Most Scenic Road Trip Routes Around the World
Introduction
Road trips offer the ultimate travel experience, allowing you to explore stunning landscapes at your own pace. Whether it’s coastal highways, winding mountain roads, or picturesque countryside routes, every journey promises breathtaking views and unforgettable moments. Here are some of the most scenic road trip routes around the world that every traveler should experience.
1. Pacific Coast Highway, USA 🏝️
📍 Location: California, USA
🛣️ Distance: 1,055 km (656 miles)
The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) runs along the breathtaking California coastline. This route offers stunning ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and charming seaside towns.
Highlights:
✅ Drive through Big Sur, one of the most scenic coastal stretches in the world.
✅ Stop at Bixby Bridge, an iconic landmark.
✅ Explore Santa Barbara and Monterey, known for beaches and marine life.
2. Great Ocean Road, Australia 🌊
📍 Location: Victoria, Australia
🛣️ Distance: 243 km (151 miles)
One of Australia’s most famous road trips, the Great Ocean Road offers stunning ocean views, lush rainforests, and fascinating rock formations.
Highlights:
✅ The Twelve Apostles, iconic limestone stacks in the ocean.
✅ Surfing at Bells Beach, a world-famous surf spot.
✅ Explore the Otway Rainforest, home to waterfalls and wildlife.
3. Ring Road, Iceland ❄️
📍 Location: Iceland
🛣️ Distance: 1,322 km (821 miles)
Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) circles the entire country, offering otherworldly landscapes, waterfalls, volcanoes, and glaciers.
Highlights:
✅ Visit Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, two spectacular waterfalls.
✅ See the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with floating icebergs.
✅ Drive through black sand beaches in Vík.
4. Amalfi Coast Drive, Italy 🍋
📍 Location: Amalfi Coast, Italy
🛣️ Distance: 50 km (31 miles)
A UNESCO-listed road trip, the Amalfi Coast Drive is known for dramatic cliffs, colorful villages, and the blue Mediterranean Sea.
Highlights:
✅ Visit Positano, a postcard-perfect coastal town.
✅ Explore the historic town of Amalfi.
✅ Enjoy Limoncello and Italian cuisine with sea views.
5. North Coast 500, Scotland 🏰
📍 Location: Scotland, UK
🛣️ Distance: 830 km (516 miles)
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is Scotland’s ultimate scenic drive, offering stunning castles, rugged coastline, and beautiful lochs.
Highlights:
✅ Explore the ruins of Ardvreck Castle.
✅ Visit Duncansby Stacks, dramatic sea cliffs.
✅ Drive through the Highland wilderness, full of wildlife.
6. Garden Route, South Africa 🌿
📍 Location: South Africa
🛣️ Distance: 300 km (186 miles)
The Garden Route is a lush coastal drive filled with forests, lagoons, and beaches.
Highlights:
✅ Explore Tsitsikamma National Park, a nature lover’s paradise.
✅ Spot wildlife at Addo Elephant Park.
✅ Walk across the Bloukrans Bridge, home to the world’s highest bungee jump.
7. Route 66, USA 🚗
📍 Location: USA (Chicago to Los Angeles)
🛣️ Distance: 3,940 km (2,448 miles)
The legendary Route 66 is the most famous road trip in the world, offering vintage Americana vibes.
Highlights:
✅ Visit Cadillac Ranch, a quirky roadside attraction.
✅ Explore The Grand Canyon, a detour worth taking.
✅ Experience classic diners and neon signs along the route.
8. Trollstigen, Norway 🏔️
📍 Location: Norway
🛣️ Distance: 106 km (66 miles)
Known as The Troll’s Road, this Norwegian mountain road features hairpin bends and spectacular views.
Highlights:
✅ Drive the winding mountain roads with breathtaking views.
✅ Visit Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
✅ Spot Stigfossen Waterfall, one of Norway’s most famous.
Final Thoughts
A road trip is more than just a journey; it’s an adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes, cultural experiences, and unforgettable memories. Whether you’re driving through coastal highways, mountain roads, or countryside routes, these scenic road trips offer the ultimate travel experience.
So, pack your bags, fuel up your car, and hit the road for your next epic adventure! 🚗🌍