Tip: Carry extra fuel, two spare tires, and know basic vehicle repair.
Perfect for: Wilderness wanderers and serious road warriors.
11. Milford Road, New Zealand – Fjords and Fairytales
Route: Te Anau to Milford Sound, South Island
Distance: ~120 km (75 miles)
Road Condition: Paved but steep and narrow in places
Best Time to Visit: October to April
This short stretch packs in a lifetime of scenery. Waterfalls tumble from mossy cliffs, mirrored lakes reflect snowy peaks, and tunnels open into prehistoric valleys.
Milford Sound itself is the grand finale, best explored by boat or kayak.
Local Tip: Check weather and avalanche conditions in winter. Start early to beat the crowds.
Perfect for: Nature lovers, couples, and Lord of the Rings fans.
12. The Atlantic Road, Norway – Ocean Meets Architecture
Route: Kristiansund to Bud, Western Norway
Distance: ~36 km (22 miles)
Road Condition: Excellent, paved, with sea spray on windy days
Best Time to Visit: May to September
Short but surreal, Norway’s Atlantic Road skips across islands and bridges like a rollercoaster over the sea. The Storseisundet Bridge is the star – twisting like it defies engineering.
Waves crash, seabirds soar, and each turn reveals another awe-inspiring view.
Local Tip: Go during a storm for the most dramatic wave crashes (from a safe distance!).
Perfect for: Architecture fans and sea lovers.
Final Thoughts: Where Will Your Wheels Take You?
Whether you’re hugging a sun-kissed coast or threading through icy fjords, these scenic road trips prove one thing – the best travel stories often start with four wheels and an open mind.
Fuel up, take the detour, chase the sunset.
Got a favorite road trip I missed? Drop it in the comments – I’d love to hear about your wildest drives.
And hey, if this inspired your next adventure, don’t forget to share it with your road trip crew!
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1 comment
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