Top 25 Road Trip Routes on (Almost) Every Continent

Nothing says “freedom” quite like a road trip. There’s something so irresistible about getting in the driver’s seat and setting off to explore the world on a choose your own adventure-style… well, adventure! With a rental car, motorbike or motorhome, you can navigate at your preferred pace, venture off the highway to experience new regions and uncover hidden gems along the way. 

While the road less travelled is alluring, why not let the travel experts take the wheel? We’ve got all the inspiration you need with these 25 extraordinary road trip routes on (almost) every continent.

Europe

• Ring Road, Iceland
• Amalfi Coast (SS163), Italy
• Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
• North Coast 500, Scotland
• Coniston Loop, England
• Atlantic Road, Norway

North America

• Pacific Coast Highway, California
• The Mighty 5, Utah
• Road to Hana, Hawai‘i
• Icefields Parkway, Alberta
• Sea-to-Sky Highway, British Columbia
• Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
• Yucatán Peninsula Loop, Mexico

South America

• Carretera Austral, Chile
• Ruta Nacional 40, Argentina

Australia and Oceania

• Great Ocean Road, Victoria
• Cairns to Cape York, Queensland
• Great Eastern Drive, Tasmania
• Pacific Coast Highway, North Island
• Southern Scenic Route, South Island

Asia

• Taisetsu-Furano Scenic Byway, Japan
• Karakoram Highway, Pakistan
• Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand

Africa

• The Garden Route, South Africa
• Northern Safari Circuit, Tanzania
   

If otherworldly landscapes appeal, you’ll be right at home on Iceland’s Ring Road — a famed loop that circumnavigates the island. An attraction in its own right, the Ring Road (otherwise known as Route 1) features the country’s contrasting landscapes and natural wonders; you’ll get to pass volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls, stop in charming towns and marvel at the local wildlife.

Distance: 1,322km
Ideal trip length: 7 days
Best time to drive: Year-round

Channel your inner Italian siren or sir with a zippy ride on the Amalfi Coast. The SS163 is best savoured over a few days so you can soak up the coastal route between Sorrento and Salerno in southern Italy, stopping in Positano and Amalfi along the way. The narrow, winding road features hairpin bends and steep drops for jaw-dropping views. BYO headscarf.

Distance: 50km
Ideal trip length: 3–5 days
Best time to drive: April to November

One of the world’s longest designated coastal routes, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way runs down the west coast from Derry in the north to Cork in the south. The route clings to the coastline, featuring ancient monuments, fishing villages, islands and bays. Plus, it includes the wild windswept outlook of the Cliffs of Moher, jutting up some 214m from the Atlantic.

Distance: 2,500km
Ideal trip length: 7–14 days
Best time to drive: March to October

While the Proclaimers may have walked 500 miles, we’d much prefer to take Scotland’s NC500 route from Inverness — a popular road trip worthy of an entire playlist. This bucket-list loop traverses the Scottish Highlands for an epic journey past medieval castles and historic ruins, craggy landscapes, sweeping coastlines and traditional pubs full of Gaelic cheer (and beer).

Distance: 830km
Ideal trip length: 5–7 days
Best time to drive: March to October

The Lake District is the UK’s most popular driving destination and England's Coniston Loop is considered one of its most challenging routes — but the reward for this rural rollercoaster of a road trip is eye-popping mountain passes, steep valley drops and picture-perfect villages. Set off from the village of Coniston and journey through the valleys of Langdale and Duddon, as well as the Hardknott and Wrynose passes.

Distance: 55km
Ideal trip length: 1 day
Best time to drive: April to September

It’s not a long drive, but Norway’s Atlantic Road packs a one-two punch with gobsmacking scenery and showy engineering feats that are equally beguiling on a calm day or in a blustery storm. One of 18 National Tourist Routes, the Atlantic Road connects the island of Averøy to the mainland city of Mold — and zigzags over the open sea and islets across eight bridges. Even better? It’s toll-free for cheap thrills.

Distance: 111km
Ideal trip length: 1 day
Best time to drive: Year-round

Few routes rival the fame of California’s Pacific Coast Highway with its starring roles in film and TV. The coast-hugging Highway 1 is best known for the stunning Big Sur stretch from Santa Barbara to Monterey. Start in San Francisco and head south to San Diego. Bonus: you can easily pull over to take in the views.

Distance: 938km
Ideal trip length: 4–7 days
Best time to drive: Year-round

The Mighty 5 is an epic US road trip through Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef and Zion national parks and a jaw-dropping journey through southern Utah’s sublime desert formations. Drive through the red rock hoodoos, canyons and arches by day and don’t forget to look up at night — Utah has the most International Dark Sky Places in the world.

Distance: 1,674km
Ideal trip length: 10 days
Best time to drive: April to October

Hawai'i's Hana Highway (Routes 36 and 360) connects Kahului and Hana along Maui’s northeast coast. While it’s only a three-hour drive, you’ll want to take it all in — the Road to Hana scenic route is a mythic adventure of cascading waterfalls, hidden pools, surf breaks, lava tubes and black-sand beaches with each sight contributing to the legend of how the island was formed.

Distance: 84km
Ideal trip length: 1 day
Best time to drive: Year-round

Linking Banff and Jasper national parks in Alberta, Icefields Parkway (aka Highway 93 N) will have you on a Rocky Mountain high as you motor by some of the most stunning scenery around. Start at glacial Lake Louise and follow along the breathtaking Continental Divide to Jasper where the Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk and Miette Hot Springs are absolute must-dos.

Distance: 232km
Ideal trip length: 1 day
Best time to drive: Year-round

British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky Highway is just as scenic as the name suggests. Going from Vancouver via Squamish to Whistler, Highway 99’s winding road and panoramic Pacific Ocean views are a siren call to photographers and driving aficionados with beaches, bays, waterfalls, and historic and cultural sites. It also boasts the Sea to Sky Gondola, which offers you a ride to the summit of Mount Habrich.

Distance: 120km
Ideal trip length: 1–3 days
Best time to drive: Year-round

The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia is one of Canada’s most iconic road trips, steeped in Acadian (French) and Gaelic (Scottish) culture. Fly into Cape Breton Island, pick up your rental car and head into Highlands National Park through small fishing villages and mountain passes. Stop for Cape Breton lobster, wildlife spotting, lighthouses and hiking the popular Skyline Trail over boardwalks that skim the coast.

Distance: 300km
Ideal trip length: 3–5 days
Best time to drive: May to October

This drive from Cancún to Puerto Morelos yields some serious eye candy in the form of lush cenotes, verdant jungle, powdery white beaches, Mayan ruins, luxe resorts and vibrant villages. Head west from Mexico's popular tourist town of Cancún, stopping for a dip, a trip to the Chichén Itzá and Tulum ruins, and delish food in Mérida.

Distance: 1,100km
Ideal trip length: 8–10 days
Best time to drive: November to May

Ruta 7, or the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway), is a monumental road trip through the northern Patagonian region in Chile. Start your engines in Puerto Montt in the Chilean Lake District and venture on a vast and remote driving experience that features prehistoric peaks, glaciers, forests and fjords en route to the quaintly named Villa O’Higgins.

Distance: 1,240km
Ideal trip length: 14–21 days
Best time to drive: October to April

One of the world’s longest highways, Ruta Nacional 40 (La Cuarenta) runs parallel to the Andes in western Argentina and stretches north from Cabo Virgenes to La Quiaca. Crossing multiple provinces, rivers and national parks, you’ll spy Patagonian plains, Andes peaks and pristine lakes alongside buzzing cities and towns. It’s definitely one for the bucket list!

Distance: 5,224km
Ideal trip length: 21 days
Best time to drive: October to April

Extend your Melbourne stay with a self-drive holiday on the Great Ocean Road. A 275km drive one-way or 550km roundtrip, take the scenic route to the iconic Twelve Apostles rock formations. The Great Ocean Road is studded with sights from beach towns and famous surf breaks to forested national parks full of wildlife. It’s as classic as an Aussie meat pie.

Distance: 550km
Ideal trip length: 4 days
Best time to drive: Year-round

The “trip to the tip” is one for the serious 4WD enthusiasts. This epic road trip to the top of Australia’s mainland is an off-road adventure through Tropical North Queensland from Cairns to Cape York via Cooktown. It’s a pioneering journey into untouched nature with challenging creek crossings and corrugated roads — offering elusive wildlife, wartime relics, Indigenous art and culture.

Distance: 1,432km (one-way)
Ideal trip length: 6 days
Best time to drive: May to October

For a cooler climate coastal road trip, Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive wows with drop-dead gorgeous landscapes and award-winning walks around every bend. Set off from Hobart to Bay of Fires along the east coast via Maria Island, Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay and Bicheno. Abundant wineries and gourmet foodie finds will encourage you to linger even longer.

Distance: 342km
Ideal trip length: 5 days
Best time to drive: Year-round

New Zealand’s North Island is a bounty of Māori culture, volcanic activity, beaches and untouched rainforest best explored by road. Travelling the Pacific Coast Highway along the east coast from Auckland to Napier, you’ll encounter the Coromandel’s coastal beauty and hot pools, glowworm caves, an active volcano in Mount Maunganui and Hawke’s Bay wineries — just to name a few highlights!

Distance: 1,104km
Ideal trip length: 7 days
Best time to drive: Year-round

Feel the rush of fresh air on a NZ South Island road trip from Dunedin to Queenstown. The achingly beautiful Southern Scenic Route captures the essence of what makes the South Island so captivating — think rugged coastlines, pristine national parks and lakes. Primed for adventure with bungee jumping and rafting, it’s also the setting for more leisurely activities with walks, wineries and seafood.

Distance: 810km
Ideal trip length: 4 days
Best time to drive: Year-round

One of 14 designated Hokkaido Scenic Byways, this short-and-sweet day trip from Sapporo is a fun and colourful ride. It takes in Japan's so-called “Roller Coaster Road” (Nishi 11-sen town road) — a 2.5km straight stretch of undulating bitumen through verdant flower and lavender fields — and Patchwork Road (Patchwork no Michi), named for its quilt-like farmland.

Distance: 138km
Ideal trip length: 1 day
Best time to drive: May to November

Running from Kashgar, China to Hasan Abdal, Pakistan, the Karakoram (or “Friendship Highway”) is a road trip along the top of the world. It’s remote and rugged, whipping through the Karakoram range — which includes K2, the world’s second-highest peak. On endless roads, bridges and tunnels, you’ll be mesmerized by snow-capped mountains, glaciers, valleys and unique cultures.

Distance: 1,300km
Ideal trip length: 10–14 days
Best time to drive: May to October

Starting and ending in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, the Mae Hong Son Loop contains an astounding 1,860 mountainous curves, making it a popular route for motorcyclists. It’s a journey through remote hill tribe villages, mist-shrouded passes, verdant rice paddies, intricate cave systems and dense jungle for a thrill-inducing ride. 

Distance: 600km
Ideal trip length: 4–7 days
Best time to drive: November to June

South Africa’s Garden Route has the lot. The road trip from Mossel Bay to Storms River features a highlight reel of scenic sights — including nature reserves, pristine beaches, majestic mountains and shimmering lagoons. Cutting a swathe along the Western Cape, this Indian Ocean coastal route also offers a front-row seat to those glorious sunsets.

Distance: 300km
Ideal trip length: 3–14 days
Best time to drive: November to March

To DIY your own big five safari, hire a 4WD and hit up Tanzania’s Northern Circuit for the roundtrip from the town of Arusha to Serengeti National Park. This classic safari route on paved and unsealed roads includes the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area for prime wildlife spotting opportunities at the famous crater.

Distance: 612km
Ideal trip length: 7–9 days
Best time to drive: June to October

 

Ready to hit the road? Our expert travel consultants can help you plan every detail of your trip, from car rentals and routes to roadside pitstops — and so much more. Get in touch today!