Road Trips of a Lifetime

Sometimes, it really is more about the journey than the destination, especially if your route is on one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the world. If you're a fan of road trips, you'll want to add these to your bucket list. Here are the 20 coolest driving roads in the world. 

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1. Big Sur, USA

The road that Jack Kerouac wrote a book about is an iconic American experience. It hugs the Pacific Ocean on one side and Californian mountains on the other. 

Photo by Austin Schmid on Unsplash

2. A397 Ronda Road, Spain

Spain's Ronda Road which climbs from the coastal town of San Pedro to the mountain village of Ronda is well known to motorists for its thrilling driving experience and amazing scenery. If you have a fear of heights, you might want to steer clear though as this road is a windy path atop a dangerously high cliff. 

Photo by Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson on Unsplash

3. British Columbia 99, Canada

The “Sea-to-Sky Highway” is an incredibly scenic drive between Whistler and Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay. It winds through the Coast Mountains, touching the Pacific Ocean along the way, offering phenomenal views. 

4. Pikes Peak, USA

At 14,000 feet elevation, Pikes Peak is the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rockies and the most visited mountain in America. The road to the top boasts breathtaking views. 

Photo by Mathew Benoit on Unsplash

5. Lysevegen Mountain Road, Norway

This famous road high in the mountains of Rogaland and Vest Agder, Lysevegen features 27 hairpin turns sharply curving up the side of the mountain.

At the top is a panorama restaurant to take in the views and relax after the exciting drive. 

Photo by Idsart Schipper on Unsplash

6. Route 1, Iceland

The 824-mile road circling Iceland passes some of the island’s most famous natural attractions including the black sand beach and Seljalandsfloss Waterfall. Driving this road is one of the best ways to explore the country. 

Photo by Robert Lukeman on Unsplash

7. Karakoram Highway, Pakistan

This famous part of the Silk Road connects China and Pakistan. With part of it sitting at over 15,000 elevation, it used to be a notoriously dangerous path for travelers. Since being modernized it’s become a popular road for tourists, offering picturesque mountain views. 

Photo by Faraz Ali on Unsplash

8. The Autobahn, Germany

The Autobahn is a highway system that crosses most of Germany. Why is it one of the coolest roads to drive on? Because there’s no speed limit. 

Photo by Patrick Federi on Unsplash

9. Highway 395, USA

Highway 395 crosses from Washinton state, through Oregon, and into Southern California. It’s packed with a vast array of jaw-dropping scenery from the Sierra Nevada mountain range to the High Desert of Oregon, you’ll see historic sites, ghost towns, and iconic film sites along the way. 

Photo by Peter Chen on Unsplash

10. Great Ocean Road, Australia

The Great Ocean Road traversing part of Australia's gorgeous coastline has more Instagram hashtags per mile than any other road in the world. Built by returning veterans after WWI to commemorate those who fell in battle, it's also the world's largest war memorial.

Photo by Kevin Bosc on Unsplash

11. Amalfi Drive, Italy

Taking a ride on the Amalfi Drive in Italy is one of the most quintessential Mediterranean experiences. Not only do you get views overlooking turquoise waters and white cliffs but you also get charming pastel-colored Italian villages.  

Photo by Christopher Pap de Pestény on Unsplash

12. The Tail of the Dragon, USA

A go-to destination for motorists, The Tail of the Dragon winds through North Carolina's thick forest. The speed limit is a strict 30 miles-per-hour, but with all the stunning views along route you won't want to go faster anyway. 

Photo by Venti Views on Unsplash

13. Jebel Hafeet, United Arab Emirates

This road takes travelers up the only mountain in Abu Dhabi ending with a beautiful palace at the top. It's just seven miles long but what is lacks in length it makes up for in beauty. 

Photo by Abdul Lateef on Unsplash

14. Hai Van Pass, Vietnam

The Hai Van Pass or "Ocean Cloud Pass" is one of the most famous roads in Vietnam, flocked to by tourists on motorbikes. It links the historic towns of Hue and Hoi An, winding up misty mountains and offering some of the most gorgeous views in the country. 

Photo by Jordan Opel on Unsplash

15. Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa

Considered the most beautiful marine driving road in the world, Chapman's Peak Drive winds along South Africa's southern peninsula. It's only around seven miles long but it's recommended to take an entire afternoon to complete so you can make plenty of stops and really take in the Atlantic views along the way.

Photo by Joshua Kettle on Unsplash

16. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

This road perched atop Europe's highest sea cliff spans Ireland's entire western coast. It's around 1,600 miles long so it requires a few days to complete but it's one of the best ways to see the country. 

Photo by Vincent Guth on Unsplash

17. Icefields Parkway, Canada

This road spans north and south between Jasper and Banff national parks in Alberta, Canada. The route is three straight hours of majestic mountain scenery and is considered Canada's most beautiful drive. 

Photo by Chris Henry on Unsplash

18. Paso De Los Caracoles, Chile

This road between Chile and Argentina consisting of 29 hairpin turns snaking up the Andes mountains is not for the faint of heart. However challenging it is to drive, the spectacular landscapes along the way make it all worth it. Just make sure to keep your eyes on the road!

Karora on Wikimedia Commons

19. Leh-Manali Highway, India

India's Leh-Manali Highway is an epic 300-mile journey through the Himalayas where you get to see magnificent views of snow-covered mountain peaks. Although it used to be notoriously dangerous to drive on, it's been vastly improved but is still a challenging drive because of its extreme altitude and twisting, partially unpaved roads.

© Vyacheslav Argenberg on Wikimedia Commons

20. Ruta 40, Argentina

One of the longest scenic drives in the world takes you 3,000 miles along the Andes mountains from Argentina to Bolivia offering incredibly varied landscapes from snowy mountains to open expanses. With parts of it sitting at over 16,000 feet elevation, it also holds the world record for the highest freeway.

https://www.flickr.com/people/43533334@N07/ on Wikimedia Commons