What are the top road trip destinations in the world? We love a good road trip. We are Canadians and that’s what we grew up doing. The great thing about a road trip is it can be as short or as long as you want. Weekend road trips were always a fun way to explore and long ones just meant we got to see more. We’re on an 8-month road trip now exploring the USA and Canada. We picked up our car in Toronto before hitting the road with our first stop in Washington DC. We figured with all this world travel we should see more of the places we could reach with our little Chevy Spark.

We know that last thing we want to do when traveling is pay more to rent a car. Its an expensive cost we try to avoid whenever possible. We are team public transportation all the way. Its cheep, decent, lets you feel local and does the job. We even drop off the car and take in a train when its more economical. Yet, we have come to agree that sometimes public transportation takes up too much time, is unreliable and doesn’t get us to where we want to be. Some countries are just better explored by car. If your ready to hit the road and don’t know where you should go, we got you covered. Are you the road trip planner of the family? Have you been inspired by adventure road trip movies ? Then this is for you. These are all places that made a lasting impression on us both and places we can’t wait to revisit. Here are our top six road trip destinations in the world.

Denmark

How did this little country that spends very little on tourism cross our path? I googled the cheapest places in the world to rent a car. I am not joking. We knew we would leave from Zagreb, Croatia and checked flights against that list. We were able to get a flight to Malmo, Sweden which is a short train ride away and booked it. We were heading to Denmark. A place we knew very little about.

Denmark is a very small country, and a car lends itself very well to exploring multiple spots daily. You could drive from one end to the other in a day if you had to. But we wouldn’t recommend it. We chose it because it was listed as one of the cheapest places in the world to rent a car. But accommodations were not as friendly on our wallets. We found our way around that by renting private rooms on Airbnb vs hotels. We choose the cheapest places available. This meant we ended up off the tourist tracks, in old farmhouses and in the suburbs. We loved it.

Cooking facilities were not always available with our accommodations. Which meant we spent a lot of time at McDonald’s and ate a lot of peanut butter and jam. McDonald’s was the most reasonably priced eating establishment for Denmark standards. We ate out a few times to try some local foods and the costs were never budget friendly. Grocery store prices were much more reasonable. Once we got a kitchen at our last place, we were able to cook a nice meal.

Our Denmark adventure took place over 10 Days. We saw a light house buried in the sand at Rubjerg Knude lighthouse. Sailed a Viking Ship at the Viking Ship Museum, this is not very easy if your group is not coordinated. Ours wasn’t.

We visited the home of Hans Christian Andersen, one of the most beloved fairy tale authors of all time. His works include The Little Mermaid, The Ugly Duckling and The Snow Queen. We explored Hamlet’s castle officially known as Kronborg Slot. They had live actors around the castle posing as royalty, they were very dedicated to their role. You could try stilts in the courtyard or sword fight with wooden props. We had so much fun we were here much longer than we should have been.

We spent the day at the birthplace of LEGO. Yes, it’s the best Legoland of them all. The only one we would recommend seeing for adults. Don’t miss our favorite castle, Frederiksborg Castle. This one is quite impressive. We wish we had more time here. Egeskov was the biggest surprise. It’s an entire park that has a castle, ropes course and garden hedge maze. A classic car, airplane, and motor bike show room, outdoor glamping museum and a rescue museum. It was designed to for the whole family. Kids in the park, Wife in the castle and the Husband in the car showroom. This place was a blast, and a full day can be dedicated to here.

We could have easily spent a few more days exploring Denmark and we were planning our return as soon as we left. This place holds a special place in our hearts and made an everlasting impression on us. You won’t be disappointed with a road trip here. This small, humble country has so much to offer and shouldn’t be skipped. Yes, it can be done without a car, but you defiantly get to see and do so much more in a shorter time with a vehicle. Are you ready to start your own planning? Head over to our Itinerary section to get started on your own adventure. Denmark’s Itinerary will be released shortly.

 

Jordan

Jordan is accessible by local bus, but we recommend renting a car. It provides much more freedom in visiting some extra attractions. Our cheapest car rental ever was here in Jordan. Once you see the cost to get from the airport to Amman, you will probably agree that a car rental is the way to go.

This is also the first place either of us received a ticket for speeding. Johnathan was the lucky winner of our first ticket. So, despite what speed the locals are going, be sure to stay under the speed limit. The police do target tourists and you can find out more about that elsewhere. But speeding is speeding no matter if we were targeted or not. You will need to pay the fine when you drop off the car and the police do notify the rental agency very quickly. An extra administration charge typically is applied too.

What should you expect with a road trip through Jordan? Amazing vistas, climbs up steep cliff sides that are terrifying. Along with well marked road signage in English and randomly placed speed bumps. The Speed bumps are even in the middle of the highways, so be careful.

The drivers are mostly considerate, but don’t expect them to signal before changing lanes. Be prepared to get cut off. This is much better outside of Amman, but near the city it gets worse. Our local friends don’t drive and friends who grew up here hire a driver when they come back to visit. But, for our 10 days, we found it to be annoying, not necessarily challenging. If you have driven outside of North America or the UK, you should be fine driving in Jordan. If you have experience in Asia, you will be great in Jordan. There is some organization to their chaos, not to worry.  

When you start planning your stops, there are a few things that everyone must see. The river Jordan where Jesus was baptized. The dead sea, the lowest point on earth. Be sure to stay at one of the resorts in the area. They will have nice access to the dead sea with seats, a mud scrub at the spa and sea, facilities to clean up and indoor salt pools. The salt is harsh on your skin, and you can only be in the water for about 10 minutes at a time. The mud will help your skin rehydrate. Keep in mind that there are few facilities in the area besides ones at these resorts. So, food will be expensive. But you can use your resort as a base to see some near by sites.

Don’t miss Jerash, Madaba and Mount Nebo. Mount Nebo is the place where Moses was granted a view of the promise land before he passed. On a clear day you can spot Jerusalem in the distance. Don’t miss the mosaic floors inside the church. If you wait for the guard to leave, you may be able to work with other tourists to snap a photo. They are prohibited.  Petra and Wadi Rum are obvious must sees too. Be sure to get at least a 2-day ticket to Petra and to check the calendar for the night shows. We missed it thinking it was the second night we arrived when it was on night one. So double check.

Ajloun Castle provides a great view of the area. You can hire a local guide at the front gate if you are interested, but we wanted to be left alone. Don’t miss the dungeon here. We had a quick stop at Lots cave which had us reviewing the details of the biblical story. The area is quite small but down the road is Lots wife, but we couldn’t find her salt pillar. The Google point on the map may have been wrong. There was no area here to pull to the side of the road.

We ended our time in Jordan in Amman, some will start there time here. But once here a visit to the citadel and the roman theater are a must. The roman theater has a few museums to its left and right that are included with your ticket. Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore them. We were left rushing near the end to see it all.

If you decide that this is the epic road trip you want to take. Be prepared. Buy a Jordan pass in advance that will allow for included entry into most site. This pass will also act as your entry visa into the country. It really did make exploring that much easier. We also used the information package to discover sites we new little about. The website for the Jordan pass provides a few recommended itineraries. They focus on a few possible interests. We were interested in them all, so it did make our decision of what to visit more difficult.

A road trip here is safe, the people are welcoming, and they have a lot to offer. Especially with their biblical locations. The only time I felt uncomfortable was when I had to pee at a roadside gas station. It was a squat potty situation, but I made do.

Jordan prides itself on its hospitality and helping tourists. They are not pushy and aggressive like in Egypt, and they want it to remain like that. I heard so many tourists telling their tour guide on arrival about their time in Egypt. The guides assured the tourist that they would get a different experience in Jordan. They were right and we loved that. Weather you are traveling solo, with small kids or as a couple, this country is great to explore by car. Make sure to get sedan. Most roads are great, but a few will be dirt. You will need the horsepower to get you up the steep hills without hesitation. Check with all your accommodations if parking is available or an extra charge. But now that your ready to explore this beautiful country, what will you see first?

 

Scotland

Scotland lours people in from all over the world because of its natural beauty. Its dramatic green mountains of the highlands and its deep lochs. Which may or may not contain monsters. Scotland’s historical past of royalty and clans fills its castle walls. Its myths and legends still alive amongst its residents. We love to see a community that values and practice local traditions. Wearing tartans in grade school and participating in highland games.

As inspiration and backdrop for Hollywood movies such as Harry Potter and Prometheus. This Scottish landscape takes you deep into other worlds that make you feel like you are part of the movies.

No matter if you decide to focus on the country’s nature, hiking, history, or movie locations. Sights are spread out and public transportation is sparse and unreliable. We found that driving between sights allowed for the freedom to get to places before the crowds. We were able to spend most of our days seeing sites and not waiting for buses. Busses that only go to limited cities and not directly to sights that many are looking to see. This is why you will see so many backpackers hiking along the side of the roads with no shoulder. They try to make it from the bus stops to trail heads, castles, and other sights. When local transportation only takes them so far, this is their only option.

When your ready to make a magical road trip in Scotland your reality there are a few things you can’t miss. The National Museum of Scotland, its free and an entire day will never be enough. Give yourself a few days to explore one of the best free museums in the world. The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle are a must. The Royal Yacht Britannia has a history with the royal summer vacations and with World War 2 support. Glenfinnan Viaduct gives you that iconic Harry Potter train scene. While The Old Man of Storr puts you in a scene right out of Prometheus. Glencoe will make you feel small amongst the mountains. The Fairy pools of isle of Skye will make you feel like you’re walking amongst the pages of a story book.

Yes, the rain, wind and cold will be fighting against you your entire trip. No matter when you visit. But this is Scotland. You must experience this country as it comes. Embrace the weather, get the right clothes. Be prepared. Rain pants, waterproof shoes, and jackets with a high waterproof rating is needed. 5,000 – 10,000+ mm is a must for Scotland to try and keep you as dry as possible.

Will Scotland be sunny, dry, and easy? No. But will this road trip be worth every minute? I can say, yes for sure.

See our Scotland Itinerary here and see what we did as you look to plan your own adventure. ************************

 

Dominica

Dominica is a small underrated Caribbean Island. Its lush, filled with waterfalls, gorgeous mountain hikes, lakes, and rivers. Its coastline is featured in some big Hollywood movies. It is most recognizable with the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise. This had been a destination on my bucket list for years. When I think of a Caribbean Island, this is the image that always came to mind.  

This small island can be driven across in one day. On our visit we used the town of Pointe Michel as our base to explore the Island. But that meant we had a few long drives each day. Its best to find a few different accommodations spread out throughout the island. It will cut out some pointless driving hours.

I already can’t wait to return to Dominica, this is my favorite island I have visited. We had so many issues with health, our accommodations internet, and cellular plans. The lack of access to money while visiting the island was a real barrier. Despite all that, the island still made an impression.

When renting a vehicle, make sure to get a four-wheel drive. We rented a Suzuki Jimny, the most expensive car rental we had ever had. But it was the cheapest option available for our needs. This vehicle was great. It got us down some sketchy cliff side roads, up mountainous trails. It helped us when google took us off main roads in the wrong direction. Any basic sedan would not be suited for exploring Dominica. So don’t bother.

Road tripping through Dominica will take a toll on you if your ears if you are sensitive to elevation gains. The islands highest elevation reaches 1,447 m or 4,747 ft. The islands small size means steep roads, and tight turns. But this is what will get you to the top.

I loved the picturesque beach of Number One Beach which is featured in the Pirates of the Caribbean. This beach is often empty because of how difficult it is to access. We needed to park our car on the side of the highway and hike down for about 15 minutes. This beach has dark sand and is lined with gorgeous tall palm trees. It looks like you stumbled across a hidden beach no one else knows about and its your little secret. Our stop here wasn’t long enough, but we were so lucky to see a turtle come up on to the beach. We may have scared it away with our excitement. The locals warned us against swimming in the ocean here because of the rough waters. But it is a peaceful beach to chill on. The river that empties into the ocean in this area was recommended instead for swimming.   

Champagne reef was a bubbly surprise. The beach is not great, it was rocky with little space to place a towel, but all the excitement is under the water. You must go all the way to the end of the beach before you get to see the underwater bubbles that gives this area its name. There are countless waterfalls and clear blue water on this island. Make sure to see Middleham falls, Emerald pool and Trafalgar falls. Syndicate falls, Spanny Falls, Jacko Falls, Batibou Bay beach and the Red Rocks. The Red Rocks also have a black sand beach you can visit and a restaurant.

Batibou Bay beach was the best beach for swimming on the island. But access is down a treacherous cliff side road. Even with a 4-wheel drive, the one-way road down was quite scary. Finally, our last must see is the Indian river. The tour is well priced. While watching the landscape change as you go further inland is mesmerizing. The wildlife in this area was the most we saw on the island. If you get a good guide, you will learn about the uniqueness of the area. So don’t miss it.

10 days driving around this island will pass so quickly. There are so many trails that will take you hours to complete and hikes you won’t want to miss. I would recommend a full 2 weeks here to try and see it all. Our 10 days were not enough, and I can’t wait to return. When planning a road trip, don’t pass up a visit to Dominica because of its small size. This island really does pack in a lot within its few kilometers.

 

United States of America

The United States of America is an amazing place to do a road trip. Its national parks, roadside attractions, theme parks and museums are all must see. A list of the top road trip destinations is not complete without the USA. 

But keep in mind that the country is huge.  You will need to pick a small section to focus on to get the most enjoyment out of your adventure. Depending on your destination and time of your visit, traffic will play a major role in what you get to see and do. National parks can fill up within an hour of opening in high season. While many museums and theme parks now have required timed entry tickets. Aimed at controlling crowds.

Some of our top road trips include the Natural Wonders of New York State. This state has so much more to offer besides New York City. The state has some great parks. We like Watkins Glen, Taughannock Falls, Letchworth, Robert H. Treman, and Buttermilk Falls. We found these parks closer to get to from Toronto then some of the local camping sites. So, we crossed the boarder to see more in this forgotten area and it was amazing every time.

We love the Major cities of Americas Northeast. This includes Washington DC, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. We recommend hitting some smaller areas along the way such as Salem, Cape Cod and Hershey Park. Its always best to end in New York City. Why? Because this city is not vehicle friendly, and you will need to return your rental for your time here. Plus, it usually has the cheapest flights in the country. Meaning you will probably be departing from here anyways.  

While the most famous road trips are the Pacific Coast Highway which takes you up or down the west coast. Route 66 taking you Form the Art Institute of Chicago to Santa Monica Pier in LA. The Grand Circle which takes you around the Grand Canyons best spots. The New England loop which showcases the countries best fall foliage. While the Deep South is filled with culture, history, great food, and charming accents.

No matter what you choose to explore with your time here, try not to jam too much in. Give yourself enough time to explore, get lost, and sit in traffic. A ridged timeline may lead you to disappointment if you only have 1 day to see some sites. So, keep your exploring area small and your sites to a minimum. You will always wish you had more time than you give yourself. There are so many things to do in the United States and its not possible to do it all in one visit.  

 

Ireland

I have done a road trip through Ireland twice now. Once with my aunt and grandparents in October and once with Johnathan in November of different years. For both trips we took about the same route. But both were very different. Even though I visited most of the same sites.

October is the tail end of the tourist season. This meant we had groups doing the same route as us that we kept running into. The bars were crowded and had a welcoming vibe. Everyone was looking for a good time. Live music was available at many spots and the crowds were filling up all available seats. No matter the day of the week.

However, in November, the tourist season had ended, many attractions had shorter hours, and some were closed. The limited daylight hours meant there was less you could see each day. When arriving in Galway on a Wednesday evening, the streets were not lively. The street performers were few and far between. Music was not filling the streets and only 1 bar had anything happening. The calm restaurants were more popular.

Its all about what type of experience you want. Ireland is about seeing these fantastic landscapes from the road. Stopping at little roadside lookout points and taking some snap shots. Exploring charming towns and experiencing the local hospitality. This can’t be done when taking a bus. We got to do all of that in either month. But October allowed for more possibilities to experience the hospitality.

Make sure to see the Ring of Kerry you will need 1-2 days here. The Dingle Peninsula for the beehives and baby sheep. For the Cliffs of Moher, make sure to leave time to hike the coast and see the visitors center. Kylemore Abbey, a visit here will take 2-5 hours with the gardens. Blarney Castle, my favorite is their gardens. Most visitors skip them after they kiss the blarney stone. The tour at Rock of Cashel is great and still one of my favorite places in Ireland.

New Grange and Powerscourt house are great stops, but I was only able to visit once and not on my second visit. Kilkenny castle I visited each time. I made sure to spend a lot more time here on my second visit to take in the ceiling of the hall. I love this hall and can stare at its ceiling for hours. They do have an audio tour which was a nice addition. The best place to eat near here is the food hall across the street. We still talk about the food we ate there to this day. Very memorable tasting food for a food hall.

No matter what you are going to see, a road trip through Ireland will be memorable. I would recommend avoiding the off season. November-March. A visit sometime between April-September allows for more enjoyment. Not only do you get longer daylight hours you also get longer attraction operating hours.  Which means you can see and do more each day and you won’t be driving back each night in the dark. Ireland’s tourist board created the Wild Atlantic Way. A route that helps you discover the best parts of the country. It’s a scenic drive that I can’t imagine doing any other way. Make sure to check out this route when deciding what to see.

Once our Ireland itinerary is up, we will post it here for your travel inspiration and planning needs.

As I am sure so many great road trips still exist around the world. These 6 countries have left a great impact on Johnathan and me. So much that we wouldn’t hesitate to do them all over again. We wish we had more time when were in each place and the more time you can dedicate, the better. But if you have your heart set on seeing a place by car. Or you are looking for a place to have a road trip these destinations made our top list. We can’t wait for you to explore them too. If you have been or have only started planning, we would love to hear from you. What are you most excited to see? When are you planning to go? And which destination did you decide to visit? Let us know in the comments below. We love hearing from you.