Top 10 Road Trips in the World in 2027

1. Pacific Coast Highway, California

California's Highway 1 earns the top spot for its unmatched 650-mile blend of dramatic coastal scenery and world-class infrastructure, from San Francisco to San Diego. The marquee Big Sur stretch features Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls, with Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara en route. Spring and fall offer the clearest skies, though landslide closures around Big Sur require checking before departure. Convertible rentals are popular for the open-top experience.

This route is for travelers who want the most iconic coastal driving on earth with superb lodging and dining options at every turn. It trades away the raw, untamed nature of Iceland's Ring Road for polished accessibility and endless detours. Budget-wise, it runs higher than the Garden Route, with charming inns and fuel costs adding up over the recommended 4–7 days.

2. Garden Route, South Africa

The Garden Route ranks second for delivering spectacular variety—beaches, indigenous forests, lagoons, and mountain passes—within a compact 200-mile drive from Mossel Bay to Storms River. Its value is exceptional, with beautiful guesthouses, great food and wine, and adventure activities like bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge costing a fraction of Western prices. The southern spring and summer from October to March provide the best conditions. Highlights include Knysna's lagoon and Tsitsikamma National Park.

This trip is for budget-conscious travelers who want world-class scenery without the premium price tag of the Pacific Coast Highway. It trades away the sheer length and iconic status of Highway 1 for affordability and wildlife-rich stops. Compared to the pick above, it offers a more intimate, varied experience but lacks the same level of continuous coastal drama.

3. Ring Road, Iceland

Iceland's Ring Road secures third place for its relentless 828-mile loop around the entire island, delivering a concentrated parade of natural wonders. Waterfalls like Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, glaciers, black-sand beaches, and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon appear around every bend. Summer brings midnight sun and open roads, while winter offers dramatic conditions and Northern Lights hunting. A 4x4 is wise for venturing onto F-roads, and 7–10 days is recommended to circle it properly.

This route is for travelers who want the most raw, untamed nature per mile anywhere on earth. It trades away the warm, accessible charm of the Garden Route for extreme landscapes and higher costs, particularly for fuel and lodging. Compared to the pick below, it offers far more geological diversity but demands more driving skill and preparation for unpredictable weather.

4. Great Ocean Road, Australia

The Great Ocean Road ranks fourth for its perfect balance of dramatic ocean scenery, wildlife, and manageable length, running about 150 miles along Victoria's southern coast. Its centerpiece, the Twelve Apostles, features towering limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean, best viewed at sunset. Surf beaches, rainforests at Otway, and koalas at Kennett River add variety. The road, built by returned WWI soldiers, is the world's largest war memorial, and an easy 2–3 day trip from Melbourne.

This drive is for travelers who want a compact, accessible coastal adventure with great stops like Lorne and Apollo Bay. It trades away the epic scale of Iceland's Ring Road for a shorter, more relaxed experience with excellent infrastructure. Compared to the Ring Road, it offers warmer weather and easier driving but lacks the same level of otherworldly geological variety.

5. Route 66, USA

Route 66 takes fifth place for its unmatched nostalgic journey through 2,400 miles of classic Americana, from Chicago to Santa Monica across eight states. It is about the culture—retro diners, neon motels, ghost towns, and roadside attractions—as much as the scenery, with the Painted Desert and Grand Canyon nearby. Plan 2–3 weeks for the full route, following the fragmented original alignment with a good guide or app. The experience is a historical pilgrimage rather than a nature-focused drive.

This trip is for travelers chasing the romance of the classic American road trip, not continuous natural beauty. It trades away the coastal drama of the Great Ocean Road for a deep dive into roadside history and small-town charm. Compared to the pick above, it offers a longer, more culturally immersive journey but requires more patience with fragmented roads and less spectacular scenery.

6. North Coast 500, Scotland

Scotland's NC500 ranks sixth for its rugged 516-mile loop around the Highlands from Inverness, offering a wild, romantic alternative to more polished routes. It winds past lochs, castles like Dunrobin and Eilean Donan, dramatic coastline, white beaches, and single-track mountain roads through empty landscapes. Allow 5–7 days, driving in late spring or early autumn to avoid midges and summer traffic. The route is budget-friendly compared to many top-tier drives.

This drive is for travelers who love remote adventure, whisky distilleries, and changeable weather, with narrow roads requiring confidence. It trades away the warm, sunny reliability of Australia's Great Ocean Road for a more challenging, atmospheric experience. Compared to Route 66, it offers far more natural beauty but less cultural variety, with a much shorter distance to cover.

7. Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast drive secures seventh place for its thrilling 30-mile ribbon of road clinging to cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, linking pastel villages like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. It is short but intense, with hairpin turns, sea views, lemon groves, and some of Italy's most romantic scenery. Best done over 2–4 days, ideally with a driver or scooter given tight roads and parking challenges. Visit in May or September to dodge summer gridlock.

This route is for travelers who want spectacular Mediterranean beauty, dolce vita charm, and exceptional food in a compact area. It trades away the open, empty landscapes of Scotland's NC500 for a densely packed, culturally rich experience with higher costs. Compared to the NC500, it offers warmer weather and iconic villages but far less driving freedom and more congestion.

8. Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway

Norway's Atlantic Ocean Road ranks eighth for its surreal 5-mile stretch of bridges that seem to leap from the sea, most famously the curving Storseisundet Bridge. It is part of a broader west-coast fjord region with waterfalls, mountains, and the Trollstigen serpentine road nearby, best explored over a week or more. Summer offers the best weather and long daylight, while storms make the road especially dramatic. The engineering meets wild ocean scenery in a unique way.

This drive is for travelers who want a short, unforgettable highlight as a base for exploring Norway's fjords. It trades away the length and variety of the Amalfi Coast for a more extreme, isolated experience with higher costs. Compared to the Amalfi Coast, it offers raw, untamed nature over cultural charm, requiring more planning and a 4x4 for full exploration.

9. Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

The Cabot Trail takes ninth place for its 185-mile loop around northern Cape Breton Island, winding through Cape Breton Highlands National Park with sweeping ocean vistas and forested mountains. Autumn brings spectacular fall foliage, and whales are often visible offshore, adding a wildlife dimension. Allow 2–4 days, with peak season running from summer through late September and October. The route offers a quieter, deeply scenic North American coastal drive.

This trip is for travelers who want a peaceful, nature-focused drive with hiking, wildlife, and lively Gaelic and Acadian heritage. It trades away the dramatic engineering of Norway's Atlantic Ocean Road for a more gentle, accessible landscape. Compared to the Atlantic Ocean Road, it offers a longer, more varied route but lacks the same level of jaw-dropping, singular landmarks.

10. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

The Wild Atlantic Way rounds out the top ten as the world's longest defined coastal route, running about 1,600 miles down Ireland's rugged western edge from Donegal to Cork. Highlights include the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, Connemara, and the Dingle Peninsula, dotted with fishing villages and ancient sites. Drive a section over a few days or the whole thing in 1–2 weeks, with spring through early autumn offering the best weather.

This drive is for travelers who want dramatic Atlantic cliffs, green landscapes, traditional pubs, and a route you can sample in pieces. It trades away the concentrated beauty of the Cabot Trail for a longer, more varied journey with changeable conditions. Compared to the Cabot Trail, it offers more cultural depth and length but requires more time and flexibility to appreciate fully.

How we ranked these

We measured each route on five weighted criteria: scenery (30%), driving experience (25%), attractions and stops (20%), accessibility and infrastructure (15%), and value for money (10%). Rankings reflect a balanced traveler profile—someone seeking iconic views, manageable logistics, and worthwhile detours. Distances, durations, and seasonal windows were verified against official tourism boards and reputable travel guides.

We deliberately ignored subjective factors like personal nostalgia, brand-name fame, and off-road adventure potential. We also excluded routes requiring specialized vehicles or extreme driving skills, and we did not factor in political or safety conditions that vary rapidly. This keeps the list practical for the average rental-car traveler seeking a memorable, safe, and achievable journey.

Related questions

What is the best road trip in the US?

The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) in California is the top US road trip, offering 650 miles of dramatic coastline from San Francisco to San Diego. It features Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, Hearst Castle, and Santa Barbara. Spring and fall provide the clearest skies, and the drive takes 4–7 days.

Which road trip offers the best value for money?

The Garden Route in South Africa is the best value, with 200 miles of beaches, forests, and lagoons. Guesthouses, food, and adventure activities like bungee jumping cost a fraction of Western prices. The southern spring and summer (October–March) are ideal.

What is the most scenic road trip in Europe?

The Amalfi Coast drive (SS163) in Italy is a thrilling 30-mile cliffside route with pastel villages like Positano and Ravello. For a longer trip, Scotland's North Coast 500 offers 516 miles of lochs, castles, and rugged coastline. Both are best in shoulder season.

How long does it take to drive Iceland's Ring Road?

The Ring Road is 828 miles (1,332 km) and typically takes 7–10 days to complete. Summer (June–August) offers midnight sun and open roads, while winter is dramatic but challenging. A 4x4 is recommended for venturing onto F-roads.

What is the world's longest coastal road trip?

The Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland is the world's longest defined coastal route, stretching about 1,600 miles from Donegal to Cork. It includes the Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, and Dingle Peninsula. You can drive sections in a few days or the whole route in 1–2 weeks.

Is the Great Ocean Road worth visiting?

Yes, the Great Ocean Road in Australia is a 150-mile coastal drive with the Twelve Apostles, surf beaches, and rainforests. It's an easy 2–3 day trip from Melbourne. Sunset at the Twelve Apostles offers the best light, and wildlife is common at dawn and dusk.

What is the best time to drive the Cabot Trail?

The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia is best in late September and October for fall foliage, though summer offers whale watching and warmer weather. The 185-mile loop takes 2–4 days, with hiking and Celtic culture along the way.

Which road trip is best for a short getaway?

The Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway is a short but unforgettable 5-mile drive with bridges that leap from the sea. Combine it with the wider fjord region over a week or more. Summer offers the best weather and long daylight.

FAQ

What is the best road trip in the world?

California's Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) is the most iconic for its 650 miles of dramatic coastline through Big Sur and beyond, with superb infrastructure. Iceland's Ring Road rivals it for sheer concentration of natural wonders over an 828-mile island loop.

Which road trip offers the best value?

The Garden Route in South Africa is the top value—200 miles of beaches, forests, and lagoons with affordable lodging, food, and adventure activities. Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way and Scotland's NC500 also deliver world-class scenery at reasonable cost.

How long do I need for a great road trip?

It depends on the route. Short coastal drives like the Amalfi Coast or Great Ocean Road shine in 2–3 days, while epic routes like Route 66 (2,400 miles) and Iceland's Ring Road (828 miles) deserve 1–3 weeks to enjoy properly without rushing.

When is the best time of year for these road trips?

Spring and autumn suit most coastal drives (PCH, Amalfi, Great Ocean Road) with mild weather and fewer crowds. Iceland and Norway are best in summer for open roads and long daylight, while South Africa's Garden Route shines in the southern spring/summer (October–March).

What is the most iconic road trip in the US?

Route 66 is the most iconic, stretching 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica through eight states. It's about nostalgia—retro diners, neon motels, and roadside attractions—rather than continuous natural beauty. Plan 2–3 weeks for the full route.

Is the Amalfi Coast drive difficult?

Yes, the Amalfi Coast drive (SS163) is a 30-mile ribbon of road with hairpin turns and tight parking. It's best done over 2–4 days, ideally with a driver or scooter. Visit in shoulder season (May, September) to avoid summer gridlock.

What is the North Coast 500 in Scotland?

The NC500 is a 516-mile loop around the Highlands from Inverness, featuring lochs, castles, white beaches, and single-track roads. Allow 5–7 days. Drive in late spring or early autumn to avoid midges and busy traffic, and be prepared for narrow roads.

Can I see the Northern Lights on a road trip?

Yes, Iceland's Ring Road is a great choice for Northern Lights in winter (September–March). The 828-mile loop offers dark skies and clear views. However, winter driving is challenging, so a 4x4 is wise, and you should check road conditions regularly.

What is the best road trip for wildlife?

The Garden Route in South Africa offers wildlife like elephants and whales, while the Great Ocean Road in Australia has koalas at Kennett River. The Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia also offers whale watching offshore. Each provides unique animal encounters.

Do I need a 4x4 for any of these road trips?

Yes, a 4x4 is wise for Iceland's Ring Road if you plan to venture onto F-roads, and for the Scottish Highlands (NC500) on rough single-track roads. For the Amalfi Coast, a small car is better for tight roads and parking.

Sources

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trips
• https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-road-trips-in-the-world
• https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/pacific-coast-highway/
• https://www.australia.com/en/places/victoria/great-ocean-road.html
• https://www.visiticeland.com/article/ring-road
• https://www.southafrica.net/za/en/travel/article/the-garden-route
• https://www.visitscotland.com/see-and-do/itineraries/north-coast-500
• https://www.ireland.com/en-us/things-to-do/self-drive/wild-atlantic-way/
• https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-road-trips-in-the-world
• https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/driving

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