Whether it’s the idea of freedom, spontaneity, the great outdoors, or simply the endless Springsteen playing on the stereo, road trips do just feel good for the soul.
That is, ‘road trips’ in the romantic sense.
Sadly, the reality can sometimes be quite different. In lieu of ‘Born to Run’, your drive is soundtracked by ‘’are we there yet?’’. Instead of vast expanses of the uninterrupted highway, you’re stuck behind a tractor. And rather than putting your pedal to the metal, you’re pulled up on the hard shoulder, desperately trying to find enough signal to call the AA.
And whilst we can’t stop your kids from complaining, nor can we clear the roads for you or steer your car, we can steer you in the direction of some of the world’s very best drives.
Anyway, enough of the warnings; we’re beginning to dampen that carefree spirit you’re longing for. Instead, let’s explore what this incredible world has to offer. So, without further ado, here are 7 road trips worldwide that will take your breath away.
Vietnam’s Hai Van Pass
Ideal for a ride through the ‘sea of clouds’.
For those who prefer quality over quantity, at just 20km the Hai Van Pass in Central Vietnam isn’t a road trip of endurance or expanse, but rather a short, very sweet route that rewards the driver (or more likely, rider) with some of the best views on the planet.
Sure, you could drive this one in a car, but it’s best enjoyed on a motorbike, allowing for uninterrupted views, the most liberating of sea breezes, and a feeling that anything is possible.
Hai Van roughly translates as ‘Sea of Clouds’ in Vietnamese. Standing at 500 metres above sea level and cutting a swathe through the Truong Son mountain range, riders are flanked on one side by lush jungle and, on the other, by the East Sea. The twists and turns of this part of Vietnam’s National Route 1 only make the ride all the more exhilarating, as each new corner reveals a vista of the sea that will take your breath away.
No wonder the Top Gear boys, on their tour of Vietnam, once called the Hai Van Pass one of the ‘’best coastal roads in the world’’.
Australia’s Great Ocean Road
Ideal for experiencing one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives.
If you’re looking for a longer, more expansive kind of road trip, that takes in similarly breathtaking coastal views, then Australia’s Great Ocean Road Trip may well satisfy your thirst for adventure.
This legendary road trip traverses a 250 km stretch of road that wraps along the southwestern coastline of Victoria from Torquay through to Allansford and takes in some of the country’s most iconic sites along the way.
The early part of the Great Ocean has particular importance since the road runs through Wadawurrung country, known as the You Yangs, and as such, holds deep spiritual connections to Australia’s Aboriginal ancestors. The You Yangs are hugely important for Indigenous Australian culture in the Melbourne region because this is where, in Australian mythology, the Bunjil, who is the creation ancestor of the wider Melbourne region, first created the Wadawurrung people. Stop off and learn about this history and culture in more detail at Brisbane Ranges National Park.
Make the decision to tackle the whole thing, and you’ll find untouched beaches and unkempt cliff edges aplenty, as well as perhaps the world’s premier surfing mecca, the seaside resort of Torquay. Whilst on this drive, you’ll be able to take in The Twelve Apostles, an incredible collection of rock formations in the ocean which are surely a contender for the most striking natural wonder in the world. Set aside three or four days to truly appreciate this one.
Take In Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
Ideal for coastline, cliff and castle views.
Should you be keen for a freewheelin’ adventure a little closer to home, then the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland could be just the ticket. The coastal highway stretches all the way from Donegal in the north down to the south coast and County Cork and comprises around 2’500 km of road. There are countless places worth stopping at, including Sligo (which was one of Yeats’ greatest inspirations), Connemara, Galway, and Kinsale.
Along the way, the local seafood is some of the finest you’ll encounter (and hopefully, eat!) anywhere on the planet, with the local oysters and langoustine particularly revered. You can, in fact, base your whole road trip around eating shellfish, starting at Fishy Fishy in Kinsale, Cork, a critically acclaimed temple of all things landed from the sea. When finishing up in Donegal, Killybegs Seafood Shack boasts incredible views of the harbour and the freshest fish on the plate.
As you can expect to drive as many as 1,600 miles (the whole thing could take you up to 3 weeks to complete!) you’ll need to ensure your car is in good shape. You’ll also want to watch your hat should you get out to admire the view; the Wild Atlantic Way is famously windy!
Scotland’s North Coast 500
Ideal for rugged highlands, ancient castles, and whisky distilleries.
Often dubbed ‘Scotland’s Route 66’, the North Coast 500 is a circular route that begins and ends at Inverness Castle, taking in some of the most dramatic scenery the British Isles has to offer. This 516-mile journey winds through the Scottish Highlands, offering a perfect blend of history, culture, and raw natural beauty.
The route takes you through the heart of whisky country, where you can stop off at legendary distilleries like Glenmorangie and Old Pulteney. As you venture westward, the roads become increasingly remote, snaking through the rugged landscapes of Wester Ross, where mountains plunge dramatically into sea lochs.
One of the highlights is the stretch along the northwestern coast, where single-track roads hug clifftops, offering heart-stopping views of the North Sea. The beautiful beaches of Durness, with their pristine white sand and turquoise waters, might have you questioning whether you’re still in Britain at all.
Be sure to plan this trip carefully, though. Be sure to plan this trip carefully, though. Whether you’re getting a new car especially for the adventure or simply readying your current one, preparation is key. The Scottish weather is notoriously fickle, and many of the remote stretches have limited mobile reception. Plus, you’ll want to book accommodation well in advance, especially during the summer months when the midnight sun provides extra hours for exploration.
From Pakistan To China On The Karakoram Highway
Ideal for mountain magnificence and ancient Silk Road history.
For those seeking the ultimate high-altitude adventure, the Karakoram Highway – connecting Pakistan to China – offers an unforgettable journey through some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery. Often called the ‘Eighth World Wonder’, this engineering marvel cuts through the highest concentration of soaring peaks on Earth.
Starting from Islamabad, Pakistan, the route winds its way through the Hunza Valley, where ancient settlements cling to mountainsides and glaciers glisten in the distance. The road itself is a testament to human perseverance, carved through some of the most challenging terrain imaginable.
As you climb higher, you’ll pass the iconic Passu Cones, a series of cathedral-like spires that pierce the sky. The highway reaches its zenith at the Khunjerab Pass—the highest paved international border crossing in the world at 4,693 metres—where the thin air and sweeping views of the Karakoram Range will quite literally take your breath away.
This isn’t a journey for the fainthearted, mind you. The road conditions can be challenging, especially during winter months when sections may be closed due to snow. You’ll need to sort out proper permits and documentation well in advance, and it’s wise to travel with an experienced guide who knows the route’s peculiarities.
But for those willing to embrace the adventure, the rewards are immense: glimpses of rare snow leopard territory, encounters with Wakhi shepherds maintaining centuries-old traditions, and the chance to travel one of the most remarkable roads ever built.
Morocco’s Marrakech to Essaouira
Ideal for a dazzling desert trip with sweeping views.
From the gusty to the dusty…
The drive from Morocco’s Marrakech to the coastal town of Essaouira, through the Atlas Mountains and the infamous, frankly terrifying Tizi n’Test pass, takes in some of the most sweeping views you’ll ever encounter, with vistas over the Sahara desert that pay off for some pretty (well, very) hair raising corners.
Sure, you could take the newly-built, more direct route from Morocco’s first imperial city to the Atlantic Ocean, but you’re here for a road trip, so we’ll take the scenic, 500-mile route and enjoy the views, instead.
As you leave the chaotic roads of Marrakech and settle into your drive, you might be fooled into thinking this is a fairly mundane route, with flat roads and dusty valley plains defining the first hour or two.
Slowly but surely, however, a couple of hours in, the ascent begins. From then on, until you reach an elevation of 2’100 metres at the Tizi n’Test pass (the point in the Atlas Mountains where Marrakech’s valleys meet the Sahara), it’s a white knuckle drive and a half.
The descent into the Souss Valley at the foothill of the Atlas Mountains is just as fun/frightening, with hairpin turns seemingly threatening to throw you into the valleys below, and camels, motorbikes, and runaway taxis all providing you with company on the roads.
From there, the roads level off and before you know it, you’re driving the rugged, alluring coastal road from Agadir and Essaouira, where grilled fish and superb surfing await.
Whilst not for the faint-hearted, this road trip will certainly take your breath away.
Iceland’s Route 1 Ring Road
Ideal for vista after vista of atmospheric landscapes and lagoons.
Here in the UK, the idea of an adventure around a ring road feels somewhat farcical. In Iceland, however, ‘fantastical’ might be a more apt description. Because this is a surreal, utterly enchanting drive, make no mistake, with lagoons, glaciers, snow-capped waterfalls and so much more.
We’re so keen on this particular road trip, in fact, that we’ve written a whole guide to it; check out these 8 places to stop on Iceland’s Route 1 ring road for more on that!
The Bottom Line
Of course, and rather juxtaposed to that spirit of spontaneity you’re hoping to achieve on your holiday, such road trips do take a lot of planning. From checking your car’s brakes, battery, and fluid levels, to making sure you’ve got a paper map backed for when the 5G packs in, there’s plenty to do to make sure you’re ready for your road trip.
But once all the prep is dispensed with, all you’ve got to do is enjoy the open road. Do you mind if we join you?