18 May 5 Global Road Trips to Experience in a Lifetime
Road trips expose parts of a country that most visitors never properly see. A flight might get someone from one city to another quickly, though long drives pass old fishing towns, roadside fruit stalls, mountain lookouts, and stretches of highway where daily life feels completely different every few hours. Some travellers remember Icelandic black-sand beaches or Canadian glacier lakes. Others remember tiny details like stopping for fuel in a dusty South African town or watching surfers unload boards before sunrise in Victoria. The destinations below cover five road trips where the journey itself becomes the reason people travel, with enough changing scenery and local stops to keep long driving days interesting.
5 Global Road Trips to Experience in a Lifetime
Journey Along the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way follows the country’s western coastline from County Donegal down to County Cork, passing sea cliffs, small harbour towns, and narrow roads bordered by old stone walls. Around Galway, roadtrippers often stop near Quay Street before continuing towards Connemara, where bogland, mountain scenery, and scattered coastal villages quickly replace the busier town centres. Near Clifden, the Sky Road loop passes old cottages, Atlantic viewpoints, and grazing sheep wandering close to the roadside.
Further south in County Clare, the Cliffs of Moher draw large crowds near midday, though quieter stretches of coastline appear around Lahinch and Spanish Point. In villages like Doolin, traditional music still spills out onto the streets during summer evenings, particularly around the pubs near Fisher Street. Roads through Killarney National Park wind past Muckross House, Ross Castle, and the Gap of Dunloe before reaching the Dingle Peninsula, where fishing boats continue lining the harbour below Strand Street. Slea Head Drive remains one of the best-known coastal routes in the region, passing stone huts, cliff viewpoints, and beaches facing the Blasket Islands.
For travellers exploring the country alone, it can be easier to join Ireland tours for singles that include sections of the Wild Atlantic Way, particularly counties like Mayo, Clare, and Kerry, where rural roads, changing weather, and overnight logistics become more complicated without local guidance.
Drive the Famous Great Ocean Road, Australia
The Great Ocean Road begins near Torquay, southwest of Melbourne, and follows the Victorian coastline past surf towns, rainforest sections, and limestone cliffs. Bells Beach attracts surfers throughout the year, especially during major competitions around Easter. Further along, the road passes through Anglesea and Lorne, where travellers gather near Mountjoy Parade before heading towards the Erskine Falls walking tracks inland.
Apollo Bay usually becomes a longer stop because the scenery changes quickly once drivers enter Great Otway National Park. Sections of the road near Kennett River are known for koalas sitting high in the eucalyptus trees beside the highway. Around Cape Otway Lighthouse, southern right whales occasionally appear offshore during the winter migration season.
The Twelve Apostles remain the most photographed landmark along the drive, though nearby Loch Ard Gorge often leaves a bigger impression because of its steep sandstone walls and shipwreck history. Near Port Campbell, local bakeries and small grocery shops fill up early with travellers continuing towards Warrnambool. Even outside peak summer months, traffic stays steady across much of the route.
Discover the Sunshine State Coastline in Orlando, USA
Orlando is a great starting point for road trips across central Florida because major highways connect the city with both Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches within a few hours. International Drive stays busy almost constantly, with outlet centres, entertainment complexes, and theme park traffic filling the area from morning onwards. Around Winter Park, Park Avenue offers a quieter section of the city lined with galleries, markets, and lakeside walking paths.
Those planning longer group holidays often book great Orlando villas around Lake Buena Vista or Kissimmee because the extra space works well for multi-day road trips covering destinations like Cocoa Beach, Clearwater, and the Kennedy Space Centre. Along Highway A1A on Florida’s Atlantic coast, towns such as New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach still retain old motels, surf shops, and wooden fishing piers close to the shoreline. On the Gulf Coast, drives through Clearwater Beach and St Pete Beach pass marinas, long causeways, and busy waterfront parks that stay active well beyond the peak summer season.
Outside the theme parks, parts of central Florida still feel surprisingly local. In Celebration, cycling paths wind past lakes and quiet residential streets shaded by oak trees draped in Spanish moss. Further south near Bok Tower Gardens, quiet roads cut through orange groves and open countryside that many visitors never see during shorter holidays.
Navigate the Majestic Icefields Parkway, Canada
The Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper features some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Canada, and Chanel and Stevo still consider it one of their best trips to date. Highway 93 passes turquoise lakes, glacier viewpoints, and dense pine forests for more than 200 kilometres through the Canadian Rockies. Near Lake Louise, traffic often builds early in the morning, particularly around Moraine Lake Road during summer when hikers set out before sunrise for trails leading towards the Lake Agnes tea house.
Further north, Peyto Lake and Bow Summit attract constant photo stops because of the lake’s bright blue colour during warmer months. Around Saskatchewan River Crossing, fuel stations and roadside lodges become essential stopping points because services remain limited across much of the highway. Wildlife sightings are common along quieter sections near Waterfowl Lakes, where elk and black bears sometimes appear close to the roadside.
The Columbia Icefield remains one of the busiest parts of the drive. Visitors gather near the Athabasca Glacier viewpoint beside large snow coaches heading onto the ice. Closer to Jasper, Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls pull drivers off the highway throughout the day. Even in early autumn, snow can already appear across higher sections of the parkway.
Explore the Scenic Garden Route, South Africa
South Africa’s Garden Route National Park stretches along the southern coastline between Mossel Bay and Storms River, passing forests, lagoons, beaches, and mountain passes. In Knysna, the waterfront near Grey Street fills with market stalls and local craft shops overlooking the lagoon. The Knysna Heads viewpoint remains one of the best stops along the coast, especially in calmer weather when boats move through the narrow channel below.
Further east, Plettenberg Bay (where Chanel and Stevo are currently situated after 11 years on the road) draws travellers to Central Beach and Lookout Beach, while Robberg Nature Reserve offers coastal walking tracks with regular seal sightings. Around Tsitsikamma National Park, suspension bridges cross the mouth of Storms River beneath steep forested cliffs. Sections of the old N2 highway nearby still pass farm stalls selling dried fruit, biltong, and handmade goods.
The drive inland towards Oudtshoorn changes completely once the route reaches the Little Karoo region. Dry mountain passes replace coastal scenery, and ostrich farms begin appearing along the roadside near Route 62.
Which continent calls to you most?
Road trips are often remembered for the unexpected moments between major attractions. A rainstorm moving across the Atlantic coast in Kerry, a quiet petrol stop somewhere between Jasper and Banff, or low mist settling over the forests near Tsitsikamma can remain memorable long after the journey ends. These five drives pass through very different landscapes and cultures, though all of them reward travellers willing to spend time beyond the larger cities. Some routes follow coastlines for days, while others cross glaciers, mountain ranges, or remote countryside where the scenery changes constantly and the drive rarely feels repetitive.
If you enjoyed this post, you may want to follow Chanel & Stevo’s journey on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest, browse through the HFFH Shop, or check out some other popular articles on the blog.
Disclaimer: some links in this blog post may be sponsored or affiliate links, meaning that we receive a small percentage (at no extra cost to you) if you end up buying through the link. We appreciate the support! You can read our full privacy policy here.
No Comments