There are many stunning road trip routes in the United States that will take you on a journey. And if you want to go somewhere unfamiliar for a change in scenery, the world sure has a lot to offer. Some of the most enchantingly beautiful drives are so good that they’re even worth flying for. Here are 12 of the best road trips in the world.
Planning a road trip? You might find some of these other guides useful, too.
Route 40
Argentina
Argentina’s simply-named Route 40 is one of the longest continuous — and most breathtaking — road trips in the world. For its more than 3,000-mile stretch, it runs north to south, mostly parallel to the Andes Mountains. The journey covers a wide range of South America’s most dramatic landscapes, from mountains to glaciers to the South Atlantic Ocean in Patagonia. Although much of the route is paved, its southern stretches are steep dirt and gravel passes with no centerlines or guard rails and few (if any) road signs. In winter, it can prove all but impassable, and it certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, so preparation is key. The drive is so popular — particularly for adventure tourists — that there’s an entire website dedicated to Route 40.
Great Ocean Road
Australia
The vast, rugged space between the coasts of Australia is replete with astonishing road trips. However, Great Ocean Road — a 151-mile route that stretches along its southern edge — is the continent’s most stunning. Along the four-hour drive, travelers will find a long list of must-visit stops, including London Bridge, Bay of Islands, and the Gibson Steps. But the pinnacle of this journey is a stop at the 12 Apostles, an impossibly beautiful limestone formation that’s one of Australia’s most iconic natural wonders.
Stelvio Pass
Italy
The Alps highlight some of the most astounding scenery in the world; however, most of the terrain is impassable or, at the very least, requires hardcore skiing expertise and a healthy fear of 8,000-foot vertical cliffs. Italy’s Stelvio Pass is unique. Situated more than 9,000 feet above sea level, it’s the highest — and, no doubt, most dramatic — paved road in the Eastern Alps. Coupled with its elevation and the 48 hairpin turns that mark its north face, it’s easy to see why the gentlemen of Top Gear once dubbed it “the best driving road in the world.”
Chapman’s Peak Drive
South Africa
As if we need another reason to visit Cape Town, the city is home to one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. Chapman’s Peak (known locally as “Chappies”) bookends South Africa’s Western Cape between Noordhoek and Hout Bay. The nearly 100-year-old road — known as Chapman’s Peak Drive — that winds for less than 7 miles around the base of the mountain is a short but spectacular drive. From sea level to scenic overlooks nearly 2,000 feet above the Atlantic and back again, the scenery is literally jaw-dropping. Driving so close to the ocean’s edge, it’s easy for the line between the water and the horizon to disappear completely. It’s not uncommon for drivers to spot dolphins and whales just offshore, and baboons are a frequent source of traffic along the way.
The Alcan Highway
Canada and Alaska
If you’ve already conquered Route 66 and are seeking North America’s second most awesome road trip, look no further than the Alcan Highway. Sometimes just called “The Alaska Highway,” this roughly 1,400-mile trek connects Dawson Creek, British Columbia, with Delta Junction, Alaska, over a mostly paved highway. Don’t let the “paved” part fool you, though. This is among the most adventurous long-distance treks through some of the wildest terrains on the continent. The road’s completion was and still is a marvel of civil engineering. Expect dramatic, snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, and plenty of wildlife, including wolves and grizzly bears, along the way. While you could complete the drive in two long days of driving, allow plenty of time to stop for hikes, dog-sledding, and dips in Canada’s best hot springs.
Ticlio Pass
Peru
Ticlio Pass may be the most adventurous — or downright dangerous — road on this list. This drive in Peru cuts a winding path through South America’s highest paved road at nearly 16,000 feet above sea level. Along the way are impossibly sharp bends, steep, unguarded drop-offs, and wildlife that doesn’t think twice about jetting into traffic. What’s more: You’re almost certain to encounter rockslides along the way. But if you’re cool with slaloming around massive boulders for some of the most breathtaking scenery on the continent, it’s totally worth it. Don’t miss the numerous roadside snack shacks serving fried guinea pigs.
NC500
Scotland
We’ve previously shared many, many reasons to visit Scotland. If you’re looking for one more, add “road-tripping NC500” to the list. The relatively new North Coast 500 route debuted in 2015 as part of a broader initiative by Prince Charles to preserve the stunning, dramatic landscape along Scotland’s coastline. It showcases some of the country’s most breathtaking natural and historical beauty — the iconic scenery that defines rural Scotland for many people. We’re talking pristine lochs, ancient castles, white sand beaches, and dramatic glens dotted with massive heads of cattle.
The Atlantic Road
Norway
Norway is home to some of the cleanest air, the happiest people, and the most pristine landscapes in the world. The Atlantic Road is a stunning, albeit brief, way to experience the latter. At barely 5 miles long, the technical drive is surprisingly harrowing, exhilarating, and gorgeous. While a nonstop ride requires less than 30 minutes, you’ll want to pack your camera and allow for several hours. There are plenty of stops, including Bremsnes Cave, the charming nearby town of Halåsen, plus abundant marine mammals and wildlife viewing opportunities along the way. The sunsets aren’t half bad, either. If getting in the water is more your speed, the winter diving is unbelievable, with pristine waters offering nearly 200 feet of visibility.
Milford Road
South Island, New Zealand
The fact that New Zealand served as a believable stand-in for the fantastical Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films tells you everything you need to know about how eye-popping the landscape is. A road trip almost anywhere in the country is worth the flight to get there, but so many of the highlights are found along the west coast of the South Island. The relatively short 144-mile drive along Milford Road (State Highway 94) between Milford Sound and Te Anau is bucket list worthy in its own right. Here, road trippers will pass The Chasm, Mirror Lakes, the UNESCO World Heritage Fiordland National Park, and miles upon miles of rugged mountain scenery that’s among the most beautiful in the world.
Ring Road
Iceland
Iceland’s Ring Road (Route 1) is an obvious choice for any roundup of the world’s greatest road trips. The country’s dramatic, otherworldly landscape is staggeringly beautiful. Its Instagram-worthy fjords, waterfalls, volcanoes, and glaciers have made it the go-to spot for travelers these days. Route 1 circumnavigates the entire island, following a literal ring around the country’s perimeter. There are plenty of guided bus tours to handle the driving for lazy travelers, but we’d argue that renting (aka hiring) a car or a fully outfitted, self-contained van (like those offered by Happy Campers in Reykjavik) and driving it yourself is the best way to go.
Wild Atlantic Way
Ireland
Only a few countries live up to the hype like Ireland. A short drive from its city centers reveals all the castles, centuries-old churches, quaint villages where Gaelic is the language of the day, towering cliffs, and impossibly green hills most of us have only read about in storybooks. The Wild Atlantic Way traverses more than 1,600 miles of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline, from the town of Kinsale in the south all the way to the Inishowen Peninsula in the north. It includes some of the country’s most spectacular views and highlights along the way. If that’s a bit more than you can commit to, it’s still worth tackling the route in shorter sections.
The Red Center
Australia
Australia is impossibly vast. While it’s roughly 80% the size of the United States, its population is less than a tenth. The area between the coasts is a harsh, wide-open expanse of almost literal nothingness (see also: Mad Max: Fury Road). At the heart of it all lies The Red Center. A drive through this rugged outback landscape begins in Adelaide in the south or Darwin in the north and covers nearly 2,000 miles in between. Here, travelers will find some of Australia’s most famous highlights, including a visit to Alice Springs, a stopover in the opal mining town of Coober Pedy where most residents live underground, photo opportunities at the Devils Marbles, a trek along the rim of Kings Canyon, and a sunset hike to Uluru.
Article originally published August 28, 2017.
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