11 Scenic Drives in the World for a Road Trip

If you love the outdoors, there is no better way to explore a new place than by taking a scenic drive road trip to some of the best hikes and viewpoints in the area. From Patagonia to Iceland, there are so many great places in the world to explore. Camp or rent a camper van to make your road trip even more adventurous! Check out below for some of the best scenic drives to take a road trip and explore the outdoors, picked by travelers from around the world.

Summary:

• Utah National Parks Road Trip
• New Zealand’s South Island Road Trip
• Oregon Coast Road Trip
• Patagonia Road Trip
• Iceland Ring Road Trip
• Italian Almalfi Coast Road Trip
• Namibia Road Trip
• Canadian Rockies Road Trip
• Washington to Main Road Trip
• Istria, Croatia Road Trip
• Australian Road Trip

Mighty 5 Utah National Park Road Trip

• Recommended by Val of Voyages with Val
• Location: Utah, US
• Time: 1 Week

If you are a lover of the outdoors and hiking, visiting all five of Utah’s National Parks should be the next road trip you take! While Zion is without a doubt the most popular of Utah’s National Parks, all five are worth visiting and have unique characteristics and landscapes. This makes an especially good road trip, as each park is less than 2 and a half hours from each other, making it possible to visit all five in a week!

Start your week in Zion National Park! Spend one or two days in Zion, exploring the sights and hiking some of the best hikes in Utah. Don’t miss hiking Angel’s Landing, or taking the scenic Zion-Mt. Carmel drive!

After Zion, drive the 73 miles to Bryce Canyon National Park. While you could spend multiple days in Bryce, it is possible to hit the highlights in one day. Hike the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail to hike within the hoodoos and then drive down Bryce’s Scenic Drive, checking out some of the viewpoints on the way such as Inspiration Point.

The third National Park on your trip is Capitol Reef. This park is less known than some of Utah’s other parks, but no less worth a visit. For one day, stop by Gifford Homestead and pick up some fresh locally made pie. You can also pick seasonal fruit right in the park! Other things to do in Capitol Reef include driving the scenic drive and hiking trails such as Cassidy Arch and Hickman Bridge.

Last, drive over to Moab, Utah to check out Arches and Canyonlands National Park. Spend one day in each park, and stop by Dead Horse State Park near Canyonlands. Canyonlands has many short amazing hikes, such as Mesa Arch. Arches has some of the most iconic spots in Utah such as Delicate Arch and Double Arch! If you have extra time, drive some of the Colorado River Scenic Byway to see Utah’s beautiful plateaus and wilderness.

New Zealand’s South Island Road Trip

• Recommended by Alexx from Finding Alexx
• Location: New Zealand
• Time: 3-6 weeks

They say that it’s about the journey, not the destination, and that’s truly the case in New Zealand’s South Island. A South Island road trip will take you along wild coasts, over alpine passes, through dense rainforest, and past a number of thriving tourism hot spots with activities for all types of travelers.

There are a bunch of South Island itinerary options depending on your timeframe, budget, and season, but a round trip to the best bits will take a minimum of three weeks (4-6 weeks would be ideal). Begin in Queenstown or Christchurch for easy flight access, or Picton if you’re heading down from the North Island via ferry, and hit the road in your rental car or campervan!

If you’re looking to tick off the bucket list destinations, you can’t go past the stunning Milford Sound in Fiordland, the adventure capital of Queenstown, Aoraki Mount Cook to get up close and personal with NZ’s highest mountain, bright blue Lake Tekapo, and the thriving city of Christchurch, which is being rebuilt after 2011’s devastating earthquake.

For nature and animal lovers you’ll want to add on Kaikoura for whale watching and dolphin swimming, the Catlins to spot rare yellow-eyed penguins, the Marlborough Sounds for unbeatable ocean experiences, and Stewart Island, the best place in New Zealand to spot wild kiwi birds. Summer visitors should head to Abel Tasman for golden sand and secluded beaches, and any wine connoisseurs out there will want to add Marlborough and Central Otago to their list to taste test New Zealand’s best vino.

The main highways are well-looked after but you need to be careful of ice in winter. And I’d recommend swapping drivers often, so you can take turns enjoying the mind-blowing views all around you!

Oregon Coast Road Trip

• Recommended by Michelle from The Wandering Queen
• Location: Oregon, US
• Time: A Week or More

One of the best places for a road trip in the USA is the Oregon Coast! Oregon has some of the most unique beaches filled with sea stacks, wildlife, and evergreen trees. It truly is a magical place to experience, especially in the summer. 

The best way to get to the coast is to fly into Portland, Oregon, and then drive to Cannon Beach. Cannon beach is probably one of the most popular towns on the coast. It is easy to see why because this town is the cutest and has so many places to eat and a bunch of accommodation. Haystack Rock is probably the biggest attraction of the area, and for an excellent reason. It is breathtaking!

Oswald West State Park has some of the best hikes on the coast, with spectacular cliffside views. Don’t forget to stop at Cape Kiwanda, which has another stunning sea stack that resembles the one at Cannon Beach. In certain areas, you can even drive on the beach and have a picnic. Neskowin Beach is a dreamy spot to go with the whole family, to walk and relax.

The last spot on the coast to visit is the Samuel H. Boardman state scenic corridor. It is an Instagram famous spot where many people stop to take photos. There is so much to do on the Oregon Coast. You can spend your time on the coast for weeks! There is so much to see and do. 

Patagonia Road Trip

• Recommended by Kristine of Wanderlust Designers
• Location: Patagonia, Argentina
• Time: 10 days

When thinking about the best road trips with lots of outdoor activities, the first place that comes to mind is Patagonia! Patagonia is definitely a paradise for those who love outdoor activities.

There are many, many trips you can do, each longer than the last. But for the “best of” a 10-day Patagonia itinerary is perfect. It starts and ends in Punta Arenas in Chile and covers the Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares national parks.

The first morning, while you’re in Punta Arenas, go for a half-day penguin watching tour to Isla Magdalena. Afterward, have lunch and start your journey to Torres del Paine where you’ll spend the next 3 days. There are so many activities to do in Torres del Paine! Hiking, kayaking, horse riding, fossil hunting, and more – anything you can think of! Hikes range from easy walks to strenuous week-long treks.

On day 6, drive to El Chalten in Argentina where you’ll spend the next couple of days enjoying Los Glaciares national park. El Chalten is the hiking capital of Argentina, so make sure to find the perfect hike for you! We did a day hike to Laguna de Los Tres and a rather short walk to the mirador Condores where you can see the huge condors. We loved both of them!

On the afternoon of day 8 drive to El Calafate and enjoy the charming town which sits on the shore of Lake Argentino. Relax, so that on day 9 you have energy for a glacier hike on the Perito Moreno glacier! The last day – day 10 – is reserved for the 7-8h long drive back to Punta Arenas during which you can enjoy the last views of Patagonia and reflect on all the amazing memories you’re now bringing with you.

Iceland Ring Road Trip

• Recommended by Em from That Travelista
• Location: Iceland
• Time: One Week

From volcanoes to glaciers, green moss lands to black beaches, and geothermal springs to gushing waterfalls, Iceland boasts a diversity of nature that’s hard to beat. While it’s possible to enjoy much of Iceland through organized tours, traveling with a coach-bus-sized entourage definitely steals away some of Iceland’s magic. The best way to experience Iceland’s great outdoors is through a road trip, and, luckily, Iceland’s aptly named Ring Road, which encircles the island country, makes this pretty straightforward to do!

An Iceland Ring Road trip will start and end at Keflavik Airport. From here, those only interested in Iceland’s nature can pick up their rental car or campervan straight away. Those wanting to enjoy the nation’s capital city for a day or two first can pick up their rental in nearby Reykjavik instead.

Everyone’s Iceland road trip will differ slightly, but there are some key points that should not be missed, such as Iceland’s Golden Circle. This smaller loop lies within the main Ring Road loop and has some of the nation’s most famous sites, like Thingvellir National Park. Here, visitors can snorkel or scuba dive in between where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet.

Other outdoor activities along the larger Ring Road route include walking atop glaciers and entering ice caves in Vatnajökull National Park, watching icebergs float into the ocean at Jökulsárlón Lagoon, and hiking through Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon.

One week is a common amount of time for Iceland’s Ring Road, but this is only in summer, where the days are extremely long. During winter, there are much fewer sunlight hours in each day for sightseeing, plus snowstorms can close off parts of the Ring Road, especially in the west. But tacking on more days or removing the country’s west for winter Iceland road trip may just be worth it for the chance at viewing the Northern Lights!

Italian Amalfi Coast Road Trip

• Recommended by Kerry Hanson from VeggTravel
• Location: Southern Italy
• Time: 1-3 Days

An Amalfi Coast Road Trip is one of the best you can do in the world if you want to enjoy the outdoors. Expect sweeping mountainous views along the winding roads as you take in the breathtaking sights of the coastline of Southern Italy.

Most people start their road trip in the lively Italian town of Sorrento, as it is less expensive than the rest of the Amalfi Coast and makes a great base to explore Italy. The Sorrento viewpoint is the perfect spot to take panoramic photos of the ocean, particularly as the sunsets.

The next stop is Positano, famous for its pastel-colored houses set into the backdrop of the mountains. Positano Beach is the best in the area, and you can spend hours relaxing in the beach clubs or exploring the quaint side streets.

Amalfi Town is your next destination, and it will automatically feel busier and slightly more chaotic. The coastline is beautiful, but this location is particularly good for admiring the local architecture or exploring the old town.

The final stop is Ravello which is high atop the mountains and gifts you amazing views of the entire Amalfi Coast. Ravello has a sophisticated and relaxing charm, and you can enjoy a meal or drinks in the outdoor terraces and “gardens of the sky”.

The distance between each destination is only short so you can squeeze this trip into one day. However, it is recommended you take 3 days to truly enjoy your experience and stay in each location. Whilst each place has its own charm, the scenic road trip makes this journey so special. If you are going to do it, do it in true Italian style, on the back of a Vespa Moped. You will not regret it.

Namibia Road Trip

• Recommended by Martha of May Cause Wanderlust
• Location: Namibia
• Time: 2 Weeks

Namibia is a very exciting place to do a road trip. It is a big, sparsely populated country with absolutely stunning scenery, including deserts, mountains, and dramatic canyons, so driving here is a treat for the eyes.

Most people’s Namibia road trips start in the capital of Windhoek and finish there also, but some may start their adventure in neighboring South Africa, entering Namibia on its southern border. Either way, there are plenty of things to see, with big distances between them, so a minimum of two weeks is needed, and even then, you’ll leave wanting more of this seductive country.

The only (slight) downside to driving in Namibia is the quality of the roads: some are tarmac, but many are gravel, which can be corrugated. This means you need at least a high clearance 2WD car (with a spare tire in the back), and a 4×4 is ideal. But it is not technically difficult to drive the main roads, and the wildness of the roads makes it even more adventurous!

When planning your route, you will want to consider these outdoor attractions:

• Hiking Fish River Canyon, the biggest canyon in Africa
• Exploring shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast
• Wildlife safari in Etosha National Park

However, the most spectacular activities can be found within the oldest desert in the world: climbing huge red sand dunes in Sossusvlei, exploring eerie Deadvlei, and driving between the desert and the fierce Atlantic ocean at Sandwich Harbour – two of many ways to explore the spectacular Namib Desert.

Canadian Rockies Road Trip

• Recommended by Love Life Abroad
• Location: Canada
• Time: 7-10 Days

If you are an outdoor enthusiast that loves hikes that lead to waterfalls or mountains views and that can’t get bored of looking at emerald lakes, driving in the Canadian Rockies is definitely a road trip you should do.

To have enough time to really enjoy the Canadian Rockies, a 7 to 10 days trip would be ideal. But if you don’t have that much time, you can still do some great hikes and see breathtaking landscapes.

A good place to start is in Calgary (AB) where there is an international airport. It’s a little more than 100 km to get to Banff from Calgary on the highway. 

Once in Banff, you’ll be surrounded by mountains and wildlife. Take your time and explore the town at dawn to see the herd of elks walking around town. In Banff National Park, you’ll want to see Lake Louise, hike to Lake Agnes Tea House, hike to Johnston Canyon, rent a paddleboard, and enjoy Vermillion Lakes.

Then, it’s time for one of the most beautiful drives: the Icefields Parkway, a 230 km drive from Lake Louise to Jasper full of mountain views, glaciers, and turquoise water. You’ll want to take your time; stop as much as you want and enjoy the beauty. Peyto Lake, Tangle Falls, Columbia Icefields, Goats-and-Mountains, Athabasca Falls are all stops worth making.

Finally, you’ll arrive in Jasper National Park, one of the wildest national parks. Here is your chance to spot black and grizzly bears. In Jasper, ride the Jasper SkyTram on a sunny day. The view from the top is incredible with amazing hikes. End your stay in Jasper at one of the turquoise lakes, Annette Lake or Edith Lake.

Seattle, Washington to Acadia National Park, Maine Road Trip

• Recommended by Christina of Live a Wilder Life
• Location: Washington to Maine, US
• Time: 2-3 Weeks

One of the grandest cross-country road trips in America is The Great Northern Road. Following Highway 2 from Seattle, Washington, to Acadia National Park in Maine, this transcontinental highway takes you through the Northern tip of the United States. Weaving through the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, to the flat plains of North Dakota, and a brief drive up into the charming city of Montreal, Canada, with a final stop at the coast of Maine, this road trip is truly the best of the Northern United States.  

Highlights of the cross country road trip include stopping at the idyllic lakeside town of Sandpoint, Idaho for stand-up paddleboarding on Lake Ponderay, huckleberry picking, and black bear spotting in Glacier National Park, and a sunrise hike up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.

With so many unique stops along the way, this is a road trip that deserves time. Two weeks is enough time to see the sites, but three weeks is perfection. If you don’t have two weeks to do the entire trip, rather than torpedo your way through the journey, choose a small section of the drive so you can thoroughly enjoy the fertile nature of the Northern US

Istria, Croatia Road Trip

• Recommended by Martina & Jürgen from Places of Juma
• Location: Istria, Croatia
• Time: One Week

Istria is the perfect choice for an exciting one-week road trip in Croatia. On a stretch of about 150 kilometers, a wide choice of great coastal towns, beautiful coastline, and plenty of opportunities for cool outdoor activities await you.

The best place to start your road trip is in the north of Istria, in Umag. Here you will not only find an enchanting fishing village, but also a unique coastline. Thanks to the well-developed cycle paths, you can go on amazing bike tours. A mountain bike tour into the hilly hinterland to the mountain villages like Hum and Groznjan is always worth it!

Your next stop should be Motovun. The area is famous for its truffles, which grow in the forests around the mountain village. A must-do here is the 7-waterfall hike.

The journey continues to Rovinj, which is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful towns in Istria and should not be missed on any round trip. A really cool thing to do here is a tour by kayak, where you can explore the beautiful coastline.

Last but not least, head to the south of Istria to Pula. All adrenaline junkies should definitely visit Pazin, where a dizzying zipline leads over a high gorge. Another highlight is Cape Kamenjak in the far south, where steep cliffs invite you to go rock jumping

Brisbane to Cairns, Australian Road Trip

• Recommended by Peta and Jonas of Exit 45 Travels
• Location: Australia
• Time: 10 days

One of the most popular road trips for Australians and visitors alike is the Pacific Coast Way which follows the east coast of Queensland from Brisbane to Cairns. Stretching over 1700 kilometers, you will need to allow at least 10 days to comfortably complete this trip and to enjoy some of the amazing things to do along the way.

Spectacular scenery, beautiful beaches with turquoise waters, and world heritage rainforest line the route, making it one of the most scenic in the country! Here are some of the not to be missed sights along the way:

• Brisbane – stroll through South Bank, spectacular sunset overlooking the city at Mt Coot-Tha Lookout
• Sunshine Coast / Noosa – Australia Zoo, Noosa National Park Coastal Track for amazing coastal views and koala and dolphin spotting
• Cape Hillsborough – wallabies on the beach at sunrise
• Airlie Beach – Gateway to the Whitsunday Islands i.e. Hayman Island, Whitehaven Beach
• Paronella Park – a mystical wonderland, complete with Spanish-style castle, and tranquil waterfalls, bridges and tunnels
• Atherton Tablelands – Historic Village Herberton, Millaa Millaa Waterfall Circuit, Curtain Fig Tree, Platypus spotting at Yungaburra
• Cairns (Jewel in the North) – the world-heritage listed corals of the Great Barrier Reef, white-water rafting in Barron Gorge National Park, Kuranda Scenic Railway

If you only do one road trip in Australia, the Pacific Coast Way is the best you can do to see everything this beautiful country has to offer!

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