Is there anything that says freedom like a road trip? There’s something irresistible about setting off to explore the world – whether that’s nearby adventures or further afield – and being in the driver’s seat of a choose-your-own-adventure experience.
With a hire car, motorbike or motorhome, you can navigate at your preferred pace, venture off the highway and experience new regions, uncovering those hidden gems along the way.
While the road less travelled is alluring, why not let the travel experts take the wheel for inspiration with these 25 extraordinary road trip routes in (almost) every continent?
Our Top 25 Road Trips:
North America
USA
The Mighty Five, Utah
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How long? 1,040 miles
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How many days? 10 days
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When? April to October
The Mighty 5 is an epic US road trip through Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef and Zion national parks and a jaw-dropping journey through southern Utah’s sublime desert formations. Drive through the red rock hoodoos, canyons and arches by day and don’t forget to look up at night – Utah has the most International Dark Sky Parks in the world.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
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How long? 582 miles
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How many days? 4-7 days
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When? Year-round
Few routes rival the fame of California’s Pacific Coast Highway with its starring roles in film and TV. The coast-hugging Highway 1 is best known for the stunning Big Sur stretch from Santa Barbara to Monterey.
Tip: Start in San Francisco and head south to San Diego – the left-hand drive means you can easily pull over to take in the views.
The Road to Hana, Hawai’i
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How long? 52 miles
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How many days? 1 day
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When? Year-round
Hawai'i's Hana Highway (Routes 36 and 360) connects Kahului and Hana along Maui’s northeast coast and while it’s only a three-hour drive, you’ll want to take it all in. The Road to Hana scenic route is a mythic adventure of cascading waterfalls, hidden pools, surf breaks, lava tubes and black-sand beaches with each sight part of the legend of how the island was formed.
Canada
The Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
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How long? 186 miles
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How many days? 3-5 days
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When? May to October
The Cabot Trail is one of Canada’s most iconic road trips – steeped in Acadian (French) and Gaelic culture. Fly into Cape Breton Island, pick up your car rental and head into Highlands National Park through small fishing villages and mountain passes. Stop for Cape Breton lobster, wildlife spotting, lighthouses and hiking the popular Skyline Trail over boardwalks that skim the coast.
Icefields Parkway, Alberta
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How long? 144 miles
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How many days? 1-2 days
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When? Year-round
Linking Banff and Jasper national parks, Icefields Parkway aka Highway 93 N will have you on a Rocky Mountain high as you motor by some of the most stunning scenery around. Start at glacial Lake Louise and follow along the breathtaking Continental Divide to Jasper where the Columbia Icefield, Glacier Skywalk and Miette Hot Springs are absolute must-dos.
Sea-to-Sky Highway, British Columbia
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How long? 74 miles
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How many days? 1-3 days
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When? Year-round
The Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver north via Squamish to Whistler is just as the label suggests with a scenic promise that’s just as lofty. Highway 99’s winding road and panoramic Pacific Ocean views are a siren call to photographers and driving aficionados with beaches, bays, waterfalls, historic and cultural sites and the Sea to Sky Gondola for a ride to the summit.
Central and South America
The Carretera Astral, Chile
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How long? 770 miles
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How many days? 14-21 days
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When? October to April
Ruta 7 or the Carretera Astral (Southern Highway), is a monumental road trip through northern Chilean Patagonia. Start your engines in Puerto Montt in the Chilean Lake District and venture on a vast and remote driving experience that features prehistoric peaks, glaciers, forests and fjords en route to the quaintly named Villa O’Higgins.
Ruta Nacional 40, Argentina
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How long? 3,246 miles
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How many days? 21 days
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When? October to April
One of the world’s longest highways, Ruta Nacional 40 (La Cuarenta) runs parallel to the Andes in western Argentina and stretches north from Cabo Virgenes to La Quiaca. Crossing multiple provinces, rivers and national parks, you’ll spy Patagonian plains, Andes peaks and pristine lakes alongside buzzing cities and towns. It’s definitely one for the bucket list.
Yucatán Peninsula Loop, Mexico
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How long? 683 miles
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How many days? 8-10 days
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When? November to May
This drive from Cancún to Puerto Morelos yields some serious eye candy in the form of lush cenotes, verdant jungle, powdery white beaches, Mayan ruins, luxe resorts and vibrant villages. Head west from Mexico's popular tourist town of Cancún, stopping for a dip in cenotes, a trip to the Chichén Itzá and Tulum ruins and colonial architecture and delish food in Mérida.
Australia
Great Ocean Road, Victoria
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How long? 341 miles
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How many days? 4 days
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When? Year-round
Extend your Melbourne stay with a self-drive holiday on the Great Ocean Road. A 170-mile drive one-way or 341-mile roundtrip, take the scenic route to the iconic 12 Apostles rock formations. The Great Ocean Road is studded with sights from beach towns and famous surf breaks to forested national parks full of wildlife. It’s as classic as an Aussie meat pie.
Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive
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How long? 212 miles
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How many days? 5 days
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When? Year-round
For a cooler climate coastal road trip, Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive wows with drop-dead gorgeous landscapes and award-winning walks around every bend. Set off from Hobart to Bay of Fires along the east coast via Maria Island, Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay and Bicheno. Abundant wineries and gourmet foodie finds will encourage you to linger even longer.
Cairns to Cape York Road Trip, Queensland
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How long? 889 miles (one-way)
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How many days? 6 days
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When? May to October
The ‘trip to the tip’ is one for the serious 4WD enthusiasts. The epic road trip to the top of Australia’s mainland is an off-road adventure through Tropical North Queensland from Cairns to Cape York via Cooktown. It’s a pioneering journey into untouched nature with challenging creek crossings and corrugated roads, offering elusive wildlife, wartime relics, Indigenous art and culture.
New Zealand
Pacific Coast Highway, North Island
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How long? 685 miles
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How many days? 7 days
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When? Year-round
New Zealand’s North Island is a bounty of Maori culture, volcanic activity, beaches and untouched rainforest best explored by road. Travelling the Pacific Coast Highway along the east coast from Auckland to Napier, you’ll encounter The Coromandel’s coastal beauty and hot pools, glowworm caves and an active volcano in Mount Maunganui and Hawke’s Bay wineries, just to name a few highlights.
Southern Scenic Route, South Island
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How long? 503 miles
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How many days? 4 days
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When? Year-round
Feel the rush of fresh air on a NZ South Island road trip from Dunedin to Queenstown. The achingly beautiful Southern Scenic Route captures the essence of what makes the South Island so captivating with rugged coastlines, pristine national parks and lakes. Primed for adventure with bungee and rafting, it’s also the setting for more leisurely activities with walks, wineries and seafood.
Milford Road, South Island
- How long? 74 miles
- How many days? 2 days
- When? September to March
Otherwise known as State Highway 95, this epic drive is more than just an entry route into Milford Sound – it’s a close-up view of the Fiordland’s breathtaking beauty. And, at the end, adventure awaits. It should only take a few hours to complete this iconic New Zealand trip, but we recommend cruising at a more leisurely pace and spreading the journey over a couple of days.
Asia
Taisetsu-Furano Scenic Byway, Japan
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How long? 85 miles
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How many days? 1 day
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When? May to November
One of 14 designated Hokkaido Scenic Byways, this short and sweet day trip from Sapporo is a fun and colourful ride. It takes in Japan's so-called ‘Rollercoaster Road’ (Nishi 11-sen town road), a 1.5-mile straight stretch of undulating bitumen through verdant flower and lavender fields and Patchwork Road (Patchwork no Michi), named for its quilt-like farmland.
Karakoram Highway, Pakistan
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How long? 807 miles
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How many days? 10-14 days
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When? May to October
Running from Kashgar, China to Hasan Abdal, Pakistan, the Karakoram or Friendship Highway is a road trip along the top of the world. It’s remote and rugged, whipping through the Karakoram range, which includes K2, the world’s second-highest peak. On endless roads, bridges and tunnels, you’ll be mesmerised by snow-capped mountains, glaciers and valleys and the unique cultures.
Colombo to Matara
- How long? 99 miles
- How many days? 1-5 days
- When? November to April
Without stops, the road from Colombo to Matara is a short 2.5-hour drive. But you’ll want more time than that as you follow along this coastal rail route, which connects culture-filled cities with some of Sri Lanka’s most blissful beach resorts. Explore historical capital Colombo, spend a couple of days exploring the corals in Hikkaduwa, soak up the charm of UNESCO-listed Galle, and continue along a plethora of seaside towns en route to authentic Matara.
Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand
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How long? 372 miles
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How many days? 4-7 days
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When? November to June
Starting and ending in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, the Mae Hong Son Loop contains an astounding 1,860 mountainous curves, making it a popular route for motorcyclists. It’s a journey through remote hill tribe villages, mist-shrouded passes, verdant rice paddies, intricate cave systems and dense jungle for a thrill-inducing ride.
Africa
The Garden Route, South Africa
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How long? 186 miles
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How many days? 3-14 days
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When? November to March
South Africa’s Garden Route has the lot. The road trip from Mossel Bay to Storms River features a highlight reel of scenic sights, including nature reserves, pristine beaches, framing mountains and shimmering lagoons. Cutting a swathe along the Western Cape, the Indian Ocean coastal route also offers a front-row seat to those glorious sunsets.
Northern Safari Circuit, Tanzania
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How long? 380 miles
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How many days? 7-9 days
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When? June to October
To DIY your own big five safari, hire a 4WD and hit up the Northern Circuit for the roundtrip from the town of Arusha to Serengeti National Park. This classic safari route on paved and unsealed roads includes the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ngorongoro Conservation Area for prime wildlife spotting opportunities at the famous crater.
Windhoek to Sossusvlei
- How long? 226 miles
- How many days? 3-4 days
- When? May & June
Windhoek to Sossusvlei is one of the most-driven tracks in Namibia – and for good reason. Onward from charming Windhoek, we highly recommend spending a couple of days at the NamibRand Nature Reserve in search of zebra, giraffe, baboons, springbok. After you’ve explored the dunes here, drive to Sossusvlei and Deadvlei, renowned for their iconic red dunes and white salt pans.
Europe
Iceland Ring Road
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How long? 821 miles
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How many days? 7 days
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When? Year-round
If otherworldly landscapes appeal, you’ll be right at home on the Iceland Ring Road – a famed loop that circumnavigates the island. An attraction in its own right, the Ring Road or Route 1 features Iceland’s contrasting landscapes and natural highlights as you pass volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls while stopping in charming towns and marvelling at the wildlife.
Amalfi Coast SS163, Italy
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How long? 31 miles
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How many days? 3-5 days
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When? April to November
Channel your inner Italian siren or suave sir with a zippy ride on the Amalfi Coast road. The SS163 is best savoured over a few days to soak up the coastal route between Sorrento and Salerno in southern Italy that takes in Positano and Amalfi along the way. The narrow, winding road features hairpin bends and steep drops for jaw-dropping views. BYO headscarf.
The Atlantic Road, Norway
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How long? 68 miles
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How many days? 1 day
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When? Year-round
It’s not a long drive, but Norway’s Atlantic Road packs a one-two punch with gobsmacking scenery and showy engineering feats that are equally beguiling on a calm day or in a blustery storm. This National Tourist Route connects the island of Averøy to the mainland city of Molde and zigzags over the open sea and islets across eight bridges. Even better? It’s toll-free for cheap thrills.
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