As former nomads, it should be no surprise that we now enjoy road trips. Around 10,000 years ago, when we first descended from the trees to investigate the grasslands below, we reached a new stage in our evolution: the advent of agriculture. That trip sustained us, established the patterns of our lives, and ultimately became a fundamental part of who we are. Not only that, but it has always remained. Travel still revitalizes us; going to new places awakens something deep and vital within us. It sweeps away our lazy thinking and helps us develop. Is it any surprise that the theme of travel permeates our literary canon?
Granted, our earliest travels involved foraging for grains and game rather than scouting out the nearest Stuckey’s or Starbucks, but even before the advent of the automobile in the 1950s, when paved roads, gas stations, motels, and motor lodges made long-distance travel more manageable, people felt compelled to explore the world by any means at their disposal.
Indulging in a road trip satisfies a fundamental human need for independence. They provide us with a brief reprieve from the stresses of daily life, allowing us to focus on nothing but being. They satisfy our desire for speed and novelty, as well as our desire to reminisce about the good old days.
Road trips combine spontaneity and structure
Traveling by car combines the open road’s liberating atmosphere with the comfort of knowing we can bring all of our belongings with us. A car can serve as a mode of transportation, a makeshift diner, and even a bed in a pinch. There is no need to make advanced preparations, as there is no need to wait for trains to arrive or to go through airport security.
Route 66 in the United States
Yes, it is the No. 1 on the list of the best highway trips in the world. When it comes to road trips, Route 66 is practically the standard bearer. Covering more than 2,000 miles and eight states, this route widely regarded as the classic cross-country drive. In Arizona, We Have a Sign for Route 66 So it should come as no surprise that Jess and I jumped at the chance to drive the entire length of Route 66. We took on the entire route from Los Angeles to Chicago and tried to follow it as closely as possible.
Taking a trip down Route 66 in the modern era is like getting a taste of everything America has to offer: beautiful scenery, quaint small towns, unique roadside attractions, a glimpse into the past, and an up-close look at how the evolution of transportation has affected local economies.
There are ghost towns, interesting museums, and diners that look like they did in their heyday all along the route. Everyone who has the opportunity to drive what considered to be the best road trip in the world should take it.
If you’re considering a road trip along Route 66, we have detailed 1-week and 2-week itineraries to get you started. Also, be sure to read Jess’s post on planning the perfect Route 66 trip. These photos from each of the eight states along Route 66 are a great way to get a feel for the route.
Australia’s Great Ocean Road
This route voted one of the top five road trips that British tourists most want to take, and I can see why. I had so much fun on it the first time that I drove it twice more!
If you’ve never heard of it, the Great Ocean Road is a stretch of highway in Victoria, Australia, that stretches westward from Melbourne along the state’s south coast for about 150 miles. Along the way, you can stop and enjoy a wide variety of landscapes, including beaches, rainforests, and breathtaking rock formations.
Pacific Coast Highway in the United States
If you don’t have time for a long trip like Route 66 but still want to drive along a beautiful coastal highway with lots of small towns to explore, the route from San Francisco to Los Angeles is perfect for you. This is the first stop on our two-week California itinerary because it’s the best way to get acquainted with the state’s natural beauty, from towering redwoods to crashing waterfalls to charming coastal towns brimming with unique shops and delectable eateries.
Scotland’s North Coast 500
Our move to Scotland in 2016 has allowed us to see so much of this beautiful country, and a trip into the Highlands is one of our favorite excursions. There is certainly no lack of scenic places to enjoy a road trip, from the magnificent drive through Glencoe to the unbelievable landscapes that are the Isle of Skye.
Scotland’s Bealach na Bà Highway
The North Coast 500, a 500-mile road trip, offers travelers a glimpse of some of Scotland’s most beautiful coastal scenery. This looping route follows the northern coast from Inverness. You’ll come across everything from ruins from the Iron Age to modern cities, as well as pristine lochs, breathtaking mountains, and winding roads.
As an added bonus, we’ve included a 7-day camping schedule for the North Coast 500, info on the top hotels in the area, and some motivational reasons to hit the road on the North Coast 500.
New Zealand’s West Coast and Milford Sound
Although the entire country is a road-trippers paradise, I think the best scenery in New Zealand is on the south island’s west coast, specifically on the drive to Milford Sound. A country with such breathtaking scenery that it doubled for Middle Earth features glaciers, beaches, and rain forests on its western coast. The highlight is unquestionably the 75-mile journey along Milford Road (State Highway 94) from Te Anau to Milford Sound.
Fiordland National Park is New Zealand’s largest national park and can be accessed via this winding road, which also happens to be on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The route is notable for passing by the Mirror Lakes and The Chasm, but the epic mountain scenery is what really sets this route apart.
When you reach the end of Milford Road, you’ll arrive at Milford Sound, a stunning fjord dominated by the towering Mitre Peak, which rises a mile straight up from the water. This best seen on a boat tour of Milford Sound, and you can learn more about our trip there here.
Australia’s Heart of Red
The vast majority of Australia is made up of wilderness, making it perfect for a road trip that allows you to get away from it all. From Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north is one of the best road trips in Australia, in my opinion.
The nearly two thousand miles you’ll travel will give you a sense of this country’s enormity. There are many interesting stops to make. Both the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, whose residents spend much of their time underground, and the Devil’s Marbles, a collection of boulders given that name because they resemble a giant game of marbles, fall into this category.
Of course, one of the highlights of this journey is a visit to Uluru, the massive rock in the middle of Australia, which offers a breathtaking vantage point for the sun to set. You should also check out Kings Canyon, which is not far away. Check out our article on driving through the Red Centre, part of our series on Australia, if the idea of a cross-country adventure sounds like fun.
Ireland’s “Wild Atlantic Way”
From Malin Head in the north to Kinsale in the south, the Wild Atlantic Way is an incredible driving route along Ireland’s west coast, covering more than 1,600 miles.
An epic journey, this route could take you weeks to complete. More than a thousand sights, from fortresses and scenic vistas to historic churches and quaint towns and villages, can be found there. Don’t worry if you don’t have weeks; just break up the journey into smaller chunks and go at your own pace. There is at least a week’s worth of things to do in each of the route’s five distinct sections. Of course, if you’re not pressed for time, tackling the entire adventure will be an incredible opportunity. We recommend spending at least two weeks on the trail, but three to four weeks is more realistic if you want to really take in everything along the way.
The Icelandic Circle Drive
The ring road tour has become one of the most popular things to do in Iceland as the country has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination. The Ring Road encircles Iceland and passes through some of the country’s most stunning landscapes, including volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches, and enormous waterfalls. You can swim in spectacular geothermal waters, observe local wildlife like whales and puffins, sample traditional Icelandic cuisine, and study Icelandic culture.
It took us closer to three weeks on a recent trip to Iceland because we added in a great many detours, but we recommend a minimum of eight days to drive Iceland’s ring road. While many of the attractions are conveniently located along the route, there are many worthwhile stops that are located a bit outside of the main ring road that is well worth the extra time.
It’s important to remember that winter weather can make driving on the ring road treacherous, causing closures and other inconveniences. We recommend instead looking at our 5-day and 7-day itineraries for Iceland, both of which are suitable travel options regardless of the time of year.
See also our driving in Iceland guide and our guide to organizing your time in Iceland for more information on traveling there. A comprehensive plan for the circumnavigation of the island will be available soon.
The American South
Our ninth trip was another of our most memorable drives across America. Unlike Route 66, this trip doesn’t have a set path, but it does pass through several states in the South.
Oak Alley Plantation, Louisiana
Amazing food, stunning plantation mansions, the American Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement all await you in this region of the United States. The southern hospitality for which the United States is famous was on full display during our five-week road trip through the region, which culminated with Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
While the specific route is up to you, we recommend giving yourself anywhere from two to three weeks to travel between Charleston, South Carolina, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Cities like Savannah, Atlanta, Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans can be found along the route across four states. We recommend taking the River Road between Baton Route and New Orleans, where you can view our detailed guide to the plantations in Louisiana.
Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast
And finally, the stunning Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland rounds out our list of some of the world’s best road trips.
Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway
Along the way, you’ll see the beautiful Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other incredible sights as you make your way from Belfast to Londonderry in your car.
There is something along this route for everyone, from historic castles to quaint little towns, from golf courses to wildlife preserves. Fans of the HBO series Game of Thrones will enjoy this path tremendously, as numerous scenes are filmed there. Have a look at our Dark Hedges travel guide as a starting point.
Travel Advice for the Open Road
We have taken numerous long and short road trips, ranging from around-the-world adventures to weekend jaunts. We’ve learned a lot along the way, and we hope that our advice can make your road trip even better.
Prepare in advance.
Planning your trip, even roughly, will ensure that you see everything you want to see. It’s not necessary to map out every minute detail of your itinerary, but knowing where you’ll be sleeping each night will help keep things running smoothly.
Consider alternate routes.
If you want to make sure you have time to stop and check out the lesser-known sights along the way, give yourself a bit of a cushion. These are the moments that make road trips so special.
Educate yourself on traffic regulations.
If you’re going to be driving in a foreign country, you should familiarize yourself with the laws of that country to make sure you don’t get in trouble. A trip can be ruined by a traffic ticket if it’s too expensive. An international driver’s license may also be required, depending on your country of origin.
Let’s hear some tunes
The perfect road trip playlist is a must. While we enjoy listening to local radio stations, we understand the desire to listen to one’s own music on long car rides. I made a CD with songs from each of the eight states we passed through on our recent Route 66 road trip.
Learn how to move around the site.
It’s not fun to spend your road trip bickering over maps and directions. We recommend preparing in advance for how you will handle navigation by either using a global positioning system (GPS) or a traditional paper road map. Don’t count on cell service to get you where you need to go; instead, bring along some maps that can be accessed without an internet connection.
Observe the proper packing procedure.
When taking a road trip, we like having more space to pack our belongings into than we would on a plane or train. Therefore, remember to pack your bags for the trip and not just throw everything into the trunk. Think about the activities you’ll be doing and the weather forecast, and consider how often you’ll have access to laundromats so you can pack light.
Pre-reserve your spot
You should plan ahead if you plan to travel on a popular route or during a peak travel season. If you want to take the North Coast 500 road trip in the summer, for instance, you should make reservations at least three months in advance.
The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, for instance, causes lodging to be extremely expensive and booked out for a week in October if you’re driving Route 66.
Spend less by looking around at different stores.
Compare rental car and RV companies to find the best rates before setting out on your trip. When renting a car, we typically check rates on Rentalcars.com. Check out Motorhome Republic if you need to rent an RV. Campervan rentals from all the major companies are listed, no matter where in the world you plan to go.
Take into account the wants and interests of all parties
If you’re going on a road trip with other people, whether it’s just the two of you or a large group, it’s important to accommodate everyone’s preferences and needs, not just your own. This will make the trip more enjoyable for everyone and reduce the likelihood of arguments.
Please take care
Even though traveling by car is an incredible adventure, mishaps are always possible. Make sure someone you trust is aware of your travel plans, has travel insurance, and has a strategy for calling for help in the event of an emergency by always checking local road conditions and any travel warnings, packing any appropriate emergency supplies (especially if traveling in remote areas), and so on.