The Ultimate Guide to the Most Scenic Roads in the World

Disclaimer: I have been updating this post for years, but I realized that my quest to find THE road might be a never-ending endeavor. So this is part 1

I have travelled on all these roads so this won't be an arid, encyclopedia list of the best roads. There will be some ultra-famous ones which are missing...they're on my bucket list.

Many of the following drives are world-famous and are almost worth the entire trip, or making a lengthy detour. These are your Canadian Icefields Parkway and Australian Great Ocean Road. But some these roads are just special to me personally and that I found interesting. Maybe they are also beautiful and famous, maybe they aren’t. Maybe I loved them just because of a perfectly suited music playlist with a song that kicked in at the perfect moment, or a chance encounter with gorgeous wildlife.

Also, what "scenic" is quite a vague term:

• You have the coastal roads, usually lanes with great expansive views, with cliffs towering over a large ocean, or calm shores on the side of a lake.
• You have the mountain passes with their incredible twisting roads and hairpin bends that corkscrew up the side of a mountain. Where the act of driving and the challenge is half the fun.
• You have the roads that cut through national parks, forests, sites of rock formations, or even…nothing at all..just roads that cut through some great expanse and seem almost made for giants. Where your small vehicle is just a tiny dot in the immense expanse.
• You have roads that traverse charming coastal towns or bustling cities, or ancient man-made ruins.
• And roads which, for my lack of vocabulary, I simply call "teleportation roads": where you start surrounded by a certain landscape and climate and end in a totally different one, making you ask yourself "what just happened".

Finally, in general and like most things, it's impossible to say what is the "best" road. Except it is and it's Iceland (mic drop 🫳🎤)

As a European, I'm always amazed by those countries that have roads that stretch for thousands of kilometers, which are so vital that they are even known by name. Nowhere is this more true than in Australia, where the longest national highway in the world, aptly named Highway 1, loops around the entire continent.

Within the massive loop of Highway 1 are shorter stretches, each possessing its own unique personality. From the Stuart and the Bruce to the Eyre Highway, these roads make you feel grateful. In the middle of the raw, primordial landscape of the Land Down Under, they offer a comforting sliver of connection and an anchor.

The iconic Uluru is the most famous tourist attraction in Australia. It stands exactly in the center of the vast continent and reaching it through the Red Centre is a great road trip in itself. If instead you fly there (as most people do), once you land in Yulara, be sure to rent a motorhome/campervan or even simply a car and explore the Kata Tjuta National Park at your own pace.

Simply driving up and down between Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) is wonderful with one of the two rock formations perpetually in your rear view mirror and the other quietly waiting for you in front in the distance.

Here, you will get a glimpse of the wonderful remote Australian landscapes. Iconic red sand which inflames under the early or late sun rays, ancestral traditions and spirituality of Indigenous Australians, these otherworldly rock formations jutting out of the expansive empty landscape, a perfectly azure sky, and a seemingly endless onslaught of bushflies.

It doesn't get more Australia than this.

Not great in terms of length, especially for Australian standards, but great in scenery, this 250km road just 100km west of Melbourne is dotted with rock formations and cliffs that are being constantly eroded by the sea, most famously the Twelve Apostles (of which only 3 remain as all the others have collapsed). Other notable ones are Bay of Islands, London Bridge, and Loch Ard Gorge.

It can be done as a day trip from Melbourne but this is a "Great" road and deserves time.

Tip: Base yourself in the towns of Lorne or Port Campbell and do it at least twice: once to see all the sightseeing stops, and once to just enjoy the twisting lanes along the dramatic coastline.

Between Port Augusta (near Adelaide), and Norseman ("near" Perth, just 700kms away), the A1/Eyre Highway connects South Australia and Western Australia through the Nullarbor plain. It is a long 1,675 kms stretch that cuts through almost half the entire country, and is basically completely straight.

Honestly, there isn't much to see. Not even trees grow in the Nullarbor plain (which is latin for "no trees"). Only bushland on one side going inland, and on the other side towering cliffs, constantly eroded by the battering waves of the Great Australian Bight. But that doesn't mean it isn't a scenic drive. It is one of those drives that makes you feel incredibly small and immersed in primordial nature.

Tip: This road is made for camping. For stopping in each of the (very few) iconic roadhouses and doing in 3 to 4 days, setting up camp surrounded by red sand, shrubland, and the scorching sun. Your companions will be bushflies, the occasional crow passing by, checking if anything has died since its last pass, incredible dark skies at night, and a seemingly never ending road piercing into the horizon. It might not be the most fun drive or packed with sights, but it sure is special.

Oh boy where to start? The small country of New Zealand is a titan when it comes to amazing roads. Basically the entire country is a road trip heaven.

I list some of the most iconic and my favorites here, criminally leaving out the Crown Range scenic road that descend into Queenstown, or Queen Charlotte highway, so not to have an entire post about Aotearoa. But know that you can throw a dart anywhere at a map of New Zealand and find a stunning route.

A short drive from the adventure capital of New Zealand, the road that coasts lake Wakatipu is astounding both in terms of scenery, and driving enjoyment.

It is a short drive, less than 50 kilometers which ultimately leads you to the aptly named Paradise. Take your time though with stops on the road at Wilson Bay, Bob’s Cove, and Bennett’s Bluff Lookout.

Tip: the journey is a "dead end" and you will have to retrace it back. On the way back enjoy the 30 minute drive itself, optimally taking the curves and twisting lanes of this small jewel.

My favorite of the great scenic roads in the Land of Kiwis and, until recently, my favorite road of all (until I stepped foot, or rather wheels on the Icelandic Ring Road).

The Haast Pass is a 140km drive which winds through Mt Aspiring National Park and connects Haast and Wanaka, coasting lake Wanaka and lake Hawea. Be prepared for this one as you will need full battery and an empty memory card on your camera especially when reaching the neck that cuts through lake Wanaka and lake Hawea.

Lake Hawea itself might be overshadowed by the more famous Lake Wanaka nearby, or from behemoths of beauty like Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukai but it turned out to be my favorite place.

Tip: Drive this during Golden Hour. Seeing the shores of the shimmering lakes makes the landscape even more peaceful, if that is even possible. Also, stop for the night at Kidds Bush Reserve Campsite, a wonderful free campground where you can camp on the shores of the lake or find your own tranquil spot in the trees. A tiny fence separates from grazing grounds where cattle and sheep roam peacefully. It's just a beautiful, beautiful spot.

The moment you drive out of Te Anau towards Milford Sound and enter the Fiordlands National Park, you are on a stretch of amazing road that keeps getting better and better. Vast valleys, lush vegetation, and calm rivers. The scenery gets more and more dramatic as you get closer to the fiords leading to imposing cliffs, waterfalls, and the Homer Tunnel.

Tip: If you travel with a campervan or motorhome, do this in two days and stop in one of the many free/wild campgrounds (such as Henry Creek by Lake Te Anau, Deer Flat in Eglinton Valley, and Cascade Creek by Lake Gunn). This way you will beat the crowds of tourist buses in the morning of the next day and also split the journey so to not get overloaded from the natural wonders.

The scenic drive from Twizel to Mount Cook National Park is a highlight of any visit to New Zealand’s South Island offering picture perfect views of the crystal clear lake Pukaki and towering Aoraki/Mount Cook in the distance. The road is part of State Highway 80, and stretches for approximately 65 km from Twizel to Mount Cook Village.

The road from lake Pukaki to nearby lake Tekapo is equally beautiful. Much like Fiordland, it is best to explore these roads on a camping road trip. The free campground of the Pines is one of the best campgrounds in the country, right on the lake shore. Also the entire area is part of the Dark Sky Reserve, one of the best spots in the world for stargazing at night, making every hour spent here a true wonder.

Jordan is defined by just three main north-south roads, but each offers a completely different world. There is the fast, sun-baked Desert Highway slicing through vast empty expanses, and the coastal Jordan Valley Highway running along the Dead Sea. But the true soul of the country lies along the historic King’s Highway—a winding mountain route that plunges into the dizzying depths of Wadi Mujib, climbs past ancient Crusader castles, and eventually drops you into the surreal, Martian red sands of Wadi Rum.

Sure you can take the (also beautiful) Desert Highway or the Dead Sea Highway that run through all of Jordan. But the old inland Kings Highway is something else. This 384 km road is over 5,000 years old and has had trade, pilgrimage, and military uses throughout history. Nabateans, Romans, Catholics, Muslims, and Crusaders have all treaded this path.

The winding road traverses the Jordan Rift Valley, passing through mountainous terrain, historic towns, and significant archaeological sites. You will see the perfectly preserved Greco-Roman ruins of Jerash, the ancient town of As Salt, the city of Madaba renowned for its Byzantine mosaics, the biblical site of Mount Nebo, the ruins of Umm Ar-Rassas, the dramatic Wadi Mujib canyon, the Kerak and Shobak Crusader castles, and Wadi Musa where the ancient site of Petra stands.

Twisting, climbing and descending, with vast canyons and views of the Jordanian countryside, this winding desert road is something to behold.

Canada’s roads offer a masterclass in scale and untamed grandeur. Leaving behind the vibrant, cosmopolitan cities, the highways quickly open up into landscapes that feel completely endless.

It is a country where the sheer vastness of the geography leaves you feeling small, and every turn reveals a postcard-perfect view of North America at its most wild and pristine.

The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) is widely considered one of the most scenic roads in the world, and possibly the most beautiful in Canada.

This 230km stretch connects Jasper National Park and Banff National Park in Alberta, two other behemoths when it comes to greatest national parks in the world.

With hundreds of glaciers, waterfalls, tranquil lakes (impossibly azure from glacial flour), streaming rivers, vast forests, and wildlife encounters, this is one of those roads which is a visit destination in itself.

Tip: This can certainly be tackled in a day but it should be a full sightseeing day even if you don't plan on doing any hikes. Make sure to make frequent stops at the various scenic viewpoints to admire the scenery such as Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Glacier, Athabasca Glacier (which is the most accessible with a skywalk and tours on the glacier itself), and the famous wolf-shaped Peyto Lake.

My first drive in Japan came out of necessity, but it sparked a passion that led to three more road trips. Since then, I’ve navigated the towering cedar forests of Nikko, the misty mountain passes of Koyasan, and the spectacular "sea of sakura" at Mount Yoshino, as well as launching a full expedition across the island of Hokkaido to the wild Shiretoko Peninsula.

Driving allowed me to discover thick forests, charming small towns, dramatic coastal routes, "secret" sakura spots, and hidden shrines. It taught me that the true magic of Japan lies far beyond the bullet train tracks.

This is not a single, named road, rather a collection of roads that connect and revolve around the Fuji Five Lakes. What makes them special for me is the difficulties that I had and the reward I got for my persistence.

On my first visit to Fujikawaguchiko by train, heavy rain and thick fog completely hid Mount Fuji from view. Determined to see it, I tried again a month later, this time doing what I do best: renting a van to go out and explore the rest of the Fuji Five Lakes.

The journey began with a chaotic struggle to exit the greater Tokyo area, navigating a maze of unfamiliar signs while listening to upbeat Japanese pop music on the radio. Along the highway, I would occasionally catch fleeting glimpses of a massive silhouette hidden behind soundproof barriers, guardrails, Shinkansen tracks, and stubborn clouds. But everything changed the moment I took the exit. As the road curved, the radio transitioned to a melodic, almost classical chorus. Suddenly, the clouds parted, and the imposing yet delicate peak of Fujisan appeared directly ahead of me. I realized it had been right beside me the entire time. From that moment on, Fuji became my North Star: an omnipresent guide guarding the horizon. It felt like living proof that when you truly love nature, it always loves you back.

While the world has no shortage of iconic straight highways, Japan's "Road to the Sky" offers something truly transcendent: the optical illusion of rising and disappearing straight into the clouds.

Located in northern Hokkaido, this breathtaking route begins just outside the town of Shari, and serves as the ultimate gateway to the wild Shiretoko Peninsula. It is a 28-kilometer perfectly straight ribbon of asphalt, and because of the unique topography, as you drive, the road ahead appears to tilt upward, seamlessly blending into the horizon.

Switzerland is widely considered to house some of the best alpine roads in all of Europe. It is a country which perfectly suits itself to an epic road trip through its Grand Tour of Switzerland, a 1600km loop, that connects major alpine passes, lakes, and cultural highlights across the country, offering a comprehensive scenic journey.

Just jump in the car, follow the signs of the Grand Tour, and be amazed.

The Susten Pass, Grimsel Pass, and Furka Pass form a celebrated trio rewarding drivers with challenging and beautiful drive through the heart of the Alps.

The Susten Pass, with its 26 tunnels and bridges etched into sheer granite, reaches a peak at 2,260 meters. The Grimsel Pass, known for its serene sapphire-blue reservoirs and pristine mountain scenery, is a gentler route, and the Furka Pass, famously featured in the James Bond film "Goldfinger," is a thrilling, steep road that offers stunning vistas.

TIP: The Swiss mountain passes are only open in summer. Also, as with any mountain pass, these roads are not only scenic but can be enjoyed as a technical challenge as well.

The Julier Pass, which winds through the Albula Alps, is considered one of the most beautiful drives in Switzerland, with its remote feel and historical significance dating back to Roman times. It features wide, sweeping curves and smooth asphalt that cuts through a stark, open alpine landscape. Because it remains open throughout the winter, it serves as a reliable, year-round lifeline to the snow-covered peaks above.

In contrast, the Albula Pass delivers a more intimate experience. Narrower and more technical, this route twists through deep gorges and plateaus. Its greatest charm is how it snakes alongside the UNESCO World Heritage Albula Railway, where drivers can watch the iconic red Swiss trains vanish and reappear into mountain tunnels.

Together, these two passes form a legendary loop that begins and ends in Tiefencastel, allowing travelers to experience the fast, open expanse of the Julier alongside the intricacies of the Albula.

To drive in Italy is to experience a masterclass in romance, drama, and sensory overload. Its diverse landscape offers narrow, twisting lanes tracing the edges of lakes, expansive vistas of rolling vineyard hills, dramatic coastal roads carved into cliffs, and sky-piercing alpine mountain passes.

Beyond the scenery, basically every city or small town stop exudes ancient beauty, pulling you in with medieval castles, breathtaking cathedrals, and sun-drenched stone piazzas. Add to that its world-famous cuisine, recently inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and you have the perfect country to traverse, prompting you to savor every single moment on the open road.

The Stelvio Pass in northern Italy, sitting at 2,757 m near the Swiss border, is Italy's highest paved mountain pass and a legendary masterpiece of Alpine engineering. Renowned worldwide as the "Queen of Alpine Roads," it is a bucket-list destination for driving purists, and cyclists recalling legendary battles of the Giro d'Italia.

It features a combined total of 75 hairpin turns across two distinct approaches. The northern approach is pure drama, starting gently in lush alpine forests and green meadows. It then quickly reveals a near-vertical wall of asphalt cascading down the stark mountain face. Every tight corner of the 48 named turns, demands absolute focus as the numbers painted on the asphalt count down to zero. The western side instead offeres a different, fast-paced rhythm, with its narrow turnnels and fast straight (and still 42 hairpin turns)

This is a challenging road, and a road that encapsulates the pure joy of driving.

Lemon trees, Bouganvillae, the Mediterranean shrubs, olive trees, tranquil towns, sheer cliffs that drop into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Amalafi Coast packs some of the most scenic sights in the country, including Pompeii, Sorrento, Herculaneum, Mount Vesuvius, Capri, Amalfi, Positano and Ravello.

The road is narrow, winding, carved directly into the seaside cliffs. Every turn is unpredictable and if you go in blind (in the sense unprepared) you never know if you will stumble upon a town of upscale glamour, medieval cathedrals, ancient ruins, or vineyards and orchards.

It is the peak of natural drama coupled with Italian elegance.

Another "micro road" in terms of length at only 70km, the regional road SR222 runs from Florence to Siena, cutting through the heart of the Chianti wine region.

This road offers the quintessential Tuscan driving experience: a gentle, rhythmic ribbon of asphalt that crests rolling hills, crosses perfectly spaced cypress trees, golden fields, vibrant green vineyards, ancient castles, and sun-drenched farmhouses.

If you ever need a reminder to enjoy life, this short 70 km stretch is all you need.

Much like Italy, France offers finely engineered road networks as well as historic country lanes within idyllic landscapes. All accompanied by a je ne sais quoi sense of timeless elegance, rich history, and effortless style that transforms a simple drive into an unforgettable journey.

Whether cruising along the glamorous Mediterranean coastlines, rugged Corsican terrain, navigating high-altitude alpine passes, rolling vineyards or lavender fields, traversing France by car allows you to slow down, embrace the landscape, and appreciate the art of the journey.

The "Corniches" are a legendary trio of parallel coastal roads, known as the Basse (Lower), Moyenne (Middle), and Grande (Upper) Corniche, which run along the rugged coastline of the French Riviera between Nice and Menton, passing through the Principality of Monaco and Monte Carlo. 

These roads, carved into the mountainside, offer dramatic views of the Mediterranean Sea and are renowned for their scenic beauty and historical significance, as well as having been featured in numerous films.

The Basse Corniche runs closest to the sea, passing through towns like Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Èze, Cap d'Ail, and Monaco, and is the most urbanized and busiest of the three. The Moyenne Corniche, is considered the most scenic, featuring challenging bends and panoramic views. The Grande Corniche, the highest and most elevated, developed by Napoleon and which follows the ancient Roman, provides expansive views of both the Alps and the Mediterranean.

Tip: While not part of the Corniches, be sure to drive through through the Monaco Circuit in the streets of Monte Carlo. Home to the prestigious Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, the track winds through the city's streets, featuring tight corners, elevation changes, and iconic sections like the Tunnel and Casino Square. Once driven through you will appreciate that circuit more when watching the annual Gran Prix.

Leave it to Provence to gift the world with a drive of pure sensory poetry. In summer, during the peak bloom, the Valensole plateau becomes an ocean of vibrant purple lavender that stretches out to the horizon.

The route gently rolls over sun-drenched hills, with every curve revealing a postcard-perfect view of a distant hilltop medieval village, old stone hut, or a roadside stand selling fresh lavender products.

This isn't so much a drive as it is stepping into an oil painting of Provençal countryside.

...don't move...I'll be right there 🚗

I must include Greece. It is the absolute definition and epitome of the Mediterranean: a landscape of rugged terrain. Scent of aromatic shrubland, wild herbs and wildflowers fill the air as you drive, while a chorus of deafening cicadas accompany you. Through it you are bathed in a scorching, life-giving Sun that, when it finally sets, seems to inflame the very edge of the sea.

This is Greece’s answer to the Amalfi Drive or the Pacific Coast Highway. While the route itself is beautiful, with key coastal stops like Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, Varkiza, and Anavyssos, it is the beginning and the end that truly make it mythical.

Leaving the urban bustle of Athens, you head south along the edge of the Attica peninsula on this stunning coastal road. The finale is dramatic, to say the least. You eventually reach Cape Sounion, where the ancient Temple of Poseidon sits perched on a jagged precipice. There, you will witness a legendary sunset that might just be the most beautiful and awe-inspiring of your life.

It is a journey from the cradle of civilization to a dramatic cliffside end. A true Alpha and Omega.

This is another short drive featuring winding bends that climb up a mountain. The difference here is the distinct feeling of being dropped right into a fantasy landscape. The aptly named Meteora meaning "suspended in the air", features otherworldly monoliths of rock jutting out from the forest. While that alone would make it a breathtaking drive through nature, the Eastern Orthodox monasteries perched precariously on top add a deeply mystical tone.

Tip: During most of the day, the road is packed with tour buses and cars pulled over for endless photo opportunities. However, if you manage to visit early in the morning or late in the evening when the crowds have returned to their hotels, you will be rewarded with a quiet, beautiful sliver of mystical solitude surrounded by towering dark stone pillars.

A Greek island cannot be excluded from this list.

Driving north in Santorini from Fira, you hug the high spine of the caldera and pass through Imerovigli to admire the sheer cliff faces, only to reach the iconic town of Oia. There, the legendary whitewashed houses with their vibrant kyanos-blue roofs sit perched on the cliffs like spectators on the rising rows of an ancient theater.

I remember fondly the drive to the pink beach of Elafonissi in Crete. It is a narrow road that hugs the cliffside and cuts through the Topolia Gorge. Rugged and dramatic, dotted with traditional mountain villages and olive-rich valleys. When it finally opens up to the expansive view of the exotic turquoise lagoon with its coral-pink sand, you can't help but be amazed.

Possibly the most famous of these "drives to the beach" is the route to Myrtos Beach in Kefalonia. This cliffside road grips the edge of towering bluffs high above the Ionian Sea. After navigating a series of unassuming turns, the earth suddenly drops away, revealing a cinematic view of the electric-blue bay and white pebbles far below.

What can I say about Iceland? It didn't steal my heart... at first. Every section of the amazing Ring Road reminded me of somewhere else. I would drive and constantly say to myself, "Huh, Scotland and New Zealand," or "Wow, total Canada vibes," or "Oh look, a red landscape just like Australia." It was only after a few days that I realized this single road has it all.

Underneath a moody sky, perfect tarmac connects dramatic cliffs, coastal wildlife, and imposing glaciers on the horizon. The scenery shifts from black lunar and red martian landscapes to charming coastal towns and roaring, yet intimate waterfalls just waiting for you to stop and admire them.

Iceland didn't steal my heart by being entirely new. It stole it by holding the whole world in one drive.

The Ring Road, also known as Route 1 circles the entire island over approximately 1,332 kilometers. To put it simply this is just a perfect road. There are no guard rails, and very few, if any houses or settlements. Even when it cuts through a fjord, it is just a ribbon of tarmac that seems suspended on water. There is nothing between you and the beautiful, often otherworldy raw, surroundings.

For me personally, there is one section which is special, and which (for now) made it the most beautiful road I've seen. It's in the in the Southern Region, after the main sights that culminate in Vatnajokull National park. The stretch of road which is often just for passing through as you head north to lake Myvatn and the geothermal powerhouse of Krafla. Just before entering Mulaping municipality and starting from Hofn.

You will see surreal lunar landscape of black, flanked by the dramatic peaks of Eystrahorn on one side and the wild shores of Hvalnes Nature Reserve beach on the other. The road winds past the base of empty, glacier-eroded hills before rising at the coastal viewpoint. There you trace the dramatic, sweeping coastlines, that feel like a Great Ocean or Pacific Coast Road, but soon, the stark terrain softens into vibrant green prairies where Icelandic horses and sheep graze peacefully beside calm, shimmering fjords. You’ll even pass through rare pine forests that feel like a hidden secret in this landscape. Then the imposing, flawless pyramid of Búlandstindur commands the skyline, as you make way through smaller fjords surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

When I visited Norway, I wasn't particularly hyped about the scenery I was going to see. After all, I’ve had my share of alpine peaks, winding mountain passes, deep fjords, and temperate forests.

But the moment I arrived, I immediately understood why it is called the Land of Trolls. The sheer granite cliffs and titanic mountains are so imposing that the entire landscape feels alive (or perhaps, like according to mythology, just deeply asleep).

There is a towering presence to them that just doesn't make them feel like the rocks you've known your entire life. Add to that the perfectly maintained roads, snaking in and out of fjords, the expansive forests, massive waterfalls and cozy houses, and the every turn becomes a picture-perfect scenery.

Trollstigen, or the "Troll Ladder," stands out as one of Norway’s most iconic and dramatic routes. It offers a double dose of excitement: first as an exhilarating driving challenge as you tackle its eleven sharp hairpin bends, and cross the waterfall, and then as an arguably even more impressive visual feast from the lookout point on top.

Tip: Because it is a magnet for travelers, the mountain pass can get incredibly crowded with motorhomes and tour buses. I stayed two days wild camping around Trollstigen just to get the perfect moment to both enjoy the drive, as well as the scenery without the many (many, many) other campers and motorhomes.

Also, for the ultimate cinematic experience, queue up an epic high-fantasy soundtrack (or Grieg’s classic "In the Hall of the Mountain King" to be completely on theme) as you begin your ascent up the ladder.

Just north of Geiranger village lies Ørnevegen, or the "Eagle’s Road". It is a short but incredibly steep stretch of tarmac that climbs up the mountainside via eleven sharp hairpin turns. The reward at the summit is Ørnesvingen (The Eagle’s Bend), a spectacular, modern viewing platform that projects out over the edge, offering an unparalleled, picture-perfect view of Geirangerfjord below.

Tip: Much like Trollstigen, this is a prime hotspot for tour buses and rental campers. Also here, I camped nearby and enjoyed the drive at 6 in the morning having the road and viewing platform all to myself, while the low Scandinavian sun casted dramatic shadows across the fjord.

On the other hand, for the nearby Dalsnibba viewpoint and Geiranger skywalk don't make the same mistake I did, feeling all superior that I would beat the crowds by being there at 7a.m. This is the highest fjord viewpoint in Europe so even in Summer I drove straight into a wall of freezing, impenetrable mountain mist. At the viewpoint all I saw was a blank canvas of white fog, frost-covered railings, and a mountain hare who was also wondering what on Earth I was doing there.

Vietnam’s roads are exhilarating. The cities are defined by the chaotic dance of millions of motorcycles buzzing through the streets like a true human hive. The countryside instead unfolds into untamed wilderness, with tranquil rice paddies, grazing cattle, and seemingly endless jungle valleys.

Driving in Vietnam is a true adventure, whether you are following Highway 1 as it tracks the coastline, or navigating the historic Ho Chi Minh Highway as it snakes through deep, forested gorges.

This is another "teleportation" road. The Hai Van Pass (literally "Ocean Cloud Pass") is a spectacular 21-kilometer stretch of Highway 1 connecting the city of Da Nang with the historic town of Hue.

True to its name, this short pass cuts through a physical climate barrier, and driving here means watching the landscape transform in seconds. To one side, jungle-clad mountains rise sharply, disappearing directly into the thick, mysterious cloud cover; to the other, the mist suddenly parts to reveal sweeping, panoramic views of the deep blue East Vietnam Sea far below.

Because heavy truck and bus traffic now diverts through the modern Hai Van Tunnel, the open mountain pass above is left entirely to travelers who want to savor the journey. You will see local bikers deftly attacking the curves, travelers capturing the ascent with selfie sticks, and inexperienced tourists such as myself, clumsily navigating the steep switchbacks. Everyone is chasing the views above the clouds and celebrating this magnificent piece of Asian coastal driving.

On a map, Mexico can deceptively look small next to its massive northern neighbor. In reality, the country is vast and offers very different landscapes. The cactus-lined desert coasts of Baja California, the dramatic, twisting mountain passes of the Sierra Madre, or the flat, jungle-shrouded plains of the Yucatán. No matter which route you choose, the journey is always framed by magnificent sights, incredible vibes, colorful colonial pueblos (and the infamous topes speed bumps).

Many of the ancient Maya ruins I visited in Mexico require only a short detour or sit right alongside the main highway. Reaching the ancient capital of Calakmul, however, is a completely different story.

Located at the base of the Yucatán Peninsula, the ruins are buried deep within the massive 723,000-hectare Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. The moment you branch off Highway 186, you are instantly plunged into a dense tropical forest where the thick, overarching canopy feels beautifully claustrophobic. There are no gas stations, no cell service, and absolutely no roadside stalls. Just a corridor where the jungle closes in from both sides.

Because this is a strictly protected wildlife corridor, the speed limit drops to a mandatory 30 km/h for the entire 60-kilometer and the two-hour journey transforms into a slow-paced jungle safari. You might catch a rare glimpse of a jaguar crossing the asphalt, encounter immense tropical spiders. For sure you will be accompanied by the unsettling, primeval roars of howler monkeys swinging overhead.

By the time you reach the immense archaeological complex, you feel less like a tourist and more like an explorer who has just discovered a lost empire.

I didn't even know what kind of landscape I was traversing when I first drove from Puebla to Oaxaca for the Day of the Dead celebrations, so the surprise was even more awe-inspiring.

Heading down Highway 135D, the road leaves the straight, flat plains behind and begins to snake through deep, rugged canyons. The scenery shifts dramatically as you enter the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve, where thousands of massive, prehistoric cardón and organ pipe cacti stand like sentinels on the hills overlooking the asphalt. As the road twists and descends deeper into the valley, the sheer density of the cacti becomes absolutely overwhelming, and they they resemble a massive audience of spectators in a grand, natural theater, quietly watching you pass.

Morocco offers some of the most diverse landscapes in North Africa. In a single journey, you can find yourself climbing the dramatic switchbacks of the High Atlas Mountains before navigating coastal roads that shift from calm Mediterranean shores to rugged Atlantic cliffs. The driving experience transitions seamlessly from bustling cities with tight, ancient streets to massive modern avenues. Along the way, the route winds past deep gorges, historic earthen kasbahs, and traditional Berber villages, moving through fertile olive groves before finally reaching the doorway to the Sahara, where wind-swept orange dunes stretch to the horizon.

Connecting Marrakech with the desert gateway of Ouarzazate, the Tizi n'Tichka is a legendary pass through the heart of the High Atlas Mountains, reaching an elevation of over 2,000 m.

The route is a masterclass in geographic contrast. You navigate hairpin turns past ancient, earth-colored Berber villages that cling to the ridges and blend seamlessly into the terracotta mountainsides. The climb takes you through stark, jagged alpine peaks that are often dusted with snow in the winter, before plunging down the eastern escarpment into the arid, sun-baked plains that mark the true beginning of the pre-Sahara desert. It is one of North Africa's ultimate driving challenges and engineering marvels.

This is one of the most photographed road segments in Africa. Located in the Dadès Valley, the river here has carved a deep, dramatic canyon out of the red and orange rock. The defining highlight is the Tisdrine Road, frequently cited as one of the most winding roads in the world with turns reaching nearly 180 degrees.

After having climbed the tightly wound switchbacks, you get a top down view of the narrow canyon and the ribbon of road on the side of the cliff, showing why this road is often described like a serpent descending the mountain.

No need for a lengthy description here - the USA is road trip country, full stop. It is massive, incredibly diverse, and basically a synonym of epic adventures on wheels.

You cannot say that you are a fan of road trips without having been to the United States.

Tioga Road, a spectacular 46-mile stretch of California State Route 120, cuts across the northern high country of Yosemite National Park, offering a dramatic alternative to the crowded valley floor. Rising to an elevation of over 2,700 meters at Tioga Pass, it stands as the highest highway pass in California and the Sierra Nevada mountains.

The drive is a stunning route within alpine ecosystems, showcasing iconic granite domes, granite domes, pristine mountain lakes, and subalpine meadows.

Tip: Because of its extreme elevation, Tioga Road is a seasonal route, closed in autumn and winter. Also, before 2026, entry to the National Park had to be pre-booked and there were hard quotas capping the maximum number of daily visitors. This is no longer the case, but the park now often experiences overcrowding, with car parks filling up and rangers shutting off entire sightseeing sections. Not sure how their policy will evolve in the future but I suspect that the fixed number of vehicles will be reintroduced.

First and foremost is the "Mother Road," as John Steinbeck nicknamed it. The road that everyone knows by name as if it is a famous Hollywood star from cult classic pictures.

Connecting Chicago to Los Angeles, the iconic Route 66 remains the ultimate staple of the American road trip. Historically, and culturally to this day, it stands as a powerful symbol of freedom, mobility, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

While it has been decommisionned in 1985 and no longer exists as a single contiguous road, replaced instead by the Interstate Highway System, many sections have been preseved, mostly for touristic and historical reasons but it shows how iconic this road has become. To this day road-trippers are drawn to it for nostalgia of the classic vintage America.

You seldom see a decomissioned road be "revived" due to its sheer larger-than-life status.

Another "teleportation" road. On the Big Island of Hawaii, two of the planet's most massive volcanoes sit side by side: Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The island is split in half by these colossal mountains. In between, the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, known locally as the Saddle Road, attempts to bridge the western and eastern sides of the island.

At the opposite ends stand the two major cities of Hawaii: Hilo and Kailua-Kona. One is characterized by lush, tropical forests and is the second most rainy city in all the United States. The other is a tropical beach paradise and a haven for snorkeling where people drink cocktails and watch luaus at sunset, and is one of the sunniest cities in the United States.

The road is a monumental climb which might catch you off guard if unprepared. There are no gas stations, it climbs to an altitude of 2,000 meters, and at high altitude is at the mercy of the unpredictable weather and sudden downpours.

If you want a transition from day to night in terms of ecosystem and climate, look no further than traversing this imposing road.

Tip: Consider this a destination in itself, meaning you won't need a the raincoat of Hilo, and certainly not the flip flops of Kailua Kona. Also be sure to have your car in good condition and full of gas. This drive is like going on a hike.

California State Route 1 connects NorCal with SoCal and is one of the most famous scenic drives in the world. Renowned for its iconic coastal views, dramatic cliffs and famous towns like Monterey, Malibu, Big Sur, Santa Barbara, and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Not to mention that it connects the major metropolises of San Francisco and Los Angeles (and almost, although not officially, also San Diego).

It offers some of the most iconic and remarkable characteristic sights of the Western Coast, as the road snakes southward, the landscape shifts from misty redwood forests and rocky coves to the wide, sun-drenched beaches.

This definitely belongs up there in the olympus of great American scenic drives.

It is incredible how so many of the United States’ (and arguably the world’s) most scenic drives are packed into a relatively small pocket of southern Utah.

Among them, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway stands out as an absolute joy to experience. Driving it feels like a natural theme park ride, complete with jaw-dropping switchbacks, towering sandstone cliffs, and the historic 1.1-mile tunnel carved directly into the mountain rock.

On one side the monoliths of Zion National Park, on the other, the otherworldly hoodoos of Bryce Canyon. And in the middle this diamond.

Stretching roughly 72 kilometers between Cisco and Moab, this scenic byway tracks the ancient path carved out by the Colorado River, and is known affectionately as the "River Road"

For most of the journey, you are tightly sandwiched in the canyon corridor, flanked on one side by massive red cliffs, and the waters of the Colorado River on the other.

The absolute peak show is during Golden Hour, whether it's the morning sun igniting the canyon walls, or the twilight stretching the shadows throughout the canyon.

Just a few miles away from the River Road lies the entrance to Arches National Park, where the Arches Scenic Drive offers a massive, open-air gallery of red rock sculptures.

It's a 30-kilomter drive packed with sights such as thee towering monoliths of Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers, where massive rock walls rise sharply from the desert. Further along the drive, the iconic Balanced Rock seems to challenges gravity itself. Short detours showcasethe North and South Windows, Turret Arch, and Double Arch, where massive, sweeping openings in the rock allow travelers to stand directly beneath nature's grand architecture. Through the labyrinth known as the Fiery Furnace, the road culminates at the Devils Garden trailhead, leaving drivers surrounded by a dense concentration of elegant arches.

This is another breathtaking ride in nature's theme park.

Saving perhaps the best for last, the journey toward Monument Valley claims the ultimate prize, if only for its legendary and instantly recognizable status.

This is the quintessential "Wild West" postcard view. Driving down US-163 toward the giant, solitary monoliths is an unforgettable experience, as the highway cuts a perfectly straight line through the vast high desert, framed flawlessly by the towering red buttes of Monument Valley rising on the distant horizon. It is a cinematic vista that has been immortalized in countless photographs, classic Western films, and modern pop culture scenes, capturing the timeless spirit of the American frontier.

Tip: Keep in mind that this road can only be done by car. So no motorcycles, RVs, or motorhomes are allowed. If you are road-tripping in an RV, simply opt for a guided tour.

Part 2 Is Coming

There is still so much more spectacular asphalt to conquer. I have countless spreadsheets and online maps absolutely teeming with points of interest for future journeys.

In the near term, I HAVE to explore the rugged cliffside roads of Corsica, and drive again after so many years on the Magistrala in Croatia.

But beyond that lies a massive, epic full-continent drive through Africa, from Cairo all the way to Johannesburg, with deep dives into South Africa and Namibia.

I am also mapping out a massive South American road trip I have been planning for a couple of years now. An epic expedition along Argentina's legendary Ruta 40, through the surreal landscapes of the Salar de Uyuni Circuit in Bolivia, and into the stark, star-lit expanse of a camping trip in Chile's Atacama Desert.

The road goes on forever, and the best drives are always the ones still ahead. Stay tuned for Part 2!