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10 Best Roadtrips in the World

I’ve always believed the best way to really understand a country is to throw yourself into the backroads, get the music going, windows down, and just drive. Planes are quick, sure, but you miss all the chaos in between. Trains are romantic, but they lock you into a track. Road trips though? They’re messy, wild, unpredictable, and unforgettable.

So, if you’re itching for your next big adventure, here are my picks for the 10 best roadtrips in the world. Some are obvious classics, others you’ve probably never thought about. But with renting a car when you travel so easy these days, it’s time to go on an adventure! All of them will test your patience, sanity, and Spotify playlists.

1. Route 66 – USA

Let’s start with the cliché. Route 66 is probably the most famous road trip on the planet. Chicago to LA, nearly 4,000km of diners, ghost towns, giant neon signs, and tumbleweeds. It’s a slice of Americana that feels like you’re driving through an old jukebox.

Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, parts of it have faded into nothing. But it’s still the best way to see the USA as it was romanticised for decades. Get yourself a dodgy Mustang rental, put the roof down, and do it properly.

2. Wild Atlantic Way – Ireland

Of course, I had to include one from home. In fact, check out my Ireland Roadtrip itinerary here. The Wild Atlantic Way is 2,500km of coastline running from Donegal to Cork. It’s not just one of the best roadtrips in the world – it’s proof that Ireland is more than Guinness and leprechauns.

Think jagged cliffs, Atlantic storms, fishing villages, and pubs that look like they haven’t changed since the 1700s. If you’re lucky, you’ll get sunshine. If you’re realistic, you’ll get rain, but it doesn’t matter. Ireland’s beauty shines through regardless.

(Also, if you’re planning to visit Ireland properly, you might want to check my guide to visiting Inis Mor, the real ireland.

3. Garden Route – South Africa

A bit more manageable, the Garden Route is a few hundred kilometres along South Africa’s southern coast. It runs from Mossel Bay to Storms River and is one of the country’s most stunning drives.

Beaches, lagoons, forests, national parks – it’s ridiculously diverse for such a short stretch. Plus, you can throw in a bit of bungee jumping at Bloukrans Bridge or some wine tasting along the way.

4. Gilgit to Khunjerab Pass – Pakistan to China

This one doesn’t get nearly enough love. The Karakoram Highway, especially the stretch from Gilgit to the Khunjerab Pass at the Chinese border, is one of the most jaw-dropping drives on earth.

At over 4,600m, it’s the highest paved international border crossing in the world. You’ll be weaving past glaciers, raging rivers, and peaks that put the Alps to shame. Forget comfort – this road trip is all about raw adventure.

5. Pacific Coast Highway – USA

Another American classic, this time California style. The Pacific Coast Highway is 1,000km of ocean views, surf towns, and winding roads hanging off cliffs. Big Sur, Santa Barbara, Malibu – names you’ve seen in movies and songs your whole life.

It’s a more polished version of Route 66. Less diners and rust, more brunch cafés and convertibles. Still, it’s one of the best roadtrips for sheer beauty.

6. Ring Road – Iceland

Iceland is basically one big road trip. The Ring Road (Route 1) loops around the island in about 1,300km, but you’ll want at least 7–10 days to do it properly.

Volcanoes, black sand beaches, hot springs, glaciers – it’s like a fantasy film set. You’ll also get four seasons of weather in one day, so pack waterproofs. And don’t be shocked when a simple sandwich sets you back €10 – Iceland isn’t cheap.

If you’re into this kind of wild exploration, you might also enjoy my post about trekking Aconcagua in Patagonia.

7. Great Ocean Road – Australia

Australia does big drives better than anyone, but the Great Ocean Road is the short, sweet classic. 243km along Victoria’s coast, with the famous Twelve Apostles rock formations as the highlight.

It’s the kind of trip where you’ll stop every 20 minutes for photos, and then stop again because you saw koalas in the trees. A perfect weekend escape from Melbourne.

8. Cape Town to Cairo – Africa

This is the monster. Cape Town to Cairo is around 10,000km depending on your route. It cuts through deserts, savannahs, jungles, and some of the most politically complex borders on the planet.

Is it one of the best roadtrips in the world? 100%. But it’s also one of the toughest. Expect breakdowns, bribes, endless paperwork, and moments where you wonder why you didn’t just stay home. But the payoff? You’ll have the greatest road trip story anyone in your bar has ever heard.

9. North Coast 500 – Scotland

Scotland’s answer to the Wild Atlantic Way, the NC500 is 830km of rugged coastline, lochs, castles, and whisky distilleries. You’ll pass through tiny fishing villages, mountain passes, and windswept beaches that look like the edge of the earth.

It’s short enough to do in a week, but wild enough that you’ll feel like you’ve driven to another planet. Pack warm clothes, and don’t underestimate Scottish midges – those little things bite worse than snakes.

10. New Zealand’s South Island Loop

New Zealand is basically Middle Earth, so you know any road trip there is going to be epic. The South Island loop can be done in about 10–14 days, circling from Christchurch through Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef Glacier, and back.

Mountains, fjords, lakes, and adrenaline sports – it’s the adventure capital of the world. Rent a campervan, stock up on instant noodles, and hit the road.

For something equally ambitious, take a look at my write-up of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Bonus: The Trans-Siberian Railway

Ok, so technically not a road trip – but it deserves a shout. Moscow to Vladivostok, 9,200km, crossing seven time zones. It’s a train journey, but it captures the

same spirit: long stretches of nothing, random encounters with locals, and the sense that you’re crossing a continent the hard way.

Call it cheating if you want, but it’s still one of the best road trips in the world, even if it runs on tracks.

Final Thoughts

Road trips aren’t about the car or even the destination – they’re about the chaos in between. Flat tyres, wrong turns, dodgy motels, questionable roadside food. That’s what makes them the best roadtrips.

So whether you’re circling Iceland, chasing the sun down California, or rattling up the Karakoram Highway, get behind the wheel and just go. The world feels bigger when you drive through it.

(If you want more travel inspiration, even the BBC reckons road trips are having a renaissance.)

FAQs

1. What’s the best time of year to do these road trips?

It depends on the region. Europe is best in summer, but too busy in July/August. Africa is best in the dry season. For Iceland, summer gives you more daylight hours, but winter has Northern Lights.

2. Do you need to book accommodation in advance?

For shorter trips like the Great Ocean Road, no. For places like Iceland or New Zealand in high season, absolutely. Campervans help if you want flexibility.

3. Which of these road trips are realistic for beginners?

The Wild Atlantic Way, the Great Ocean Road, and the Ring Road are straightforward. Cape Town to Cairo? Not so much.

4. How much money should you budget?

It varies massively. Ireland and Iceland will eat your wallet alive. Southeast Africa or Pakistan are much cheaper. In general, budget more than you think – road trips always have surprises.