10 Ultimate road trip destinations around the world

1/10
Ring Road (Iceland)
To see the most out of Iceland's gorgeous scenery, take a road trip along Ring Road, which is a closed circuit road that connects all of Iceland's inhabited cities shaped in a ring on the outskirts of the country. The country itself is already visually captivating, but driving along the Ring Road will provide you with an unforgettable adventure that includes the likes of active volcanoes, magnificent icebergs, beautiful waterfalls and, of course, the Northern Lights.
2/10
Route 66 (USA)
The fame that accompanies Route 66 stems from its origins as one of the first highways in the USA. Extending across the country from Chicago to Los Angeles, Route 66 continues to play host to a plethora of rustic, retro attractions like bright-lit motels and tacky billboards, almost as if you've travelled back in time to 50 years ago. Route 66 provides us with a sense of adventure and danger that will make you feel like stars in your very own bandit movie.
3/10
Great Ocean Road (Australia)
Dedicated to soldiers killed in World War I, the Great Ocean Road serves as the largest war memorial in the world, and an extremely significant tourist attraction in Australia as well. It is best known for providing access to natural limestone and sandstone rock formations, such as The Twelve Apostles shown here. It is one of Australia's most scenic drives and also an easy one that takes you to see the magnificent coastal views of Southern Australia.
4/10
Cabot Trail (Canada)
Cape Breton is another place for the nature lovers. Driving along Cabot Trail, you'll be amazed by the pristine lakes and fishing villages that will surround you, as you immerse yourself in a Gaelic scenery you don't see every day. As you cruise through the highlands, don't be surprised if you spot some wild animals like moose or eagles that rest along the shoreline. Don't forget to stop for some of the best lobster rolls you'll ever taste.
5/10
South Island (New Zealand)
The South Island road trip consists of many roads conjoined to form one of the most scenic journeys on earth. However, this can take a few weeks to complete, so if you're short on time, we recommend driving down to check out Milford Sound, a world-renowned fiord that has been touted as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. The road to the fiord will be strewn with magnificent mountain ranges and lakes that will make your road trip as amazing as Milford Sound itself.
6/10
The Flower Route (The Netherlands)
We all know that The Netherlands is famous for its Tulip Season in spring, which is when you'll want to take the perfect drive down the Flower Route to surround yourself with the vibrant colours of the prettiest flower fields so many people have travelled from all over the world to snap pictures of. You'll be amazed at just how therapeutic the spring gardens can be for you and your travel buddies. Make sure you plan your trip carefully so you don't miss the time of blooming!
7/10
Gobi Desert (Mongolia)
A Gobi Desert tour can get pretty monotonous, since majority of the day will be spent travelling to various tourist sites with nothing much to view except for the desert's flatlands. However, the experience you get interacting with locals and the sights and sounds of gorgeous landmarks will make up for it at the end of the day. Not for the faint-hearted, this trip will take you back to your roots and help you appreciate nature a whole lot more.
8/10
Karakoram Highway (China-Pakistan)
Karakoram Highway is one of the world's highest paved international roads and is also known as the Friendship Highway between China and Pakistan, constructed over a time span of 20 years. Public transport may be a little disorganised, but the road trip will leave you with memories of stunning mountain views, jaw-dropping sunsets and amazing homestays that will make you want to come back again. Northern Pakistan is extremely safe, so you'll have nothing to worry about.
9/10
Atlantic Road (Norway)
What's interesting about Atlantic Road is that it runs through an archipelago in Norway, so you'll be assured the most gorgeous views of the ocean and beyond while taking a leisurely drive along this road. A big detour to experience the sights here is not advised, but, if you're in the area, you'll want to come here for its fantastic ambience and peaceful scenery that's what makes this place so popular. For the best scenery, make sure you visit when the weather's good so your trip isn't ruined by splashing waves that will hinder your views.
10/10
Alcan Highway (Alaska)
Alaska is known for its mountainous regions, so what better place to take a road trip than here? The Alcan Highway is no longer the bumpy stretch of road it once was, since it is now completely paved and makes an easy, scenic drive. If you're lucky, you'll get to experience the changing of seasons with lush grasslands and pristine white snow only a few days apart. The vast wildlife and natural scenery is what makes this trip the highlight of a lifetime.

Sitting in the car for hours straight may sound monotonous and unappealing, but it can also be extremely exciting when you have beautiful scenery and interesting sights to surround you throughout your journey. This is why road trips have been such an essential part of the itinerary for so many travellers all around the world. It is also the perfect time to bond with family and friends as you spend the whole day playing games and belting out to your favourite tunes in the car together.

There are over a hundred different scenic routes you can take in your lifetime for an incredible road trip experience, but we’ll spend hours talking about each and every one of them. Therefore, this article serves as a guide to 10 of the most interesting routes around the world that you might want to take to spice up your travels, wherever you may be. Browse through our gallery to see which are our favourites, and we hope you have a blast driving through these places with the people you love!

Dione Chen

Photo: Getty Images

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