Breathtaking Drives
There's something undeniably special about a road that doesn't just get you from point A to B but makes the entire journey that much more memorable. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or planning your first big road trip, the world is home to some truly breathtaking stretches of asphalt, gravel, and mountain passes that deserve a spot on your bucket list. From coastal cliffs to snow-dusted alpine routes, these 20 drives offer scenery so spectacular that you'll want to pull over at every turn.
1. Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa
Carved into the cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek on the Cape Peninsula, Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the most dramatic coastal roads you'll find anywhere in the world. The route stretches for nearly 5 miles (9 kilometers) and features 114 curves, with the Atlantic Ocean dropping sharply below and towering rock faces rising above. It's a short drive, but the views are so stunning that you'll want to give yourself plenty of time to stop and take it all in.
2. Transfăgărășan Highway, Romania
Built in the 1970s on the orders of Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, Romania's Transfăgărășan Highway cuts through the Carpathian Mountains at elevations reaching 2,042 meters. The road winds through tunnels, over viaducts, and past glacial lakes, offering some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Eastern Europe. It's only open for a few months each year due to heavy snowfall, so timing your visit carefully is essential if you want to experience it at its best.
3. Amalfi Coast Road, Italy
Stretching along the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula in southern Italy, the Amalfi Coast Road connects a string of pastel-colored villages perched above turquoise waters. The road is famously narrow, with hairpin bends and occasional oncoming buses that'll keep you on your toes, but the views of the Tyrrhenian Sea more than compensate for any white-knuckle moments. Colorful towns like Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi itself are all within easy reach, making this route as culturally rich as it is visually rewarding.
4. Great Ocean Road, Australia
Running for about 151 miles (243 kilometers) along Victoria's southwestern coastline, Australia's Great Ocean Road is one of the longest scenic coastal drives in the world. The route was built by returned World War I soldiers and is dedicated to their memory, adding a layer of historical significance to the already stunning surroundings. Along the way, you'll pass the iconic Twelve Apostles limestone stacks, ancient rainforests, and surf towns that have a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere year-round.
5. Trollstigen, Norway
Known in English as the Troll's Path, Trollstigen is a steep, serpentine mountain road in Møre og Romsdal county that ascends 858 meters through a series of 11 hairpin bends. The road hugs the side of a dramatic valley, with the cascading Stigfossen waterfall thundering past just beside the route. Norway takes its scenic roads seriously, and Trollstigen is one of its most celebrated National Tourist Routes, drawing visitors from all over the world every summer.
6. Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Circling the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, the Ring of Kerry is a 111-mile (179 kilometers) loop that showcases Ireland's wild Atlantic coast at its most spectacular. You'll pass through charming towns like Killarney, Kenmare, and Cahersiveen, with the jagged peaks of Macgillycuddy's Reeks forming a dramatic backdrop for much of the journey. The best time to drive it is in the morning, before the tour buses arrive and the narrow roads get particularly congested.
7. Cabot Trail, Canada
Winding around the northern tip of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, the Cabot Trail is widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in North America. The 185-mile (roughly 300 kilometers) route takes you through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, where the mountains meet the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic Ocean in a truly breathtaking display. Fall is arguably the best season to visit, when the hardwood forests ignite in shades of red, orange, and gold.
8. Route des Grandes Alpes, France
Stretching nearly 450 miles (720 kilometers) from Lake Geneva all the way to Nice on the French Riviera, the Route des Grandes Alpes crosses roughly 16 to 18 mountain passes, including some of the highest paved roads in Europe. The scenery shifts dramatically as you travel south, from glaciated peaks and alpine meadows to sun-drenched Provençal villages and the warm blue waters of the Mediterranean. Most drivers tackle the route over several days, and there's no shortage of excellent places to stop, eat, and rest along the way.
9. Milford Road, New Zealand
Running through Fiordland National Park on New Zealand's South Island, the Milford Road is a 75-mile (120 kilometers) drive that leads to the famous Milford Sound. The route passes through beech forests, ancient glacial valleys, and beneath towering waterfalls that spill directly onto the pavement after heavy rain. It's one of the most awe-inspiring stretches of road in the Southern Hemisphere, and the destination waiting at the end is every bit as spectacular as the drive itself.
10. Icefields Parkway, Canada
Connecting Lake Louise and Jasper in Alberta, the Icefields Parkway stretches 144 miles (232 kilometers) through the heart of the Canadian Rockies and is consistently ranked among the world's greatest drives. You'll pass glaciers, turquoise lakes, and mountain peaks that rise well above 3,000 meters, with wildlife sightings—including elk, bears, and mountain goats—which are a common bonus along the route.
11. Grossglockner High Alpine Road, Austria
Austria's Grossglockner High Alpine Road climbs to 2,504 meters at its highest point, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Hohe Tauern mountain range, including the country's tallest peak. The 48-kilometer route features 36 switchbacks and numerous viewpoints where you can step out and appreciate the sheer scale of the alpine landscape unfolding around you.
12. Garden Route, South Africa
Stretching roughly 190 miles (300 kilometers) along South Africa's southeastern coastline from Mossel Bay to Storms River, the Garden Route is a celebration of lush forests, dramatic cliffs, and sheltered lagoons. The town of Knysna, situated around a beautiful coastal lagoon, makes an ideal midpoint stop, offering excellent food and a laid-back atmosphere that's hard to leave. Tsitsikamma National Park marks the eastern end of the route and is well worth exploring on foot once you've completed the drive.
South African Tourism from South Africa on Wikimedia
13. North Coast 500, Scotland
Looping around the northern Highlands of Scotland for approximately 516 miles (830 kilometers), the North Coast 500 has earned a devoted following for its combination of epic scenery, ancient history, and raw natural beauty. You'll encounter everything from white sand beaches and sea lochs to crumbling castles and rugged moorland, with Highland cattle frequently appearing roadside as unexpected companions. Starting and ending in Inverness, it's a route that works beautifully as a week-long road trip, with cozy B&Bs and whisky distilleries dotted conveniently along the way.
14. Hana Highway, USA
Cutting through the lush eastern coast of Maui, the Hana Highway covers just 64 miles (104 kilometers) but packs in more than 600 curves and 59 bridges, making it one of the most winding drives in the United States. The route passes through dense tropical rainforest, past cascading waterfalls, and along dramatic clifftops that drop down to a coastline battered by the Pacific. Hana itself is a small, peaceful town that feels wonderfully remote, making every twist and turn of the journey well worth the effort.
15. Going-to-the-Sun Road, USA
Crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun Road spans 50 miles (80 kilometers) and stands as one of America's most celebrated feats of highway engineering. Completed in 1932 and now a National Historic Landmark, the road climbs through dense forests and wildflower meadows before emerging onto exposed ridgelines with sweeping views across the park. Mountain goats and bighorn sheep are regularly spotted close to the road at higher elevations, so keep your eyes open as you drive.
16. Stelvio Pass, Italy
Sitting at 2,757 meters above sea level in the Italian Alps near the Swiss border, the Stelvio Pass Road is frequently cited as one of the greatest driving roads on the planet. Its eastern approach alone features an extraordinary 48 hairpin turns, making for a challenging but deeply rewarding ascent through the high mountain landscape. The pass is generally accessible only between late May and October, so checking the seasonal window before you plan your trip is an important first step.
17. Pacific Coast Highway, USA
Running along the California coastline for roughly 656 miles (1,055 kilometers) between Dana Point in the south and Leggett in the north, the Pacific Coast Highway is one of the most iconic road trips in the world. The Big Sur section, in particular, delivers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the country, with cliffs plunging into the Pacific and sea otters occasionally visible in the waters below. Taking the drive slowly and spending a night or two in the towns scattered along the route will make the whole experience far more memorable.
18. Furka Pass, Switzerland
Crossing the Swiss Alps between the cantons of Uri and Valais, the Furka Pass Road reaches a summit elevation of 2,429 meters and offers sweeping views of the Rhône Glacier as you make your way across the top. The road gained international recognition after featuring in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger, and it's easy to understand why filmmakers were drawn to it. The surrounding alpine landscape is most enjoyable in summer, once the snow has cleared and the wildflowers have come into bloom across the high meadows.
19. Col de Turini, France
Tucked into the Maritime Alps near the French-Italian border, the Col de Turini is best known as a legendary stage of the Monte Carlo Rally, but it's equally impressive as a leisure drive for those who prefer to take things at their own pace. The road climbs through dense forests of fir and beech before opening up at the 1,607-meter summit, where panoramic views stretch toward the Alps and, on clear days, the distant Mediterranean. The nearby village of La Bollène-Vésubie makes a lovely stopping point on your way up or back down.
20. Dempster Highway, Canada
For those who prefer their scenic drives well off the beaten path, the Dempster Highway in Canada's Yukon and Northwest Territories is about as remote and untouched as road travel gets. Stretching 460 miles (740 kilometers) from Dawson City to Inuvik, the highway crosses the Arctic Circle and passes through a vast landscape of tundra, boreal forest, and open skies that you'd be hard-pressed to experience anywhere else.
