Hardware FixRecommendedDevice not working? Your driver may be the problemCheck updates for common hardware issues.Fix DriversOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PC×
Skip to content
CarCodyAdvertise
Service recordThe Garage

10 Countries That Are Great for Road Trips—and Routes to Start With

A preference-led shortlist of ten road-trip countries, with route ideas and practical guidance for choosing a destination and planning a safe drive.
Entry259 Date Time4 min MechanicCarCody Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

There is no single best country for a road trip: the right choice depends on the scenery you want, the season, your driving comfort and how much time you have. These ten destinations make a varied shortlist, not a universal ranking. Use the route ideas below as starting points, then check current road access, local rules and rental conditions for your dates.

Ten countries to consider for a road trip

Iceland: volcanic scenery and waterfalls

Iceland’s Ring Road, or Route 1, loops around the island through landscapes that include volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers and geysers. Highland F-roads are a separate consideration: a 2026 self-drive overview says they require a 4WD, so verify current official access rules and your rental agreement before planning a route that uses them. 2026 self-drive overview

New Zealand: South Island mountain scenery

The South Island and State Highway 6 are a scenic starting point for a New Zealand itinerary. Mountain passes call for extra caution in winter; check forecasts, road access and rental-car conditions for your travel dates rather than assuming a route will be open or suitable.

Italy: countryside, coast and mountain roads

Tuscany’s backroads, the Amalfi Coast and the Dolomites offer very different kinds of drives. Narrow village roads can make maneuvering challenging, and some city centers use camera-enforced restricted traffic zones. Check current local access rules before driving into an urban center.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

South Africa: the Garden Route

The Garden Route is a well-known route example in a 2026 self-drive overview, which describes major routes as having substantial road infrastructure while noting that rural-road conditions can vary. The same overview advises against driving unfamiliar rural roads after dark. Treat that as general guidance, and check current, destination-specific advice before setting out.

Norway: scenic routes and toll planning

Norway’s scenic routes are a strong draw for drivers who want dramatic landscapes. Electronic tolling can affect a rental trip, so ask the rental company how tolls are handled and check whether seasonal access affects the roads on your itinerary.

Spain: a varied European option

Spain was ranked first in a Europe-focused 2025 road-trip ranking reported by Euronews. That ranking considered factors including landscape variety, road networks, routes, fuel prices and cities; it is a dated regional comparison, not an objective global verdict or a current cost guide. Euronews’ report on the 2025 ranking

Croatia: a coastal choice

Croatia placed second in the same 2025 Europe-focused ranking. That is one comparison point, not a guarantee that it will suit every traveler or route preference.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
National Geographic 2027 USA Road Atlas: Adventure Edition
  • Road Atlas, Adventure Edition
  • Road Atlas, Adventure Edition
  • National Geographic Maps

Portugal: a European shortlist option

Portugal is another worthwhile country to consider for a European driving trip. Euronews’ report speaks positively about its road-trip experience, but the available report does not establish a ranking position for Portugal.

Australia: choose a published itinerary

Tourism Australia publishes self-drive itinerary ideas, including a five-day Melbourne-to-Adelaide trip and the Great Southern Touring Route. These can help you shape a trip around a realistic route and duration; check current road conditions and local advice before departure. Tourism Australia self-drive itineraries

Morocco: from the High Atlas toward Merzouga

A 2026 self-drive overview describes a route from Marrakech across the High Atlas, through the Draa Valley and toward Merzouga. Because that source is a commercial overview, confirm road conditions and driving advice with official or locally authoritative sources before committing to the route.

How to choose the right destination

  • Match the scenery to your trip. Decide whether you want coast, mountains, countryside, volcanic terrain or a mixture, and consider how often you want to stop along the way.
  • Be honest about driving comfort. Mountain passes, rural roads, unfamiliar traffic patterns, signage and driving side can change how demanding a route feels. A beautiful road is not necessarily an easy one.
  • Plan around season and access. Winter weather, mountain conditions and closures can alter an itinerary. Check the current forecast and road authority information for the specific roads and dates you plan to travel.
  • Fit the route to your available time. Some trips are best planned as a short coastal drive; others need time for multiple stops and longer distances. Published itineraries, such as Tourism Australia’s, can help you judge a suitable pace.
  • Build in practical costs and services. Check fuel availability, toll arrangements, rental terms and insurance. The 2025 Europe ranking included factors such as fuel prices, but it is not a current, like-for-like cost comparison across these ten countries.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Documents, insurance and safer driving abroad

Requirements depend on your nationality, license and destination. The U.S. Department of State advises U.S. travelers to check local driving requirements before departure: travelers will likely need a valid license and insurance, and many countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP), while some accept a U.S. license. Where an IDP is needed, the Department of State says U.S. travelers should obtain one through AAA or AATA before travel and carry their U.S. license as well. These are U.S.-traveler notes, not universal rules. U.S. Department of State: Driving and Transportation Safety Abroad

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Check whether your existing insurance applies abroad and review what the rental company’s coverage includes. The Department of State also cautions that, “In some destinations, the safest option may be to hire a local driver due to difficult road conditions and complex local traffic laws.”

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 3
National Geographic 2027 USA Road Atlas: Adventure Edition
National Geographic 2027 USA Road Atlas: Adventure Edition
Road Atlas, Adventure Edition; Road Atlas, Adventure Edition; National Geographic Maps
$23.37
Bestseller No. 5

Before you set off

  • Confirm the license, IDP and insurance requirements for your nationality and destination.
  • Check current road access, weather, toll arrangements and any vehicle restrictions for each planned route.
  • Ask the rental company about vehicle suitability, coverage and how tolls are charged.
  • Reconsider self-driving if local road conditions or traffic rules exceed your comfort level; a local driver may be the safer choice.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

More from the Garage

  1. Entry001Date09 OCT 26Time3 minWhich Brake Pad Should You Buy From RockAuto or Elsewhere?Section: Blog
  2. Entry002Date09 OCT 26Time5 minThe Pros and Cons of Touchless Car Wash SystemsSection: Blog
  3. Entry003Date09 OCT 26Time3 minCan a Trickle Charger or Battery Tender Properly Charge a Car Battery?Section: Blog

Thanks for visiting Carcody

Carcody.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.