Some roads take you places, while others become the destination themselves. Around the globe, certain highways offer more than just a way to get from point A to point B – they provide unforgettable journeys through stunning landscapes. From coastal cliffs to mountain peaks, these remarkable routes showcase nature’s most spectacular scenery while delivering the ultimate road trip experience.
1. Pacific Coast Highway (California, USA)
Winding along California’s rugged coastline for 656 miles, this legendary route transforms every mile into a postcard-worthy moment. The highway hugs dramatic cliffs while offering breathtaking views of the endless Pacific Ocean below.
Big Sur stands as the crown jewel of this scenic drive, where redwood forests meet crashing waves. Travelers can stop at countless viewpoints to watch sea lions play in the surf or catch glimpses of migrating whales.
The route stretches from Orange County all the way to Mendocino County, making it perfect for both day trips and extended adventures along America’s most beautiful coastline.
2. Icefields Parkway (Canada)
Known as one of the most beautiful drives on Earth, this 144-mile stretch connects Jasper and Banff National Parks through the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Ancient glaciers tower overhead while crystal-clear turquoise lakes reflect snow-capped peaks.
Wildlife encounters happen regularly along this route, with elk, bears, and mountain goats often spotted from the road. The Athabasca Glacier offers visitors a chance to walk on ice that’s thousands of years old.
Every season brings new magic to this highway, from wildflower meadows in summer to frozen waterfalls in winter, making it a year-round destination for nature lovers.
3. Transfăgărășan Highway (Romania)
Top Gear famously called this “the best road in the world,” and one drive through the Carpathian Mountains explains why. The 56-mile route features hairpin curves so sharp they’ll test both your driving skills and your nerves.
Built as a military road in the 1970s, this engineering marvel climbs to over 6,600 feet above sea level. The journey includes tunnels carved through solid rock and bridges spanning deep valleys.
Balea Lake sits at the summit, offering a perfect rest stop surrounded by alpine scenery. The road typically closes in winter due to heavy snow, making summer the prime time for this unforgettable mountain adventure.
4. Great Ocean Road (Australia)
Australia’s most famous coastal drive stretches 151 miles along Victoria’s southeastern shores, showcasing some of the continent’s most dramatic scenery. The Twelve Apostles limestone stacks rise majestically from the Southern Ocean, creating an iconic silhouette.
Rainforests give way to golden beaches as the road curves through Port Campbell National Park. Koalas often sleep in roadside eucalyptus trees, while colorful parrots fill the coastal forests with their calls.
Built by returning World War I soldiers as a memorial, this highway combines historical significance with natural beauty, offering surf breaks, charming coastal towns, and endless photo opportunities along the way.
5. Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana, USA)
Glacier National Park’s crown jewel road climbs 3,200 feet through some of America’s most pristine wilderness. This 50-mile mountain highway offers views of over 700 miles of hiking trails and 26 remaining glaciers.
The road’s narrow lanes and steep grades create an adventure that’s both thrilling and slightly terrifying. Logan Pass sits at the continental divide, where mountain goats often graze just feet from amazed visitors.
Snow keeps portions closed from October to June, making summer driving a precious commodity. When open, the route provides access to alpine meadows filled with wildflowers and crystal-clear mountain lakes that reflect towering peaks.
6. Atlantic Ocean Road (Norway)
Eight bridges connect small islands along Norway’s western coast, creating a road that seems to dance across the North Atlantic. When storms hit, waves crash over the bridges, making drivers feel like they’re sailing through the tempest.
The Storseisundet Bridge creates an optical illusion that makes it appear to end abruptly in mid-air. This 5-mile stretch has become one of the world’s most photographed roads, especially during dramatic weather.
Fishing villages dot the route, where travelers can sample fresh seafood while watching the Northern Lights dance overhead in winter. The road perfectly captures Norway’s raw coastal beauty and engineering prowess.
7. Hana Highway (Maui, Hawaii, USA)
More than 600 curves and 50 one-lane bridges make this 64-mile journey an adventure that demands patience and rewards persistence. Tropical rainforests create a green tunnel overhead while waterfalls cascade down roadside cliffs.
Each twist reveals new wonders: hidden beaches with black sand, bamboo forests that whisper in the trade winds, and fruit stands selling fresh coconuts. The journey typically takes three hours, though most travelers spend the entire day exploring.
Hana town itself feels like stepping back in time, where Hawaiian culture remains strong and unspoiled. The road tests driving skills but delivers some of the most beautiful scenery in the Pacific, making every challenging mile worthwhile.
8. Stelvio Pass (Italy)
Forty-eight hairpin bends zigzag up Italy’s highest paved mountain pass, creating a driver’s paradise at 9,045 feet above sea level. The Eastern Alps provide a stunning backdrop as the road climbs through multiple climate zones.
Originally built in the 1820s, this engineering masterpiece connects Italy and Switzerland through some of Europe’s most challenging terrain. Each switchback offers new perspectives of snow-capped peaks and alpine valleys.
Professional cyclists tackle these same curves during the Giro d’Italia, while car enthusiasts make pilgrimages to experience the ultimate mountain driving challenge. The pass typically closes in winter, making summer the prime season for this bucket-list adventure.
9. Route 66 (USA)
America’s “Mother Road” stretches 2,448 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica, passing through eight states and countless slices of Americana. Neon signs, classic diners, and roadside attractions create a nostalgic journey through the heart of America.
Desert landscapes in Arizona and New Mexico showcase the Southwest’s raw beauty, while small towns preserve the spirit of mid-century road trips. Vintage motels and gas stations transport travelers back to the highway’s 1950s heyday.
Though officially decommissioned, most of the original route remains drivable, offering a unique window into American culture and history. The journey celebrates freedom, adventure, and the open road that defined generations of travelers.
10. Tianmen Mountain Road (China)
Nicknamed “The Dragon Road,” this incredible route features 99 sharp turns that spiral up Tianmen Mountain like a giant corkscrew. The road climbs over 3,000 feet in just seven miles, creating one of the world’s most intense driving experiences.
Heaven’s Gate Cave, a natural arch in the mountain face, serves as the dramatic destination. Visitors can walk through this massive opening while clouds swirl around the peaks below.
The road’s construction required blasting through solid rock and building sections that seem to defy gravity. Each hairpin turn offers vertigo-inducing views of the valley floor thousands of feet below, making this route unforgettable for thrill-seekers.
11. Karakoram Highway (Pakistan to China)
Following the ancient Silk Road trade route, this 810-mile highway connects Pakistan and China through some of the world’s highest mountains. The road reaches altitudes over 15,000 feet, making it one of the highest paved international roads.
Construction took 20 years and claimed hundreds of lives, earning it the nickname “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The highway passes near K2, the world’s second-highest peak, and countless other towering summits.
Remote villages along the route preserve centuries-old cultures, while glacial lakes reflect snow-covered peaks that seem to touch the sky. The journey offers unparalleled access to the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges in their full majesty.
12. Chapman’s Peak Drive (South Africa)
Carved into Chapman’s Peak’s cliff face, this 9-mile coastal road features 114 curves that hug the mountainside 2,000 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Each turn reveals new perspectives of Hout Bay and the Twelve Apostles mountain range.
The road’s construction in the 1920s required blasting ledges into solid rock, creating what many consider the world’s most beautiful coastal drive. Baboons often cross the road while whales can be spotted in the waters below.
Sunset drives along Chapman’s Peak rank among Cape Town’s most romantic experiences. The combination of mountain drama and ocean views creates an unforgettable journey through one of South Africa’s most spectacular landscapes.
13. Milford Road (New Zealand)
Journey’s end at Milford Sound makes this 75-mile drive through Fiordland National Park worth every winding mile. The road passes mirror lakes that perfectly reflect surrounding peaks, creating double the mountain magic.
Rainforests draped in moss line the route while waterfalls tumble from towering cliffs. The Homer Tunnel, carved through solid rock, adds drama to an already spectacular journey through Middle-earth landscapes.
Kea parrots, known for their playful nature, often investigate parked cars while travelers explore roadside viewpoints. The road provides access to one of the world’s most beautiful fjords, where dolphins and seals play in pristine waters surrounded by towering peaks.
14. Col de Turini (France)
Famous as a stage in the Monte Carlo Rally, this winding mountain road through the French Alps challenges drivers with tight corners and steep grades. The 19-mile route climbs to 5,100 feet through forests of pine and chestnut trees.
Rally enthusiasts make pilgrimages to drive the same corners where racing legends have battled for victory. The road’s surface and guardrails show evidence of countless high-speed encounters over the decades.
Alpine villages along the route offer traditional French cuisine and stunning mountain views. In winter, snow transforms the landscape into a wonderland, while summer brings wildflower meadows and crystal-clear mountain air to this legendary driving destination.
15. Leh-Manali Highway (India)
Connecting two Himalayan valleys across some of the world’s most remote terrain, this 297-mile highway reaches altitudes over 17,000 feet. The road crosses multiple high-altitude passes where prayer flags flutter in the thin mountain air.
Open only during summer months, the highway traverses a high-altitude desert where ancient Buddhist monasteries cling to cliffsides. Travelers must acclimatize carefully to avoid altitude sickness in this rarified environment.
The landscape resembles another planet, with barren mountains painted in shades of red, purple, and gold. Despite the challenging conditions, the journey offers unparalleled access to Ladakh’s unique culture and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery on Earth.
16. Garden Route (South Africa)
Stretching 190 miles along South Africa’s southern coast, this route earned its name from the lush forests, pristine beaches, and coastal lagoons that line the way. Ancient yellowwood trees create cathedral-like canopies over sections of the road.
Knysna’s famous oysters and Plettenberg Bay’s whale watching opportunities make perfect stops along this scenic journey. The route passes through multiple ecosystems, from fynbos shrublands to indigenous forests.
Adventure activities abound, including bungee jumping from Bloukrans Bridge and elephant encounters in Addo National Park. The Garden Route perfectly combines natural beauty with South African hospitality, creating an unforgettable coastal adventure through one of Africa’s most beautiful regions.
17. Highway 1 (Vietnam)
Stretching over 1,400 miles from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s Highway 1 offers an incredible journey through the country’s diverse landscapes and rich culture. Emerald rice paddies create geometric patterns across the countryside while water buffalo work in flooded fields.
Coastal sections reveal pristine beaches and fishing villages where colorful boats bob in turquoise waters. The road passes through bustling cities, ancient temples, and markets filled with exotic fruits and spices.
Motorbikes share the highway with buses and trucks, creating a uniquely Vietnamese traffic experience. The journey showcases the country’s incredible diversity, from mountain passes in the north to tropical deltas in the south, all connected by this vital transportation artery.
