Top 20 Most Scenic Road Trips in the World

This scenic road stretches 655 miles (1,054 km) along the California coast, offering breathtaking ocean views and charming beach towns like Big Sur and Malibu. The highway was built in the 1940s as a replacement for older routes, reducing travel time between Los Angeles and San Francisco from over 10 days to just one day. According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, over 95% of the original road has been preserved and restored to its original beauty.

This stunning coastal drive in southeastern Australia features iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks and London Bridge rock formation. Completed in 1932 after nine years of construction, the Great Ocean Road is considered one of the world's most scenic drives and attracts millions of tourists each year. It stretches 151 miles (244 km) along the coastline, with an average road width of just 30 feet.

Spanning over 140 miles (225 km), this breathtaking drive winds through Banff and Jasper National Parks in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. The parkway is considered one of the world's most beautiful roads due to its stunning mountain vistas, turquoise lakes, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. In 2006, Time Magazine ranked Icefields Parkway as one of the top ten scenic drives globally.

Located in County Kerry, this picturesque drive takes drivers through some of Ireland's most breathtaking landscapes, including rugged coastlines, rolling hills, and quaint villages like Killarney. The 111-mile route was first established in 1903 as a tourist attraction, drawing visitors from across Europe with its natural beauty and unique cultural heritage. Today, over 500,000 tourists travel the Ring of Kerry each year.

This scenic national parkway stretches 469 miles along the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina and Virginia, offering stunning views of mountains, forests, and waterfalls. The parkway was established in 1936 as a response to the growing popularity of automobile travel and the need for recreational areas during the Great Depression. In 2013, it was designated an International Dark Sky Park.

Spanning over 200 miles along the Atlantic coast of South Africa, this stunning drive takes in breathtaking ocean views, sandy beaches, and vibrant townships like Mossel Bay. The route passes through 18 National Parks and Nature Reserves, showcasing a unique combination of Mediterranean coastal landscapes and African wildlife. It was originally developed in the 1930s as a scenic route for tourists.

This challenging drive takes drivers on a circuitous journey through some of Tasmania's most stunning alpine landscapes, passing by glaciers, lakes, and snow-capped mountains. Completed in 1956 after five years of construction, the Routeburn Track was developed to provide access to remote areas for hikers and skiers. Today it attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Spanning over 300 miles through Yukon's vast wilderness, this spectacular drive offers breathtaking views of the aurora borealis under the night sky. The highway was originally established in 1932 as a vital transportation route during the Klondike Gold Rush. During peak season (December to April), thousands of tourists flock to see the ethereal displays.

This glamorous drive through southern Italy features breathtaking sea views, picturesque fishing villages like Positano and Amalfi, and stunning cliffside architecture. The road was built in the 1960s as a scenic route for tourists visiting Pompeii and other historic sites. In 2007, UNESCO designated the Amalfi Coast as one of its World Heritage Sites.

Located in the heart of Norway's fjords, this stunning drive offers breathtaking views of glacier-capped mountains, waterfalls, and serene lakes. Completed in 1929 after five years of construction, the Sognefjord is one of the longest and deepest fjords in Norway. In 2004, Time Magazine ranked it as one of the top ten most beautiful roads globally.

This breathtaking drive through Fiordland National Park features stunning mountain vistas, picturesque valleys, and majestic waterfalls like Lady Bowen Falls. Completed in 1956 after seven years of construction, the Milford Road was developed to provide access for tourists to some of New Zealand's most pristine natural landscapes. In 2012, it was declared an All-Terrain Driving Highway.

This unique drive takes drivers on a scenic journey through vast wilderness areas in the Chugach National Forest and Alaska State Game Refuge. Completed in 1973 after two years of construction, the trail features stunning mountain vistas and serene lakes. In 2002, it was designated an International Dark Sky Park for its exceptional stargazing opportunities.

Located on Lake Ullswater, this scenic drive offers breathtaking views of England's picturesque countryside, including rolling hills, forests, and serene lakeside landscapes. The route was originally developed in the 19th century as a tourist attraction. In 2012, it was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Spanning over 100 miles along Vermont's stunning coastline, this scenic drive takes in breathtaking ocean views, sandy beaches, and picturesque fishing villages like Stowe. The highway was originally established in the early 20th century as a vital transportation route for dairy farmers.

Located within the Blue Mountains National Park, this stunning drive offers breathtaking mountain vistas, scenic lookout points, and picturesque valleys like Leura. Completed in 1987 after four years of construction, the drive features a range of unique walking trails, including the Three Sisters rock formation.

Spanning over 75 miles through one of Europe's most picturesque regions, this scenic drive takes in breathtaking mountain vistas, rolling hills, and charming villages like Triberg. The road was originally developed in the late 19th century as a vital transportation route for logging industries.

Located on the border between Slovakia and Poland, this stunning drive offers breathtaking mountain vistas, picturesque valleys, and traditional folk architecture. Completed in 1936 after two years of construction, the scenic route was developed to provide access for hikers and skiers.

Spanning over 75 miles through Portugal's stunning countryside, this scenic drive takes in breathtaking views of rolling hills, forests, and picturesque villages like Monchique. The route features Roman ruins like Conimbriga, where you can see artifacts from the Iron Age. It was originally built as a military road in the 18th century.

This challenging drive takes drivers on a scenic journey through Austria's stunning Alpine landscapes to a secluded alpine lodge like the Glöcknerhütte, nestled at 3,000 meters above sea level. Completed in 1914 after five years of construction, the road features stunning mountain vistas and serene valleys.

Located on an isolated mountain peak near Hardangervidda Lake in Norway, this scenic drive offers breathtaking views of Scandinavia's most dramatic landscapes, including towering mountains, glaciers, and picturesque villages like Eidfjord. The route was completed in 2001 after five years of construction to provide access for hikers and skiers.