There's something about road trip travel that always captures the imagination. You can take it all at your own pace, choose where to go and set off with a true sense of freedom and adventure. Thanks to the good old invention of the road (we have the Mesopotamians to thank for that!), we have access to plenty of landscapes on many travellers' bucket lists simply by sitting behind the steering wheel. Here are some of the best countries for a road trip - and of course, each one of our suggestions is bookable as a Rough Guides tailor-made trip. All you need to do is get in touch and we can sort out your dream self drive holiday.
Tailor-made Iceland trips don’t get more iconic than the Ring Road. This 1,339km loop circles the island and delivers some of the most varied and wild scenery you’ll find anywhere, without compromising on safety or comfort. One minute you’re driving past snow-capped peaks, the next you’re in a lava field, skirting fjords, or pulling over to admire a massive volcanic crater. It’s a road trip that still lives up to the hype, and then some.
Trekking across glaciers or volcanoes is a jaw-dropping way to stretch your legs outside the car, and unique activities like snorkelling between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates raise the adventure quotient.
The Ring Road in Iceland has spectacular mountain views © Mathias Berlin/Shutterstock
The UK and Ireland have some great opportunities for a fulfilling and exciting road trip – especially if you head away from the major traffic-clogged routes. For incredible mountain views, there nothing quite like a self drive holiday in Scotland, with its North Coast 500 route. Make sure to complete the experience with a whisky distillery visit.
For the ocean lovers, surfers and wannabe hippies, there's the UK's Atlantic Highway, taking you along the Devon and Cornwall coast (and inland for a portion to Exmoor National Park).
Ireland offers the craggy landscapes of the Wild Atlantic Way, and there are several Game of Thrones locations for the TV fanatics to explore in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Those wanting a short but spectacular road trip, the Welsh Black Mountain Pass through the Brecon Beacons won't leave you disappointed. Or, simply get in the car and drive your way aimlessly through the ales and cheeses of Yorkshire.
A rural road through the rolling hills of the Cornish countryside © Marcin jucha/Shutterstock
With so much to see — from cloud forests to Pacific beaches — it’s tough to cover Costa Rica in one trip. Public transport can be slow and crowded, while private shuttles add up fast. The answer? A road trip. Major highways are straightforward to navigate, but in some regions you’ll hit dirt tracks that demand a 4x4 — or are best avoided altogether in the rainy season.
By car, you can make the trip as laid-back or adrenaline-fuelled as you like. Stay in remote eco-lodges, fly through the treetops on a zip-line, or spend lazy afternoons surfing, swimming, or horse-riding along the coast. National parks like Manuel Antonio and Monteverde are easy to explore at your own pace, with plenty of stops along the way. If you’re exploring Costa Rica, there’s no better way to do it than on a self-drive adventure.
Driving in Costa Rica is a great way to see the country at your own pace © Guadelupe Polito/Shutterstock
South Africa is destined to charm with its vineyards, mountain views, lush scenery and relaxing atmosphere. It's most well known for the Garden Route, located in the Western Cape province – a perfect introduction to South Africa and easily paired with Cape Town. Stretching along the coast between Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth, this is one of the most admired routes in one of the best countries for a self-drive holiday. As you drive you'll see mountains and vineyards on one side and rugged cliffs and beaches on the other. You could even drive on further to Hermanus, known for its excellent whale watching from July to November.
Of course, we can't forget one of the main reasons people visit South Africa: a safari. The best way to do enjoy the experience is by joining a guided trip in a 4x4 so you can get up close and personal to the wildlife while learning about the environment and animals within it.
Bloukrans Bridge on the Garden Route in South Africa © LMspencer/Shutterstock
Sticking with the vineyard theme, France's excellent roads and wide-open spaces makes it a great self drive holiday candidate. The biggest country in the EU, there's a huge amount to see on any trip, and driving allows you to stop off at whatever villages take your fancy. Tour the castles and famous vineyards of the Loire Valley, combine architecture and wine in Bordeaux, stop off at the beaches and seafood restaurants of the Cote d'Azur, or take in the scent of lavender in Provence. With any of these, you're not limited to the confines of your car: there are many activities beyond road-tripping, from bike tours, hikes, museums, art galleries and winery tours.
Lavender fields in Provence, France © Flystock/Shutterstock
Italy's landscapes are some of the most dreamt about in the world, and a road trip here can be an idyllic, romantic way of immersing yourself in the gorgeous surroundings. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the winding Amalfi Coast (not forgetting a stop off via boat to glamorous Capri), sampling everything from pizza and pasta to limoncello and wine, there's no wrong way to do Italy as long as your stomach is full and the scenery is beautiful!
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Explore our list of dream holiday destinations to suit any traveller.
Tuscany's iconic cypress trees © Pawel Uchorczak/Shutterstock
written by
Kirsten Powley
updated 03.09.2019
Rough Guides connects you with vetted travel agents who create personalized trip plans from scratch based on your travel style, pace, interests, and budget. Instead of choosing from fixed packages, you can receive up to 3 different itinerary proposals, compare approaches from different local agents, and refine the preferred trip together until it fits the way you want to travel.
