the most scenic drives in the world

Whether riding solo or with others, road tripping is one of the best ways to discover the world. Towering snow-topped mountains, glistening emerald coastlines and vast desert landscapes are some of the most breath-taking backdrops to the world’s 11 million miles of road. Let your daydreams run wild with our roundup of the world’s most scenic drives:

Pacific Coast Highway One, California

The Pacific Coast Highway spans over 600 miles along California’s coastline. Linking San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Morro Bay, and San Diego to name a few, you’ll see jaw-dropping cliffs, sky-scraping redwood trees and the famous arched bridges of Monterey County along this road.

Ruta 40, Argentina

National Route 40 in western Argentina runs parallel to the awe-inspiring Andes mountain range. The longest route in Argentina, Ruta 40 stretches over 3100 miles of land. If you plan to visit this stunning country, make sure you leave enough time to visit the 20 national parks and 18 major rivers that this route covers.

Amalfi Coast Drive, Italy

Famous for its thrilling hairpin bends and cliff-hugging location, the Amalfi Coast Drive is not for the faint-hearted. Spanning 30 miles between the city of Sorrento and the Amalfi village, this winding, picturesque route has been featured hundreds of times on the silver screen.

Milford Road, New Zealand

Also known as State Highway 94, Milford Road is one of the most beautiful roads in New Zealand. Passing through the Fiordland National Park in the spectacular Southern Alps, many travellers choose to stop off along the way to see the stunning Mirror Lakes and the dramatic waterfalls of the Cleddau River.

Tianmen Mountain Road, China

Though it is one of the shorter roads on our list, at just 6 miles long, the Tianmen Mountain Road reaches heights of over 1000 metres as it steeply winds its way up the side of the Tianmenshen Mountain. The road will take you to the naturally made Tianmen cave, which must be accessed on foot by climbing 999 steps.

The Atlantic Road, Norway

This 5-mile road runs through a cluster of small islands in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. Receiving National Tourist Route status on 2005, this route is immensely popular for its eight curved bridges and awe-inspiring coastal views.

Chapman’s Peak Drive, South Africa

With a total of 114 bends and a thousand feet drop to the sea below you, the Chapman’s Peak Drive is a thrilling drive. Located on the south-western tip of South Africa and running from Noordhoek to Hout Bay, be sure to make a stop at a whale watching vantage point along the way.

Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada

One of the most beautiful drives in the world, the Icefields Parkway covers the 232km distance between the town of Jasper and Lake Louise. Along the way, prepare to be amazed by larger than life mountains, great sweeping valleys and of course, the glistening icefields.

Karakoram Highway, Pakistan / China

Connecting China and Pakistan through the Karakoram Mountain range, this is one of our most treacherous but most remarkable routes on the list. At 800 miles long, the route was once a key part of the “Silk Road” and is the location of the world’s highest international border, Khunjerab Pass at 16,000 ft.

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Australia’s Great Ocean Road covers 150 miles of coastline between Torquay and Nelson, which is located just outside of the Southern Australian border. Plan for pit stops at the renowned surfing haven, Bells Beach and the limestone “12 Apostles” pillars, a must-see spectacle of this dramatic coastal landscape.