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Going on a road trip is a great opportunity for adventure and exploration. You can set your own schedule and take detours as you please. See something that catches your eye? It’s easy to go off course and dedicate a day to visiting new, unexpected places. After all, there’s only so much research you can do. The best way to experience a country is to visit it, and once you’re there, a car gives you the flexibility to create a trip that’s perfect for you.
But not everywhere is ideal for road tripping. To help you plan your next adventure, we’ve picked four countries that are perfect for road trips, some with popular routes and others ideal for the more adventurous amongst you. Check them out:
1. Germany
Running from the River Main to the Alps, The Romantic Road is one of Germany’s most popular holiday routes. Brown signs link the individual towns on the way, making it an easy choice for first-timers. That’s not to say it’s not spectacular, though, nor does it suggest you shouldn’t head off in your own direction from time to time.
On your journey, the landscape starts off with river valleys, meadows, and agricultural plots before developing into more dramatic mountain scenery. Along the way, you’ll pass through several medieval towns with buildings that have been preserved through the centuries and encounter friendly European culture. Key spots include the famous fairy-tale castle at Neuschwanstein, Franconia wine district, and Weikersheim Palace.
source: https://pixabay.com/en/germany-bavaria-1014376/
2. USA
The United States is vast – in fact, it’s the third largest country in the world. You’d be lucky to cover a portion of the 50 states in one visit. But each state is unique to the next, making the USA one of the most diverse countries in the world. You’ll want to see as much as possible. So what better way to see a good chunk of the states than hitting the road?
As 1cover’s USA guide says, it’s like your own personal hop on hop off bus except you get to make the rules. They suggest a scenic drive on California’s Pacific Highway 1 to make the most of the beautiful weather, but also recommend loads of other activities throughout the country. Pick out your favourites and make your own route:
- Explore national parks – the Grand Canyon, or Yosemite, for example
- Visit the Big Apple
- Play at Orlando, Florida
- Watch a ball game
If there are places you’ve always dreamed of visiting in the USA, add them to the list and see if they fit within your route.
source: https://pixabay.com/en/grand-canyon-cliff-scenery-2141754/
3. India
Originally built for army vehicles, The Leh–Manali Highway in northern India connects Leh and Manali in Himachal Pradesh state. It’s only open for about four and a half months each year (between May/June and mid-October), and there are miles on end where you cannot find fuel, or the support of a garage. It’s not a route for the faint of heart, and it’s a good idea to have some experience of basic maintenance tasks.
Nevertheless, it’s a road trip worth the effort. The scenery is breathtaking and you won’t have to share the roads with many other travellers. In fact, most of the time, you’ll be the only people around. Every time you turn around another mountain pass, you’ll be in awe of your surroundings – just like these bloggers, who described the journey as “epic.” Check out their experience of the highway on a bus. The Gata Loops, a series of hairpin bends looping down, sound like something to look forward to – although you might want to close your eyes if your driver takes the same route as theirs.
source: https://pixabay.com/en/leh-ladhak-travel-clouds-india-2123748/
4. Great Britain
Great Britain might only be small, but the best attractions are spread out. If you want to experience the diversity on offer, a road trip is an ideal way to get around. From the island paradise that is the Scilly Islands to the buzzing cities of Birmingham or Manchester, there’s a lot to see in the countryside, as well as in the towns. Top activities from Hand Luggage Only include:
- Hiking the Yorkshire dales
- Seeing the Angel of the North in Newcastle
- Exploring Edinburgh
- Climbing Ben Nevis
- Punting in Cambridge
- Visiting Oxford and its famous university
- Seeing the Roman history of Bath
- Wandering round Stonehenge
source: https://pixabay.com/en/river-valley-dales-yorkshire-2063532/
There’s plenty to appeal to all kinds of travellers – whether you’re going on a road trip as a family, with friends, or for a romantic break. And remember, your route isn’t fixed. The beauty of a route trip is you can easily make amends to your adventure. In Great Britain, you’ll never be too far from the next attraction.
Where have you gone on a road trip? Share your suggestions, itineraries, and tips for road travel with us.
Thank you Dan Greene for providing this guest post.
I love road trips. You just can stop whenever you want and enjoy the surroundings. I especially enjoyed reading reading about Germany.. I want to go back! 🙂
Thanks, Paulina 🙂
A road trip is always the best way to experience a country. We did a Germany road trip last year and had a great time! We were able to see some towns and villages we otherwise would not have if we trained it or stayed in one place. I would also add Ireland to this list. It is a fantastic road trip!
I agree, Melissa. I’ve been to Germany as a backpacker with a few friends and it was really a nice experience. Will keep Ireland in mind, thanks for the tip!
This list is so on-point. It’s coincidental that we’re doing our Great American Roadtrip! It’s amazing that even for us based in the US, there is still so much that we haven’t seen. I would love to roadtrip Germany too – the European Alps offer so many amazing views, I would imagine!
It does! Hope you enjoy your road trip!
Great post with many useful tips. You definitely have seen some amazing places. Road trips are also for me by far the best way to explore new places and cities. The good thing bout road trips in Germany is also for example that on many highways (Autobahn) you have no speed limit 🙂
Great Britain looks also great, I can imagine a road trip must be beautiful there.
Thanks, Hendrik!
I love road trips and a dream of mine is, to road tripping through the USA- glad to see it on the list as a good place to do so. Unfortunately, I am from the northern part of Germany where it is not as pretty as in the southern part (nature wise) so I would love to explore Germany more. My favorite place is Switzerland to do such a trip, but happy to test the others.
It is possible to do that, Arzo. I started as a backpacker and roamed around Europe first, then a friend convinced me to go beyond our continent. I agree with you on Switzerland, my favourite is the Rhine Falls
Some great tips! I 100% agree to road trip the UK! I am British and love driving around the areas of the country 🙂 And avoid the British rail at the moment – It took me 5 hours to get home from London last week and I love an hour away!! Would love to road trip USA and Germany looks awesome!
such a great post! I visited Germany only but love to visit other countries as well! I want to do road trip around Europe first :D, then will try others!
Thank you! Go and explore places! you won’t regret it 🙂
I was certainly hoping to find the US on the list when I read the title, but India is a surprise to me. Being an Indian, I can vouch for it though 🙂 True, Germany is one of the incredible countries to hit off on the road!
It’s no surprise, India is a great country. Had fun travelling there with my friends. 🙂
I love road trips, you can stop when you want and you can take in so much more in. I have always wanted to do a road trip through America on route 66. I never thought about driving through Germany but I think that is a great idea.
Great post. We are actually heading to Europe (Germany most likely) next year and you gave us a good idea for a driving trip. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
My Pleasure! Hope you’ll had a blast 🙂
I completely agree about the USA and I cannot wait to do that! You’re talking about my bucket list destination! 🙂
Let us know when you’re here Agness – we’d love to show you around!
My Pleasure! Hope you’ll had a blast 🙂
I must admit I have been wanting to try this for some time now but not having any experience or owning one has stopped me from doing it. But reading this post gives me all the information and comfort of trying it now myself. Living in U.K. I have the option and infrastructure to go on some very interesting routes with scenic drives. I think this is a great way of travelling at your own leisure and living in some absolutely stunning locations. Thanks for a very informative post.
That’s great, Amar! A Road trip for me is a perfect combination of freedom, exploration, and relaxation.