Cruise Along Some Glorious Highways
Driving along an open highway past lovely scenery is an invigorating experience. Every driver should have a list of the highways around the world that are considered the best. To get you started, here are the 20 greatest highways to drive down around the world.
1. Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific Coast Highway in California is legendary. It provides sweeping ocean views and stunning cliffs. You can also visit some quaint coastal towns on your way to Big Sur or Malibu.
2. Great Ocean Road
This 243-kilometer highway in Victoria, Australia, showcases rainforest and beautiful beaches. Built by WWII veterans, the Great Ocean Road is a memorial that also offers drivers an opportunity to take in gorgeous scenery.
3. Stelvio Pass
Stelvio Pass runs through the Italian Alps and is a renowned mountain road. Be careful of the hairpin turns and narrow lanes, as they can catch you off guard.
4. Route 66
Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, Route 66 is your path through a slice of pure Americana. You will come across tons of classic diners and funky roadside attractions.
5. Transfăgărășan Highway
This highway in Romania is considered by many to be the best road in the world. That might be high praise, but it's not far-fetched. This 90-kilometer highway stretches through a mountain range, but be wary of the steep descents.
6. Ring Road
Ring Road in Iceland encircles the entire country, and drivers will enjoy the views of waterfalls, glaciers, and volcanoes. The mostly two-lane highway isn't very traffic-heavy, and the shifting landscape will help you avoid highway hypnosis.
7. Chapman's Peak Drive
This short highway near Cape Town will have your car hugging cliffs overlooking the ocean. On one side of you will be mountain slopes, and on the other will be dramatic drops. Either way, it's an awe-inspiring experience.
8. Karakoram Highway
Some refer to the Karakoram Highway as the Eighth Wonder of the World. While that might be a bit much, this high-altitude road connects Pakistan to China through the Karakoram mountain range. The views of peaks and river valleys are second-to-none.
9. Atlantic Ocean Road
A quick but stunning highway in Norway with spellbinding bridges. Constructed close to the water, this highway provides bold and thrilling drives. If you take this highway during a storm, you will experience waves crashing onto the road.
10. Garden Route
The Garden Route extends along South Africa's southeastern coast, and drivers will enjoy a serene mix of ocean views and mountain landscape. It's a noticeably smooth drive as the highway is well-maintained.
11. Icefields Parkway
Between Banff and Jasper National Park is the Icefields Parkway. If you enjoy turquoise lakes and the sight of snow-capped glaciers, then you need to go out of your way to drive this lovely stretch of road.
12. Amalfi Coast Road
The Amalfi Coast Road travels through the Amalfi Coast in Italy for about 50 kilometers. The scenic views include steep cliffs and the calm Tyrrhenian Sea. This highway is perfect for road trips between Positano and Ravello. While the scenery is postcard-worthy, you need to be careful when driving through the narrow lanes.
13. Ruta 40
The Ruta 40 is one of the longest highways in the world, and it is a dream to drive along. It spans over 5,000 kilometers, crosses 20 national parks, and reaches into the remote Patagonian wilderness. Long stretches of the Ruta 40 will let you see quaint Andean villages.
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14. Trollstigen
Often referred to as the "Troll's Path", this highway in Norway goes along a serpentine mountain pass and features some bold hairpin turns. Drivers will catch a glimpse of waterfalls and green valleys. Trollstigen is only open during the summer due to snow.
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15. Overseas Highway
Between Key West and Miami is the Overseas Highway. It links the Florida Keys courtesy of 42 bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge. Take in the endless water on both sides are you cruise along this highway. Don't forget to stop at one of the seafood shacks along the way.
16. A82
In Scotland, the A82 connects Glasgow to Inverness. The scenery is a diverse mix of enormous mountains and stunning castles. If the rugged beauty of highland nature is your thing, then take a road trip down the A82.
17. Hana Highway
If you're in Maui, take a coastal drive across the Hana Highway. There are hundreds of curves and lots of narrow bridges, and the scenery is made up of black sand beaches, waterfalls, and rainforests. This is the kind of highway that you drive without having a destination.
18. Cabot Trail
Wrapping around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, the Cabot Trail is a great highway that stretches nearly 300 kilometers. You can stop and camp at the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, but be careful that you don't run into a moose roaming the area.
19. Milford Road
A 120-kilometer highway in New Zealand that goes through the rainforests of Fiordland National Park, Milford Road is an experience to drive through. If you look out your window as you cruise, you'll see the Mirror Lakes and the Eglinton Valley. The last legs of the highway provide some of the most scenic views in New Zealand.
20. Basque Coast The Road
Basque Coast Road runs along northern Spain's Basque coastline, complete with clifftop views and charming fishing villages. The cultural richness and natural beauty of the area make for a perfect day of driving, and there are a few options to stop for a tapas lunch.
