This guide is the list of our ultimate road trips. Visit sublime scenery, see incredible wildlife, encounter diverse cultures and enjoy breathtaking hikes on some of the world’s greatest road trips.
By: Mark Barnes | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions
We have always loved a good road trip.
From selecting the destination to planning fuel stops, the excitement we get from seeing a destination from the road is unparalleled.
For us, there’s the freedom of being where we want when we want. We plan all our own trips for this blog, and destination research is a big part of what we do. So, a road trip is like an unrestricted canvas.
A well-crafted road trip enables us to catch sunrise or sunset, beat the crowds, and do as much as possible in a day.
But the highlight, of course, is the sheer joy of the wide open spaces, the access to nature and the experiences along the way.
We’ve put together the best road trips we have done to help inspire your next adventure.
They include winding mountain roads to sun-kissed coastal highways. All will hopefully spike your wanderlust.

1. NAMIBIA
Namibia could be the best road trip country in the world.
Outside Windhoek, most of the roads are gravel. But, they are easy-to-drive and crisscross a vast wilderness with remarkable wildlife and natural wonders.
Our itinerary included Sandwich Harbour, where towering dunes drop into the ocean, and Sossusvlei, the photogenic parched landscape with scorched black trees against a barren backdrop.
The highlight was Etosha National Park; one of our favourite safari experiences in the world.
We also took the long (but optional) drive up the Skeleton Coast. This was a highlight for us with vast open horizons, shipwrecks and a huge seal colony. It might not be something every traveller has the time for, but we loved it.
How to do it? – Our 2-week Namibia itinerary includes all the stops we did on this road trip with detailed information on what to do and where to stay.



2. ICELAND
Iceland is a unique destination.
Perched on the mid-Atlantic ridge where the Earth’s crust is thin, it’s a volcanic wonderland.
Black lava fields drop from towering volcanos; sulphurous vents scar the earth, and colourful mountains rise above crystal-blue lakes.
There are various road trips in Iceland based on your level of adventure.
Paul and I have done the Ring Road twice now. This is the busiest tourist route but it also visits most of the highlights in the country, so it’s something we recommend for all visitors to Iceland.
We also did several excursions into the Iceland Highlands. You’ll need a 4×4, but the scenery and remoteness are remarkable.
An option in the middle is to include the Westfjords. This is a remote section of the country that has less scenic highlights but more local culture. We took this long diversion on our 4th trip to Iceland, and it’s only something we’d recommend after you’ve seen a good deal of the rest of the country.
How to do it? – A good place to start is our Iceland Itineraries guide, which has 6 different itineraries based on your level of adventure.



3. USA CANYONS & RED ROCK
In our opinion, the best road trip in the USA is through the canyons and deserts of Utah and Arizona.
We started in Las Vegas, then headed across to the Grand Canyon to repent for our sins.
Next, we stopped off at the mesmerizing mesas of Monument Valley and then continued to Canyonlands, which has some of our favourite hiking in the country.
Just across the highway from Canyonlands, we spend a few days exploring Arches National Park, where thin arches of rock defy gravity.
Looping back toward Vegas, we passed the white sandstone cliffs of Capitol Reef and the slot canyons of Grand Staircase Escalante before reaching
Finally, we stopped off at Zion Canyon for a failed attempt at the treacherous Angels’ Landing hike, before returning to Vegas.
How to do it? – We have a detailed day-by-day breakdown in our Arizona and Utah National Parks Road Trip, which includes driving times, where to stay, what to do and practical tips.



4. ITALIAN DOLOMITES
In our opinion, the Italian Dolomites has some of the best mountain scenery in the world and we’ve been several times.
We have previously covered all the best places to visit in the Dolomites which includes soaring spires of rock, beautiful alpine meadows, turquoise lakes and moody forests.
A great base for seeing the Dolomites on a road trip is Cortina d’Ampezzo. You can see the most famous peaks from here, hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit and visit the beautiful Lago di Braies.
We also had a stop at Val di Funes, which is a beautiful valley with iconic churches sitting amongst alpine fields.
Val Gardena is a central location with cable cars that make some of the highest peaks in the Dolomites very accessible to everyone.
How to do it? – Our Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary has a day-by-day rundown with information on what to do, where to stay and practical tips for visiting.



5. NC 500
The NC500 is a dramatic road that loops around the coast of northern Scotland.
Approximately 500 miles long, it starts and ends in Inverness. In between, the single-lane track traverses blind summits, 180-degree hairpins, and steep gradients.
The views are staggering, with wild, craggy mountains on one side and the wild North Sea on the other.
There are castles to explore, white sand beaches, and photogenic highland cattle. Try a tipple from the local distillery and take a journey on the Harry Potter steam train.
How to do it? – The most dramatic section of the NC500 loop is between Kylesku and Lochinver. Our guide to visiting Assynt covers all the details.


6. ATLAS MOUNTAINS
Morocco is a surprisingly excellent road trip destination.
After starting in Marrakech, we followed the old camel train over the Atlas Mountains to explore the traditional Berber villages nestled into the foothills of spectacular snow-covered mountains.
Dropping over the high passes, we hiked the deep gorges of red rock at Todra Gorge and visited the fascinating Aït Ben Haddou and Ounila Valley.
We finished our Morocco road trip in the Sahara desert before driving over to medieval Fez.
Driving in Morocco is much easier than you may think. Navigation outside the cities is easy, and the roads are improving.
How to do it? – Our 10-day Morocco road trip gets you off the beaten track just enough to enjoy the country’s cultural aspects without missing out on any of the big attractions.



7. NORWAY’S FJORDLAND
Norway is renowned for its majestic fjords: deep, narrow inlets of the sea flanked by steep cliffs and towering mountains.
It’s a wonderful place for a scenic road trip.
The roads are in excellent condition, and there’s a great mix of interesting towns, modern art, and dramatic viewpoints.
Hike to ledges peering over narrow fjords, search for Musk Ox and Arctic Fox on wild plateaus, kayak through narrow fjords or hike across glaciers.
How to do it? – We did a 10-day Norway road trip a few years ago and loved it so much we went back in 2024. We need to make a few tweaks to our itinerary, but for now, it’s a good starting point.



8. GREAT OCEAN ROAD
Paul grew up near the Great Ocean Road, so it was great to be back last year when we were in Australia to visit his family.
The Great Ocean Road is one of the most iconic road trips in the world.
Travelling along the rugged southern coastline of Australia, we started in Port Fairy (near Paul’s hometown) and continued east to Melbourne. However, you could easily do this road trip in reverse.
The highlight is the Twelve Apostles, but much more to enjoy than just the stunning coastal scenery.
We hiked to stunning waterfalls, went wildlife spotting and explored the rainforest on an adventure tour. You could also take surf lessons on some of Australia’s best waves, but unfortunately, we didn’t have time.
How to do it? – Our 3-day Great Ocean Road itinerary covers all the highlights we saw on our road trip with practical information including where to stay, what to do and where to eat.




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- Paul & Mark.
Mark Barnes
Mark is an accomplished travel writer, specializing in crafting road trips, outdoor adventures, and global hiking itineraries.
His work has been recognized by Lonely Planet, and he has received several awards for his travel writing, including Blogger of the Year at the Travel Media Awards in London.