Scenic Drives for Ultimate Road Tripping

Embarking on a long-distance journey with the wind in your hair and the open road before you is an experience unlike any other. The joy of discovery combines with the freedom of movement to create memories that last a lifetime. To help you plan the perfect adventure, we’ve rounded up some of the best road trip drives around the world. Buckle up and prepare to be inspired!

Pacific Coast Highway, California

One of the most iconic road trip drives in the United States, California’s Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) hugs the rugged coastline for over 600 miles. Dramatic cliffs tumble into the Pacific Ocean, and hidden coves offer secret beaches to explore. Start in San Francisco, meander through the redwood forests of Big Sur, and end your voyage in sunny San Diego.

The drive is as much about the journey as the destination. Stop at Bixby Creek Bridge for a quintessential photo op. Enjoy fresh seafood in Monterey. Hike scenic trails at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Each mile reveals a new slice of coastal splendor.

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Australia’s Great Ocean Road stretches over 150 miles along Victoria’s southern shoreline. This legendary route is one of the world’s top road trip drives, famed for its limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles, lush rainforest hinterlands, and quaint seaside towns.

Begin in Torquay, the surfing capital, and wind your way through Apollo Bay’s culinary delights. Explore Otway National Park’s ancient trees. Pause at Loch Ard Gorge to absorb history and haunting beauty. Finish in Warrnambool, where whales surface in season.

Ring Road, Iceland

Iceland’s Ring Road encircles the country in a 830-mile loop. It’s the ultimate playground for adventurous road trip drives, passing volcanoes, glaciers, black sand beaches, and roaring waterfalls.

Follow the southern coast to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, where icebergs drift silently. Head north to Dettifoss—Europe’s most powerful waterfall. In the east, fjords carve emerald passages, and in the north, geothermal pools beckon. This route invites exploration off the main highway, revealing hidden valleys and remote fishing villages.

Amalfi Coast Drive, Italy

Italy’s Amalfi Coast Road may only span 34 miles, but it offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in Europe. This narrow, winding stretch between Sorrento and Salerno clings to cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, dotted with pastel villages and lemon groves.

Each turn unveils postcard-perfect panoramas: the steep staircases of Positano, the terraced vineyards of Ravello, and the glistening azure water below. For a memorable road trip drives experience, stop at roadside cafés for espresso and soak up the Mediterranean sun.

Blue Ridge Parkway, USA

Named “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Its 469 miles wind through rolling peaks, serene overlooks, and charming mountain communities.

Ideal for fall leaf peeping, the parkway dazzles with autumn’s fiery palette. But spring wildflowers, summer hikes, and winter mists each cast a different spell. Historic sites like Mabry Mill and Linville Falls provide perfect pit stops during this quintessential American road trip drives route.

Route 66, USA

Often called the “Main Street of America,” Historic Route 66 stretches over 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica. This legendary highway encapsulates the spirit of classic road trip drives—mid-century diners, neon signs, eclectic roadside attractions, and vast prairies.

Drive through small towns like Tucumcari and Amarillo in New Mexico. Explore the Grand Canyon via a detour in Arizona. Finally, roll into sunny California and celebrate on Santa Monica Pier. Route 66 is a time capsule—a trip back to the golden era of American motoring.

Cabot Trail, Canada

Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail loops around Cape Breton Island for approximately 185 miles. It’s renowned as one of Canada’s premier road trip drives, with coastal cliffs, dense spruce forests, and Celtic-infused culture.

Drive north through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, then retrace your path along the ocean side. Stop at lookouts like MacKenzie Mountain and Chéticamp, where Acadian villages offer warm hospitality and fresh seafood. Whale-watching cruises, hiking on Skyline Trail, and traditional ceilidh gatherings round out the perfect trip.

South Island Loop, New Zealand

New Zealand’s South Island can be circled in a grand loop, covering over 1,400 miles of landscapes that range from golden beaches to alpine mountains. This epic road trip drives route showcases glaciers at Franz Josef, the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, and the dramatic peaks of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Set out from Christchurch, head west to Hokitika, then south through Queenstown—the adventure capital. Complete the circle through Milford Sound’s fjords and the rolling hills of the Catlins. Every turn promises cinematic vistas that inspire endless awe.

Garden Route, South Africa

Along South Africa’s southeastern coast lies the Garden Route—150 miles of lush forests, lagoon-speckled coasts, and coastal cliffs. This scenic corridor is one of Africa’s most captivating road trip drives.

Start in Mossel Bay, wander through the Knysna Forest, and cruise alongside the Storms River mouth in Tsitsikamma National Park. Birdlife abounds in nature reserves, and seaside towns like Plettenberg Bay offer surf, sun, and sophisticated cuisine. It’s a feast for the senses.

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way stretches over 1,500 miles along the rugged western seaboard, making it the longest defined coastal touring route in the world. This is the kind of road trip drives adventure that unites dramatic cliffs, hidden coves, and timeless Gaelic villages.

From County Donegal’s windswept headlands to County Kerry’s pristine Ring of Kerry, each section provides unique charm. Historic sites, sea bird colonies, and lively pubs with traditional music create a tapestry of experiences that beg to be savored slowly.

Ultimate road-tripping is all about the unexpected vistas, the roadside discoveries, and the freedom of the open highway. Each of these road trip drives invites you to step off the beaten path and immerse yourself fully in the landscape. Embrace the detours, soak in the local flavors, and let the journey itself become the destination. Safe travels and happy motoring!