If you love mountains, coastlines, or forest tracks, road trips are perfect. They bring you closer to nature. Road trips offer freedom to explore. You can discover new places. You’ll make memories that last. This guide covers 20 of the best adventure road trip routes around the world. Each route has stunning views. There are unique activities to try. You’ll find memorable experiences along the way. So, get ready. Start planning today!
1. Pacific Coast Highway, USA
The Pacific Coast Highway is a classic, expanding along California’s scenic coast.
- Length: 655 miles
- Best Time: Spring and early fall
- Highlights: Big Sur Hills, Santa Barbara, and Monterey Bay Aquarium
Perfect for ocean views, iconic landmarks, and beach town vibes.
2. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way follows the country’s beautiful western coast.
- Length: 1,550 miles
- Best Time: May to September
- Highlights: Rocks of Moher, Connemara, and Skellig Michael
An ideal route for green landscapes, historical sites, and coastal rocks.
3. Garden Route, South Africa
The Garden Route combines rough coastlines with mountains and forests.
- Length: 190 miles
- Best Time: November to April
- Highlights: Knysna Lagoon, Tsitsikamma National Park, and Plettenberg Bay
Great for wildlife, outdoor sports, and seaside views.
4. Route 40, Argentina
This route takes you through Argentina’s different landscapes, from deserts to mountains.
- Length: 3,100 miles
- Best Time: Spring and autumn
- Highlights: Salta, Mendoza vineyards, and Los Glaciares National Park
Experience dramatic areas, wine areas, and remote natural beauty.
5. Icefields Parkway, Canada
This scenic route in the Canadian Rockies offers icefields, lakes, and wildlife.
- Length: 144 miles
- Best Time: June to September
- Highlights: Banff, Jasper, and Columbia Icefield
Perfect for hiking, camping, and beautiful mountain views.
6. Ring Road, Iceland
Iceland’s Ring Road circles the island, featuring ice fields, waterfalls, and volcanoes.
- Length: 828 miles
- Best Time: June to August
- Highlights: Blue Lagoon, Seljalandsfoss, and Vatnajökull Glacier
An adventure filled with unique views and natural beauties.
7. Great Ocean Road, Australia
The Great Ocean Road is known for its exciting beachfront and rock formations.
- Length: 151 miles
- Best Time: November to April
- Highlights: Twelve Apostles, Otway National Park, and Bells Beach
Ideal for coastal hikes, beach stops, and ocean photography.
8. Cabot Trail, Canada
The Cabot Trail twists through Nova Scotia, offering a mix of forested and ocean views.
- Length: 185 miles
Best Time: Summer and early fall
- Highlights: Cape Breton Highlands and Skyline Trail
A scenic drive with cultural sites, rugged cliffs, and wildlife.
9. Amalfi Coast Road, Italy
Italy’s Amalfi Coast Road is known for charming seaside towns and cliffside views.
- Length: 31 miles
- Best Time: April to October
- Highlights: Positano, Ravello, and Sorrento
Perfect for coastal region scenery, history, and delicious Italian cuisine.
10. Trollstigen, Norway
It’s a winding mountain pass with breathtaking Norwegian views.
- Length: 66 miles
- Best Time: Summer (May to September)
- Highlights: Geirangerfjord and Trollstigen Mountain
Great for thrill-seekers and those looking for scenic mountain views.
11. Blue Ridge Parkway, USA
The Blue Ridge Parkway offers stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains.
- Length: 469 miles
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Highlights: Great Smoky Mountains and scenic overlooks
Ideal for mountain scenery, fall leaves, and peaceful drives.
12. Alaska Highway, Canada/USA
This iconic route passes through Canada and into Alaska’s wilderness.
- Length: 1,390 miles
- Best Time: Summer (June to August)
- Highlights: Kluane Lake and Liard Hot Springs
Great for remote views, wildlife sightings, and adventurous camping.
13. Transfagarasan Highway, Romania
This winding highway passes through Romania’s Carpathian Mountains.
- Length: 60 miles
- Best Time: Summer (July to October)
- Highlights: Balea Lake and Poenari Castle
It is known for its dramatic turns, mountain peaks, and Romanian history.
14. Skeleton Coast, Namibia
The Skeleton Coast is a remote desert coastline with boat crashes and huge sand hills.
- Length: 310 miles
- Best Time: May to October
- Highlights: Cape Cross and Damaraland
Perfect for an off-the-beaten-path experience and stunning desolation.
15. Ruta de los Siete Lagos, Argentina
This route takes you through Argentina’s stunning Lake District in Patagonia.
- Length: 66 miles
- Best Time: December to March
- Highlights: Seven crystal-clear lakes and Lanin National Park
Ideal for scenic drives, hiking, and serene lakeside views.
16. Carretera Austral, Chile
Carretera Austral offers some of Chile’s most remote and beautiful landscapes.
- Length: 770 miles
- Best Time: December to March
- Highlights: Marble Caves and Laguna San Rafael
It is a true adventure in the Patagonian wilderness, with ice fields, rivers, and mountains. It is one of the best routes among adventure road trip routes.
17. Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam
The Ha Giang Loop in Vietnam is a mountainous route with dramatic landscapes.
- Length: 200 miles
- Best Time: September to November
- Highlights: Ma Pi Leng Pass and Dong Van Plateau
It is ideal for cultural experiences and breathtaking hillside roads.
18. Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
This scenic route in Northern Ireland combines coastal and historical landmarks. It will be helpful if you follow an adventure road trip itinerary for road trips.
- Length: 120 miles
- Best Time: May to September
- Highlights: Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
A great mix of history, culture, and rugged coastline.
19. Silk Road, Central Asia
Follow this ancient business route through historical cities and different landscapes.
- Length: Approx. 4,000 miles (varies by route)
- Best Time: Spring and autumn
- Highlights: Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent
Perfect for historical experts and those looking for a cultural adventure.
20. North Coast 500, Scotland
The North Coast 500 loops through the Scottish Highlands, offering lochs, castles, and a rough coastline.
- Length: 516 miles
- Best Time: Summer (June to August)
- Highlights: Loch Ness, John O’Groats, and Dunrobin Castle
Great for dramatic landscapes, Scottish history, and history sites.
Conclusion: Ready to Hit the Road?
Explore unique adventure road trip routes, from Norway’s icy fjords to Central Asia’s remote mountains. Discover Patagonia’s wild wilderness and Iceland’s earth energy wonders. Each route offers breathtaking scenery and thrilling experiences. Adventure off the beaten path for memorable journeys! 🚗🌍
