BookMyBooking's Guide To Amazing Road Trips In The World

Pacific Coast Highway – California, USA

The Pacific Coast Highway is the definition of classic American road travel. Also known as Highway 1, it stretches over 1,000 kilometres along California's rugged coastline. This road hugs the cliffs, offering panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and dramatic mountains on the other.

Begin in San Francisco, home to its iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Head south through Santa Cruz, where surfers and taco stands line the shore. Continue to Big Sur, a stretch where the forest meets the ocean, with jaw-dropping stops like Bixby Bridge and McWay Falls. Make time for the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the charming shops of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Santa Barbara's Spanish-style architecture and beaches offer a relaxed vibe. Wrap your journey in sunny Los Angeles or continue to San Diego for oceanfront dining and historic landmarks. This drive is undoubtedly one of the top scenic road trips worldwide. With each curve revealing new coastal magic, it's a visual feast and an experience you'll never forget.

Great Ocean Road – Australia

Australia's Great Ocean Road is a trip that captures the essence of coastal beauty and rugged wilderness. This 243-kilometre drive from Torquay to Allansford is like flipping through a living travel magazine. It was one of the epic international road trip destinations that you can plan a holiday to.

At the Twelve Apostles, giant limestone stacks rise from the Southern Ocean. Catch waves at Bells Beach, Australia's most famous surf spot. Stop by Lorne for quaint seaside charm, or venture into Great Otway National Park for waterfalls and ancient rainforests. Wildlife lovers can spot koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat. Stop for a beach picnic or explore the shipwreck stories along the coast. This route is deeply immersive, rich in history, and breathtakingly beautiful. With every turn offering cliffs, beaches, and greenery, the Great Ocean Road ranks high among the best countries for road trips. It's a compact and powerfully scenic experience that will take you to Australia's wild side.

Garden Route – South Africa

Stretching approximately 300 kilometres from Mossel Bay to Storms River, the Garden Route is one of South Africa's most celebrated drives. It gets its name from the rich vegetation that lines the road, but there's so much more than greenery here.

The route takes you through coastal towns, dense forests, lagoons, and mountain passes. Explore the vibrant city of Knysna, which is famous for its oysters and lagoon views. In Plettenberg Bay, you might see whales breaching offshore or dolphins riding the waves. Tsitsikamm National Park offers hiking trails, canopy tours, and dramatic ocean vistas. You'll cross rivers on suspension bridges and hear the call of exotic birds as you drive through. This drive is one of the most scenic in the world, offering a mix of relaxation, thrill, and natural wonder. It's an ideal getaway for those who want both serenity and adventure.

Ring Road – Iceland

Iceland's Ring Road delivers like no other if you're chasing raw beauty. Covering around 1,332 kilometres, it loops the island, connecting cities, volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls in a single, continuous adventure.

Start in Reykjavik, then head to the Golden Circle, home to geysers and the stunning Gullfoss waterfall. Continue south to Vik, where black sand beaches meet eerie rock formations. From there, you'll witness Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, two of the country's most iconic waterfalls. In the east, you'll pass fjords and remote fishing villages. The north introduces you to Lake Mývatn, bubbling mud pools, and the magical Dettifoss, Europe's most powerful waterfall. If you seek adventure road trips, Iceland is a world apart. It's quiet and haunting but also invigorating. Bring layers, a camera, and a spirit ready for nature's drama.

Amalfi Coast – Italy

Italy's Amalfi Coast is one of the world's most romantic drives. It stretches about 50 kilometres from Sorrento to Salerno, tracing cliffs and sun-drenched villages that tumble to the sea. The road twists through Positano, with its pastel houses and chic cafes, to Amalfi, where centuries of maritime history await. Stop in Ravello for sweeping views, garden strolls, and classical music concerts in historic villas.

This route is narrow, so expect a slow, steady drive with occasional heart-pounding turns. But every moment is worth it. Lemon groves perfume the air. The Mediterranean glistens below. Among all iconic highways and routes, this one is a masterclass in elegance and beauty. It's an experience that will drench you in colour, taste, and passion.

Route 1 – Norway

Route 1 in Norway is a beautiful passage through nature's finest. Stretching from Kristiansand to Trondheim, this route showcases fjords, forests, and snow-capped peaks. The showstopper is the Atlantic Ocean Road, often referred to as the world's most beautiful drive. It leaps from island to island via dramatic bridges, all while the ocean crashes below.

Detour to Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit picturesque towns like Ålesund, with its Art Nouveau charm, and stop at mountain lookouts that steal your breath away. If you're building your road trip travel guide, this journey deserves a top spot. It's the combined definition of stillness and grandeur.

Route 40 – Argentina

Ruta 40 is the spine of Argentina, stretching over 5,000 kilometres along the Andes. It's one of the longest roads in the world and an actual test of spirit and endurance. You'll pass through everything from high-altitude deserts to fertile wine regions and icy Patagonian glaciers. Begin near La Quiaca, close to Bolivia, and journey south through towns like Salta and Mendoza—famous for Malbec wines.

Further south, the route gets wilder. Cross wide-open plains. Spot flamingos and guanacos. Reach El Calafate, the gateway to Perito Moreno Glacier, a towering ice field that groans and cracks as it moves. Argentina offers some of the most unforgettable global road trip ideas, and Route 40 captures the soul of the country from its indigenous roots to its modern flair.

North Coast 500 – Scotland

The North Coast 500 is a 500-mile loop through the Scottish Highlands. Starting and ending in Inverness, this drive is pure enchantment. Pass by Loch Maree, ancient castles, and remote beaches with crystal-clear waters. In Durness, feel like you've reached the edge of the world. Sample whisky in Ullapool and hike around Applecross Pass, where sheep outnumber people.

Expect quiet roads, open skies, and a deep sense of history. Each stop feels timeless, with folklore lingering in the air. This route is a journey into legends. It easily qualifies as a bucket list road trip for nature lovers and romantics alike.

Transfagarasan Highway – Romania

Called "the best road in the world" by Top Gear, the Transfagarasan Highway is Romania's thrilling mountain pass. Built by dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu in the 1970s, it winds through the Făgăraș Mountains with over 90 hairpin turns. This 90-kilometer road connects Curtea de Argeș with Sibiu, reaching a height of over 2,000 meters. You'll drive past Balea Lake, glacial waters surrounded by peaks and meadows.

The drive is seasonal, it's usually open from June to October. But when it is, the views are jaw-dropping. This one checks every box if you're looking for must-do road trips with a hint of thrill and mystery.

Icefields Parkway – Canadian Rockies

The Icefields Parkway is a 230-kilometer highway linking Banff and Jasper in Alberta. It's one of the most spectacular drives in North America. Along the way, you'll see towering glaciers, including the Columbia Icefield. Visit Athabasca Falls and stop at Peyto Lake, which glows bright turquoise under the sun.

Wildlife sightings are common—look out for black bears, elk, and bighorn sheep. Every turn opens up to postcard-perfect views. Canada offers some of the world's top travel routes by car, and this one feels like stepping into a national park dream.

✦ Western USA Road Trip

Route: Los Angeles → Las Vegas → Zion National Park → Grand Canyon → San Francisco starts in the sunny streets of Los Angeles, then heads into the neon glow of Las Vegas. Continue east to hike through the majestic red canyons of Zion and the breathtaking cliffs of the Grand Canyon. Loop back to the California coast and finish in the techy-meets-hip vibe of San Francisco. This is one of the most iconic car routes for top travel, offering desert landscapes, national parks, and ocean-side cliffs.

✦ Scotland's North Coast 500

Route: Inverness → Durness → Ullapool → Applecross → InvernessStart and end in Inverness, circling through rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and ancient castles. You'll feel like you've travelled back in time. Try local seafood, sip whisky by the fire, and enjoy drives that feel like moving through a painting. It is ideal for those seeking road trip vacation ideas that blend nature with folklore.

✦ Iceland's Ring Road

Route: Reykjavik → Vik → Hofn → Akureyri → Reykjavik. This loop around the entire island showcases volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers, and geothermal spas. From the southern black sand beaches to the northern whale-watching towns, every region has something unique. Perfect for travellers travellers who want a mix of road and nature experiences. It's widely known as one of the world's most beautiful road trips.

✦ New Zealand's North to South Adventure

Route: Auckland → Rotorua → Wellington → Christchurch → Queenstown. Begin in the vibrant harbour city of Auckland, head to the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, and cross to the South Island via ferry. Drive through the Southern Alps, past mirror lakes and snowcapped mountains, to adrenaline-filled Queenstown. If you're after a journey rich in variety, this is one of the top epic international road trip destinations.