Drive Or Miss Out
Planning where to stay becomes weirdly complicated in certain cities because location suddenly matters way more than usual. That cute Airbnb might be affordable, but it's also an hour from anything you want to see using local transit. Hotels near attractions cost double because they know you're trapped without alternatives. Well, here are 20 cities where renting a car turns a frustrating trip into an enjoyable vacation.
1. Los Angeles, California, USA
Hollywood, beaches, Universal Studios—LA's greatest hits are scattered like stars across over 500 square miles of urban sprawl. Sure, the Metro rail and buses exist, but they're essentially a tourist's nightmare of multiple transfers and several waits.
2. Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Here's the thing about Phoenix. It's basically designed around the assumption that you've got air conditioning on wheels. This sprawling desert metropolis stretches endlessly across the landscape, with hiking trails and resorts positioned far from the downtown core.
3. Fort Myers, Florida, USA
The Edison and Ford winter estates, pristine Gulf Coast beaches, and legendary shelling grounds of Sanibel Island define Fort Myers' vacation appeal, but they're spread out along miles of coastline. Limited public bus routes connect poorly to the barrier islands and nature preserves.
4. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
While downtown TRAX light rail handles the urban core decently, this city's true magic lies beyond the city limits: the Great Salt Lake's otherworldly shores, nearby canyons, and world-class ski resorts. Public transit simply doesn't reach the scenic outdoor vacation spots that draw most visitors.
5. Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik's compact city center is perfectly walkable for cafés and museums, but Iceland's real show-stoppers demand wheels beneath you. The Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, and countless thundering waterfalls require dedicated day trips into rural areas.
6. Perth, Australia
Being closer to Jakarta than Sydney tells you everything about Perth's extreme isolation, and that same sprawling geography defines the vacation experience. Fremantle's maritime history, Kings Park's botanical wonders, and coastal beaches stretch along Western Australia's shore far beyond.
7. Johannesburg, South Africa
"Egoli," the City of Gold, earned its nickname from the historic gold rush that built this sprawling metropolis, and many of those mines lie outside the center, accessible only by car. The Apartheid Museum and Soweto's historic sites are spread far apart across the metro area.
PZFUN~commonswiki on Wikimedia
8. Christchurch, New Zealand
Post-earthquake recovery has turned Christchurch into an outdoor art gallery, with more street art per capita than many global cities, thanks to vibrant post-quake murals. Public buses exist but run infrequently for the scenic South Island exploration that defines most vacations here.
Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand on Wikimedia
9. Houston, Texas, USA
Houston's complete absence of zoning laws creates wild urban juxtapositions—mansions beside warehouses, churches next to nightclubs—visible only through driving exploration of America's fourth-largest city. Downtown gets adequate transit coverage, but most tourist areas demand personal vehicles for efficient multi-site itineraries.
User eflon on Flickr on Wikimedia
10. Dallas, Texas, USA
The world's largest urban arts district anchors Dallas's cultural scene, and navigating it and the rest of this massive metroplex practically requires your own vehicle. Texas's car culture shapes Dallas's layout fundamentally; neighborhoods and attractions assume you're driving between them.
11. San Diego, California, USA
Over 70 miles of pristine coastline await discovery in San Diego, blessed with year-round 70°F perfection that makes every day feel like vacation weather. The famous zoo, Balboa Park's museums, and countless beaches are present on the shore in a coastal sprawl.
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Roland A. Franklin on Wikimedia
12. Queenstown, New Zealand
They call it the "Adventure Capital of the World" for good reason. Around 220 adrenaline-pumping activities from bungy jumping to jet boating scatter across this South Island paradise. Public transport within the town center is improving, but remains inadequate for independent exploration.
13. Cairns, Australia
Few places let you experience two UNESCO World Heritage sites in a single day, but Cairns delivers—the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforest await, easiest accessed with your own wheels. Swimming holes and northern beaches lie outside the city, poorly connected by public transport.
14. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Imagine driving up before dawn to catch hundreds of hot air balloons ascending simultaneously at the world's largest balloon festival, the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival. When you vacation, you need to have wheels for efficient access without astronomical rideshare costs.
15. Cape Town, South Africa
More than 70 wineries dot the nearby Cape Winelands, creating scenic self-drive tasting routes through some of Africa's most beautiful vineyard country. Public transport often stops operating early evening, lacking coverage for spontaneous plans or nighttime exploration, which limits tourist flexibility significantly.
Darren Glanville from Acle, Norfolk, UK on Wikimedia
16. Anchorage, Alaska, USA
Anchorage's municipality is literally larger than the entire state of Rhode Island—driving reveals vistas of mountains, moose encounters, and winter's dancing northern lights. Turnagain Arm's dramatic coastal scenery, Chugach State Park hiking trails, and day trips to glaciers or wildlife viewing spots require personal vehicles.
17. Tampa, Florida, USA
Tampa Bay hosts the world's only hybrid roller coaster-water ride at Busch Gardens. One must drive there for maximum thrills with minimum transportation hassle. Florida's car-centric urban planning makes driving fundamental for multi-site vacation itineraries without long waits or transfers.
18. Gold Coast, Australia
57 kilometers of golden beaches stretch along Queensland's coast—cruising this shoreline in your own car lets you chase the perfect surf break all day. Theme parks like Dreamworld and Sea World, hinterland waterfalls, and national parks are scattered along both the coastline and inland areas.
19. Denver, Colorado, USA
They call it the "Mile High City" for its exact 5,280-foot elevation, but drive up to nearby peaks for even more spectacular high-altitude views. Weather and crowd conditions in the mountains change rapidly, demanding the adaptability that only driving provides.
20. Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Jacksonville claims the longest continuous beach stretch in America. As one of the largest U.S. cities by land area, the beaches, historic districts, and St. Johns River attractions spread so widely that public transit simply can't keep up.
