Matt Press is a car fanatic and the founder of The Drive Hive, a place where learners can book intensive driving courses.
Okay, so you’d like to travel and see some of the world this year. Good on you. There are loads of amazing places to visit, some more famous than others. But did you know that a handful of top destinations are best visited by car? Check out this guide, because if you’re thinking of having a road trip anytime soon, you don’t want to miss out. We’ve shortlisted 7 places to visit by way of driving.
Trip 1: Route 66
This is the ultimate road trip. It spans over 2,000 miles and takes you across 8 states. Expect stunning scenery and an incredibly diverse range of attractions. From derelict towns through to quirky museums, it’s got it all.
Trip 2: Great Ocean Road
Getting to Australia in the first place might be a bit of a hassle, but once you’re there, hire a car and tackle this huge stretch of road. You’ll cover 150 miles as you travel between Victoria and Melbourne, so it’s not a huge trip. However, you’ll see some spectacular sights, such as beaches, rainforest and amazing rock formations.
Trip 3: Through the Red Centre
Right, so while you’re Down Under, let’s drive to this place too. The drive will help you understand the sheer vastness of Australia, with the highlight being Uluru – the huge rock in the centre of Oz. It’s certainly a picturesque place to watch a sunset or two. If you live in a different part of a continent, you can hire bike movers who can bring your vehicle to you or if you want to drive down yourself, you surely can! But this is something you should not miss, at any cost.
Trip 4: The Grossglockner High Alpine Road
When it comes to scenic views, you won’t get better than this. You’ll be 2,500 meters above sea level and have plenty of hairpin turns to contend with, so make sure you’re clutch control is good. But this is one of the few trips that combines tranquil landscapes with genuinely adrenaline-fuelled fun.
Trip 5: The Wild Atlantic Way
This bad boy is the longest coastal route in the world and runs 2,500km up the Western Coast of Ireland. You’ll see diverse scenery, but this trip will require planning is it can take between 2-4 weeks to complete (depending on how many stop-offs you take).
Trip 6: The South Island
If you’re ever in New Zealand, it won’t take you long to realise that a car is vital if you want to get around. Due to the ratio of people to country size, public transport is limited. Of course, you could hop on a bike, but if you want to get around the rocky and mountainous terrain, driving is best.
Trip 7: The Ring Road of Iceland
What’s a road trip if it doesn’t have any glaciers? Iceland has mind-blowing beauty, so block out 2-4 weeks and head over for the trip of a lifetime. With an untamed coastline and a fascinating outdoors culture, this is one of the most memorable driving trips you could undertake.
The chances of staying in a campsite (no booking, low fees) are pretty high, so factor that in renting a vehicle. A campervan would then be the more flexible choice, allowing you to keep your options open throughout your Ring Road drive. At Cozy Campers, you get to see notable options for a reliable, budget-friendly camper rental.
Driving clears the mind and makes room for new memories and experiences. Are you excited for this road trip?