But there’s something that stands like magic about cruising down the highway, windows rolled down, taking in all of the beautiful sites along the way. Coastal highways, mountain passes, or desert stretches — whatever your route, few journeys feel more adventurous than a road trip. Here are eight of the most breath-taking road trips in the world if yoursearch for an unforgettable journey.
1. Pacific Coast Highway (USA)
Trek: SF-LA, California
Distance: ~600 miles
If California is your destination, then the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is a road you have to take. This is one of the most famous stretches of road where you can drive along California’s ocean-side coast. On the drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles, you will pass through the beautiful coastal towns, high cliffs, and the infamous Bixby Bridge and Big Sur.
Highlights:
- The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
- The rugged cliffs of Big Sur
- Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey
- Malibu’s sun-kissed beaches
2. Great Ocean Road (Australia)
Take: Torquay to Allansford, Victoria
Distance: ~150 miles
Great Ocean Road is among one of the most picturesque coastal drives in the world as it goes along the southern coastline of Australia offering breath-taking views of the ocean, rain forests, and the limestone formations of the Twelve Apostles.
Highlights:
- Bells Beach, a Mecca for surfers
- The picturesque stretches of Lorne and Apollo Bay
- The12 Apostles high stacks of limestone
- Otway National Park Rainforests
3. Ring Road (Iceland)
Trip: Full circle of Iceland
Distance: ~825 miles
The Ring Road is the all-in-one adventure for the curious traveller wanting to see all of Iceland’s outré landscapes. Volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and hot springs this route allows us to view the greatest of nature up close and personal.
Highlights:
- Golden Circle Geysers and Waterfalls
- The stunning Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- The black sand beaches of Vik
- Myvatn Geothermal Area
4. The Garden Route (South Africa)
Path: From MosselBay to Storms River
Distance: ~190 miles
South Africa’s Garden Route is an epic road trip through forests, along beautiful beaches, and over twisting mountain passes. Full of wildlife, this route offers some of the best hiking, whale watching and adventure in the country.
Highlights:
- An image of Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River
- Knysna Lagoon and The Heads
- Wilderness National Park
- The Cango Caves as well as ostrich farms in Oudtshoorn
5. The North Coast (Scotland)
Covering 5,756 miles along scenic loop around the Scottish Highlands Route: Inverness to Inverness (loop around the Scottish Highlands)
Distance: ~516 miles
The North Coast500 (NC500) in Scotland is sometimes called Scotland’s Route 66. This breath-taking loop leading visitors past centuries-old castles, rockycoastline, and charming villages.
Highlights:
- Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland —one of the most beautiful places in the world
- Therugged cliffs at Duncansby Head
- Achmelvich Baywhite sandy beaches
- The breath-taking mountain pass Bealach na Bà
6. The Amalfi Coast (Italy)
Route: Sorrento to Salerno
Distance: ~37 miles
One of the most beautiful long drives in the world, that is the Amalfi Coast, Italy. This drive is simply romance with dramatic cliffs, hills walking up from the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, and pastel-colored villages.
Highlights:
- The colourful town of Positano
- The historic Amalfi Cathedral
- Gardens perched on a cliffsidein Ravello
- Restaurants serving local limoncello and seafood
7. Ice fields Parkway (Canada)
Pathway: Alberta route from Jasper to Banff
Distance: ~144 miles
The Ice fields Parkway runs from Jasper to Banff National Parks, there are stunning views of soaring snow-covered mountains, lakes of bright blue, and ancient glaciers.
Highlights:
- Athabasca Waterfalls and Sunwapta Waterfalls
- The Beautiful Columbia Ice field& Glacier Skywalk
- The blue waters of PeytoLake
- Breathtakinglakes such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake
8. Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland)
Route: Donegal to Kinsale
Distance: ~1,500 miles
With one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world, Ireland features the Wild Atlantic Way. This drive is a dream for both lovers of nature and history, from rugged cliffs to quaint old fishing villages.
Highlights:
- The towering Cliffs of Moher
- The charming town of Galway
- The Wild Nature of Achill Island
- The stunning Ring of Kerry
Final Thoughts
From jagged mountains to coastal tranquillity and ages-old landscapes, these scenic drives deliver not just the world’s best destinations but ample world-class travel experiences in and of themselves. So load up your bags, fill up your tank, and start a trip of stunning visuals and sights you\’ll never forget!
From those, which one of these road trips is on your list of must-do’s? Tell us in the comments below!