When compiling your bucket list of life and things to do before you die, the best road trips in the world MUST be on that list. There’s nothing like driving along incredibly scenic views with music blasting and the wind in your hair, whether those views are coasts, mountains, or anything in between.
On the road trip of life, much like any actual road trip in the world, there are ups, downs, fast sections of the road, and those moments where we can take in the beautiful surroundings as we make it towards our next destination.
Luckily for us, these magnificently epic road trips all around the world allow you to get in your car and drive long distances, experiencing the true wonders of the world as they go by outside your window. In this article, we share a list of some of our favorite and best road trips that you can go on across the world.
The 10 Best Road Trips in the World
It’s tough to name the BEST road trips in the world, but it’s impossible to argue that the scenic drives on this list are some of the top standouts on Earth. Where possible, I have linked to my own road trip guides or other sources that can help you plan these epic road trips.
The Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
One of the most famous road trips in Australia, The Great Ocean Road is a must-see for anyone who makes it to Victoria. The whole road trip can be done in a day, but I recommend doing it in two or three days to make the most of it, take your time, and be able to relish in all the amazing scenery. This is my self-drive Great Ocean road itinerary with the best tips for this amazing road trip!
The Great Ocean Road goes along coastlines, past thick, luscious forests, through beautiful national parks, and along some of the finest white sandy beaches.
Starting at the bright lights of Melbourne, the GOR travels to the 12 Apostles (although there are only 8 of these left) for the stunning collection of limestone stacks that can be seen off the shore of Port Campbell National Park, and back to Melbourne.
Extra Thrills on the Great Ocean Road
During any long road trip, you’ll surely look at different ways to have fun and maybe win a little bit of money to fund the next stop for road snacks and drinks (or a nicer place to stay). If you don’t already work remotely, being able to get some extra funds on the road is super helpful.
One great way to do this when you are driving along the Great Ocean Road in Australia, for example, is to look for the best casino online in Australia. You can find the best slots and your other favorite card games, play on your phone, interact with other Aussies at your virtual table, and win some money, too!
The Carretera Austral, Chile
Patagonia is one of the most magical landscapes on the entire planet, and the Carretera Austral is a driving route that is so remote it seems unreal. There are giant mountains and lakes, forests and fjords, ice caves, and a mostly unspoilt ancient wilderness.
The Carretera Austral is Route 7 on Chile’s southern highway and it is the perfect road trip for those looking for a long journey off the beaten track. Start your journey in Puerto Montt and follow the route down through Santa Lucia, Coyhaique and Tortel, until you reach the finishing line in Villa O’Higgins 770 miles later.
You’ll be stopping off at plenty of places along the way to go for a hike, for a swim, or just to sit and take in the wonderful views of nature and wonder.
You can keep going to check out the incredible Torres Del Paine, or cross the border into Argentina to see El Calafate, El Chalten, and more. If you want to travel back through Argentina, the equivalent amazing Patagonia road trip on the other side of the border is Ruta Cuarenta (Route 40). This beautiful and desolate road connects southern Patagonia with northern Partagonian highlights in Argentina, too.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
Driving the Pacific Coast Highway on the USA’s West Coast offers some of the most varied and spectacular scenes in the world! Unlike the above, ‘PCH’ cannot be done in a day – I would recommend at least 3 days if not a week or more to make the most of the spectacular road trip stops along the Pacific Coast highway.
PCH begins from a freeway in the town where I grew up, Dana Point. It continues along the Californian coast all the way up tp Leggett in Northern California, far past San Francisco. You pass through so many different landscapes on PCH that it’s tough to describe them all, from hilly beaches to redwoods to farmlands to forests to little towns and big cities.
If I had to recommend some of the best parts of Pacific Coast Highway, I would say Big Sur is my absolute favorite, followed by 17 Mile Drive in Carmel, Laguna Beach in Orange County, Malibu, Santa Barbara, Point Reyes, and Fort Bragg. You can continue into a large looped California road trip including some deserts and National Parks inland, too!
Route 66, USA
Get your kicks on Route 66! This is a journey that has been infused into the American cultural zeitgeist for decades in song, in books, in movies, and in art. It’s known as the Main Street of America, and you’ll see why when you make the journey.
It runs from Chicago in the American Midwest, all the way to the west coast of the USA in Los Angeles. Some of the main cities it crosses through are Springfield Illinois, St Louis, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, and Flagstaff, AZ.
But you’ll soon realize that some of the best parts of Route 66 are the smaller towns, little villages with ruins, and remote abandoned gas stations and truck stops that offer a shadow of the glamour of the old Route 66.
Make sure to detour to the Grand Canyon and everything that has to offer the senses, enjoy the Californian desert, and then end on the West Coast.
Pula to Dubrovnik, Croatia
Road-tripping the Croatian coast is definitely one of the top road trips in the world that anyone would enjoy. With some of the most pristine and beautiful water in the world and a coast dotted with ancient ruins and recent history, what’s not to enjoy?
There is that famous and hilarious meme about Croatia not allowing Bosnians to swim, as they have the entire, thin coastline strip to the west of Bosnia & Herzegovina. When you make the 440-mile drive along the beautiful Croatian coastline from Pula to Dubrovnik you can see why it was historically so keenly contested.
You snake along the coast to Dubrovnik with plenty of interesting and scenic spots to stop at along the way, including Rijeka, Zadar, Split, and Markarska and if you so desire, you can even put your car on one of the many ferries and drive along beautiful islands like Korcula and Mljet, stopping for crystal-clear swims all along the way.
There’s history around every corner, stunning summer spots for the holiday spirit in you, friendly faces, and fantastic food, all at a decent price. Check out my itinerary for a Balkan road trip which includes all of the Croatian coast!
The North Coast 500, Scotland
There are plenty of scenic routes in the UK, which is surprising when you consider how small it is in comparison to other countries on this list. Even so, there are some especially awe-inspiring scenic routes in Scotland, with the North Coast 500 as the biggest standout.
This dramatic loop takes you from Inverness and back to Inverness, and in between shows you along the rugged coastline, the small fishing villages, sandy beaches, and high mountains in the Scottish Highlands.
You’ll even take in the most northerly point in the UK, John O’Groats. If you are looking for an epic road trip in the UK, this is the one for you! Make sure to get amongst the Scottish culture by trying oat cakes, fresh local cheese, and trying some bird watching and plenty of hiking.
The Garden Route, South Africa
Next, we have another of the most famous coastal road trips in the world: The Garden Route in South Africa. Technically the route can start in Cape Town, but it REALLY begins about 4-5 hours from Cape Town in a beach town called Mossel Bay.
The Garden Route winds up and down hills and cliffs, through forested landscapes, and past beautiful coastal towns where you can surf, dive, spot sharks/seals, and watch the beautiful and wild Indian Ocean. There are also lots of Safari/Game lodges a bit further inland to see true African wildlife, and also some epic points of interest like the tallest bungee jump in the world.
WHile you can technically drive the Garden Route in a day if you want to, it would be best to take a week and explore it properly. Here are some of the best stops on the Garden Route.
The Amalfi Coast, Italy
I may be biased, but this amazing road trip of the world is best done on a scooter (especially a Vespa tp get in the Italian spirit)! This is another picturesque coastal road trip that connects tiny cliffside towns on the famous Amalfi coast of Italy. From Positano and Amalfi to Sorrento and Salerno, this winding road will present some of the best views EVER.
The Amalfi coast is known for its sparkling waters, colorful buildings and houses built up the cliffs, and colorful umbrellas dotting the beaches. While road tripping the Amalfi coast you are sure to fall in love with these scenes that are world-famous for a reason.
Iceland Ring Road (and Golden Cricle)
Multiple of the best road trips on the planet are in one of the most other-worldly countries in the world, Iceland. If you don’t have much time, you can road trip the Golden circle in Iceland, which can be done in a few days and touches upon some of the most famous sights in Iceland including waterfalls, glaciers, coasts, and mountains.
But, to truly experience the best road trip that Iceland has to offer, many opt to drive the Ring Road, which pretty much makes a lap of the entire large volcanic island. The Ring Road requires 7 days the the very least, and has dozens of amazing sights to visit along the way.
Here are some routes and tips for Ring Road that will surely solidify its place on your road trip bucketlist of the world. If you are on a budget check out my guide to Iceland on a budget!
Great St Bernard Pass, Italy/Switzerland
This 143-mile stretch of road is one of those iconic driving routes where you’ll have a sense of awe the entire time! For many people, it’s well-known as the road that was immortalised in the opening scene of the original Italian Job film with the Lamborghini Miura. For others, it’s simply one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the world which takes you across the alps.
It is much unchanged since that movie was filmed back in 1969, apart from a few safety updates. It is still unspoiled territory, with hairpin bends, fantastic drops, and tunnels that open out into stunning vistas of the Alps. It’s also one of the highest mountain passes in the Alps.
If you are looking for the perfect way to see the Alps, this is the road trip for you. Begin in the Asota Valley or Italy, and make your way down to Martigny in Switzerland, or perhaps all the way to Lake Geneva. Whatever you do, don’t forget to enjoy views of the two highest mountains in the range that you can see from this road trip, Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa.
The Top Road Trips in the World
These are just ten of the epic road trips that you could potentially go on across the world, out of many many thousands of beautiful roads to drive.
Driving is one of the best ways to explore a country, to see some wilderness and nature, to get off the beaten track, and to stop and slow down for a while to take it all in. Let us know where your favourite journeys are and we can add them to this list!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.