10 Most Awesome Road Trips that Everyone Should Take

Road trips are the ultimate form of adventure – there’s nothing quite like hitting the open road with your favorite tunes, a bag of snacks, and the spirit of wanderlust guiding your journey. Whether you’re a seasoned road trip planner or a newbie embarking on your first expedition, these 10 awe-inspiring routes will fuel your passion for exploration and create memories that last a lifetime. From the picturesque coastal drives to the rugged mountain passes. Here are some of the the most incredible road trips across the globe. So buckle up, grab your essentials, and let’s dive into the world of unforgettable adventures!

10 – Leh-Manali Route, India

Leh Manali Route - Awesome Road Trips
By Edward Crompton from Bangalore, India (Rohtang Pass) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Stretching for 300 miles, the Leh-Manali Route runs through India’s Himalayas. With mountains and glaciers, the views that you’ll see are spectacular. However, you’ll have to be careful with this road trip; not only is it only open for around four months a year due to heavy snowfall, but when it is clear the track can be a little tricky and uncomfortable to negotiate!

09 – Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1), USA

Pacific Coast Highway
By Diliff (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
The Pacific Coast Highway runs for over 650 miles down the Californian coast. As a result, it follows some of the most beautiful parts of America’s coastline, stretching from Leggett to Dana Point. It will see you visiting some major US landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge – so make sure you pack your camera!

08 – Icefields Parkway, Canada

Icefield Parkway
By Leon Petrosyan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Icefields Parkway is a road in the Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta, Canada. It’s only 140 miles long, but it has some spectacular views. This is mainly down to the fact that it runs through the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Being mountainous, driving conditions can sometimes be treacherous, especially during winter, but if you’re willing to drive carefully then you’ll reap the rewards of an incredible journey.

07 – The Atlantic Road, Norway

Atlantic Road - Awesome Road Trips
By Arno van den Tillaart [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Atlantic Road may only be five miles long, but it joins several small islands to the Norwegian mainland, so you will find some wonderful sea views. You will pass through several villages along the way, which is a great way to soak up some real Norwegian culture that you wouldn’t experience in any of the big cities.

06 – The Amalfi Drive, Italy

Amalfi Coast
By Gilbert Bochenek (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Amalfi Drive runs for 50 miles down the Amalfi Coast, between Sorrento and Amalfi. This region is known for some of the best scenery in Italy, which is why it’s becoming increasingly popular with tourists. One the one side of your drive you’ll see hills and villages; on the other side you’ll see cliffs dropping away to reveal spectacular views that will take your breath away.

05 – Great Ocean Road, Australia

Great Ocean Road - Awesome Road Trips
By Diliff (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
The Great Ocean Road, which runs along the South East coast of Australia, was built to honour soldiers that lost their lives during the First World War. As a result, it’s the world’s largest war memorial, so this is a cultural drive as well as a picturesque one. In addition to all the amazing views, this road visits some major tourist attractions in the area, including the world famous Twelve Apostles – a series of stacks of limestone which lie just off the coast.

04 – Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni
By Anouchka Unel (Own work) [FAL], via Wikimedia Commons
If you thought the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah were impressive, then just wait ‘til you see Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. This is the world’s largest salt flat in terms of area. There, you can visit an old train cemetery, stay in a hotel made of salt, and, of course, take some amazing photographs to immortalise your memories forever!

03 – Garden Route, South Africa

Garden Route
Conrad88 [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
South Africa is a country which is known for its varied landscape, from large, open plains, to mountains, and leafier areas with more vegetation. Running down the South East side of the country is a region known as the Garden Route, which features both stunning scenery and breath-taking views over the Indian Ocean. On land you can visit nature reserves and animal sanctuaries, but if you look out to sea on your journey, you might be lucky enough to see whales and dolphins.

02 – South Island, New Zealand

South Island New Zealand
By Michael Button (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
If you’re a fan of the Lord of the Rings film series then you’ll know that New Zealand features some stunning rolling green hills. However, as you take a drive down the South Island, you’ll find that there’s far more than just greenery. You’ll find mountains, glaciers, national parks and villages that every traveller ought to explore!

01 – Pan-American Highway, USA

Pan American Highway - Awesome Road Trips
By Staplegunther at en.wikipedia [GFDL, CC BY 2.5, CC BY 2.5, GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
The Pan-American Highway is pretty much the ultimate road trip! It starts in Alaska and runs all the way down to the tip of Argentina, so you’ll get to see numerous different countries, cultures and views on the way down. In total, it’s around 30,000 miles long, so it can either be sectioned off to be explored on several different occasions, or you can take several weeks and travel the whole thing in one go! This is one of the longest, best and most interesting road trips in existence, so jump in your car and enjoy every mile!

As our expedition through the world’s most awesome road trips comes to an end, we hope that we’ve sparked your wanderlust and inspired you to hit the road. Remember, the best road trips are not only about the destination but also about the journey itself. So whether you’re using a gas calculator to budget your fuel expenses or simply looking for the perfect road trip snack, embrace the excitement of the unknown and the thrill of exploration. With these 10 unforgettable road trips, you’re sure to create cherished memories, make new friends, and discover the beauty of the world around you. So pack your bags, rev up your engine, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime!