Top 10 Scenic Drives in the World

Direct Answer

The best scenic drive overall is New Zealand's drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound, a roughly 290-km, day-long journey through Fiordland past mirror lakes and beech forest to one of the planet's most dramatic fjords. The best value is Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,500-km signposted coastal route that's entirely free to drive with no tolls along its wildest stretches.

This list spans coastal highways, alpine passes, and desert roads for road-trippers worldwide, from free public routes to drives requiring seasonal permits or timed-entry fees. Every route, distance, and feature below is real and currently drivable, ranked on scenery, road quality, iconic stops, and value.

1. Queenstown to Milford Sound, New Zealand 🏆 BEST OVERALL

This roughly 290-km drive (about 4 hours one-way without stops) runs from Queenstown through Te Anau and the Eglinton Valley into Fiordland National Park, ending at Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) — a fjord framed by Mitre Peak (1,692 m) and waterfalls plunging from sheer cliffs.

The road passes the Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel, and beech forests.

It ranks #1 for sheer concentration of jaw-dropping scenery on a sealed, well-maintained road. Best October–April; winter brings avalanche risk and chains. Many add a Milford Sound boat cruise at the end. It's a long but unforgettable day, ideally broken with an overnight in Te Anau.

Stop along the way at the Mirror Lakes, the Chasm waterfalls, and the alpine Monkey Creek. The single-lane, unlit Homer Tunnel descends steeply toward the sound and often has a seasonal traffic-light wait. Fuel up in Te Anau, as there are no services beyond it.

Fill the gap day with a sea-kayak trip on the fjord or the longer drive to Doubtful Sound for an even wilder, less-visited alternative. Sandflies are fierce at the water's edge — bring repellent.

2. Great Ocean Road, Australia

The Great Ocean Road runs 243 km along Victoria's coast from Torquay to Allansford, built by returned WWI soldiers and the world's largest war memorial. The marquee sight is the Twelve Apostles — limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean.

It ranks for the combination of surf coast, rainforest (the Otway Ranges), and dramatic cliffs. Allow 2–3 days with overnights in Lorne or Apollo Bay. It's free to drive.

Watch for koalas near Kennett River. Best in the warmer months (Nov–April), but stunning year-round. Drive it east to west from Melbourne so the lookouts are on your side of the road, and time the Twelve Apostles for sunset when the stacks glow gold and the crowds thin.

Detour to Loch Ard Gorge and the Gibson Steps for beach-level views of the cliffs. The Great Otway National Park adds rainforest walks, glow-worms, and the Cape Otway Lightstation, mainland Australia's oldest lighthouse.

3. Trollstigen & the Atlantic Road, Norway

Norway's Trollstigen ("Troll's Ladder") climbs 11 hairpin bends at gradients up to 10%, while the nearby Atlantic Ocean Road (Atlanterhavsveien) snakes 8.3 km across low islands and bridges, including the dramatic Storseisundet Bridge. Both are free to drive.

It ranks for engineering drama and raw fjord scenery. Trollstigen is open roughly mid-May to October (closed by snow); the Atlantic Road is open year-round and especially wild in storms. Combine them on a western-fjords road trip with ferry crossings.

The wider Geiranger–Trollstigen national tourist route links the two via the spectacular Eagle Road above the UNESCO Geirangerfjord, with viewing platforms cantilevered over the drops. The Atlantic Road's eight bridges, especially the optical-illusion Storseisundet, are best at high tide or in a swell when waves break over the road.

Norway's well-signed network of 18 National Tourist Routes strings together many more such drives across the fjords, mountains, and coast.

4. Amalfi Coast, Italy (SS163)

The Amalfi Coast road (Strada Statale 163) hugs about 50 km of cliffs between Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi, with hairpin turns above the Tyrrhenian Sea and pastel villages tumbling to the water. It's free, but parking is scarce and pricey.

It ranks for postcard Mediterranean beauty, though the narrow, traffic-clogged road is nerve-wracking — many prefer the SITA bus or a hired driver. Best April–June and September–October to avoid peak-summer gridlock. Stop in Ravello for the cliffside gardens.

If you do drive, a small car is essential — buses and trucks share the hairpins, and parking in Positano and Amalfi is scarce and expensive. An alternative is to explore by ferry between the coastal towns and the island of Capri, sidestepping the road entirely while enjoying the cliffs from the water.

Either way, allow several days to savor the lemon groves, pastel villages, and seafood rather than rushing the famously slow drive in one go.

5. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland 💎 BEST VALUE

The Wild Atlantic Way is the world's longest defined coastal route at 2,500 km, running Ireland's entire Atlantic seaboard from Donegal to Kinsale. It's free, toll-free on its scenic stretches, and well signposted, passing the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and Slea Head.

It ranks as the best value: thousands of kilometers of rugged coast, cliffs, and villages for the cost of fuel alone. Drive a section over 3–7 days rather than the whole thing. Best May–September for weather, though the Atlantic drama peaks in moody shoulder seasons.

6. Garden Route, South Africa

The Garden Route follows the N2 for about 300 km between Mossel Bay and Storms River, along a lush coast of lagoons, forests, and beaches. It's largely free (a few small tolls elsewhere on the N2) and easily driven.

It ranks for diversity and value — Knysna's lagoon, Tsitsikamma National Park's suspension bridge, and whale-watching at Plettenberg Bay (best June–November). Allow 3–5 days. It pairs well with a Cape Town start and an addo elephant safari finish.

7. Transfăgărășan Highway, Romania

The Transfăgărășan (DN7C) climbs to 2,042 m through the Făgăraș Mountains over about 90 km, with switchbacks, tunnels, and the glacial Bâlea Lake at the top. Made famous by *Top Gear*, it's free to drive.

It ranks for thrilling alpine driving in the Carpathians, often called one of the world's best driving roads. It's open only roughly July to October (snow closes the high section). Detour to Poenari Castle, the real fortress of Vlad the Impaler. Drive it midweek to dodge crowds.

8. Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa

Chapman's Peak Drive ("Chappies") carves 9 km along the cliffs of the Cape Peninsula between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, with 114 curves above the Atlantic. A small toll (about R59 / ~$3) applies.

It ranks for one of the most spectacular short coastal drives anywhere, linking to the Cape of Good Hope. It occasionally closes for rockfall or wind. Best at sunset, with views over the Sentinel and the bay. An easy day trip from Cape Town.

9. Hana Highway, Maui, Hawaii, USA

The Road to Hana (Routes 36/360) winds 64 miles with 620 curves and 59 one-lane bridges through rainforest and past waterfalls and black-sand beaches. It's a full-day out-and-back. Free to drive, though some stops (like Waiʻanapanapa State Park) charge non-resident reservation/parking fees (~$15 total).

It ranks for tropical lushness packed into a short, intense drive — Twin Falls, the Garden of Eden, and roadside banana bread. Start early, drive slowly, and yield to local traffic. The reward is the unspoiled east side of Maui.

10. Icefields Parkway, Canada (Highway 93)

The Icefields Parkway runs 232 km between Lake Louise and Jasper through the Canadian Rockies, past glaciers, turquoise lakes (Peyto, Bow), and the Columbia Icefield. A Parks Canada pass (~CAD $11/adult/day) is required.

It ranks as one of the world's great mountain drives — wildlife (bears, bighorn sheep), waterfalls, and the Athabasca Glacier you can walk onto via guided tour. Best June–September; winter brings closures and avalanche control. Allow a full day with stops.

Must-see pullouts include Peyto Lake's wolf-head-shaped turquoise water, Bow Lake, the roaring Athabasca Falls, and the glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk. Fill the tank at Lake Louise or Saskatchewan River Crossing — there are no other services. Drive early or late to catch wildlife and golden light, and watch for elk and bears on the road.

Pair it with Banff and Jasper townsites at either end for a complete Rockies trip.

How to Choose

• Coastal vs. Alpine: Choose the Great Ocean Road, Amalfi, or Wild Atlantic Way for coast; Trollstigen, the Transfăgărășan, or the Icefields Parkway for mountains.
• Time you have: Chapman's Peak, Hana, and the Atlantic Road are day or half-day drives; the Wild Atlantic Way and Garden Route reward several days.
• Season: Alpine passes (Trollstigen, Transfăgărășan, Icefields) close in winter; coastal routes are largely year-round but best in fair weather.
• Driving confidence: The Amalfi Coast and Chapman's Peak are narrow and nerve-testing — consider a bus or hired driver if cliff roads unsettle you.
• Cost: Most routes are free (fuel only); a few charge small tolls (Chapman's Peak) or park passes (Icefields Parkway, Fiordland-area stops).

FAQ

What is the most scenic drive in the world?

The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound in New Zealand is widely considered the best overall — about 290 km through Fiordland past Mirror Lakes and the Homer Tunnel to a fjord framed by Mitre Peak and towering waterfalls. The density of dramatic scenery on a well-maintained road is unmatched.

Which scenic drive is the best value?

Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way is the best value — 2,500 km of rugged Atlantic coast, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Ring of Kerry, all free to drive with no tolls on its scenic stretches. You only pay for fuel, and you can sample a section over a few days rather than the whole route.

Are scenic mountain drives open year-round?

No. Alpine passes like Norway's Trollstigen, Romania's Transfăgărășan, and the high section of Canada's Icefields Parkway close in winter due to snow and avalanche risk — Trollstigen runs roughly mid-May to October and the Transfăgărășan July to October. Coastal drives are generally open all year.

Do I need to be a confident driver for these routes?

Some routes demand confidence. The Amalfi Coast (SS163) and Chapman's Peak Drive are narrow, winding, and cliff-edged, and the Road to Hana has 59 one-lane bridges. If those make you uneasy, take a tour bus or hired driver; routes like the Wild Atlantic Way and Garden Route are far gentler.

Bottom Line

The best scenic drive overall is Queenstown to Milford Sound in New Zealand for its unrivaled Fiordland scenery, while Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way is the best value at 2,500 free kilometers of Atlantic coast. Match the route to the season, your driving confidence, and how many days you have.

Sources

• Tourism New Zealand and Department of Conservation — Milford Sound/Fiordland road info
• Visit Victoria (Great Ocean Road) and South African National Parks (Garden Route)
• Visit Norway — Trollstigen and Atlantic Ocean Road seasonal status
• Fáilte Ireland — Wild Atlantic Way official route
• Parks Canada — Icefields Parkway pass and conditions
• Hawaii Tourism Authority and Romania's national roads authority (Transfăgărășan)
• *National Geographic*, *Lonely Planet*, and *Condé Nast Traveler* drive rankings