Wanderlust on Wheels: The World's Best Road Trips You Can't Miss
Explore the Planet's Most Epic Drives, Where Stunning Landscapes Can Be Seen on Epic Adventures
Here we are… back with a second part! So, are you ready to hit the open road? Whether you're a seasoned traveller or someone who just caught the travel bug, road trips offer unparalleled freedom. It’s just you, the open road, and a world of adventure waiting around every corner. So, buckle up, crank the tunes, and let’s ride through some of the most epic road trips on the planet. 🛣️🌍
*DISCLAIMER: This is not listed, but a range of options for you, the reader.*
Route 66 – The All-American Dream
Where? Mid-West to West Coast, USA
Distance: 2,448 miles
Best Time to Go: Late spring to early Autumn
No road trip list is complete without Route 66. Dubbed the "Main Street of America," this legendary highway takes you from Chicago to Santa Monica. Along the way, you'll cruise past quirky roadside attractions, vintage motels, and endless Americana. Get ready to feel the nostalgia as you pass through towns that seem frozen in time, and don’t forget to grab a classic diner meal — milkshakes mandatory. 🧋
Must-See: Cadillac Ranch in Texas, Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, and the Santa Monica Pier to finish in style.
Great Ocean Road – Australia’s Coastal Masterpiece
Where? Victoria, Australia
Distance: 151 miles
Best Time to Go: November to March
Imagine a road clinging to rugged cliffs, the turquoise ocean crashing against the rocks below—welcome to the Great Ocean Road. This Aussie icon isn’t just a drive; it’s a journey through some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the world. From the famous Twelve Apostles rock formations to hidden rainforest waterfalls, every twist and turn reveals something new. 🔮
Must-See: The Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and a detour through the Otway Rainforest for some koala spotting.
The Ring Road – Iceland’s Ultimate Adventure
Where? Iceland
Distance: 828 miles
Best Time to Go: June to September
Iceland is practically made for road trips, and the Ring Road is the crown jewel. This loop around the entire country showcases everything that makes Iceland magical—towering waterfalls, bubbling geysers, and black sand beaches. And let’s not forget about the glaciers and volcanoes that seem like they’re from another planet. If you're into otherworldly landscapes and epic scenery, this one's for you. 🌋
Must-See: The Golden Circle, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, and the hauntingly beautiful black sands of Vik.
Pacific Coast Highway – The Ultimate West Coast Road Trip
Where? West Coast, Canada & USA
Distance: 1,500 miles
Best Time to Go: April to October
This epic road trip from Vancouver, Canada, to San Diego, California, takes you along the stunning Pacific coastline, through vibrant cities, serene forests, and some of the most breathtaking ocean views in North America. Starting in the lush Pacific Northwest, you’ll cruise through Seattle and Portland before hugging the coast down through Oregon and California, going through the Bay Area and Los Angeles before ending in sunny San Diego. It's a journey filled with diverse landscapes, from towering redwoods to sandy beaches. 🏖️
Must-See: Olympic National Park, the Oregon Coast's dramatic cliffs, California’s Redwoods, Big Sur’s breathtaking views, and the lively beaches of Southern California.
The Garden Route – South Africa’s Wild Coast
Where? Western Cape & Eastern Cape, South Africa
Distance: 190 miles
Best Time to Go: November to April
South Africa’s Garden Route is like driving through a postcard. Starting in Mossel Bay and ending in Storms River, this road trip is a feast for the eyes and soul. With its blend of dramatic coastline, dense forests, and wildlife-packed reserves, every mile is a new adventure. Whether you’re bungee jumping off Bloukrans Bridge or spotting elephants in Addo Elephant Park, the Garden Route keeps the surprises coming. 🏡
Must-See: Knysna’s Featherbed Nature Reserve, Tsitsikamma National Park, and a safari in Addo Elephant National Park.
Manali to Leh – India’s Himalayan Odyssey
Where? Northern India
Distance: 297 miles
Best Time to Go: June to September
The road from Manali to Leh isn’t just one of the most stunning road trips in India—it’s one of the most epic in the world. This high-altitude journey through the Indian Himalayas takes you over some of the world’s highest motorable passes, past remote monasteries, and through surreal, otherworldly landscapes. It’s a test of both endurance and spirit, but the views are worth every hairpin turn. ⛰️
Must-See: The Rohtang Pass, the stunning Pangong Lake, and the ancient monasteries in Leh. Don’t miss the chance to camp under the stars in the Nubra Valley.
Route des Grandes Alpes – The Ultimate Alpine Thrill
Where? Southern France
Distance: 425 miles
Best Time to Go: June to September
Fancy a drive that takes you from the shores of Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea, all while winding through some of Europe’s most breathtaking mountain passes? That’s the Route des Grandes Alpes for you. This journey through the French Alps is the stuff of legend, with its mix of challenging hairpin bends, serene alpine meadows, and towering peaks. 🌄
Must-See: Col de l'Iseran (the highest paved pass in Europe), Chamonix’s Mont Blanc, and the stunning Lac d'Annecy.
Final Pit Stop
Road trips are about so much more than just getting from Point A to Point B — they're about immersing yourself in the experience, the thrill of discovery, and the stories you’ll tell long after the trip is over. The open road invites you to step outside the usual tourist paths and embrace the unexpected. It’s the chance to find joy in the journey, whether that means pulling over to watch a sunset, taking a spontaneous detour, or simply enjoying the rhythm of the road with the windows down and your favourite playlist on repeat.
Each of these road trips offers a unique slice of adventure, whether it's the endless horizons of Route 66, the awe-inspiring coastal views of the drive from Vancouver to San Diego, or the high-altitude thrills of India’s Himalayan roads. They remind us that the world is vast and varied, and there’s always something new to explore around the next bend.
So, whether you’re daydreaming about your next big adventure or packing up the car right now, remember that the true magic lies not just in the destination but in the moments along the way—the stops you didn’t plan, the people you meet, and the landscapes that take your breath away; these road trips are guaranteed to deliver a serious dose of wanderlust. Every road trip is a story waiting to be written. Just remember, it’s not just the destination; it’s the journey that makes the memories. All you need to do is hit the road and start your next chapter. Happy driving!
Fun Fact
Did you know that Bose — yes, the company famous for premium sound systems — once took a wild detour into the world of car suspension? Back in the early 2000s, Bose applied its cutting-edge expertise in electromagnetics to develop an innovative suspension system that was more sci-fi than auto tech. Imagine a ride so smooth it could glide over speed bumps without spilling your coffee or giving you the feel of floating on air.
Using electromagnetic motors at each wheel, this system could actively counteract road irregularities, making potholes and rough roads feel almost non-existent. The project gained serious attention, including a jaw-dropping demonstration on Top Gear, where it left host Jeremy Clarkson visibly astonished as the car soared over obstacles with uncanny ease. Despite the impressive technology, Bose eventually shelved the project due to its bulkiness and heavy weight while also being extremely expensive for car manufacturers to implement (In Compliance News, 2016), deciding to stick to their audio roots. However, the Bose suspension remains a little-known legend in automotive history — a tantalising "what if?" moment for car enthusiasts everywhere!
Writer’s Message
Hello all, and welcome back to the long-awaited, by me, sequel of the best road trips. There are so many more I could do after the first one and, again, so many I missed out on this one too! So, I hope some of the ones you guys were looking out for were in this fortnight’s release!
As of the day of this release, I have received my A-Level results (hopefully I get into my dream university as I am not sure yet while I write this) and have just gone on holiday with my friends to Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam, meaning I will be extremely busy before my next release. However, not to fear! Consistent uploads are a guarantee from me now so there will be plenty of fresh content ready for you guys to see every other week!
If you find this informative, please subscribe, share my post and message me with some feedback on the good and the improvements I can make, along with potential new topics I can also discuss - it would be much appreciated.
Hope everyone has had a brilliant week and this continues onto the weekend.
Lots of Love
Riyash
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Until next time, drive safely and enjoy the ride!
The Car Culture Club Team