Iconic Road Trips
Some people begrudge the time-honored road trip: it is often relegated to distant memories of family vacations and comedic films like the National Lampoon’s series. But road trips are still a popular and viable option for many! Sure, it takes more time, but you will find the adventure and fun lie in the journey and not necessarily the destination. You also get much more spontaneity and flexibility in your timeline; you have the opportunity to bond with your friends or family, stop for quirky photo ops, eat at “out of the way” diners or cafes, and often have a more vivid and authentic experience than most tourists ever do. So ride shotgun with us as we highlight some of the most iconic road trips throughout the world, then head to Tripmasters to plan and book your own!
Great Ocean Road (Australia): If you want to pack as much as possible into a few short miles, the Great Ocean Road in Australia may be for you! This scenic stretch along southwest Victoria comes in at just about 150 miles and features secluded beaches, soaring cliffs, unique rock formations, and even a rainforest walk at the Great Otway National Park! You could really drive the whole way in one (exhausting) day, but we recommend spending a few days exploring! There are hiking, biking, and surfing opportunities along with fascinating museums and vibrant galleries. For maximum benefit, we recommend starting in Melbourne and covering the coast before spending a few additional nights in Adelaide before heading back home!
Route 66 (United States): Known as the “Mother Road,” Route 66 runs more than 2,000 miles across the United States from the midwest (Chicago, IL) to the Pacific Coast (Santa Monica, CA) through eight states. The highway is popular for family vacations, with many picturesque stretches. The road served as an official U.S. highway until 1985; today, Old Route 66 is equal parts poignant, quirky, and memorable. It may be Americana at its best! Explore the whole route here, or choose to familiarize yourself with its Eastern, Central, and Western portions first.
Pacific Coast Highway (United States): The Pacific Coast Highway is arguably one of the most famous and beautiful drives in the entire world. Though the coastal stretch could be done in one day, we recommend taking several days to truly appreciate it! Along this famous route, you’ll have the chance to visit big metropolitan cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as tiny coastal towns such as Carmel and Pismo Beach, explore redwood forests and classic California beaches, and see lighthouses, the famous Hearst Castle, marine wildlife, and the stunning Spanish colonial architectural influence in Santa Barbara. Don’t just take our word for it: Get out there and discover it yourself.
The Causeway Coastal Route (Northern Ireland): This stunning route begins in Belfast and continues up the Antrim Coast, following the UNESCO World Heritage site Giant’s Causeway (talk to the locals to hear the fantastic myths about how the causeway came to be), and ends in Derry (Londonderry). Along the journey, you will find quaint old fishing villages, crumbling castles, romantic glens, wildlife, distilleries, and links to modern history and pop culture! Take a break near Ballycastle to browse in their artisanal shops and walk the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge linking the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede for some great pictures!
The Amalfi Coast and Neopolitan Riviera: A true Italian gem, the largely unspoiled Amalfi Coast winds along craggy cliffs overlooking the incomparable Mediterranean and through picturesque fishing villages, lemon groves, and vineyards. Though often congested because of its growing popularity, taking a few days to drive this stretch of coast is an absolute must during one of your trips to Italy (trust us, once you have been you will want to return)! One popular way to experience the Amalfi Coast is to start in Naples, then continue on through Sorrento and on to the charming towns Amalfi, Positano, or Ravello. The salt air along the coast, the scent of lemon groves and bougainvillea, and the vibrant colors all revive the senses. Best of all, Italy’s famous culture and history, food and wine, and hospitality are all abundant. With Michelin-rated restaurants, nearby vineyards, museums, churches, and the historical site Pompeii close by, you won’t miss out on a single experience!
The North Coast 500 (Scotland): The most recently launched entry on our list, the NC500 is the brainchild of Prince Charles. It is a 500-mile loop that highlights the often wild and untouched beauty of Scotland’s northern coasts, both east and west. The trail starts and ends in Inverness, following the coast closely and stopping in Dingwall, Tain, Wick, Thurso, and Ullapool. The mysterious and rugged Scottish Highlands are on display in all their glory, showcasing rural communities, stunning lochs, epic cliff faces, and desolate beaches overlooking the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, as well as famous whiskey distilleries (such as the Wolfburn Distillery in Thurso), magnificent castles, natural wonders (such as the Duncansby Head Sea Stacks), and more! Don’t hesitate to plan your trip before word gets out.
Garden Route (South Africa): South Africa’s famous Garden Route is part of a larger road trip between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Near the beginning in Cape Town, be sure to visit Fynbos (the smallest floral kingdom in the world) before heading off for a few days to explore charming coastal towns on the way. With a variety of scenery dotted with beaches and lagoons, off-road hiking trails, show-stopping vegetation, wineries, and, of course, the eponymous Garden Route National Park, there is no shortage of adventure or romantic vistas to be had! Along the way we recommend stopping in Hermanus for whale watching, Knysna for its lively waterfront area, and Plettenberg Bay where you can visit the nearby aforementioned national park, before ending with a few nights in the “friendly city,” Port Elizabeth. It’s only a few hours from place to place, so you have plenty of time to take advantage of all there is to see and do.
Icefields Parkway (Canada): Cutting through a portion of the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, the Icefields Parkway is one of the most spectacular roads in America, perhaps even in the world. The mountains, forested valleys, and turquoise lakes are Canadian scenery at its most captivating. The drive from Banff to Lake Louise and ending in Jasper can be done in about 5 hours (if for some reason you can refrain from jumping out of the car every other mile to admire the views), but we recommend spending time soaking it all in. The viewpoint above Peyto Lake (north of Lake Louise) and the powerful Athabasca Falls (south of Jasper) are two of the most jaw-dropping views; but don’t forget to make time to visit Banff & Jasper National Parks (in Banff and Jasper respectively) and take on the Icefields Skywalk outside Jasper. An overnight (or two) in each city really should be a priority! And don’t overlook beginning or ending your trip in either Calgary or Edmonton to enrich your experience.
Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland): Clocking in at around 1,600 miles, it is easy to understand why some people choose to explore just a particular section of the Wild Atlantic Way; the route can be easily divided into southern and northern portions. The route itself follows Ireland’s Atlantic coast from Cork all the way to Derry, with so many incredible sights and charming towns in between that you could get whiplash! Every new day brings enormous sea cliffs, windswept beaches, views of remote islands, historic castles, old churches, and more. If you have the time, you could easily pack the whole route into two full weeks, but if time is a concern we recommend beginning in Cork and staying in Killarney, Limerick, and finally Galway to take advantage of the southern half (and experience popular regions and sights such as the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, Skellig Michael and the Cliffs of Moher); or, begin in Galway and travel north to visit Westport, Ballina, Sligo, and Derry taking in sights like Connemara, Croagh Patrick, neolithic megaliths, and captivating abbeys. Visit Tripmasters to book your journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, you won’t regret doing so!
Did you get enough ideas for road trips around the world? Of course, we always have difficulty narrowing down our selections, so we would like to leave you with a few additional options to check out! Below are our honorable mentions. These drives do not sacrifice the beauty, sense of adventure, or uniqueness of those above! Check them out.
Overseas Highway (United States): Connecting two perennial favorites (Miami and Key West), the Overseas Highway stretches over the beautiful blue-green Atlantic Ocean for 113 miles. It is mostly a two-lane road and provides plenty of opportunities to pull off throughout the Florida Keys, whether that be for a quick lunch or a photo-op! Admire the coral reefs, the mangrove islets, and the shallow water flats on the way.
Ring of Kerry (Ireland): The Ring of Kerry (Iveragh Peninsula) is a part of the mystical and unspoiled region of Ireland that has attracted visitors for hundreds of years. Its spectacular beauty is beyond question. It provides an amazing insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland and a landscape carved out of the rock by the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago. The route covers a 111-mile circular road starting from Killarney, heading around the Iveragh Peninsula and passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville, Cahersiveen, and Killorglin.
Blue Ridge Parkway (United States): This picturesque stretch of road, connecting the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, is widely considered one of the United States’ most beautiful. Forested mountains, waterfalls, and national forests are just some of the views you can expect to see, and in its Anchor cities Asheville, NC, and Lynchburg, VA you will find great food, shops, galleries, festivals, museums, and the famous Vanderbilt mansion. Make sure to stop in Roanoke along the way for plenty of outdoor activities, or even pair the trail with a few nights’ stay in popular Gatlinburg or Knoxville, TN to soak in more of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Road to Hana (Hawaii): Hawaii’s Road to Hana (or Hana Highway) is a short drive, but oh what an experience it is! Everyone who visits Maui raves about the leisurely drive along the north coast of the island. The trip is easy to make in one day, twisting and turning, crossing 59 bridges, and arriving in Hana. Start in Maui and head north to Paia, then follow the coast taking in scenic stops such as the Bamboo Forest, Painted Eucalyptus, and several waterfalls. Don’t forget to leave time to visit Haleakala National Park.
We hope you have enjoyed this journey with us, learning about some of the most beautiful and iconic road trips around the world. We also hope you feel inspired to head over to Tripmasters and begin putting together your own perfect road trip itinerary!
