Best Road Trips in the World: Routes, Tips and Costs 2026

A road trip is not just a way to travel. It is the travel itself. The freedom to turn off unexpectedly. A place that is not in any guidebook. The feeling of slowly immersing yourself in a landscape instead of flying over it. This guide covers the best road trips in the world, concrete and plannable.

The most beautiful routes exist on every continent. What connects them: they have character, offer real decision moments, and force you to slow down. That is travel at its best.

Which Road Trips Belong in the World’s Top League?

Each of these trips has its own rhythm. The selection is subjective, the reasons are not.

Route 66, USA: The original. 3,940 kilometers from Chicago to Santa Monica. Officially decommissioned in 1985 but fully drivable as a historic route. Two to three weeks. Classic stops: St. Louis Gateway Arch, Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Grand Canyon South Rim, Las Vegas. Rental cars from around 30 euros per day, motels along the route between 60 and 120 euros. Best season: April to October.

Ring Road, Iceland: 1,332 kilometers around the entire island. One week minimum, two weeks ideal. The route passes through lava fields, past waterfalls, geysers, black sand beaches, and arctic fjords. No other road trip in the world shows so much natural diversity in such a compact area. Rental cars from around 60 euros per day (4WD recommended). Our Iceland travel guide has all the details on routes and accommodations.

Garden Route, South Africa: 300 kilometers between George and Port Elizabeth. Compact, varied, manageable for everyone. Elephants in Addo Elephant National Park, marine mammals in Plettenberg Bay, cliffs and forests in the Garden Route National Park. Best season: October to April (South African summer). Rental cars from around 25 euros per day.

Great Ocean Road, Australia: 243 kilometers along the Victorian coast, from Torquay to Allansford. The Twelve Apostles is the most iconic image. Koalas and kangaroos along the way. Three and a half hours without stops, but anyone who drives it that way has missed the point. Plan at least two days. Best season: September to April.

Transfagarasan, Romania: Only 90 kilometers long, but famously declared the best road in the world by Jeremy Clarkson. Through the Carpathians, up to 2,042 meters elevation, with hairpin bends, tunnels, and a mountain lake at the top. Only drivable in summer (July to October), as the pass closes in winter.

Amalfi Coast, Italy: 50 kilometers between Sorrento and Salerno. Technically challenging, breathtakingly beautiful. Steep cliffs, turquoise sea, pastel-colored villages. Small cars are essential, buses block the curves. Best season: May, June, September (July and August bring peak-season traffic jams). More on the region in our best time to visit Italy guide.

Costa Rica Coast to Coast: Not just one road, but a concept. Pacific to Caribbean in four to seven days. Nature parks, volcanoes, jungle suspension bridges, surf spots. Our Costa Rica road trip route guide shows the full route with all stops.

What Should You Plan Before a Road Trip?

Spontaneity is great. Preparation is better. Five things that should be settled before you leave:

1. Book the rental car early. In popular destinations (Iceland, USA, Scotland) demand in peak season is enormous. Booking four to six weeks ahead is standard. Check deposit requirements, insurance details, and avoid hidden costs.

2. Fix your first and last accommodation. Keep the rest flexible. But arrival and departure logistics (or return flight) should be set.

3. Know the fuel logistics. In Iceland and Patagonia, gas stations can be 200 kilometers apart. Always refuel when above half a tank.

4. Download offline maps. Google Maps works offline (download the area beforehand), Maps.me is a solid alternative. Mobile signal is not guaranteed on long rural roads.

5. Plan a realistic daily distance. A route looks short on a map, but hairpin bends, stops, and poor roads double your travel time. No more than 200 kilometers per day is a good rule of thumb for scenic road trip routes.

The UNESCO World Heritage List is a great tool for identifying cultural highlights along long routes, from the Amalfi Coast to Stonehenge.

For European sections between regions, train travel can be a smart complement, saving fuel and letting someone else handle the driving.

Which Road Trip Suits Which Traveler?

Not every road trip fits every travel style:

• First-timers and families: Garden Route (short, safe, wildlife-rich), Great Ocean Road (compact, good infrastructure)
• Nature lovers: Ring Road Iceland (truly unique), Patagonia (Carretera Austral, raw and unforgettable)
• Culture and history: Route 66 (American history across 4,000 kilometers), Amalfi Coast (UNESCO, art, food)
• Adrenaline and curves: Transfagarasan (Romania), Stelvio Pass (northern Italy), Atlantic Ocean Road (Norway)
• Budget travelers: Balkan road trip (Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania: four countries, four weeks, under 1,500 euros all-in)

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Read more

• Portugal Road Trip Route
• Costa Rica Road Trip Route
• Night Trains in Europe 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road trip is best for a first major trip?

The Garden Route in South Africa is an ideal starting point. A compact 300 kilometers, good infrastructure, spectacular nature, and wildlife. The Great Ocean Road in Australia offers similar qualities: short, well-maintained, breathtaking scenery. Both routes are also very safe for solo travelers.

How much does a road trip cost on average per day?

This varies widely by destination and style. Rough figures: Iceland costs 100-180 euros per person per day (rental car, accommodation, food, fuel). The Garden Route sits at 60-90 euros. Route 66 in the USA at 80-130 euros. A Balkan road trip is significantly cheaper at 40-60 euros per day. Booking in advance and comparing rental cars saves 20-30 percent almost everywhere.

When is the best time for a road trip in Iceland?

June to August is the most popular time: midnight sun, all mountain passes open, best road conditions. September and October are also excellent, with increasing chances of northern lights. November to March is not recommended for regular road trips (snow, storms, closed F-roads), but experienced winter road trippers with a 4x4 and proper gear love this season.

What documentation do you need for a road trip abroad?

In most countries, an EU driver’s license is sufficient. Outside the EU (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) an international driving permit is often recommended or required. Also: check your car insurance Green Card (or clarify rental car coverage), take out travel insurance with breakdown assistance, and learn local traffic rules (Australia: left-hand traffic, Iceland: F-roads require 4WD).