best road trip nice

Here’s the Ultimate Paris to Nice Road Trip – Itinerary & Map

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Paris to Nice by Car

There are many ways to travel from Paris to Nice, from night trains to quick flights. But if you are looking for an epic French holiday and have some time, then hit the road for a fun  Paris to Nice road trip .

The drive from Paris to Nice is straightforward, and it is our favorite road trip from Paris. The distance from Paris to Nice by car Paris is 930 kilometers, with some memorable stops along the way depending on the route that you choose.

If you decide to try this road trip Paris to Nice, give yourself a week to 10 days to enjoy it. Of course, driving from Paris to Nice can be a lot faster, but why rush? For this Paris to Nice drive, the journey is just as interesting as the final destination.

How far is Nice from Paris? The distance from Paris to Nice by car is from 932 km to 1039 km, depending on the route.

How long is the drive from Paris to Nice? The drive Paris to Nice non-stop takes from 9 to 10 hours, depending on the route.

This Paris to Nice itinerary by car is one of the best road trips in France . Read more about road-tripping in France:

Road Trip from Paris to Nice Overview

• Start: Paris
• Finish: Nice
• Duration: 9 days
• Suggested Route: Paris – Beaune – Lyon – Avignon – Marseille – Nice
• Total distance: 994.3 km, 10 hours in total
• Regions covered:  Ile-de-France, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
• Best for:  sightseeing, landscapes, small towns, food, and wine.

If you are looking for a Nice to Paris road trip, you can also use this itinerary with a grand finale in Paris.

Drive from Paris to Nice – Map

Click here to view the Paris to Nice Road Trip Map on Google

Road Trip Paris to Nice – Itinerary

As this road trip begins in Paris , take this opportunity to explore the French capital before hitting the road. There is no road trip travel on the first three days of this Paris to Nice itinerary, but we have included recommendations on what to visit and where to stay.

For this road trip from Paris to South of France, you will need the car only from days 4 to 9. If you need to return to Paris, you could rent your car in Paris and drop it off in Nice. Then, you can take a  train from Nice to Paris  instead of driving back. If this is your first road trip to France, check out our tips for hiring a car in France .

Click here to rent your car in Paris

Day 0 | Arrival in Paris

The first stop of this road trip from Paris to Nice is  Paris . Before getting from Paris to Nice, take your time to visit the French capital, which really needs no introduction.

How many days in Paris? We recommend a minimum of two full days to get a feel of what the city has to offer, plus an additional day trip to visit the Palace of Versailles and its Gardens.

If you have the budget, go for a  hotel with Eiffel Tower views . A good (and cheaper) alternative is the Handsome Hotel by Elegancia in Paris 1. Located just 800 meters from the Louvre, this hotel offers its guests great facilities and always gets the best reviews.

Click here to book your stay at Handsome Hotel by Elegancia

Days 1 and 2 | Paris

For your days in Paris , be sure to cover the city’s main highlights such as Cité, the  Louvre Museum (check out how to visit the Louvre in 2 hours or less ), Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, and of course, the Eiffel Tower . You can also have a look at this list of  50 iconic things to do in Paris  and choose your favorite ones.

A good idea for short stays in Paris is this top-rated Paris Highlights Bike Tour . Discover the city’s most emblematic landmarks on two wheels with an expert guide. This tour by bike is also available at night .

Day 3 | Day Trip to Versailles

On the third full day of your Paris to South of France trip, grab a train, or take a guided tour to visit the amazing  Château de Versailles  and its surrounding gardens.

A trip to Versailles deserves a day in full. You can decide to  visit just the Palace and the Gardens or do the Palace plus the Trianons, with the Queen’s Hamlet.

There’s so much to see and do in Versailles that we recommend planning this day trip well in advance. Check out this Versailles guide  to find the best way to visit Versailles for you.

Day 4 | Paris – Beaune

This Paris to Nice scenic drive crosses the beautiful region of  Bourgogne (Burgundy in French), world-famous for its wines. Bourgogne is also home to picturesque small cities, towns, and villages, and most of these  small villages in Burgundy  are listed as “Most Beautiful Villages of France.”

Morning in Auxerre

Instead of heading directly to Beaune, we recommend a stop at  Auxerre , a lovely small city in Burgundy bisected by the river Yonne.

The historical center is made of beautiful medieval and Renaissance-style buildings, and it is protected as a historic city. Wander the Old Town with its beautiful churches, half-timbered houses, and its iconic Clock Tower . The promenade along the river is beautiful and relaxing.

Afternoon in Beaune

Beaune   is another must-see city in Burgundy. It is famous for the Hôtel-Dieu , a wonder of Burgundian architecture, but there are also other beautiful sights such as Notre Dame Basilica or the Museum of Fine Arts .

Beaune is an excellent place to spend the night, especially because it is the capital of Burgundy wines. Because wine-tasting and driving are far from perfect partners, we recommend parking the car for the afternoon and taking part in some Burgundy wine tastings.

Here’s the list of some great wine houses worth exploring during your afternoon in Beaune:

• Maison Champy  (5 Rue du Grenier de Sel, Beaune; Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune wine regions)
• Domaine Chanson  (10 Rue Paul Chanson /Rue du Collège, Beaune; Beaune wine region)
• Bouchard-Ainé & Fils  (4 Boulevard du Maréchal Foch, Beaune; Beaune wine region)
• Domaine Loubet-Dewailly  (11 Impasse Notre Dame, Beaune; Pommard wine region)

For a night in Beaune, we suggest something special. Stay at the boutique hotel the Abbaye de Maizieres , a 12th-century former Cistercian Abbey located in the heart of Beaune’s historical center. Enjoy the unique atmosphere with all the comforts for the modern guest.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel Abbaye de Maizieres

Day 5 | Beaune – Lyon

The next stop of this road trip from Paris to Nice itinerary is  Lyon , where we recommend spending one night. The drive from Beaune to Lyon is only one hour, so if you leave early in the morning, you will have a full day to explore Lyon.

Don’t know where to stay in Lyon? The Hotel de l’Abbaye  is an authentic spot, intimate, and full of charm.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel de l’Abbaye

Lyon  is a bustling city that’s also a cultural hub. Situated in the country’s east, near the Alps, Lyon is France’s third-largest city and a major tourist destination that offers yet another side to France.

Park your car for the rest of the day (there’s public parking near the recommended hotel for Lyon) and visit the city on foot. If you only have one day to visit Lyon, spend it walking through the streets of  Vieux Lyon  (Old Lyon), the city’s most popular area to visit. This district has been the best preserved of all of Lyon’s neighborhoods, with beautiful Gothic and Renaissance architecture, the iconic traboules , and some fascinating cultural museums.

You can use some ideas of things to see and do in Lyon from this Lyon itinerary or take this Lyon free walking tour .

Afternoon at Fourvière Hill

In the afternoon, you can climb the Fourvière Hill for great views of the city and a short visit to the  Fourvière Basilica , which overlooks Lyon. This religious building is the focus of the famous  Fête des Lumières , which occurs at the start of December every year. The climb up to Fourvière Hill is an easy walk up from Old Lyon, but you can also take the funicular from the cathedral.

Lyon has also been recognized as France’s food capital (and the world, according to some!), so be sure to taste some local specialties! This Old Lyon food tour always gets excellent ratings.

 Day 6 | Lyon – Avignon

The next stop of this drive from Paris to Nice is Avignon , the first destination in  Provence . This charming historic city on the South Bank of the Rhône River was home to seven popes. The Papal Palace , where they lived, is a jewel of civil Gothic architecture and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Enjoy  one day in Avignon . Here everything is within walking distance, and you can easily explore the city while strolling through its small cobblestone lanes. Be sure to visit the Palace of the Popes and wander along the  Pont d’Avignon  (the famous bridge) or admire it from afar.

For your night in Avignon, book at Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis Avignon . This hotel is located in a beautiful 16th-century building with original arches and vaulted ceilings surrounded by a beautiful garden and an outdoor swimming pool.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel Cloitre Saint Louis Avignon

Day 7 | Avignon – Marseille

Marseille  is the capital of the region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA between friends) and a famous port city. It’s quite different from Avignon and Nice, both in PACA, and an exciting city to explore.

For your night in Marseille, we recommend the  Hotel La Résidence du Vieux Port ,  a charming hotel with the perfect location right on the banks of the Old Port.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel La Résidence du Vieux Port

The city is best explored in two days, but if you only have time for one day, look at this  Marseille 2-day itinerary and pick the sights and activities you like most.

You can also decide to wander around the picturesque port of Marseille and then take a catamaran cruise with lunch to explore the wonderful Calanques of Marseille – Cassis . The catamaran stops at spectacular coves for a swim and snorkel.

Days 8 and 9 | Marseille – Nice

The last stop on this road trip Paris to Nice is  Nice , the French Riviera capital. Nice is also located in the PACA region, but it is definitely more glitzy and glamorous than Marseille or Avignon.

The drive from Marseille to Nice takes two hours, and if you leave early in the morning, you will have almost two full days to explore Nice.

For your stay in Nice, book at the Hotel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges . This 4-star hotel is nestled into the Colline du Château, and it comes with Nice’s best view over the Baie des Anges. The rooms are huge, with elegant Mediterranean décor. Some of them also come with a private balcony with great ocean views. 

Click here to book your stay at Hotel La Pérouse Nice Baie des Anges

For your two days in Nice, we recommend this  Nice 2-day itinerary , which also comes with some restaurant suggestions for your dinners in Nice.

Take your time to explore the Old Town , taste some provençal specialties, and of course, have a stroll on the famous  Promenade des Anglais ! Nice also has some of the best French Riviera beaches , and their turquoise waters are calling for a dip. If you want to explore the French Riviera from the water, this boat tour always has excellent reviews. You can also rent a boat or charter a yacht with or without a skipper .

So, what are you waiting for? Book your Paris to Nice road trip today!

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15+ Epic Day Trips From Nice: The Best of the French Riviera

last Updated: April 15, 2023 france french riviera provence

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Headed to the French Riviera and looking for some epic day trips from Nice? You’re in the right place! From sampling local wine to discovering quaint mountain top villages, I’m sharing all my favorite getaways in this beautiful corner of France.

Nice may be best known for its stunning coastline and glamorous beach scene, but there’s so much more to this city than meets the eye. Hint hint — all these day trips from Nice! If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Nice for a day (or two), there are plenty of options within easy reach.

The nearby villages offer a glimpse into traditional French life, with narrow streets, picturesque squares and lovely old churches. The coastline is stunning, with rocky cliffs, sandy beaches and glistening seas. And the mountain ranges in the distance provide a stunning backdrop.

So if you’re planning a trip to the French Riviera, promise me you’ll include a few of these day trips from Nice! The hardest part? Picking which ones to skip (because, well, they’re all kind of amazing).

When to Visit Nice and the French Riviera

Given how majestic the French Riviera is, is there really a bad time to visit? In short, no! But the seasons do offer different attractions.

Summer is when Nice really comes to life, with the city’s famous Promenade des Anglais packed with sunbathers and the beach clubs in full swing. This is also peak tourist season, so be prepared for crowds. For reference, we visited in late June/early July, and had the best weather — sunny blue skies every day!

Spring/Fall

Spring is a great time to visit if you want to enjoy the region’s world-famous flowers – the cliffs of Nice are covered in blooming oleanders, jasmine and bougainvillea. This is also a good time to catch the last of the winter ski season in the nearby Alps.

Fall sees the weather still warm but the crowds are beginning to thin out. This is also when the vineyards in the region are harvested, so it’s a great time to go wine tasting (is there ever a bad time, I hear you ask).

Winter brings its own attractions, with the city decorated for Christmas and the nearby ski resorts in full swing. It’s a great time to visit Nice if you’re looking for a more low-key trip. The city is quieter than usual and there are fewer tourists around. Don’t forget to bundle up though, it can get chilly! And you definitely won’t be needing your bathing suit as the ocean is way too cold!

How to get to these day trips from Nice

If you’re renting a car while in the French Riviera, you’ll have no trouble getting to any of these day trips from Nice. Just be aware that parking can be difficult (and expensive) in some of the more popular areas, so it’s worth checking in advance.

You’ll also want to check the route as some of the roads are narrow, winding and really steep (there’s a reason the F1 Grand Prix is held in Monaco!). Make sure you’ve got the Dramamine in hand if you’re prone to car sickness!

With some of these day trips from Nice, the only way to get there is unfortunately by car. So if you’re not planning on renting, you might want to consider taking a guided tour (I’ll share tons of options below!)

Not renting a car? Don’t fret — you can get to plenty of these day trips from Nice by public transport! The train is a great option if you’re looking to visit one of the larger cities on this list (like Cannes or Marseille). Nice’s main train station, Gare de Nice-Ville, is located just a few minutes’ walk from the Promenade des Anglais so it’s super easy to get to.

There are also several regional trains that run along the coast, making it easy to visit the smaller villages and towns. Just be aware that some of the more remote places can only be reached by bus or car, like the hilltop town of Eze and the castle of Grimaud

Guided Day Tours

For when you just want to take a step back and let everyone else do the organizing for you, there’s always a guided day tour! You’ll be picked up at your accommodation (or right nearby) and dropped off again at the end of the day, so you don’t need to worry about driving, parking, train schedules or even where to eat lunch.

I recommend taking a guided day tour to these places in particular, as they’re the most difficult to reach without a car and/or public transportation:

• Saint-Tropez and Grimaud
• Verdon Gorge and Lavender Fields
• Provence Countryside

I’ll also give some recommendations below to give you more options if you’re not renting a car and don’t wanna rely on public transit. 

Finally, what you came here for — the best day trips from Nice. There’s quite a few of them (almost 20!), so you’ll need to pick and choose if you don’t have tons and tons of time in the area. A plus to many of the guided day trips is that they visit multiple places, so you can bang out a few in just one day!

Best Day Trips from Nice

1. menton .

Distance from Nice : 29.5km / 18.3 miles

How to get to Menton from Nice : 

• Train : Just a 40 minute train ride from Nice-Ville to Menton, with trains leaving every 30 minutes. 
• Drive : You can also drive if you prefer to have more flexibility. Parking is easy to find and there’s a lot of it!
• Guided Day Trip: This tour looks awesome – you’ll spend time in Menton plus stop for some beautiful panoramic views over Monaco.

Are we in France?! Are we in Italy?! We were seriously asking that question when we first walked around the sunny streets of Menton on one of our many day trips from Nice.

This charming little town, located on the French Riviera just before the Italian border, is like a breath of fresh air compared to some of the more touristy spots further west. And it’s no wonder why. With its Mediterranean climate and picturesque old town, Menton is a feast for the senses.

The architecture is a mix of French and Italian influences, the food is to die for (you have to try the lemon tart – Menton is famous for its lemons!), and the vibe is just so effortlessly chic. Menton was one of our favorite day trips from Nice, so don’t miss it!

Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Menton, The Pearl of the French Riviera

Top things to do in Menton :

• Amble through the Old Town and get lost in the winding streets lined with pastel-colored houses
• Be wowed by the Basilica de Michael Archangel , a magical baroque church with a 53-meter high bell tower
• Try alllll the lemon things! Lemon tarts (we had a great one from Mitron Bakery), homemade lemonade, iced granitas… the list goes on! You can even buy lemon raviolis — yum!
• Visit Jean Cocteau Museum and learn about the famed, multi-talented French artist who made Menton his home
• Pay your respects at Old Chateau Cemetery – one of the most beautifully located cemeteries I’ve ever seen! It’s worth every single step to the top
• Find some shelter in Jardin Serre de la Madone , a serene oasis of exotic plants, succulents and reflecting pools
• Take a dip in the sparkling waters of one of Menton’s sandy beaches – my top picks are Plage Rondelli and Plage des Sablettes

Distance from Nice : 20.6km / 12.8 miles

How to get to Monaco from Nice :  

• Train : Hop on the train from Nice-Ville to Monaco and it’ll take you just under 30 minutes. 
• Drive : You can also drive if that’s your preference, but the journey is a little longer (between 40 and 50 minutes), through winding roads. And well, expect to pay a lot for parking. 
• Guided Day Trip : This tour includes so much of Monaco ! Plus some time in Eze as well. 
• Ferry : Yes, you can take a ferry from Nice to Monaco! Buy your tickets in advance here , and you’ll even get a mini tour of the coastline on the way back! 

Welcome to the land of luxury! Monaco is one of the richest countries in the world, and it definitely shows. From casinos and designer boutiques to yachts and supercars, there’s no shortage of wealth on display in this tiny country.

Not your scene?  No problem – there’s plenty of other, not so fancy, things to do in Monaco.

Monaco is more than just a playground for the rich and famous. It’s also home to some stunning architecture, beautiful beaches, and incredible views. The whole country (yes, it’s another country!) is basically one big cliff, so be prepared to do a lot of walking, but it’s totally worth it once you catch a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea from up high.

FYI: Note that Monaco is a different country, and we didn’t need to show our passport, but it can’t hurt to have it handy just in case.

Top things to do in Monaco :

• Try your hand at gambling in the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino . Have you even been to Monaco without visiting the casino? I think not! There’s also always luxury sports cars out front to admire. 
• Explore the Observatory Cave in the Jardin Exotique – it’s like something out of a fairytale with tall and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites and over 7000 species of plants on show
• Admire the architecture of Prince’s Palace , the official residence of Monaco’s royal family
• Catch a performance at one of the most picture perfect outdoor theaters in the world, Fort Antonie
• If you visit in May, you can’t miss the Monaco Grand Prix – one of the most exciting Formula One races in the world. You can check out the hairpin curve anytime of year though — it’s wild!
• Marvel at more than 100 vintage cars at the Collection of Voitures Anciennes
• Tap into a feeling of Zen at the Jardin Japonais , with its pretty bridges, sparkling water features and weeping willows

3. Eze and Eze-Sur-Mer

Distance from Nice : 12.4km / 7.7 miles

How to get to Eze from Nice : 

• Drive : 25 minutes; you’ll want to make sure you get there super early as the main parking lots fill up quickly with tourists
• Train : If taking the train, hop on at Nice-Ville station and get off at Eze-Sur-Mer. The journey takes about 1hr 07 minutes (a little longer than the 25 minute car ride) but you get to sit back and enjoy the views along the way. Note that there is no train to the hilltop village of Eze, only Eze-Sur-Mer, which are, yes, two different towns! Confusing, I know!
• Guided Day Trip : This one goes to both Eze and Monaco , plus a perfumery (perfect if you don’t have a car and still wanna see those hilltop Mediterranean views!) 

It would be an absolute crime not to visit the medieval hilltop village of Eze during your time on the French Riviera. The views alone are worth the trip! Not to mention, it’s one of the most picturesque villages in all of France.

The sparkling blue ocean and soft, white sand beaches make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy the good life. And when you’re done lounging on the beach in nearby Eze-Sur-Mer, there’s plenty of sightseeing to do.

Top things to do in Eze :

• Take a couple of hours to hike down the Nietzsche Path where you’ll be rewarded with fairytale looking trails and stunning panoramic views of the coastline
• Meander through the maze of cobblestoned streets in the enchanting village , lined with colorful flowers, art galleries, and cute little shops
• Discover over 2000 species of cacti and succulents at the Jardin Exotique (Botanic Gardens)
• Feast your eyes on the spectacular architecture of the oldest building in Eze, the Chapelle de la Sainte Croix
• Soak up some rays at Eze-Sur-Mer Beach and take a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean Sea

4. Villefranche-Sur-Mer

Distance from Nice : 8.2km / 5.1 miles

How to get to Villefranche-Sur-Mer from Nice :  It’s just a stone’s throw away – making it one of the easiest to get to day trips from Nice either by car or train. And I know it might sound crazy when you’re meant to be on vacation, but if you fancy getting active, you can actually walk to Villefranche-Sur-Mer in around 90 minutes!

Read Next: The Complete Guide to Villefranche Sur Mer (the French Riviera’s most colorful town!)

This endearing French fishing town is like something out of a dream. The colorful houses and cobbled streets make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, while the gleaming sea and breathtaking mountain views make you feel like you’re in a postcard.

Villefranche-Sur-Mer is the perfect place to relax and unwind. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a leisurely meal or coffee, as well as a beautiful old harbor where you can sit for hours and watch the boats come in.

We LOVED our few hours in Villefranche-Sur-Mer , and kinda wished we stayed there for a few nights instead of Nice (it’s just so much chiller with a much more local feel). Next time!

Top things to do in Villefranche-Sur-Mer :

• Get lost wandering through the old town’s charming streets and stairways, and admiring the architecture of the vibrantly painted old buildings (I could have spent hours just photographing the cute town!). 
• Do yourself a favor and do not miss the old 13th century passageway on Rue Obscure (it really is obscure and super dark – you may need to use your phone flashlight!).
• Stop for lunch at one of the ambient restaurants on the waterfront promenade – you can’t visit Villefranche-Sur-Mer without trying the fresh seafood!
• Watch the sunset from the Citadel of Villefranche-sur-Mer , a 16th century fortress with views for days of the town and bay below
• Dip your toes in the crystal clear water at one of Villefranche’s sandy beaches. Plage des Marinieres , Plage de l’Ange Gardien or Plage Villefranche-sur-Mer – the choice is yours!

5. Cannes 

Distance from Nice : 39.9km / 24.7 miles

How to get to Cannes from Nice : 

• Train : The journey takes just 30 minutes by train from Nice.
• Drive : 45 minutes by car, although parking is pretty wild and crazy (and super expensive), so I’d opt for the train!
• Guided Day Trip : This super jam-packed tour includes time in Cannes, Antibes, Saint-Paul de Vence, Eze, and Monaco! Perfect if you only have one day in your itinerary for day trips from Nice! 

If you’re looking for a day trip full of glitz, glamor and gorgeous views, a day trip to Cannes is definitely in order. Nestled on the French Riviera, south of Nice, Cannes is a city that’s synonymous with luxury and high society. 

Famous for its annual film festival (which I was lucky to experience about 10 years ago), Cannes is one of the most popular day trips from Nice.  This chic town has a lot to offer, from designer shopping (there’s a whole street full of shops) to attending glamorous events or, if you’re anything like me, from chilling out on the beach to exploring the Old Town.

Top things to do in Cannes :

• Lose yourself in Le Suquet , the old town of Cannes, with its quaint streets and scenic views
• Visit one of Cannes’ many museums, including Center d’Art La Malmaison (a must for art lovers!) or Musée de la Castre
• Check out the famous red carpet from the annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals
• Blend in with the locals strutting down La Croisette and admire the million-dollar yachts in the harbor
• Taste an array of local produce at the Marché Forville , Cannes’ covered market – a dream for foodies and foodie wannabes!
• Spend a day under an umbrella at one of Cannes’ many chic beach clubs! We loved the Carlton Beach Club and Croisette Beach Club, but you can’t go wrong with any!

6. Verdon Gorge 

Distance from Nice : 154km / 95.6 miles

How to get to Verdon Gorge from Nice : Driving is the only way to get to Verdon Gorge, so you’ll either have to drive yourself or take a group tour if you want to head there for the day. It’s a lengthy (but scenic) drive but there are a few free parking lots once you get to the gorge, so that’s handy. 

Guided tours also make a stop in the lavender fields in season (June through August), so you get two day trips from Nice in one!

Turquoise waters, towering cliffs and picturesque villages  This stunning natural wonder was one of our favorite day trips from Nice – it’s truly captivating! I could have stayed out on that glistening water all day long!

The 250 million year old deep, dark chasm carved out of the limestone cliffs is a sight to behold, and the sparkling waters of the Verdon River make for a beautiful contrast. It’s getting more and more popular (I can see why… it’s simply stunning), so go now before the word gets out!

Read Next — Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Verdon Gorge

Top things to do in Verdon Gorge :

• Get out on the water! Whether it’s kayaking , paddle boarding or a faster paced motor boat ride , the water is your best friend on the gorge.
• Get climbing – either rock climbing or hiking one of the 1500 routes in the gorge
• Can’t decide whether to go hiking or get in the water? You’ll have to give aqua trekking a try. Swimming, jumping and trekking down the river, let the rapids take you on an adventure of a lifetime!
• Cycle La Route des Crêtes and stop at one of the nearby medieval villages along the way, such as Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, with its charming streets and artisans’ workshops.

7. Lavender Fields of Valensole

Distance from Nice : 207.8km / 129 miles

How to get to Lavender fields from Nice : 

• Drive : The most famous lavender fields are located in the area of Valensole. The best way to get there is by car, which will take you almost 3 hours (so plan for a full day of adventure). 
• Train : You technically could get a train as far as Valensole but you’d need to catch a ride or rent a car from there in order to explore the area, so I don’t recommend doing this.
• Guided Day Trips : Thankfully, there are plenty of day trips from Nice that go straight to the lavender fields. I recommend this tour and this tour , as they both stop at the Verdon Gorge as well for even more stunning views!

The aromatic purple fields of lavender are in bloom from late June to early August, making it the perfect summer day trip from Nice. The best place to see the fields is in the area of Valensole, where you’ll find picturesque villages, rolling hills and, of course, plenty of lavender!

I couldn’t believe just how much lavender there was – very different from the lavender fields in California I’ve visited before!

You’ll wanna visit in the early morning for sunrise or right around sunset for the best photos, but any time of day is truly stunning! I went at both sunrise and sunset and both were magical!

Top things to do in and nearby the lavender fields :

• Road trip through the Valensole Plateau , lined with pretty villages and lavender fields. You might also spot some vibrant sunflower fields — well worth a quick stop!
• Stop at Les Grandes Marges , a family owned lavender farm. Ramble through the rows of lavender and taste and purchase some of the organic products to take home (the almonds are yum!).
• Visit one of the many charming villages in the area, such as Moustiers-Sainte-Marie with its traditional pottery or Riez , known for its weekly market. And you can’t miss the pastel colored houses of the quaint Valensole village itself.
• Learn about the oil extraction process and how lavender oils, soaps and perfumes are made at one of the many distilleries in the area.

8. Antibes 

Distance from Nice : 34.8km / 21.6 miles

How to get to Antibes from Nice : 

• Train : If you don’t fancy driving,  the best way to get to Antibes from Nice is by train. The journey only takes about 15-20 minutes and trains run every 20 minutes or so from 6am to 11pm so you can spend the entire day there.
• Drive :Driving there is pretty simple, though, and parking is easily accessible.
• Guided Tour : Don’t feel like taking the train? This tour makes stops in Antibes and other surrounding areas. 

If you’re in the mood for a little seaside town adventure that’s only a hop, skip, and jump away from Nice, then Antibes is a great option.

We found this town to be much more low-key and relaxed than some of the other larger towns on the French Riviera. And yet, it’s still brimming with that classic Mediterranean charm. It’s home to some of the most impressive ancient ruins in the country, as well as a lovely Old Town district that’s lined with winding streets and pretty plazas. Plus lots of delicious bakeries – I had more than my fair share, whoops!

Top things to do in Antibes :

• Indulge, indulge, indulge ! Antibes is home to some of the best markets, bakeries and gelato shops on the French Riviera
• Go exploring through the maze of streets in the Old Town and admire the medieval architecture, charming plazas and lush gardens
• Get artsy at the Picasso Museum , which is housed in a beautiful 16th-century castle, or grab a map at the Tourist Office of all the art dotted around the streets of Antibes
• Hit the beach . The white sandy beaches in Antibes stand out from some of the rocky coastline in other parts of the Riviera so we took full advantage of this!
• Hike the ‘old smuggler’s path’ of Chemin des Douaniers , an incredible coastal path that takes you past secluded coves, sheltered bays and dramatic cliffs

9. Provence Countryside 

Distance from Nice : Approx. 200km / 124 miles (depending on the area)

How to get to Provence from Nice : 

• Drive : The best way to get there is by car so you can explore the area at your own pace. You should plan for 2.5 hours to your first stop. 
• Guided Tour : Alternatively, leave the planning up to a tour guide. You’ll visit a whole bunch of stops and it’ll be far more relaxing. This tour visits a whole bunch of villages , and also makes a stop in Grasse (another one of the most popular day trips from Nice).

Imagine rolling hills, colorful fields, hilltop villages, ancient ruins… What you’re dreaming of right now is the Provence countryside! And it’s as lovely as it sounds – we explored for almost a week and couldn’t get enough!

This rural region of southeastern France is famous for its lavender fields (of course), but there’s so much more to see and do here. From hiking in the stunning countryside to exploring medieval villages, a day trip to Provence is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of Nice.

Top things to do in Provence countryside :

• Join the monks at Senanque Abbey in Gordes and see where they make lavender honey from the lavender field and honey bees kept at the Abbey
• Marvel at the remarkable audiovisual experience of Carrières de Lumières in an old limestone quarry – seriously one of the most unique experiences ever!
• Go hiking in the Calanques National Park , a protected area of jaw-dropping limestone cliffs, inlets and islands just outside of Marseille
• Visit the beautiful hilltop village of Roussillon with its ochre colored houses (one of my favorite towns we visited!)
• Wander through the ancient ruins of the Pont du Gard , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Roman aqueducts in the world
• Hang on tight (if heights aren’t your thing) in a cable car ride up Mount Faron in Toulon for incredible panoramic views of the Toulon port
• Meander through the streets of Gordes , a medieval village that’s been named one of the most beautiful villages in France

10. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Distance from Nice : 9.7km / 6 miles

How to get to Villa Ephrussi from Nice : 

• Drive : The easiest way to get there is either by car (there’s a free parking lot at the entrance)
• Public Transit : Bus number 15 from Nice’s Promenade des Arts to Passable/Rothschild. There’s a train, but you’ll need to connect and then walk pretty far, so that was a no for us! 

Wanna feel like a queen for a day?! Check out Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild! It’s an eclectic mix of architectural styles, set against a backdrop of breathtaking Mediterranean views. Swoon!

This former summer home of Baroness Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, is now a museum, and it’s one of the most beautiful villas I’ve ever been to. From the moment you step into the gardens, with their fountains, sculptures and perfectly manicured lawns, you feel like you’re in a different world.

Inside the villa (where everything is pink and white!), the rooms are filled with an incredible collection of art and furniture, and the views from the terraces are simply stunning (you can even see Villefranche-Sur-Mer from up here). If you’re looking for day trips from Nice that are a little bit out of the ordinary, this one takes the top spot!

Top things to do in Villa Ephrussi :

• Take a botanical journey through the nine different gardens, each with their own unique style (Japanese, Spanish, French and Exotic, just to name a few).
• View priceless works of art in the salons and bedrooms of the villa
• Learn about the history of the Baroness and the pink villa itself
• Catch a musical show or opera in the on-site theater (check the schedule in advance to see what’s playing during your visit)
• Take in the breathtaking views from one of the many terraces surrounding the villa
• Watch the spectacular dancing fountains come to life to the sound of classical music in the gardens

Distance from Nice : 46.2km / 28.7 miles

How to get to Grasse from Nice : 

• Drive : It’s an easy drive from Nice to Grasse (about 45 minutes)
• Train :here’s also a direct train that takes a little over an hour
• Guided Tour : Wanna check more spots out? Consider joining a guided tour of the countryside ! You’ll see so much and not have to worry a minute about transportation (and parking!).

Ah Grasse! This interesting town is often referred to as the “perfume capital of the world”, and it’s easy to see why. From the flowers that fill the air with their intoxicating scent, to the many perfume factories and museums, Grasse is a total dream for anyone who loves all things fragrance. You can even make your own perfume!

But don’t worry, it’s not all about the perfume. Grasse is also a beautiful town to explore, with plenty of charming streets to wander and lovely views to take in.

Top things to do in Grasse :

• Visit Parfumerie Fragonard , the perfume factory in Grasse, and learn all about the origin of the region’s perfume
• Take a perfume workshop and learn how to make your own perfume that you can take home with you!
• Admire the views at Notre Dame De Puy , a beautiful cathedral in the town’s historic center, with some of the prettiest views of the town
• Wander through the picturesque old town and explore the many charming streets and alleyways
• Stop by one of the many local markets to stock up on fresh produce, flowers and other goodies

12. Marseille

Distance from Nice : 199km / 123.6 miles

How to get to Marseille from Nice : 

• Train : There’s a direct train which leaves Nice-Ville station and takes around 2 hours and 20 minutes. 
• Drive : Alternatively, you can drive (it’s a little over 2 hours), which offers an incredibly scenic route along the coast.

There’s history, culture, natural beauty, and plenty of things to do in the vibrant city of Marseille. With its picturesque architecture, charismatic boutiques, and delicious seafood restaurants, Marseille makes for one of the best day trips from Nice.

Marseille is France’s second largest city and busiest port, and it offers visitors a wealth of cultural attractions, from ancient churches to trendy restaurants and lively nightlife, so if you’re anything like me, you’ll definitely be entertained!

Top things to do in Marseille :

• Explore the Vieux Port (old port), the heart of Marseille and a great place to watch the boats come in and out
• Climb (or take the funicular) up to Notre-Dame de la Garde , a hilltop basilica with spine-tingling views of the city and surrounding area
• Stop for a hearty Marseille lunch of bouillabaisse and panisse, and of course you’ll need to wash them down with some vino
• Take a boat to Château d’If , a 16th-century fortress built on a small island just off the coast of Marseille – you might recognize it as the setting of Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo
• Wander through Le Panier , the oldest district in Marseille and home to some of the city’s most  charming boutiques and cafes
• Check out the avant-garde MuCEM Museum , which is dedicated to the history and culture of the Mediterranean
• Discover pop up galleries, meet some locals, watch the sunset and, if you’re lucky, catch an impromptu show at Friche la Belle de Mai , a cultural center in an old tobacco factory

13. Saint-Paul-de-Vence

Distance from Nice : 26.5km / 16.4 miles

How to get to Saint-Paul-de-Vence from Nice : 

• Drive : The only direct way to get to Saint-Paul-de-Vence from Nice is by road, and it’s just over a 30 minute drive. Bear in mind, parking can be a bit tricky around here so you may need to park a little bit outside of the town.
• Guided Tour : Don’t wanna drive and worry about parking? Check out this tour that goes to the countryside of Nice, including Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

This little perched village is nestled in the hills and is full of authentic charm with winding streets and beautiful old buildings. Picture medieval streets, cobble-stoned alleyways, hidden courtyards, and a whole lot of character. This is Saint-Paul-de-Vence in a nutshell.

The best part is, it’s not overrun with tourists like some of the bigger towns, so you can really soak up the atmosphere. Until word gets out that is – so, go now before it gets super popular!

Top things to do in Saint-Paul-de-Vence :

• Let your feet take you on a wander through the maze of streets , taking in the sights and sounds of this pretty village
• Visit the Fondation Maeght , an art museum set in stunning gardens with views of the Mediterranean Sea
• Admire the views from the ramparts of the medieval walls that surround the village
• Have lunch at Cafe de la Place and watch the locals play pétanque (a type of boules) in the square
• Explore La Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs , a quirky chapel with an impressive interior of sculptures, mosaics, and stained glass windows

14. Aix-en-Provence

Distance from Nice : 178.7km / 111 miles

How to get to Aix-en-Provence from Nice : 

• Drive : With no direct train,  the best way to get to Aix-en-Provence from Nice is by road (it’s just under 2 hours).

Aix-en-Provence is a beautiful city in the south of France that’s often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, Marseille and Avignon. But this lively university town has plenty to offer visitors, from its stunning architecture and historical landmarks to its vibrant nightlife and – one of my top priorities – delicious food (try the mussels and frites – my husband loved them)! 

Out of all the towns we visited in the countryside, Aix-en-Provence was easily our favorite. So much charm and so many fountains to check out. If you’ve got the time, I highly recommend making a day trip here from Nice!

Top things to do in Aix-en-Provence :

• Wander down the tree lined avenue of Le Cours Mirabeau , the city’s main street, and enjoy the many fountains along the way
• Follow the path that leads up to Sainte Victoire Mountain , just a short drive from Aix, for impressive views of the countryside
• Saunter amongst the stalls of Le Grand Marché and pick up some fresh produce for a picnic lunch
• Visit the Cathedral of Saint Sauveur , one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, with its Romanesque exterior and Gothic interior
• If you’ve had enough walking, take a ride on the Aix Trolley , a cute tourist train that takes you on a tour of the city’s main sights

15. Île de Sainte Marguerite

Distance from Nice : 27km / 16.7 miles

How to get to Île de Sainte Marguerite from Nice : 

• Guided Tour : Located off the coast of Cannes, the easiest way to explore this island is by joining a group tour as there are no direct routes. 
• Ferry : Otherwise, you can always drive to Cannes and take the ferry from Cannes , if you prefer.

If you’re looking for peace, lush greenery, and a little bit of history, then Île de Sainte-Marguerite makes for the perfect day trip from Nice. This small island, part of the Lérin Islands archipelago, is a nature lover’s paradise with its sandy beaches, hiking trails, secluded coves, and crystal clear waters.

But the island is also home to the Fort de Sainte Marguerite, which has an eerie past. It was here that the so-called ‘Man in the Iron Mask’ was imprisoned in the 17th century (you know that Leo DiCaprio movie?), and the fort now houses a museum dedicated to his story.

We saw the island from afar (on our boat day in Cannes), but I’d love to actually explore Sainte Marguerite next time!

Top things to do in Île de Sainte Marguerite :

• Hike the 7.2km trail around the island, and discover some interesting historical sites along the way, such as Fort Royal , the Cannonball Furnace and the Convention Battery
• Explore the Musée de la Mer, located inside Fort Royal, to learn more about the island’s history and the iconic ‘Man in the Iron Mask’
• Take a stroll down the Allée des Eucalyptus , a shady path lined with eucalyptus trees, and spot some of the island’s resident wildlife (they’ve got hedgehogs!)
• Spend a lazy day lounging on one of the island’s many beaches – not as sandy as those found in Cannes but just as beautiful
• Take a dip in the glistening clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea

16. Cassis 

Distance from Nice : 201.2km / 125 miles

How to get to Cassis from Nice :  

• Drive : You can get to this beautiful destination by car (just over 2 hours from Nice)
• Train : Note getting to Cassis from Nice via train takes quite a while (3.5 hours), and you’ll need to change in Toulon.

After being in Cassis for just a few minutes, we were in love! This small fishing village, located in the Calanques National Park was so beautiful, we almost didn’t want to leave (true story – after being in the countryside for a week we were soooo ready to be near the coast!).

The old port of Cassis is surrounded by pastel-colored houses, with fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. The turquoise waters, towering cliffs and lush greenery makes it feel like you’re in a postcard (cliche, but true!). 

Add to that the abundance of fresh seafood (try the famous squid ink risotto!), the lovely people and the great weather, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for an incredible day out.

Top things to do in Cassis :

• Relax on a boat tour through the Calanques National Park and admire its unique geology and sparkling waters (by far our favorite thing we did in Cassis!)
• Discover the Old Town , with it’s tiny streets, pastel-colored houses and cute shops
• Enjoy some of the freshest seafood at one of the many restaurants in Cassis, such as Angelina or Le Grand Bleu
• Watch a spectacular sunset over the marina
• Hike the Calanques de Cassis and take a dip in the crystal clear waters at one of the many secluded coves along the way. If you’re after a challenge, hike to the top of Cap Canaille , the highest sea cliff in France. The views from the top are out of this world!

17. Saint-Tropez

Distance from Nice : 135.5km / 84.2 miles

How to get to Saint-Tropez from Nice : 

• Drive : Again, there’s no direct train so the easiest way to get to Saint-Tropez from Nice is by road. It’s a 1.5 hour scenic drive, mostly along coastal roads.
• Guided Tour : Not renting a car? Don’t fret – there’s guided tours that visit both Saint Tropez and Grimaud .

If there’s one place that epitomizes the glamorous French Riviera lifestyle, it’s Saint-Tropez. This chic resort town, located on the Bay of Saint-Tropez, is famous for its pristine beaches, luxury megayachts, and celebrity visitors (think Leonardo DiCaprio and NFL’s Tom Brady).

But Saint-Tropez is more than just a pretty face. There’s also plenty of culture to be found here, with art galleries, museums, and medieval architecture, plus cobblestoned streets and even olive groves. Not to mention the delicious food – from fresh seafood to lavender-infused desserts, there’s something for everyone’s taste buds.

Top things to do in Saint-Tropez :

• Stroll along the Promenade des Planches , a wooden boardwalk that runs along the waterfront, and soak up the phenomenal views
• Get out on the water (or in it)! St. Tropez has so many water activities, from sailing to flyboarding (where you’re strapped to a jetpack!) to snorkeling and diving through shipwrecks
• Head up to the Citadelle de Saint-Tropez , a fortress built in the 17th century, and check out the dungeons – don’t worry they now house the Maritime History Museum
• Roam about the narrow streets of the Old Town and admire the beautiful architecture, art galleries and dainty boutiques
• Treat yourself to a flower shaped ice cream from Amorino , one of the best gelato shops in town
• Chill out on Plage de Pampelonne , Saint-Tropez’s most famous beach. It’s the perfect place to have a cocktail and people watch to your heart’s content
• Try a tarte tropezienne – the town’s famous custard-filled sweet (there’s multiple locations throughout the French Riviera but it originated here!)

18. Grimaud

Distance from Nice : 124km / 77 miles

How to get to Grimaud from Nice : 

• Drive : Another scenic drive along the coastline (1.5 hours from Nice), with no direct train route.
• Guided Day Tour : Book your day trip to Grimaud from Nice here (it also goes to nearby Saint-Tropez!)

The views are stunning, the village is charming, and the castle is simply incredible. Grimaud, located just a stone throw from St Tropez, is definitely worthy of a visit and one of the best day trips from Nice.

This medieval village, perched atop a hill in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, offers sweeping views of the sea, mountains and surrounding countryside. It’s a great place to wander around, with its narrow streets, colorful houses and flower-filled courtyards.

Top things to do in Grimaud :

• Wander through the picturesque streets of the village , taking in the charming, colorful architecture and stopping to marvel at the flowers in the pretty courtyards
• Head down to Port Grimaud , often referred to as ‘Venice of Provence’, and take a scenic boat ride through the canals, bridges and alleyways
• Get a free guided tour of St. Roch’s Windmill , set in a beautiful location overlooking the valley, and learn about the history of this working mill
• Take the Fairies Bridge Trail along La Garde river and the valley of the Fairy Bridge. The trail is well signed with information about the plants, animals and history of the area
• Visit Château de Grimaud , an old tower and walls with sweeping views of the village and surrounding countryside. You might even be lucky enough to catch one of the concerts often held there
• Taste some of the local wines at Chateau Saint-Maur , a vineyard located just outside the village. Get lost in the vineyard, take a wine tasting workshop or chill on The Terrace with your newly found favorite wine

So, which of these epic day trips from Nice is going on your list?  I hope this has inspired you to explore some of the beautiful villages and towns in this part of France. Bon voyage!

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23 Incredible Road Trips in the U.S.

Whether you’re looking for sweeping views of the pacific ocean or a multiday adventure through national parks, these road trips provide plenty of opportunities to explore the united states..

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Glacier National Park is one of many scenic places you can visit on an American road trip.

Photo by Zack Frank / Shutterstock

In a country as large as the United States, there’s no shortage of destinations and detours to explore by car . Whether your idea of the perfect American road trip entails an epic, cross-country journey or a shorter jaunt through a few of its most iconic national parks , your options are as large and varied as the country itself.

Even if you don’t have the time to drive cross-country, there are plenty of road trip routes (ranging from three days to a week or longer): classic California itineraries , New England routes that shine especially well in the fall, scenic East Coast adventures, and a variety of Midwest journeys for folks farther from the coasts.

No matter your mode of transportation—be it van, RV, motorcycle, or four-door sedan—these are 21 of the best road trips in the nation to consider.

Plan your next Route 66 trip around thirst-quenching stops.

Photo by Peek Creative Collective/Shutterstock

There are many ways to do a cross-country road trip in the USA, but these two itineraries will take you through some truly iconic American places.

1. Chicago to Los Angeles: A Whiskey Road Trip on Route 66

It doesn’t get more American than a 2,000-mile drive along the entirety of Route 66. There are endless ways to take this legendary trip (including an EV version —but to take your cross-country road trip to the next level, we recommend exploring another American pastime: whiskey.

Starting in Chicago and ending in L.A., you’ll stop by some of the leading craft distilleries in the United States, like Few Spirits in Chicago, Still 630 in St. Louis, and Red Fork Distillery in Tulsa. In between tastings, make time for detours to natural attractions, like the Grand Canyon, and quirky roadside curiosities, like Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Just remember to drink responsibly—this is a road trip after all.

Plan your trip

The full itinerary: Put a New Twist on Route 66—Make It an American Whiskey Road Trip

No cars are allowed on Mackinac Island, so you need to park before taking the ferry to this spot.

Photo from Shutterstock

2. Bangor, Maine, to Seattle, Washington: The Great Northern on U.S. Route 2

Covering both the U.S. and Canada, a cross-country trip along U.S. 2 is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the vast diversity and expansiveness of North America. This drive runs the entire top border of the U.S. and showcases otherworldly natural wonders like Acadia National Park in Maine, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, and Mackinac Island in Michigan. The route also passes through Canada, taking road-trippers through Ontario into Quebec—this route may focus on nature, but you won’t want to miss a stop in Montreal or Ottawa.

You’ll also get to explore Montana and Glacier National Park ( reservations may be required ) before passing the Columbia Plateau and ending in the Pacific Northwest’s largest city, Seattle. Don’t miss spending time in the Olympic Peninsula (home to Olympic National Park) for a peek at one of the most scenic places on the West Coast.

3. Dana Point to San Francisco: Driving California’s Pacific Coast Highway

The seemingly endless views of the Pacific Ocean along Highway 1 (also known as the Pacific Coast Highway) are what road trip dreams are made of, and exactly what makes this California road trip so popular. However, with so many stops along the 655-mile stretch, we pulled together a list of the ones well worth pulling over to view. Don’t miss the perfect surfing waves in Santa Cruz, seasonal cuisine in Malibu, an afternoon a the boardwalk in Santa Monica, or a night in Big Sur as you drive between Dana Point (just south of Los Angeles) and San Francisco.

• The full itinerary: The Best Stops for a Road Trip on the Pacific Coast Highway
• The AFAR Guide to San Francisco

The seaside town of Monterey was the setting for John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row .

Photo by Denise Lett/Shutterstock

4. Big Sur to Mono County: A Literary Road Trip Through Northern California

Yes, this itinerary requires you actually put down your book to drive, but seeing some of the pivotal places that shaped American authors will be so worth it. Follow in the footsteps of writers like Jack Kerouac, Maya Angelou, and Amy Tan on this road trip that takes you through literary landmarks in Northern California, such as Caffe Trieste, a meeting place for Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Alan Watts, and other bohemian writers and thinkers. This 12-stop itinerary is perfect if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area because you’ll be able to stay make these trips in one or two days.

The full itinerary: The California Road Trip All Book Lovers Should Take

Arizona may take its nickname from the Grand Canyon, but the state has far more natural wonders than just that one.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

5. Phoenix to the Grand Canyon: An Iconic Arizona Road Trip

This 240-mile Arizona road trip takes travelers along some of the state’s most iconic highlights, including its most famous one, the Grand Canyon. A great itinerary for first-time visitors and returning travelers alike, it offers plenty of opportunities for scenic drives, hiking, and biking—as well as tasty food along the way. Hike the 2,704-foot-tall Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale or take in the beautiful red rocks of Sedona on a hike to Cathedral Rock while exploring the Grand Canyon State.

• The full itinerary: The Classic 5-Day Arizona Road Trip
• Grand Canyon guide: The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon
• Where to eat in Phoenix: A Chef’s Guide to the Best Restaurants
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Arizona ; The Best Airbnbs in Sedona

The Delicate Arch living up to its name in Utah’s Arches National Park

Photo by tusharkoley / Shutterstock

6. Zion to Grand Canyon: A National Parks Road Trip in the Southwest

If you’re looking to visit as many national parks as possible in one road trip, this southwestern itinerary is for you. This journey through Utah and Arizona lets you hike Angel’s Landing in Zion, feel tiny under Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, explore Fairyland Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon, and, of course, raft down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Most visitors to the Grand Canyon remain on the rim, but take at least four days to venture within the canyon and take advantage of the trails and river rafting.

• The full itinerary: The Ideal Road Trip Through U.S. National Parks
• Utah’s 8 Best National Parks and Monuments
• 10 Best National Parks and Monuments in Arizona
• The First-Timer’s Guide to the Grand Canyon

Stop and admire the winding roads of the San Juan Skyway.

Photo by Anh Luu/Shutterstock

7. San Juan Scenic Skyway Road Trip: An Adventure Through Southwestern Colorado

This Colorado trip takes you along the 232-mile loop of the San Juan Scenic Skyway, where you will see plenty of alpine forests, mining towns, and craggy peaks. And for anyone looking to enjoy refreshments after a long day of driving, this route features many opportunities to stop at some of the best breweries in Colorado , such as Ska Brewing Co. in Durango.

• The full itinerary: The Ultimate Southwestern Colorado Road Trip
• Five Classic Colorado Road Trips To Take This Year

In small-town Buena Vista, the riverfront Surf Hotel offers front-row seats to Colorado-style adventure seekers.

Courtesy of the Surf Hotel

8. Denver to Montrose: A 420-Mile Road Trip Through Colorado

Want to explore even more of the Centennial State? Head out on this weeklong road trip where you can fish for salmon in Colorado’s largest reservoir, visit numerous small towns, like Paonia and Crawford, with thriving art scenes along the Colorado Creative Corridor , and explore Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, one of the least visited national parks in the nation.

• The full itinerary: Art Stars, High-Altitude Wines, and a Remote National Park: The Ultimate Colorado Road Trip
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Colorado
• The AFAR Guide to Denver

Portland may be Oregon’s largest city, but with a population of some 652,000 (or 2.5 million in the larger metropolitan area), it isn’t intimidatingly large.

Photo courtesy of Travel Portland

9. Portland to Astoria: An Oregon Coast Road Trip for Outdoor Lovers

If you love the outdoors, then this six-day road trip along the coast of Oregon is for you. After driving to Coos Bay from Portland, travelers will meander along Oregon’s dramatic, rocky coastline, discovering some quintessentially Pacific Northwest vistas along the way: evergreen forests, seaside dunes, and marine ecosystems. Between stops, there are ample opportunities to stretch your legs hiking, kayaking, or strolling around the region’s small towns—like the historic old town in Florence.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an Oregon road trip without a stop (or three) at a craft brewery, such as Fort George Brewery in Astoria, or cozy coffee shop, like Bread & Roses in Yachats.

• The full itinerary: An Outdoor Lover’s Road Trip on the Oregon Coast
• The AFAR Guide to Portland

The State Capitol Building in Nashville marks the end of this road (trip).

Photo by photo.ua / Shutterstock

10. Seneca Falls, New York, to Nashville, Tennessee: Follow the Path of the Women’s Suffrage Movement

Starting in New York’s Finger Lakes region and ending at the State Capitol Building in Nashville, this road trip traces the route of the national women’s suffrage movement. Highlights include stops at the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House ; Union Square in New York City, which was the site of the first suffrage march; and the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C.

• The full itinerary: Celebrate Women’s Suffrage on an Epic, Self-Guided Road Trip
• Where to stay: The Best Hotels in Nashville
• The AFAR Guide to Nashville
• The AFAR Guide to Washington, D.C.

Asheville is one must-stop on a North Carolina road trip.

Courtesy of ExploreAsheville.com

11. Charlottesville to Asheville: A Scenic Road Trip Through Virginia and North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the country. Beginning in the soft hilly meadows of the Appalachian Mountains from Shenandoah National Park down into the Blue Ridge Mountains, then into the Great Smoky Mountains, this five-day road trip is best done at a slower pace, which is perfect for admiring the dramatic outlooks and green plateaus. This eclectic itinerary features stops at an art museum, a dairy farm, and plenty of hiking trails.

• The full itinerary: The Ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip
• Where to stay: 12 Dreamy Blue Ridge Mountain Cabins You Can Rent on Airbnb and Vrbo
• 8 U.S. National Park Road Trips to Take in Your Lifetime

Dowa:kwe dance group from Zuni Pueblo in 2019

Courtesy of Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

12. Albuquerque to Las Cruces: Discover New Mexico on This Three-Day Road Trip

This route steers you away from New Mexican tourist hot spots like Taos and Santa Fe and instead takes you on a three-day adventure with places that teach you about Pueblo history. You’ll stop at Indian Pueblo Kitchen (formerly known as Pueblo Harvest), a restaurant inside the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center that features Indigenous cuisine ; pick up peppers at Three Brothers in Hatch; and slide down the dunes in White Sands National Park.

• The full itinerary: This New Mexico Road Trip Is the Perfect Introduction to the Land of Enchantment

Historic Fort Martin Scott is one of the places travelers can visit to learn about Fredericksburg’s history.

Photo by Mark König/Unsplash

13. A Five-Day Scenic Road Trip Through Texas Hill Country

This Texas road trip starts and ends in San Antonio with stops in small towns like Bandera, Boerne, and consider a stop in Fredericksburg, which is one of AFAR’s best places to go in 2024 ). Over five days, you’ll find opportunities to stroll in a Japanese tea garden in San Antonio, relax along the Sabinal and Frio Rivers by inner tube, and eat as many tacos as you want. Seriously: You could eat tacos for every meal on this road trip and not get tired of them.

• The full itinerary: Tree Houses, Tubing, and Tacos: The Ultimate Texas Hill Country Road Trip

Mount McKinley looms large on a drive through Denali National Park.

Photo by warnsweet / Shutterstock

14. A Weeklong Road Trip Through Alaska’s Most Majestic Sights

This weeklong drive in Alaska starts and ends in Anchorage. You travel along four scenic byways; explore Wrangell–St. Elias wilderness, the largest U.S. national park; catch sight of Denali, the tallest peak in North America; and enjoy the surprisingly stellar food scene of McCarthy, a one-road town with only a couple dozen residents.

• The full itinerary: Glaciers, Mountain Peaks, and Organic Farms: The Ultimate Alaska Road Trip
• Which Alaska National Parks Should You Visit?

More than geothermal pools, Kirkham Hot Springs features a piping-hot waterfall.

Courtesy of Idaho Tourism

15. Boise to Sun Valley: Explore Idaho’s Scenic Byways

Even a short road trip can be packed with adventure, good food, and scenery, which is exactly what this trip from Boise to Sun Valley along Idaho’s Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway offers. Although the drive only takes six hours, we recommend taking a few days to explore all the stops and detours along the way. One can’t-miss spot is the Kirkham Hot Springs , where you can stand under a waterfall that will splash you with 135-degree mineral water year-round.

• The full itinerary: The Little-Known Idaho Road Trip You Need to Drive
• Things to do: The Best Outdoorsy Things to Do in Idaho

Grand Portage State Park is the only state park jointly managed by a state and a Native American band.

Photo by Shutterstock/QZ

16. Duluth to Grand Portage State Park: A Scenic Minnesota Sampler

Although there are many appealing road trips throughout the Midwest, this 143-mile, three-hour circuit, which starts and ends in Duluth, Minnesota, is worth keeping in mind. Meandering north on MN-61 with this itinerary, you will enjoy prime views of Lake Superior and towns like Grand Marais, as well as Grand Portage State Park, home to waterfalls, hiking trails, and opportunities to learn about the Ojibwe community who occupy the land today. Once back in Duluth, enjoy a beer at Canal Park Brewing Company before checking into the waterfront Canal Park Lodge nearby.

• The AFAR Guide to Minnesota

Wind your way through colorful foliage in New Hampshire.

Photo by Shutterstock

17. Kancamagus Highway: A Quintessential New England Drive

Yes, you can take a road trip in New England at any time of the year , but this region shows off its best colors in the fall, when locals and tourists alike head out into the country to view the changing colors of the trees. Join other admirers of fall foliage on this popular, 34.5-mile road trip along New Hampshire’s Kancamagus Highway, colloquially known as the “Kanc,” for picturesque ponds, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks.

• Plan Your Fall Getaway With This Peak Foliage Prediction Map

Ogunquit is home to the small, postcard-perfect harbor of Perkins Cove.

Photo courtesy of QualityHD / Shutterstock

18. Maine’s “Lobster Trail”: Travel Route 1 Along the Coast

Traveling Route 1, affectionately known as “the lobster trail,” along Maine’s jagged coastline is an exercise in indulgence. Sample lobster dishes in all forms—buttered, steamed, on a roll, or even in a decadent mac-and-cheese.

The trip starts in the quaint small town of Ogunquit , with its rare (for the area) 3.5 miles of white-sand beach. Make your first lobster of the journey count, steamed with a side of drawn butter at Barnacle Billy’s in picturesque Perkins Cove harbor. Stop at Big Daddy’s for a cone on your way to the shipbuilding center—and summer home of George H. W. Bush—Kennebunkport. Stay at the recently redesigned 150-year-old classic White Barn Inn , and consider a sailing trip for an afternoon. With lobsters cooked in ocean water, the legendary lobster roll at the Clam Shack is a must.

• 8 Scenic East Coast Road Trips to Take This Year

Throughout North Carolina’s Piedmont region, innovative restaurants, shops, and restaurants like Leah & Louise in Charlotte, above, are creating a buzz.

Photo by Peter Taylor Photography

19. Raleigh to Charlotte: A 4-Day Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

North Carolina’s Piedmont region extends from the coastal plain to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and includes farmland and rolling wooded hills, especially on the 1-40 stretch near Hillsborough. Starting in Raleigh, drive the short distances to Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte to see how these cities are innovating through art, food, and a celebration of the past. Take your time—four days should do—to experience downtown arts districts, James Beard Award–winning restaurants, and civil rights museums that speak truths. Plan your trip

• A Road Trip Through North Carolina’s Reinvented Core

Scenic South Walton is part of the Emerald Coast of Florida.

20. Scenic Highway 30A: A Sunday Drive Through South Walton, Florida

Florida is full of places to cruise with the top down, but it’s hard to beat a Sunday (or any day) drive along Scenic Highway 30A through northwest Florida, home to a postcard-perfect stretch of seaside towns known as South Walton.

The roughly 28-mile route through South Walton County kisses the coast for nearly all its length, taking you through gorgeous residential Gulf-front communities like Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, and Blue Mountain Beach . Roll down the windows and let the emerald-hued views in.

Pull over to explore, too—maybe to admire the New Urbanism architecture in Alys Beach or to swim in the clear waters at Grayton Beach State Park . (The beach here has been lauded among the best in the world.)

• The full itinerary: The Florida Road Trip You’ve Been Missing

Stand-up paddleboarding is just one way to enjoy a Florida Keys sunset.

Shutterstock

21. The Florida Keys: An Island-Hopping Getaway

For a sunny road trip itinerary in Florida, skip Miami and head farther south. Beginning in Key Largo and ending in Key West, the Florida Keys Scenic Highway is often overlooked for more well-known routes up north, but it is well worth going out of your way to experience.

As the name suggests, this route is very scenic, so plan to spend at least a few days exploring it and numerous stops along the way. Some highlights include driving across the impressive Overseas Highway, stopping to admire art in the town of Islamorada, and enjoying the historic sites, food, and (of course) beaches in the city of Key West.

• The full itinerary: How to Road Trip in the Lesser-Known Florida Keys

Sun Studio in Memphis was the site of the famous Million Dollar recording session that brought together Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

Photo by f11photo on Shutterstock

22. Memphis to Bristol, Tennessee: A Music-Driven Adventure

If you have about a week to spare and a deep appreciation for music, take a road trip from one side of Tennessee to the other, starting in Memphis and ending in Bristol. The eastbound trip spans genres, including rock ( Graceland ), blues ( Beale Street) and, of course, country (did you really go to Tennessee if you didn’t go to Dollywood ?). Nashville serves as the halfway point on your journey—so consider penciling in an extra 48 hours to fully explore the state capital’s greatest hits.

• The full itinerary: 5 Great American Road Trips For Music Fans

The stunning coastline near Cueva del Indio has been the backdrop of star-studded films.

Photo by Alexsf.gr/Shutterstock

23. Arecibo to Condado, Puerto Rico: A Lesser-Known Side of a Well-Loved Island

In the minds of many, trips to Puerto Rico bring images of stunning beaches , delicious foods , and maybe a bioluminescent bay or two . But there’s plenty of history to be found here, too, as Puerto Rico was home to an Indigenous population known as the Taino, a heritage many Puerto Ricans embrace. That history can be explored via a road trip. Starting in the northern town of Arecibo, travel south to Ponce, then back north to Condado—along the way you’ll encounter petroglyphs, Indigenous sites, and breathtaking natural spots.

• The full itinerary: A Puerto Rico Road Trip That Puts Indigenous Culture First

Additional road trip planning resources Picking the route for your road trip is only one part of your planning. From what snacks to pack to which podcasts to listen to, these additional resources will help you prepare for your next adventure:

• Best road trip snacks
• Road trip planning apps
• Podcasts and audiobooks to download
• What to pack for a road trip

This article originally appeared online in August 2020. It was most recently updated on April 4, 2024, to include current information. Additional reporting by Jessie Beck, Erika Owen, Ray Rogers, Terry Ward, and Sheryl Nance-Nash.

Scenic Drive From Paris to Nice (Itinerary + Map and Tips)

You don’t want to just settle down for the holidays? How about a road trip to discover France? Here are our visits and points of interest suggestions for a colorful trip from Paris to Nice. Whether or not you include all of these stops in your trip is up to you: as long as you’re satisfied with them, the journey and the memories are yours to make!

Suggested length : 4 to 15 days

Total distance : roughly 1,500 kilometers

Overview of the trip :

To visit on your way:

1. paris: the great centers of interest.

Paris is a city so filled with interesting places it would deserve a complete stay of its own.

Thanks to all of its cultural places, tourist attractions and interesting remote corners, you will be able to start off your trip with a fully personalized visiting list.

For a day or two, here are a few ideas to properly begin your stay in France:

• Visiting the Eiffel Tower
• Visiting the Sacré-Coeur basilica
• Window shopping in the Champs-Elysées
• Tourist cruising on the Seine river
• Visiting the Louvre museum
• Visiting the Panthéon and the Latin district

The choice is all yours!

2. Fontainebleau: the castle, the park and the forest

The castle of Fontainebleau , which is particularly noticeable for its “horseshoe staircase”, was once nicknamed “ the house of centuries ” by Napoleon himself.

With its imposing and sumptuous Renaissance architectural style and its vast 115ha park, it can offer both a cultural visit and a peaceful and invigorating walk.

For nature lovers, we also recommend the immense forest circling the city, which is as a natural reserve for several animal species.

Walking paths are numerous and varied, and it can quickly morph into a giant open-air playground for the youngest.

3. Orléans: the house of Joan of Arc, the celebrations and the Sainte-Croix cathedral

Stopping by Orléans means preparing yourself for an intensive medieval history lesson.

This city is indeed very proud of its heritage, and particularly of its ties to Joan of Arc , who helped free it during the Hundred-Year War in the 14th and 15th centuries.

To learn more about her, you can visit the house which she is said to have stayed in, and which is now a museum.

Fun fact: in early May, the city organizes celebrations dedicated to Joan of Arc , which include parades, light and sound shows and historical reenactments.

From the architectural side of things, you can also visit the imposing Sainte-Croix cathedral , whose impressive Gothic style renders simply impossible to miss.

4. Blois: the castle, the gardens and the museums

If you want a more extensive history lesson, don’t miss Blois and go visit its medieval castle , which will appeal to children and adults alike.

Mostly famous for its “monumental” spiral staircase, this huge castle has more to it and has everything needed to enthrall its visitors.

Blois also has several museums worth visiting, including the Fine Arts Museum, the Fondation du Doute for modern art, the Maison de la Magie for illusions and stage magic, and several others.

And if you’d rather take a relaxing stroll, the Jardin des Lices and Jardin de l’Evêché will freely welcome you.

5. Bourges: the Jacques-Coeur palace, the cathedral, the swamps and the “Printemps”

Located near the geographical center of France, Bourges also has its share of great cultural places. The Jacques-Coeur palace , which dates back to the 15th century, is the one gothic civil building not to be missed. As for the huge Saint-Etienne cathedral , it was registered at the UN World Heritage in 2009.

Those who wish to find a bit of nature may appreciate a stroll through the swamps of the Yèvre and the Voiselle . And for the energetic ones, the musical festival known as the Printemps de Bourges takes place every year in April.

6. Clermont-Ferrand: the religious buildings, the old center and the Volcans d’Auvergne

Clermont-Ferrand , located at the heart of the Massif Central mountain range, also has its own set of buildings, usually religious in some way, all impressive and typical of their region.

Between the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral , the Notre-Dame-du-Port basilica , the many churches and chapels, and the historical district of Montferrand , its fountains, hotels, and squares, it’s hard to know what to look out for!

The natural regional park of the Volcans d’Auvergne is also near the city.

While this volcano range may have been extinct for thousands of years, it is still a show of majestic landscapes and exceptional viewpoints.

7. Lyon: the old center, the peninsula and the Tête d’Or park

The old Lyon managed to retain a typical ancient charm, thanks notably to its “traboules”, very narrow alleyways winding between buildings, and its paved streets, over which towers the Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral near the Rhône, as well as the Fourvière basilica on top of the hill.

The peninsula is also attractive, especially due to the great Place Bellecour and the big, old buildings it leads to.

North of the city, the Tête d’Or park makes not only for a refreshing walk in the middle of the city but also offers an impressive zoo and several botanical gardens.

8. The Vercors mountain range: the landscapes and the towns

French mountains often make for wonderful backgrounds during a road trip, and the Vercors range is no exception.

The winding roads along the cliffs often have incredible views to offer, and it isn’t all that rare to stop on the side to take a picture, explore the surrounding caves or summits , or even enjoy a via ferrata and paragliding.

Aside from the landscapes, the little towns all across the Vercors are also worth the visit. The stone houses and bridges over the streams clearly indicate a transition towards southern France.

9. Montélimar: nougat and the castle

After driving so many miles already, a sweet little break in Montélimar seems to be in order. The Palais des Bonbons, du Nougat et des Souvenirs (“palace of candies, nougat and memories”) has its doors open wide for you to come discover not only how nougat, the city’s specialty, is made, but also how many other candies are prepared, which will definitely bring back some sweet childhood memories.

Those less interested in food can also enjoy a bit of culture and history instead: the castle of the Adhémar offers an unrivaled view over the valley, and also houses a contemporary art center .

10. Avignon: the Palace of the Popes and the half-bridge

In some places, Avignon looks like it is still frozen in time. The palace, which was home to popes during the whole 14th century, is definitely no stranger to that, as its height and presence make it a must for every visitor.

However, the towers peppering the city, as well as the old battlements surrounding it, also act as reminders of its fortified past.

As for the Pont d’Avignon , which inspired a famous French children song, it is actually an unfinished half-bridge crossing the Rhône river, which can either be visited from up close or simply be admired from afar.

11. Marseille: the old port, the basilica and the “calanques”

As the second-largest French city , Marseille naturally has much to offer, but the old port truly is the place not to miss for a big breath of fresh marine air.

The whole site, overlooked by the beautiful Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica , makes for a typical Mediterranean view.

If you feel like picnicking next to the sea while enjoying breathtaking views, you may stop to have a walk in the Calanques national park , located between Marseille and La Ciotat.

Whether it is the sea, land or sky, the numerous hiking trails along the cliffs offer stunning half-desertic, half-marine deserts, even only for one afternoon.

12. The Verdon: the landscapes of the gorges

The Verdon regional natural park was defined around the eponymous gorges, which make a beautiful harmony between the blue river, the white rocks and the green forests surrounding it.

Those who like to hike , walk or raft can find all of these activities available to them, in order to see the park from a new perspective, by walking around the beaten paths or (carefully!) exploring the numerous caves.

13. Nice: Saint-Paul-de-Vence and the Promenade des Anglais

Located on the high hills near the Mediterranean sea, the town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence is the textbook definition of “ picturesque ”. As a proud town of artists, the paved alleyways go winding between the stone houses and workshops.

Finally, to finish your road trip, head to Nice to find the sea, the strand, and the Promenade des Anglais (literally the “walkway of the English”) for two kilometers of sunny delight.

Whether you wish to admire all the luxurious hotels , dive into the sea to freshen up, or just generally enjoy the sun and the palm trees , the great avenue is open to everyone at all hours of day or night.

I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!

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Top 13 Best Day Trips from Nice, France

Although Nice is a pretty big city (it’s the 5th biggest one in France), spending one day in Nice is enough to see the main highlights. However, if you’re planning to visit more places in the French Riviera and you don’t want to stay only one night at each location, Nice can be a really good base for discovering the area.

You can find many amazing cities and towns within a short drive from Nice like Menton, Monaco, Cannes, or Marseille. If you need some more ideas, here’s an amazing list of the best day trips from Nice!

* Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. *

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Table of Contents

Best Day Trips from Nice

Recommended by Emma from Travel on a Time Budget

Menton, the largest French town before the Italian border on the Cote D’Azur, is definitely a place worth visiting on a day trip from Nice. The journey takes around 40 minutes by train via Monaco. Alternatively, if you have your own car you can also drive to Menton on the highway, it takes around 40 minutes to get there by car as well.

Often referred to as The Pearl of France, the picturesque little coastal town of Menton is definitely one of the most beautiful towns in France and it is a perfect place to get out of the hustle and bustle of Nice’s city center. It’s a great place to just wander.

There are small winding streets on which you’ll find an array of cafes, restaurants, and little gift shops. Many of these sell products based on the local lemons: Menton is famous for these, a result of the warm micro-climate here.

It also has a pretty seafront from which you can look back at the town’s pastel-coloured buildings. And for anyone who wants more of an activity-based day trip, there is a casino along the promenade and a museum dedicated to the works of the artist Jean Cocteau.

If you’re visiting Nice in February, you should pop along to Menton to experience the Fete du Citron .  In honor of the famous lemons, the town hosts the annual Lemon Festival which is a colorful, vibrant, and fun event, involving over 140 tonnes of citrus fruit.

Recommended by Kriszti from She Wanders Abroad

If you’re planning to visit the French Riviera, Monaco has to be on your itinerary! The country is so small that spending one day in Monaco is more than enough to visit all the highlights.

Most people decide to visit Monaco over the summer months but if you don’t like the crowds, visiting Monaco during the off-season might be a better choice for you. Due to its location, Monaco has a mild Mediterranean climate all-year-round, making it a perfect destination for those who are looking for a warm winter destination in Europe .

It’s one of the best day trips from Nice as it’s only a 25-minute train ride or a 30-minute drive away from the city. You will find plenty of parking garages in Monaco so parking will not be a problem, but the parking fees are quite high so it might be a better option to take the train.

When thinking about Monaco, the casino of Monte-Carlo is often the first one that comes to mind. Even if you’re not into gambling, seeing the beautiful building of the casino will surely leave you speechless. Not to mention all the fancy and expensive cars parking in front of it!

Taking a walk around Port Hercules and admiring the gorgeous yachts is another unmissable thing to do in Monaco. After that, head over to ‘The Rock’ – the oldest part of Monaco where you will find plenty of cute pastel-colored houses. You will get the best views of the marina from there and you can also check out the Prince’s Palace and the Saint Nicholas Cathedral.

3. Èze

Recommended by Nina from Lemons and Luggage

Èze, north-east of Nice, stretches from the sea via its steep coastline to the hilltop and is certainly one of the best day trips from Nice. If you can only do one day trip from Nice, Èze should be one of your top choices.

It will give you all you expect from the French Riviera: access to the Mediterranean Sea from Èze-sur-Mer, exquisite views from the hills, and gorgeous cobblestone streets in Èze village.

The best way to reach Èze from Nice is by taking bus 82 which will take you to the hilltop village in under 45 minutes. Once you arrive, you will immediately fall in love with the charming village which dates back to the Middle Ages.

Enjoy a stroll through the alleys and make your way to the pretty botanical garden from where you get a scenic view of the coastal region and the sea.

Because you have arrived by bus in the hilltop village, you can then make your way down to the sea. The best option is the Nietzsche Path, a medium-difficulty hike of about 2 km (1.2 miles) length.

But if you prefer to hike up you could instead take the train from Nice to Èze-sur-Mer and then make your way up to the village for the views. And those who don’t want to do the hike in either direction can simply take the bus 83 which takes about 20 minutes between both parts of Èze.

4. Saint Paul de Vence

Recommended by Denise from Chef Denise

Perched on its hilltop overlooking the Cote D’Azur, the utterly charming Saint Paul de Vence is less than a half-hour drive by car or an hour ride by bus from Nice. Strolling the streets of the historic walled village through the narrow stone alleyways is the best way to see it.

Take in the picturesque window boxes and building facades, duck into the main church, visit the quaint artisan shops, and sit outside and enjoy a Provençal snack .

Paved in small stone designs, even the surface of the main street that you walk along is beautiful. As is the view from the cemetery where Marc Chagall is buried. Chagall lived here and painted the surrounding landscapes for 20 years.

The village’s history is intertwined with art. Visit the famous restaurant La Colombe d’Or for a gourmet meal, or to view works by some of the greatest names in modern art, like Picasso, Calder, and Matisse.

Art enthusiasts should continue outside of the walled village by car, bus, or shuttle (free upon request) to the Fondation Maeght Museum (just 2 kilometers away), which is open every day from 10 am to 6 or 7 pm, depending on the season.

Much of the collection is outside, including the Miro Labyrinth at the entrance and a sculpture garden by Giacometti. The entrance fee of €16 covers both the indoor and outdoor exhibits.

Recommended by Lina from World of Lina

Cannes is probably one of the most glamorous cities along the French Riviera. Once a year when the Cannes Film Festival takes place, the city becomes a true hotspot for celebrities from all over the world. But it has so much more to offer and with a drive of less than an hour, it’s also the perfect day trip from Nice!

One of the best things to do in Cannes is to stroll along the wonderful Promenade de la Croisette or take a swim in the deep-blue ocean. If you’re lucky, you can spot some artists making really big and fascinating sand sculptures in various forms.

Head over to the Palais des Festival, the venue for the above-mentioned Film Festival. There’s a small park nearby on which ground you can find the handprints of many actors such as Cameron Diaz or Angelina Jolie. This place is also called “Cannes Walk of Fame”.

Less than a kilometer from the mainland, there’s the small island “Île Sainte-Marguerite” that you can reach by boat. It’s a lush and lovely small island with an old fort on its top from where you can enjoy a stunning view of Cannes’ coastline.

The boat ride takes not more than 15 minutes and a round-trip ticket costs around €17.

6. Saint-Tropez

Recommended by Vikki from Family Travel with Ellie

Located on the French Riviera in Southern France, just 68 km (42 miles) west of Nice, Saint-Tropez is famous around the world for being a top choice destination for the rich and famous. Littered with extraordinary yachts, dreamy villas, and expensive supercars, Saint-Tropez just oozes wealth and luxury.

It’s an easy and scenic drive from Nice, it takes around 2.5 hours by car. There is also the option of taking the train which takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, although this does involve some changes.

When embarking on a trip to the glamorous location of Saint Tropez, there are some things that should be on your to–do list. Firstly, take a walk around the harbor. It’s a stunning spot, with breathtaking views of boats and yachts bobbing proudly on their anchors.

As you stroll towards the bustling boutique shops and restaurants, you will pass by market stalls selling quality arts and crafts as well as inspiring and unobtrusive street performers.

Some of the best views of Saint Tropez can be enjoyed from the Citadel, which has kept guard over the city below since the 17th century.

Whilst up at the Citadel, a visit to the Museum of Maritime History is highly recommended. It allows access to the infamous dungeons and celebrates the lives of the local fishermen and sailors whose livelihoods were linked to the seas.

The beaches of Saint-Tropez are glorious, with pure white sandy shores and gorgeous blue waters. There are a variety of water sports on offer for those who prefer to be active as opposed to soaking up some French sunshine.

Recommended by Paul from The Two That Do

A day trip from Nice offering a different experience to the rest of the French Riviera region is the centuries-old naval port of Toulon.

Located 150 km (93 miles) southwest of Nice, Toulon can be reached by either a 1 hour and 45 minute car drive or using the excellent rail service running between Nice and Marseille. The train journey takes around 2 hours and usually costs as little as €15 for a one-way ticket.

Toulon is rather a naval base than a beach destination, therefore it does not boast the same glamorous reputation as its near neighbors. However, with a charming old town district, beautiful marina, and rich natural environment of both the Mediterranean coast and the adjacent Mount Furon, Toulon genuinely offers something for everyone.

Best things to do in Toulon include a hugely interesting walking tour of the Old Town, a visit to one of France’s most popular local markets, and of course a trip to the majestic Mount Furon.

Overlooking Toulon to the north, Mount Furon is accessible by cable car and provides visitors with incredible panoramas over the city and Bay. Mount Furon is also a splendid destination for mountain bikers and hikers.

Back at sea level, you can enjoy the Bay itself from either one of Toulon’s beach suburbs or a boat tour to the nearby Porquerolles Islands. In recent years, Toulon has become famous for its successful Rugby team.

If you’re interested in rugby, you can enjoy this beautiful sport at Toulon’s State Muyol, just meters from the marina and its several seafood restaurants.

Recommended by Nadine from Le Long Weekend

Cassis was once known as the ‘poor man’s Saint-Tropez’, but it has well and truly outgrown that reputation and is now one of the most desirable places to visit in the South of France.

It’s a village that has managed to maintain its small-town feel, and traditional daily rhythms (such as the small fish market in the port), but the upmarket boutiques and restaurants give it a luxurious edge also.

There are plenty of things to do in Cassis , so whether you’re after a beachside break or a culture fix, you’ll be well catered for. But one of the unmissable activities is to take a hike or a boat trip around the Calanques of Cassis.

Situated in the Calanques National Park, between Cassis and Marseille, you’ll find the three deepest, and arguably most beautiful Calanques, within a short walk of the seaside town. It’s an enjoyable trek, with the whole circuit taking around 3 hours (without stopping at the incredible beaches).

But if it’s simply too hot, or the National Park is closed due to adverse weather conditions, you can also take a tour from the port to visit the Calanques via sea.

Getting to Cassis from Nice is a pleasant 2-hour drive. Just before you arrive in town, stop by at one of the hillside vineyards for a glass of the Cassis AOC wine, and when you pull yourself away from Cassis at the end of the day, be sure to take a small detour and drive the Route des Cretes where you’ll be rewarded with an incredible view of the town and its surroundings to send you off.

9. Marseille

Recommended by Elisa from France Bucket List

Marseille is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in France and it makes a great day trip from Nice. The capital of the French region Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur is a bustling city with many interesting things to see and do. Marseille and Nice are connected by TGV trains, and the train journey is around 2.5 hours one way.

Marseille is set by the Mediterranean Sea and it is one of the oldest cities in France, founded 2,600 years ago. It is also a big harbor-city with good connections to the Mediterranean islands, France, and Spain.

Despite it being recommended to spend at least 2 days in Marseille , it is possible to see many things in one (packed) day. A good way to spend one day in Marseille is to start from the city’s highest point, from the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde. The Basilica is beautiful to see plus it comes with the best views of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea.

Then there’s the picturesque old harbor, with its colorful boats, some Italian-style piazzas nearby, and the traditional fish market. In the port’s background, there’s Le Panier, the most picturesque neighborhood of Marseille, the city’s cathedral, (Cathédrale La Major), the 17th century Fort Saint-Jean, and the MuCEM (Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean).

The MuCEM was built after Marseille’s nomination as the European City of Culture in 2013, and it always has some interesting exhibitions about the Mediterranean people.

10. Aix-en-Provence

Recommended by Inessa from Through a Travel Lens

Located within a short 2-hour drive from Nice, Aix-en-Provence may just be the perfect day trip from Nice. The area’s vibe differs greatly from that of Côte d’Azur! The town’s cozy narrow streets wind between centuries-old buildings.

The main promenade of the Vielle Ville, Cours Mirabeau, hides in the shadows of the tall plane trees. The alleys where the local vendors sell souvenirs smell of lavender and small cafes offer delicious Provençal cuisine.

The list of the most popular things to do in the heart of Provence starts with wandering the old town and looking for public fountains with drinkable water. There are more than 40, most of them dating back to the 1600s and the 1800s.

One of such fountains is located near la Place d’Albertas. This is also a place where talented street musicians come to play, and many locals and visitors gather to listen.

Another activity not to miss in Aix is visiting the studio of Paul Cezanne, where the legendary artist created his masterpieces. After the studio, it might be a great idea to head to the market not far from the Hotel de Ville to get a true taste of Provence, or to order mouthwatering Artichauts à la Barigoule (fried artichokes with bacon and garlic) in one of the local cafes.

The best way to get to Aix-en-Provence is by car via the toll road A8, which will cost around €15 one way and will take two hours.

Alternatively, Flixbus runs four buses a day to Aix, and the first bus leaves the station at around 9 am. The cost of the round trip is around €30 and it takes about 3 hours to get to the destination. In the high season, it is recommended to book tickets in advance.

11. Verdon Gorge

Recommended by Larch from The Silver Nomad

About 2.5 hours’ drive northwest from Nice is the magnificent Gorges du Verdon, the perfect day out from hustle and bustle of the city. The drive will take you along the A8 towards Antibes/Cannes and off at the junction 36 signposted for St Tropez/Draguignan.

The A8 is a toll road, so make sure you have coins or your credit card ready. From the junction head north through the beautiful countryside in the Var region.

When you reach Verdon Gorge, the roads wind through the hills above the stunning turquoise blue waters of the river below. The water’s color comes from the glacial minerals deposited in the waters from the limestone canyons.

One of the best places to view the Gorges du Verdon is from Pont du Galetas bridge. From here you can have an amazing view of the rock formations and the Verdon River. There is a nearby car park and it’s an easy walk to the bridge to take in the scenery.

If you want to rent a kayak, paddleboat, or motorboat, there are boat rental places on both sides of the bridge. There are small beaches along the river to stop and get out for a swim, though check first if you have taken a motorboat out.

Alternatively head for the man-made Lake of Sainte-Croix which has a beach to swim from.

There are plenty of parking areas where you can leave your car while you go for a stroll or hike through the peaceful ravines. Try the popular Blanc-Martel trail or maybe the Imbut trail through the canyons.

12. Valensole

Visiting the lavender fields in Provence is a true bucket list experience. The lavender season generally lasts from mid-June to mid-July so if you’re planning to visit Nice around this time, make sure to take a day trip to Valensole!

Although you can find many lavender fields in Provence, the most beautiful ones are located around Valensole so if you have only one day to see them, that’s the best place for it.

As there is basically no public transportation in the area, you will need to have your own car in order to get around. It takes around 2.5 hours to reach Valensole from Nice which will leave you plenty of time to explore the fields and have a look around the town of Valensole as well.

The good news is that parking is free almost everywhere and since the lavender fields are located near the roads, you can basically stop anywhere without paying for parking.

On top of that, visiting the lavender fields is also free! If you don’t have your own car, you can  take an organized day trip from Nice to the lavender fields as well.

Apart from lavender fields, you can also find many other fields like sunflower, sage, or hay. The whole area is absolutely beautiful, so if you have more time, it’s worth spending at least 3-4 days there to be able to explore all the beauty Provence has to offer.

13. Avignon

Visiting Avignon in Provence is one of the best day trips from Nice. One day in Avignon is enough to explore its main sights so if you leave Nice early in the morning there’s enough time to visit the essentials.

Nice and Avignon are connected by TGV trains and the train journey takes around 3 hours (one way).

Avignon is a small and compact city, easy to navigate on foot plus most of the action happens within its medieval walls. Avignon is famous for the Bridge of Avignon (le Pont d’Avignon) and for the impressive Palace of the Popes.

The Pont d’Avignon is a medieval bridge that crossed the river Rhône. It was destroyed and reconstructed several times until it was abandoned. Today, it is possible to visit the top of the bridge and its two chapels but the perspective from Ile de la Barthelasse is much more interesting.

The Palace of the Popes is a jewel of gothic architecture, built in only 20 years to host 7 Popes of the Catholic Church. The visit to the Palace inside is a must and booking tickets in advance is highly recommended to avoid waiting in line.

Then, there are the medieval streets around the Palace which are also interesting to explore. The architecture is beautiful and there are little squares here and there perfect for a coffee break.

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Home » Travel Guides » France » 15 Best Day Trips from Nice

15 Best Day Trips from Nice

Nice, one of France’s most populous and sprawling cities, is many things to different travelers and locals.

One of southern France’s largest port cities, Nice is found on the warm climes of the Mediterranean coast, in the shadow of the Alps.

Some see this big metropolis as just a transport hub because it is located very conveniently in the center of the French Riviera, making it easy to travel to the many iconic towns and cities that everyone has heard the names of – from Cannes to Monaco.

To many though, Nice’s ideal location makes it the perfect base from which to explore the surrounding provinces and famous locations.

Nice has the perfect mixture of French culture and cuisine that mixes well with influences from the diverse array of nationalities and people that have migrated here from across the Mediterranean over the years.

Let’s have a look at the best day trips from Nice :

You may have only just arrived in Nice – and perhaps even in France itself – but one of the first day trips that has to be made is a trip to the city-state of Monaco, meaning that you may find yourself leaving France as you soon as you land.

Monaco is a small, independent country that’s located east along the coast from Nice.

It’s renowned for the world famous Monaco Grand Prix, held every year on the winding, old streets of the city.

It’s also home to Monte Carlo and the infamous Monte Carlo casino, where gamblers and reckless travelers have risked their money for decades – some winning big and many more losing.

Monaco has a reputation for lavish opulence; it’s a playground for rich Arab Sheiks, Hollywood stars, and western Royalty.

But through all the glitz and glamour of Monaco, it’s an ever-intriguing destination.

It’s a country with its own very unique history.

It’s a culture that is very French, but at the same time peculiarly different, and it’s an excellent day trip from Nice.

Suggested tour : From Nice : 4-Hour Monaco by Night

2. Marseilles

Along the coast from Nice, this time to the west, is Marseilles, the largest city on the southern Mediterranean shoreline of France.

Marseilles, just like Nice and many more large French cities, is a strange mix of opulence and decay, but it’s a place that is always interesting.

Grand hotels overshadow poor urban areas, but in the middle can be found a vibrant, multicultural mix of rich, poor, French and foreign influences that create a unique atmosphere.

Marseilles is one of the oldest cities in France.

It’s a place that has stood on the shores of the Mediterranean since before the days of the Romans; in Marseilles, you will find an incredible wealth of history to explore.

There’s a scenic, sunny harbor and a beautifully historic corniche, while many of the beaches are of the best quality in France.

3. Aix-en-Provence

Away from the coastline, and just north of Marseilles, an excellent day trip to the west of Nice will bring you to the small city of Aix-en-Provence – or Aix, as it is more simply known by the local residents.

Aix is another extremely historic city – with roots founded thousands of years ago – that has developed into the charming, quintessentially French city that you will find today.

Aix is home to one of the oldest Universities in Europe.

A friendly cafe culture that spills onto the streets is just waiting to be enjoyed by visitors.

Cannes is, of course, most famous for the iconic International Film Festival that’s held here annually, when visitors can walk the streets with celebrities and film stars from across the globe.

Cannes is much more than just its film festival though.

The rest of the year it’s still busy – this is the heart of the French Riviera after all, but you can still enjoy the old streets, historic scenes, and spectacular vistas.

There are always hundreds of elegant yachts in the harbor, while the tree-lined, breezy, seafront boulevard is simply beautiful.

Recommended tour : Cote d’Azur Back Country Private Day Tour

5. Ile de Sainte Marguerite

Just off the coast of Cannes is the beautiful, rustic island of Sainte Marguerite.

You can travel here from Cannes or take the fast ferry directly from Nice, with fantastic views of the entirety of the French Riviera along the way.

It’s a small place, with a length of no more than three kilometers at any point.

It’s not just beautiful, it’s a historic place.

Make sure to visit the Fort Royal – one of France’s most famous prisons – because this fortress was used to hold The Man in the Iron Mask.

Toulon is, first and foremost, a French Naval base, and visiting the city will give you a completely different perspective on the French Riviera.

Rather than seeing yachts in the harbor, you will be looking out at warships.

It makes for an interesting escape from the glitz and lavish wealth of much of the rest of the coastline, and in its own strange way makes for a very unique escape from Nice – you can see how the average hard working Frenchman lives in this part of the world.

7. Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is found halfway between Nice and Marseilles and it’s most certainly one of the most iconic names to be heard along the French Riviera.

This was one of the first of France’s south coast cities to really begin to experience the tourism and opulence that you feel keenly today, after it was the setting for a famous Hollywood movie.

Saint-Tropez still retains the ramshackle cobbled streets and vibrant seafront culture that originally drew visitors, and even today, with all the visitors, it’s a fantastic day trip from Nice.

8. Sainte-Maxime

If, however, Saint-Tropez is too busy, bustling and popular for you, then waiting just down the road is Sainte-Maxime.

Like Saint-Tropez, this coastal town is beautiful, historic and charming, but unlike Saint-Tropez, almost no one visits.

It’s very close by, but travelers will pass through with their sights firmly set on the famous Saint-Tropez.

Stop in though, and enjoy the rustic French charm that has been lost elsewhere.

Enjoy the quaint cafes and peaceful seafront restaurants.

Most of all, enjoy the quiet atmosphere.

Antibes is best known for the beautiful beaches that are found around the town.

It’s a favorite place for holidaymakers looking purely for sun, sea, and sand, and there are many resorts here to cater to that demand.

At times, it may feel a little touristy, especially in summer, but when you look out over the spectacular, white sand beaches as the waters of the Mediterranean lap against the shore, you will realize exactly why so many people love to come here.

If you want a great day at the beach, then Antibes is the place to go.

Eze is located to the east of Nice, on the road to Monaco.

It’s a popular stop for those looking to indulge in the long history of the French Riviera.

Eze is a small place, but this village is found perched spectacularly on a hilltop, overlooking the coastline for mile upon mile.

The streets here are preserved as they have been for hundreds of years, and the cathedral and buildings are from a time lost in other areas of the coast.

It looks and feels almost medieval, and it’s a must do day trip from Nice.

Menton is the last big town before you reach the Italian border.

Being along the road beyond Monaco, it’s a part of the French Riviera that is much less famous and low key than Nice and its surrounds.

That means that Menton makes for a refreshing day trip, with an excellent culinary scene that’s a distinct mix of French and Italian flavors and styles.

12. Cagnes-sur-Mer

Across the river to the west of Nice, Cagnes-sur-Mer is a beautiful choice for a day trip.

The small town is picturesque, found on the seafront overlooking the Mediterranean.

Away from the coast is a charming old town, with a medieval feel, and beyond that, forests, hills and the delights of the French countryside are all within easy reach.

Grasse is found inland, about one hour’s drive from Nice, and is known for its long association with perfume.

As well as being a beautiful little place in excellent surroundings, the town has at least three perfume museums and factories that can be toured to learn more about this very French of scents.

14. Peillon

Peillon is where the mountains really begin.

This is the start of the Alps, and a winding, stunning road brings you from Nice, through the hills and into the mountains, where you can find Peillon – just a small village – perched on a clifftop, in spectacular surroundings.

15. Verdon Gorge

If you have seen all the intricacies of the French Riviera and would enjoy traveling inland and away from the coast, then waiting just two hours away from Nice is the absolutely stunning Verdon Gorge.

This is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful natural attractions in the south of France.

A long river cuts through a deep gorge, reaching depths of up to 700 meters in places.

You can hike, kayak and rock climb, making it an adventure seeker’s paradise.

15 Best Day Trips from Nice:

• Aix-en-Provence
• Ile de Sainte Marguerite
• Saint-Tropez
• Sainte-Maxime
• Cagnes-sur-Mer
• Verdon Gorge

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The best road trips in the U.S. for epic drives

Hit the open road on America's best road trips, from scenic coastal drives to rugged mountain journeys and winding desert loops

What epitomizes peak Americana? Apple pie, baseball, hamburgers...and road trips. The Great American Road Trip is iconic for a reason. Across the land of the free, open roads beckon, calling you to explore America's countryside, coastlines, forests and mountain ranges. 

On the Western Seaboard, the Pacific Coast Highway will take you along the California, Oregon, and Washington coasts. On the East Coast, Route 6 will charm you as you pass through picturesque New England beach towns. In between, journeys both long and short will also help you explore the heart of the country.

Whether you're looking for a day trip or a week-long, cross-country adventure, our list of the best road trips in the USA has you covered. So grab your snacks, ready your favorite playlist and roll the windows down. It's time to hit the open road. 

An email you’ll actually love

Best U.S. road trips

1.  Route 66 | CA to IL

It would be blasphemous not to include Route 66 at the top of any road trip roundup. The iconic Mother Road is one of the U.S. Highway System’s original routes, starting in downtown Chicago and winding its way across the country to the Santa Monica pier. Covering eight states and approximately 2,500 miles, the historic highway is punctuated with pops of kitsch and classic Americana from a bygone era. 

Can’t-miss pit stop: Join a guided tour of the 400-million-year-old Meramec Caverns in Missouri. Jesse James famously used them as a hideout, and the Jesse James Wax Museum is just minutes away.

Trip length:  2,448 miles 

2.  Highway 1 to Big Sur | CA

This show-stealing drive may have shot to fame after its cameo in the Big Little Lies opening credits montage, but it’s been a beloved route for in-the-know motorists for years. This California coastal classic is chock-full of stomach drops and treacherous turns, but it’s all worth it for the world-class panoramas along the way. Be prepared: Some stretches can last 40 miles without a single bathroom break or gas station.

Can’t-miss pit stop: Sure, you’ve seen it in a million car commercials, but did you even drive along Highway 1 if you don’t have a picture of Bixby Bridge to prove it? Big Sur ’s answer to the Golden Gate in San Francisco , this impressive open-spandrel arch bridge soars 260-foot above cliffs and a steep canyon.

Trip length: 150 miles from San Francisco to Big Sur

3.  Route 101 | CA to WA

Like many classic road trip routes across the U.S., this one comprises sections of road that form a continuous experience. By following Route 101 —which becomes California State Route 1, better known as the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, which then briefly returns to Route 101 once again—you can, to all intents and purposes, drive from the American/Canadian border, just north of Seattle... all the way down the entire West Coast of the U.S. all the way to the American/Mexican border, just south of San Diego. And that, my friends, is the mother of all road trips. 

Can’t-miss pit stop:  This road trip arguably incorporates some of the best views the country offers. From the amazing coastline of Astoria to the Redwood Forest National Park, plus Napa, and Sonoma...the list goes on.

Trip length:  1,500 miles from Los Angeles to Olympia, WA

4.  Blue Ridge Parkway | VA to NC

In the mood for a leisurely,  legendary drive? If so, head for the Blue Ridge Parkway, where the speed limit sits at a comfortable 45mph and commercial vehicles are strictly prohibited. Snaking through the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, the 469-mile route connects the Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains national parks. For prime leaf-peeping, visit in autumn when foliage explodes in a brilliant display of crimson, auburn and golden leaves.  

Can’t-miss pit stop: Spend some time at Mount Pisgah in North Carolina, famous for its extensive network of hiking trails and the storied Pisgah Inn , which dates back to 1919.

Trip length:  470 miles

5.  Overseas Highway | FL

For a tropical escape, blast some Jimmy Buffett and hit the Overseas Highway. The route follows US-1, connecting the Florida Keys during a 113-mile, sun-drenched drive. Originally constructed in 1928 and rebuilt in the 1980s, the continuous road connects Key Largo down to laid-back Key West . Cruise over Seven Mile Bridge (one of the longest in the world) while soaking in towering lighthouses, colorful coral reef parks and strips of white-sand beaches. Can’t-miss pit stop:  At Islamorada, which encompasses six of the Florida Keys, visitors can swim with dolphins at the Theater of the Sea  and explore  ruins from the 1800s in  Indian Key Historic State Park .

Trip length: 113 miles

6.  Going-to-the-Sun Road | MT

Originally constructed to promote tourism and encourage people to visit America’s national parks, this remarkable road has achieved its purpose since its completion in 1932. The 50-mile artery carves through Montana’s Glacier National Park, shooting through the Rockies up and over the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Be sure to watch out for blind curves and dramatic drop-offs, and avoid this one in the winter months, when snowbanks can reach 80ft in depth.

Can’t-miss pit stop: In the summertime, plan to pause at Logan Pass. Soaring to an elevation of 6,646 feet, it has expansive overlooks, grazing mountain goats, and blankets of rainbow-hued wildflower meadows.

Trip length: 50 miles

7.  Santa Fe to Taos Loop | NM

Pack a pair of cowboy boots and set course for the Santa Fe Loop, woven between the valleys of the Rio Grande and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico. This all-American road trip adventure looks straight out of a classic Western movie, tumbleweeds and all. Rambling desertscapes and the pueblo communities of Ojo Caliente make this drive a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Can’t-miss pit stop:  Take a breather in the town of Taos , located in northern New Mexico’s high desert. Known for its historic adobe architecture, the spot has numerous museums (like the Taos Art Museum ) and racecourse rafting along the Rio Grande and the Wild Rivers Recreation Area.

Trip length:  70 miles

8.  Lincoln Highway | NY to CA

The little-known Lincoln Highway was the first road for automobiles across the whole of the U.S. It was conceived in 1912 by Indiana entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher and formally opened a year later. It runs coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally traveling through 13 states. However, in 1928, a realignment relocated the highway through the northern tip of West Virginia, thus bringing the total to 14 states, 128 counties and more than 700 cities, towns and villages, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. Since then, the Highway has been gradually replaced with numbered designations after establishing the Numbered Highway System, with most of the route becoming U.S. Route 30 from Pennsylvania to Wyoming. But, like other classic cross-country road trips, with just a little research, you can easily navigate along the entire length of the original route.

Can’t-miss pit stop: The Lincoln Highway passes very close to Cheyanne Mountain, the home of North American Aerospace Defense Command, otherwise known as NORAD . While public tours are unavailable, this location has appeared in several movies and TV shows, including War Games and  Stargate SG1 .

Trip length:  3,389 miles

9.  Route 12 | Utah

Take in the splendor of the red rocks along Utah's Scenic Byway 12, which connects near Panguitch in the west to Torrey on the northeast side of the state. Climb through the Dixie National Forest , drive through red rock arches, stop at scenic overlooks, and enjoy views of the Henry Mountains and  Capitol Reef National Park as you go. Popular Utah destination  Bryce Canyon  is also close by.  

Can’t-miss pit stop: Witness the natural "stairs" at  Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument . Pro tip: the views from  Escalante's   Kiva Koffeehouse  are not to miss. 

Trip length:  122 miles

10.  Texas Hill Country | TX

The best way to witness the Lone Star State’s boundless beauty is by car. Hill Country, sandwiched between San Antonio and Austin , is known for its undulating hills and postcard-worthy bluebonnet blooms. The spellbinding expanse is dotted with charming farmland roads, award-winning wineries and orchards that churn out bushels of mouth-watering apples, peaches and pomegranates every year. For meat lovers, Hill Country is also bursting at the seams with mom-and-pop barbecue joints.  

Can’t-miss pit stop: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has long attracted history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts. Located just outside of Fredericksburg, the climbable pink granite mountain shows signs of human settlement that date back more than 10,000 years.

Trip length:  73 miles from Austin to San Antonio

11.  Hana Highway | HI

Hawaii is best known for its lush landscapes and aquatic adventures, but America’s 50th state is also home to one of the top road trips in the U.S. This drive through paradise links Kahului to Hana during 60 miles of jaw-dropping turns. Most can complete the journey in about three hours, but midday bumper-to-bumper traffic can seriously inflate travel time. Along the way, look out for swaying mango trees, dramatic sea cliffs and colonies of monk seals soaking in the sun.  

Can’t-miss pit stop: Exit at mile marker 32 to explore Waiʻānapanapa State Park , where undulating emerald jungles meet the rugged, black basalt lava coastlines.

Trip length: 64 miles

12.  Route 6 | RI to MA

Route 6 spans the entirety of the country, but the segment we most recommend starts in Providence, Rhode Island, and extends to Provincetown, Massachusetts, at the very end of the tip of Massachusetts. Along the way, take in the charming New England towns and beaches, stopping as you please along the way. 

Can’t-miss pit stop:  Pull over in Cape Cod to stroll the beach and the town's charming downtown before continuing your journey. 

13.  Anchorage to Valdez | AK

Witness firsthand the stunning sites of Alaska on this short but sweet drive. The 300-mile route connects the Glenn and Richardson highways, allowing you to cruise past gleaming glaciers and mountain ranges that boast so many sky-high peaks, many of them yet to be named. The seven-hour trek can easily be drawn out to appreciate the natural wonders of the Last Frontier, including the colorful Spirit Houses of Eklutna Village and the Matanuska Glacier Scenic Turnout.

Can’t-miss pit stop: The easy hike along Thunderbird Falls Trail is a popular excursion that leads to an impressive 200-foot waterfall. More intrepid explorers should consider ice climbing on the Matanuska Glacier, about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage.

Trip length: 300 miles

14.  Great River Road | MN to MS

One of the longest scenic byways in America, the Great River Road traverses roughly 3,000 miles along the mighty Mississippi River. Stretching from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the breathtaking drive intersects 10 states and takes about 10 days to complete. The well-marked route is easily identifiable, thanks to its iconic green pilot’s wheel road signs. It’s also celebrated for its diverse array of natural, cultural, historical and recreational sites along the way. Can’t-miss pit stop: If the Great River Road was a meal, then New Orleans would be its dessert course. The last stop on the epic route, the Big Easy, has incredible culinary, jazz and cultural scenes. 

Trip length: 3,000 miles

15.  Olympic Peninsula Loop | WA

The Olympic Peninsula Loop is another West Coast wonder, encircling Washington’s Olympic National Park. Swerving, dipping and diving, this 330-mile drive stands out because of the striking diversity of its terrain. Boulder-speckled Pacific coastlines, verdant temperate rainforests and the snow-capped Cascade Range can all be witnessed during a single-day trip. Be sure to sample local oysters and fresh clams, another regional specialty. Can’t-miss pit stop: Swing by Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, tucked away in Port Angeles, for a restorative soak in the natural mineral springs. No swimsuit? No worries: The springs welcome bathers in the buff.

Trip length:  330 miles

16.  Park Loop Road | ME

Park Loop Road is the primary route for driving through and exploring   Acadia National Park . Without stopping, the drive takes about an hour without traffic. But you're definitely going to want to stop to take in the beauty of one of the most visited national parks in the US. The park features beautiful landscapes and some of the most diverse wildlife on the Eastern Seaboard. Every season brings beauty, but the fall foliage is particularly spectacular.

17.  Beartooth Highway | MT to WY

This 68-mile route is a National Scenic Byways All-American Road and brings drivers from southwest Montana through northwest Wyoming right into Yellowstone National Park. First opened in 1937, this eclectic drive has been called one of the most beautiful America has to offer. Highlights along the route include incredible alpine plateaus, forested valleys, sparkling glacial lakes and unforgettable wildlife. Open exclusively in the summer, the route also climbs Beartooth Pass, a scenic stretch between Cooke City and Red Lodge, Montana.

Can’t-miss pit stop: Check out Beartooth Corridor, where visitors can hike through the highlands and spot moose, elk, black bears, wolves and more.

Trip length: 68 miles

18.  Volcanic Legacy Byway | CA to OR

For truly unusual and spectacular views, pack up the car and head for the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, connecting California’s Lassen National Park with Crater Lake in Oregon. The north-to-south route covers about 500 miles, tracing along geological formations created by volcanic activity of the Cascade Mountain Range. The drive ventures through the majestic Shasta Valley and offers unobstructed vistas of Mount Shasta, the second-tallest volcano in the country.  

Can’t-miss pit stop: There are countless things to see and do during a visit, but don’t miss Petroglyph Point , one of the country’s largest and most accessible panels of Native American rock art.

Trip length: 500 miles

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5 top road trips to see the best of France

May 18, 2024 • 7 min read

Alpine roads to Roman-straight routes through 2,000-year-old vines, France’s road trips are as varied as they are scenic © Matt Munro / Lonely Planet

Anna Richards has travelled France researching Lonely Planet's latest guidebook . Here she shared her favourite road trips to get you inspired.

The freedom of the open road in France is even more accessible for British travellers who can arrive with their own car, via the ferry or Eurotunnel. And as the home of the original motorist’s guide, the Michelin Guide, it seems only fitting to explore it on four wheels. 

All of the below routes avoid paying tolls (for more information on toll roads, see the tips at the end) – taking you along smaller, more picturesque, routes into the heart of the French countryside.

Here are the five best road trips for exploring France.

1. Mont St-Michel to Étretat

Best for road trip for coast crawling

Mont-St-Michel to Étretat: 286 km (460 miles), allow three days.

The 9th century tidal abbey of Mont-St-Michel is one of the most famous sights in the country, and still the residence of some 33 monks and nuns. Twice a day, when the tide swirls in over the mysterious mud flats and quicksand, the causeway is the only thing which links Mont-St-Michel to the mainland. From Mont-St-Michel, drive for half an hour to Avranches and climb up to the top of the château, for a view which extends all the way to Mont-St-Michel. A further 90 km (55 miles) on the A84 and D572 takes you to Bayeux, home of the famous tapestry woven after 1066, showing the French conquest of England over 68 metres of intricately woven fabric. Skirt around Caen to reach Deauville (1½ hours), where the boardwalk hugging the beach has metal stars set into the floor in homage to 200 stars of the silver screen who have attended the American Film Festival, which Deauville hosts at the end of each summer. A final couple of hours driving takes you to Étretat, where the rocks have eroded to form an ocean sculpture garden of sea arches and needles. They were immortalised many times by Monet, who would row out to paint in solitude. 

Local tip: Parking at Mont-St-Michel and Étretat is difficult and expensive. Consider parking further out and walking to reach your destination.

2. The Loing Valley

Best road trip for history buffs

Fontainebleau to Montargis: 50 km (31 miles), allow for a day 

The chateau of Fontainebleau , formerly a hunting lodge, became the country home of the French royals under Louis IX in the 13th century, and has 130 hectares of grounds. Curiously enough for a country with so many mountain ranges, one of the first marked hiking trails in the country was in Fontainebleau, planned by a Napoleonic army veteran, Claude-François Denecourt, in 1842. The first part of the journey, south towards Nemours for 20 minutes (D607), goes through Gâtinais-Français Regional Park, criss-crossed with waterways and pint-sized villages.

Keep following the D607 south to reach Souppes-sur-Loing, a riverside town with the remnants of a 12th century monastery. Ten minutes along the étangs (lagoons) to reach Fontenay-sur-Loing is exceptionally scenic. Fontenay-sur-Loing itself is a sleepy little place with little to make it worth lingering, so continue to the picture-perfect town of Montargis (13km; 8 miles) to finish your trip, where half-timber houses overhang the canals.

Planning tip: The château of Fontainebleau is open daily except Tuesdays, but summer is the best time to visit, when additional activities like boat cruises on the lake and hot-air balloon rides are added onto the agenda.

3. A loop through Hérault

Best road trip for coastal views without the crowds

Round trip from Sète: 208km (129 miles), allow for three days

The little city of Sète sits on a tightrope-thin stretch of land between the 7,500 hectare saltwater Étang de Thau and the Mediterranean Sea. Thriving and in parts extremely modern in appearance, traditions still hold strong here. Among the most famous is Sète’s five-day water jousting festival each August. From Sète, a drive of 47km (29 miles) along the D2 and D28 takes you to Béziers , a city first established by the Romans and an important stop on the first road the Romans built through France, the Via Domitia.

From Béziers, head to Haut-Languedoc Regional Park, where the foliage is dense, like tight curls, and historic little villages look glued to the hillside. Two of the prettiest are Roquebrun and Vieussan. A further 50km (31 miles) east of the latter on the D908 is an otherworldly, red rock lake. Lac du Salagou, an artificial reservoir, owes the rusty colour of its soil to iron oxide in the sandstone. From here, drive 30km (18 miles) to Pézenas, former home of France’s most famous playwright, Molière. Stop at Bouzigues on the way back and don a snorkel if conditions are favourable, you may see seahorses. It’s just 15 minutes from here back to Sète. 

Planning tip: Aim to arrive in Pézenas on a Saturday to coincide with their weekly market.

4. Alpine lakes and valleys loop

Best road trip for off-the-scale nature

Round trip from Grenoble, 324 km (201 miles), five days recommended

Leave Grenoble and take the D1091 to reach the Serre Chevalier valley. It’s worth spending at least a day, possibly more, to explore Serre Chevalier. During the winter, 250km (155 miles) of ski slopes delight amateurs and die-hard ski fans alike. The historic fortified city of Briançon isn’t just a base for hikers and skiers; there’s a plethora of art galleries here too. 

From Briançon, head south on the N94 to reach the Lac de Serre-Ponçon. Hire a paddleboard and paddle out to the island chapel of Saint-Michel, the only building to have survived the flooding of the valley to create the reservoir, thanks to its elevated position. Two hours northwest is Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet, where the water positively glows, sandwiched between the Écrins National Park on one side and the softer, but no less spectacular, cliffs of Vercors Regional Park to the other. Himalayan hanging bridges are suspended across the lake, which sway like wind through the trees as you cross them. From here, a final 50km (31 miles) takes you back to Grenoble. 

Planning tip: Tackle this route in summer. If travelling in winter, make sure that you have snow tyres or carry snow chains.

5. The Massif Central

Best road trip for cheese and hiking

Clermont-Ferrand to Aurillac; 196km (122 miles), three to four days

Clermont-Ferrand is an austere-looking city, the black, volcanic stone buildings making it appear extra gothic. It’s 28km (17 miles; D942) to Orcival, and its impressive 12th century basilica. A further 18km (11 miles) south is Mont-Dore, a ski station whose curiously colourful architecture looks like a Victorian seaside resort. In summer, people come to hike Puy de Sancy, the highest of the extinct volcanoes. From Puy de Sancy, drive south for 85km (52 miles) to Murat, a town which looks like a medieval film set, and has been used as such many times. Strap your hiking boots on again and drive the 22km (13 miles) to Puy Mary, to hike the volcano ridge trail. Your trip finishes in sleepy little Aurillac, full of cheese shops.

Planning trip: Much of this route follows the Auvergne Cheese Route, and there are many farms to stock up on Salers, Saint Nectaire, Cantal, Auvergne Blue and Fourme d’Ambert. If you’d like to visit the farms it’s best to call in advance. Be aware that many do not speak English.

Top tips for road-tripping around France

Be wary of toll roads (péages). They’ll get you to where you want to go faster (the speed limit is 130 km per hour), but tolls often cost as much (or more) than fuel – and it goes without seeing that the fast road is not the most scenic. Fuel from service stations along the highway is also considerably more expensive than elsewhere. 

One way to reduce costs is by taking carpooling passengers to reduce the cost. The lift-sharing platform blablacar.fr is widely used in France. Use viamichelin.fr to calculate the cost of your trip with tolls and fuel.

This article was first published Sep 9, 2020 and updated May 18, 2024.

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15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips!)

Chock full of storybook-worthy villages, beautiful castles, and incredibly epic and diverse nature–from the Alps to the beaches of the Riviera to the lavender fields of Provence and the cliffs of Etretat and beyond–it’s not hard to understand why taking a France road trip tops so many bucket lists around the world.

Throw in excellent roads, a great travel infrastructure, and enough exciting places to see that you could spend a lifetime traversing it without turning over every stone, there’s no doubt that a road trip through France is an amazing way to see the country.

We’ve rounded up the best France road trip itinerary ideas here, covering all corners of the country–plus included important France driving tips you’ll need to know before setting off!

Table of Contents

Logistical Tips for Driving in France

Other france road trip tips, 15 of the best road trips in france.

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Rent the smallest car you can.

Especially if you’re coming from the USA like us, you’ll likely find French roads–especially in small villages and in the countryside–are smaller than what you’re used to.

Save on gas, rental costs, and stress while driving in France by renting the smallest car you can manage to fit yourselves and your belongings into.

We recommend searching for your (tiny) rental car through Discover Cars , which will allow you to sift through all your options and choose the right car for you based on price, the reputation of the company that is renting it, and the terms of the rental contract.

Book your rental car for your France road trip today!

Plan on renting a manual, or prepare to pay.

Like the rest of Europe, manual cars are the norm in France.

If you only drive automatic, you’ll absolutely be able to find a car to rent for your France road trip… but be prepared to plan ahead (especially if you’re traveling during the busy season when the cars get reserved quickly), and to pay extra fees for the privilege.

Always carry cash… just in case. 

While you can generally pay tolls (and they are pricey–budget accordingly!) with a Visa or Mastercard in France, you never know when you’re going to need cash for gas or small restaurants.

When taking a driving in France, it’s best to always have some Euros with you–and don’t forget to carry small coins for bathroom fees!

Plan your parking in advance.

This especially applies overnight–ie, look for hotels that include parking or have a plan for parking listed–but also during day trips. 

For example, our trip to Cassis would have been much easier if we had researched the parking situation beforehand and paid to reserve a spot in one of the parking garages in town.

For hotels, we use Booking.com and ideally look for places using the “free parking onsite” filter.

Depending on where you are going during your road trip in France, though, free parking may not be possible–in that case, carefully check and see what hotels have reasonably-priced parking nearby.

A hotel that is an extra 20 Euros/night may end up being an excellent deal if there’s inexpensive parking nearby!

Strongly consider purchasing extra insurance.

Driving on unfamiliar roads in a foreign country is always going to be an exercise in risk-taking.

While driving in France is typically perfectly safe, if you’re not used to driving in congested urban environments or driving abroad, we’d recommend that you strongly consider purchasing additional CDW (collision damage) insurance for your vehicle–though going through the rental agency is often the most expensive place you can buy this coverage.

Check first to see if your credit card covers it (and in France specifically–not just in your home country), and if they don’t, some insurance policies do.

Get a quote to insure your France road trip today!

Not all gas stations are self-service.

We’ve come across both self-service and attendant-provided gas stations in France–when you pull up to get gas, take a quick look around to see what the other drivers are doing before jumping out of your car!

An International Driver’s Permit isn’t required. 

Unlike in Italy, an International Driver’s Permit isn’t required to rent a car or drive in France (though you do, of course, need to be licensed to drive–for example, driver’s licenses from our home country of the USA are valid for driving in France as a tourist).

However, if your license is written in something other than English or French, or you just want to make any potential communication easier, you may want to consider getting one anyway.

Your life will be easier if you buy a French SIM card.  

This assumes your phone is unlocked, of course, but seriously: getting a local SIM card before taking off on your road trip in France will make your life so much easier!

Having access to everything from a GPS to restaurant reviews is a huge benefit of traveling in the modern age, and bringing those tools along with you as you explore France by car is a fantastic idea.

You can absolutely purchase a local SIM card once you arrive, but if you want to get everything set up before you go, you can also purchase a France SIM card at home in advance.

Pack toilet paper.

Rest stops along highways in France will generally have toilets, but toilet paper is far from guaranteed–best to bring your own just in case.

I usually carry a pack of these with me in my purse when I travel, and they’ve come in handy more than once when driving in France.

Brush up on your French.

Ubiquitous advice for traveling in France, I know, and not exclusive to a road trip in France, but I promise that at least being able to ask for (and follow) simple driving directions in French–not to mention reading basic road signs–will make your France road trip much better!

The first rule of road trips in France: leave room for spontaneity!

One of the best things about taking a road trip in France is that no matter how carefully you plan, no matter how much research you do, you’re still bound to show up in the country and be blown away by something you had never heard of before.

So, just roll with it… and leave room for new discoveries.

I’m a big planner myself, so I get the urge to organize every. last. detail. 

… But during our own trips exploring France by car, I’m also so glad that we randomly decided to spend extra time in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, that we gave Port Miou a chance when we saw photos of how lovely it was, that we delayed our departure from Annecy because its market was coming to town, and that we ended up cutting Roussillon from our Luberon Valley trip because we simply weren’t ready to say goodbye to Goult.

In other words: sketch an outline of your days and nights, yes, but be open to changes. Those stops may just end up being some of your favorite stops during your France road trip!

Pay attention to market days (and show up early).

Visiting local markets in all of France’s adorable villages is one of my favorite parts of taking a road trip in France: with a car, there’s no need to worry about managing train times or having to skip the tiniest villages.

If at all possible, aim to visit towns on their market days. Depending on the town, this is generally one, two, or three times a week. Many villages have a small daily market, with larger markets on certain days–those are the ones to aim for.

Also: show up early! Early in the morning is the absolute best time to visit markets on your France road trip. You’ll get to experience both the smallest crowds and also have your pick of the best products before they potentially sell out for the day.

Pack a picnic on travel days.

All those markets full of delicious bread, cheese, meat, and produce that you pass each day? Those are your future lunch!

Double up on practical purchases and fun experiences in France by using market days to stock up on picnic materials to use during your days spent driving in France.

Rest stops in France are plentiful along the highways (look for the signs for “aires”), and are generally very clean and well-stocked, with some even including restaurants.

Don’t change locations every day.

Packing your bags, checking in and out of a hotel, loading the car, unloading the car… all of these things may not seem like much, but by the fifth or sixth day in a row, you’ll be incredibly tired of doing it.

These kinds of transitions eat up way more of each day of your France road trip than the estimated driving time between whatever two towns you’re visiting–so do yourself a favor and limit the number of times you swap lodging.

Instead, set up a series of bases for at least a few days each, and use your rental car to take day trips from there.

For example, we used Avignon as a base to visit the Luberon Valley and Alpilles, and Aix-en-Provence as a base to visit Cassis!

Focus primarily on smaller towns & natural attractions.

Don’t get me wrong–we adore France’s cities, but places like Paris, Lyon, and Nice don’t require a car to visit–quite the opposite. A car is a hindrance there!

One of our France driving tips is to focus on the smaller towns, beautiful countryside, dramatic castles, and endless natural highlights (beaches, lakes, mountains–you choose!) that make up this incredibly diverse and beautiful country.

If you hope to include any of France’s major cities as part of your itinerary, we recommend visiting them at the beginning or end of your trip and only renting your car when you’re ready to leave and head to smaller towns.

The slow pace is part of the fun.

Often, the best memories from a trip are the ones where you let go of the long wish list of towns and villages you hope to see, the markets you want to visit, and the tourist sights you can’t miss and just. breathe.

I learn this again virtually every time I go to France: some of my best memories in the country are of the day we did literally nothing but walk around Colmar and admire how beautiful it was, the day we lounged in Paris’ Luxembourg Gardens all afternoon, the days we’ve sat at outdoor cafes for hours because the sunshine and people-watching felt too good to leave behind, and the long, leisurely lunch we ate in Goult .

Each and every one of those memories is something we exchanged for missing out on a piece of sightseeing or photo-taking or research we had planned to do–something that seemed important at the time.

I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.

Write down where you go.

Sure, no one is going to forget visiting Nice or Aix-en-Provence… but that tiny town with the cute fruit stand you passed through that one afternoon? Yeah, that name will fade almost immediately.

You’ll want to remember the names of all the small villages you visited, pretty beaches you swam at, cozy restaurants you ate at, and hiking trails you conquered long after your France road trip is finished, so write them down as you go!

Jeremy loves to star the places we visit on Google maps, and I keep my own record in my One Line a Day journal that I’ve been keeping daily for years (and highly recommend!).

Alsace Wine Route

From Arzo of Arzo Travels

A  fun road trip to take is from Strasbourg to Colmar (or the other way around) which is also known as the Alsace Wine Route .

Especially in the summer months (or early fall), it is a beautiful drive with scenic window views and many beautiful towns, villages, and cities along the way.

The Alsace Wine Route is one of the most famous road trips in France and besides being a beautiful place, it has a lot about…well, you guessed it, wine. 

Start your trip in Strasbourg (which is not officially part of the Alsace wine route), the beautiful main city in the region, and explore what it has to offer, including lots of half-timbered houses and many medieval buildings, and then plan in time for stops like Obernai, Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, and Eguisheim.

These are all beautiful little villages, though Riquewihr is probably the prettiest of all. 

Then it is time to end your tour in Colmar where you can end your road trip and explore one of the cutest towns in the country.

If you are a wine drinker, you can visit the vineyards along the way and try out some of the local wines in the wineries or restaurants. They are supposed to be some of the best wines in the country!

Driving Distance

170km or 105 miles.

Recommended Road Trip Length

3 days is the absolute minimum for this road trip. 4 or 5 days are the better options if you do not want to rush and like to do some wine tasting.

Marseilles to Nice

From Chrysoula of Travel Passionate

After exploring Marseilles , why not head eastwards along the gorgeous coastal road to Nice? The drive is best done at a leisurely pace over a few days so you can savor the delights of Provence and the Cȏte d’Azur. 

The coastal road has many spectacular views and the first is as you leave Marseilles. Les Calanques are dramatic, sheer-sided coastal inlets that have been carved through the limestone and they can be found between Marseilles, Cassis , and La Ciotat. 

A little further on you will be tempted by the seven beautiful sandy beaches of La Croix Valmer.

The first main stop is St Tropez, a favorite with the international jet-set in the sixties. It is still popular for its beaches and nightlife. Those ‘in the know’ explore Port Grimaud- the Crêpes au Chocolat (chocolate pancakes) and cider are worth sampling. 

Cannes is another famous city, loved by the super-rich and known for its international film festival. Antibes lies close to Nice and is a delightful old town with ramparts and once Picasso’s home. 

There will be many other detours inland to make to Domaines (wineries) to sample the area’s superb rosé and villages like Maximin-Le-Sainte- Baume with its famous basilica and Grasse (north of Cannes) is world-famous for its perfume industry. 

St Paul de Vence is loved by painters and writers. When you arrive in Nice, you will be able to park the car and leave it, as there is a large traffic-free zone in the center.

235 km or 146 miles.

Suggested Road Trip Length

It takes around 3 hours to drive between Marseille and Nice but if you really want to enjoy the area explore Marseille, Nice and a few towns between I suggest you spend around 4 to 5 days on this South of France road trip.

The Champagne Route

From Jane and Duncan from To Travel Too

Without a doubt, France’s Champagne Route is one of the most popular driving tours in the country.

When driving the  Champagne Route of France there are several routes to consider, including Massif Saint Thiery Route the northern route starting from Reims, Marne Valley Route from Epernay, and the Cote des Blancs Route from the south of Epernay. There are also others, or you can mix and match to create your own France road trip route!

If you only want to visit some of the major towns you can start from Troyes and head to Epernay, then onto Reims.

There are many small towns and villages around the Champagne region to visit.  The routes will take you past beautiful chateaux, quaint villages, churches, and many champagne houses.

The major champagne houses such as Mercier and Moet Chandon can be found in Epernay and in Reims you can visit Veuve Clicquot, Mumm, Taittinger and many smaller boutique champagnes houses as well.

The best months to visit are between May and October.

The Champagne region is easy to travel to from Paris.  The journey from Paris to Reims is only 45 minutes and from Paris to Epernay 1 hour 10 minutes.

The distance from Troyes to Epernay is 112 km or 70 miles, and Epernay to Reims is 29 km or 16 miles.

You can visit either town on a day trip and visit some of the Champagne Houses within walking distance of the train station.  The ideal time to enjoy all that the Champagne region has to offer is between 5 – 7 days.

The Opal Coast

From Nichola of Globalmouse Travels

Paris to Normandy Road Trip

The following Paris to Normandy road trip is ideal for those looking to escape the city for a few days to a natural and verdant environment.

From Paris, go north to Mont Saint Michel (4-hour drive), where you should stay for at least 1 night. Consider taking the toll-free road which adds 30 minutes to your driving time, but gives you the chance to drive through Normandy’s charming villages and countryside. 

Once you’ve checked into your hotel, walk, bike, or take public transportation to the island that is Mont Saint Michel. When visiting Mont Saint Michel during low tide, go onto the island, grab a spot along the high stone wall and witness the rising of the tide as the sea surrounds the island, isolating it from the mainland.

The next day, drive east to Étretat. Consider spending half a day to a full day here.

While Giverny may have been home to impressionist painters, Étretat was their inspiration. Étretat sits on the Normandy coast and is home to where grayish-white limestone cliffs meet the untamed blue sea. The cliff tops are paved with dirt paths and staircases making them accessible for walking, hiking, and sight-seeing.

On your way back to Paris from Étretat, stop in Honfleur to aimlessly walk through the port and old town. The various architectures are beautiful in their own right: the medieval old town and the port with its tightly packed, vertical, colorful buildings. When you’ve finished exploring Honfleur, it’s an estimated 2.5-hours drive to Paris.

This road trip from Paris through Normandy and back can be comfortably done in 3 days. 

The French Alps from Chamonix

From Whitney of Designs for Travel

One of the most incredible road trips in France is through the Frech Alps.  With the beautiful green mountains (or white in the snowy season), aqua blue lakes, and quaint chalets, the Frech Alps is one of the most picturesque areas in Europe. 

This Frech Alps road trip is a loop that starts and ends in the popular adventure town of Chamonix.  The closest major airport is Geneva, Switzerland.

Start in Chamonix, a beautiful resort town at the base of Mont Blanc.  It’s one of the best places to ski in the winter, but I recommend taking this trip in the summer, where you can take a gondola to the top, and enjoy the panoramic views and do some hiking. 

The next stop on this road trip is 1 hour and 20 minutes west, to the gorgeous alpine town of Annecy .  The pristine lake, river, cobbled old town, pastel cottages, and medieval chateau make Annecy a must-see town in the Alps. 

From here, head east to Le Grand Bornand, another beautiful alpine resort town.  Drive back to Chamonix for a raclette dinner, which is sure to be a favorite meal.

After visiting France, if you have more time, you can drive south to Italy to continue your road trip.

130 miles, 210 kilometers.

This road trip itinerary can easily be done in 3 days and if you have more time, a week is even better!

Gorges du Verdon + Valensole Plateau Road Trip

From Elisa of France Bucket List

This 2-day road trip in Southern France covers the Verdon National Park and some of the best  lavender fields in Provence . This French road trip starts in the city of Aix-en-Provence, and it takes two days. Aix-en-Provence is the quintessential Provencal city with many interesting things to see and do. Ideally, take one day or two to visit Aix-en-Provence before hitting the road.

From Aix-en-Provence, drive to Valensole, a pretty small town world-known for its lavender fields. Enjoy these never-ending seas of ‘blue gold’- it is not only beautiful to see, but it also smells very good!

Back to the road, drive to the Verdon National Park and stop at Esparron de Verdon and Lac Quinson de Verdon, two small lakes with absolutely no crowds. At Lac de Quinson, you can rent a kayak or an electric road and explore the Gorges du Verdon from the water.

Spend the night at Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, a picturesque hilltop village with the label ‘most beautiful villages in France’.

Day two visits Lac Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon. This is the main lake in the area, and the perfect place to relax on the beach and have a picnic with a view. In the afternoon, visit the hilltop village of Aiguines, which is less touristy than Moustiers and with a more local atmosphere.  Have an alfresco dinner in one of the two restaurants on the main square before driving back to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie for the last night of this road trip.

270 km, 168 miles.  

This road trip lasts two days. Add one or two more days if you want to visit Aix-en-Provence.

Bordeaux + France’s West Coast

From Kat of Wandering Bird

If you’re looking for a mixture of beautiful sandy beaches, cities, and dramatic scenery, head for the west coast of France. 

You can begin your trip almost anywhere along the coast, but let’s start in the major hub of Bordeaux. Here you can hire a car or camper van and set off on your adventure, but take a day or two first to explore this beautiful city.

If you only have one day, focus your time on the Cathedral and the mirror pool (you’ll need to wake up very early to nab photos here without the crowds).

Once you leave the city, you have some choices to make. Do you want wine, sea, or one of the most incredible natural wonders you’ve ever seen?

Bordeaux is surrounded by vineyards and they are all worth visiting. If you’re  touring France in a motorhome , you can even stay overnight at many of the vineyards (no worrying about drinking and driving!)

If you want to be wowed, head to Arcachon and the jaw-dropping Dune du Pilat. This natural wonder is the largest sand dune in Europe, standing at around 106m high and runs for nearly 3km. Walking up it is not for the faint-hearted!

Lastly, if you want to see more of the beautiful Atlantic coastline, head up to Île de Ré. This stunning island has some beautiful beaches and is a great place to witness the incredible sunsets you find on the French coast. 

From Dune du Pilat to Île de Ré (past Bordeaux), this driving trip in France is 276 km or 172 miles.

You can drive from Dune du Pilat to Île de Ré in under 3 hours if traffic is clear.

However, we recommend at least a day in Bordeaux, a day near the dune and Arcachon, and a day on Ile de Re, so allow at least 3/ 4 days for your trip. 

Calais to the Pyrenees Loop

From Jenny of TraveLynn Family

For those located in the UK, Calais is an obvious starting point for a France road trip as it’s a short crossing from Kent, either on the ferry or Eurotunnel. This Calais to the Pyrenees road trip  itinerary does a big loop down to the Pyrenees via the Auvergne and Perpignan, then back up again via Bayonne, Île d’Oléron, and the Loire Valley, returning to Calais.

Between each stop is about 4 to 5 hours of driving, although do note that this is along tolled roads (which can add up, but they are very efficient).

Staying at campsites, this summer itinerary steers away from main tourist sites and explores the French countryside, rather than the cities. It is advisable to take a bike to explore each stop further using the many cycle lanes and marked tracks. And don’t forget to pack your swimsuit , as there are lots of opportunities for a dip to cool off after a day of exploring.

From the peaceful wooded valleys of the Auvergne to the Catalan charm of the Western Mediterranean; the majestic peaks of the Pyrenees to the fashionable beaches of the Basque country; and the idyllic fishing villages of Ile d’Oléron to the chateaux of the Loire Valley steeped in history; each stop is notably distinct from the other, providing a true cross-section of cultures and landscapes across the French countryside.

2005 miles 0r 3225 kilometers (using toll roads).

The French Alps From Grenoble

From Sasha of The Alternative Travel Guide

149  km / 92 miles.

Recommended Trip Length

Gorges du Tarn

Gorges du Tarn  offers one of the most scenic landscapes in Southern France, which makes it the perfect destination for a road trip. This loop road trip will take you along the rivers Tarn and La Jonte in the Causses and Cévennes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The trip starts and ends in Millau, a sleepy Medieval town, famous for the tallest bridge in the world – the Millau Viaduct. After visiting the bridge, head to the hamlet of Peyre, which is literally glued to the rocks – a fine example of the so-called ‘ troglodyte ’ villages. The area abounds in this type of dwellings, where the backside is carved into the rocks and only the façade is at street level.

After Peyre, head upstream the Tarn all the way to Florac. The dramatic gorge, cut by the Tarn, is dotted with a string of cute little villages and hamlets: Les Vignes, La Malène, Hauterives, Saint-Chély-du-Tarn, Sainte-Enimie, Prades, Castelbouc, Ispagnac.

At Les Vignes make a detour (11 km/ 7 miles) to Point Sublime for the most breathtaking views of the gorge. At La Malène, you can take a boat tour on the Tarn with the famous flat-bottom boats of Les Bateliers.

Another village that deserves more attention is Sainte-Enimie. Together with Peyre, it’s included on the official list of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

From Florac, take D16 across Causse Méjean and visit the incredible cave, Aven Armand. Afterward, take D986 to Meyrueis and continue downstream La Jonte, following D996 and Gorges de la Jonte. The last stop on this road trip, before you return to Millau, are the twin towns of Le Rozier and Peyreleau.

215 km or 135 miles.

Although you can cover the whole distance in one day, I highly recommend that you do this in at least 3 or 4 days. The best time to do the trip is in the summer – between June and September, as in the low season as most places will be closed.

Cannes to Saint-Tropez

From Elena of Passion for Hospitality

The Côte d’Azur, or the French Riviera , is one of the most breathtaking coastlines, lined with picturesque cosmopolitan coastal towns and villages, golden beaches, rich nature scenes, the southeast corner of France has been blessed by natural beauty.

Driving from Cannes to St. Tropez is definitely a good way for those seeking to discover the gems of the French Riviera while enjoying a relaxed hustle-free little trip. 

To get the most out of the road-trip make sure to start early in the morning from Cannes. The first stop is Theoule-sur-Mer, a small medieval town located on the Golfe de La Napoule. Enjoy breathtaking views of the bay La Pointe de l’Aiguille or grab a delicious coffee and croissant before departing for the next destination, the resort town of St. Raphael.

We recommend enjoying lunch by the harbor’s restaurants and later, losing yourself around the narrow streets of the colorful old town. The last stop before reaching St. Tropez, where an overnight stop is recommended, is Saint Maxime, a quiet small village which landscape has inspired and continues to do so for many artists and writers.

Depending on your budget there are many different accommodations options, from simple cozy apartments by the beach, to luxurious resorts. 

Alongside the coastal road, there are many little spots scattered, where drivers could take a quick stop to admire the dazzling views, take a few photographs or stretch their legs. 

85 kilometers / 53 Miles 

It is an hour and a half car trip from one city to the other. With the short and one overnight stop, we recommend 2 days enough for this trip.

Toulouse to Andorra Loop

From Ucman of BrownBoyTravels

The tiny sovereign state of Andorra is a mere 190km from Toulouse and makes a perfect road trip back and forth which can be easily done over a weekend. 

Leaving Toulouse in the early morning, you will head in the southwestern direction to the highway. If you want a more scenic route head to Lacroix-Falgarde. The small rural roads will eventually lead you towards the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees appear shortly and the midi- Pyrenees towns and villages take over.

They are perfect for a coffee break or if you are going slowly, for a lunch break. These quaint little villages and towns offer a great insight into the southern french style of life. The streets are neatly trimmed and the everblooming shadow of Pyrenees mountain range dominates everything ever so lovingly.

The drive here is quite easy and simple but that changes significantly when you reach the mountain range. The roads become narrow and the sharp turns take over. The elevation also increases quite dramatically, make sure to take a break to pop your ears. 

The drive is really beautiful here especially in winter with the snow but also quite dangerous, black snow is a real threat here so drive with caution. 

If you drive fast you can cover this entire distance from Toulouse to Andorra La Vella in 3-4 hours but I’d recommend taking a day and going slow to enjoy the scenery. (Make sure to bring your passport although most of the time there are no border checks).

It is quite easy to drive around in Andorra from the ski slopes of Encamp to the quaint little town of Ordino or if you just want a relaxed weekend the beautiful spas of Andorra la Vella. If you like shopping, Andorra offers duty-free shopping , there something for everyone here.

The road trip to Andorra from Toulouse is a memorable and easy France driving trip.

120 miles or 190 kilometers.

2-3 days is enough to enjoy this France road trip itinerary.

Brittany Road Trip in France

From Victoria of Guide Your Travel

This driving route will be between 800 and 100 kilometres, 500 – 620 miles.

Montpellier to Toulouse Loop

Finally, you should head 100 km to Toulouse. Toulouse is nicknamed “la Ville Rose” – the pink city – because so many of the buildings are made from pinkish bricks. Important sites to visit are Basilique Saint-Sernin, the largest romanesque church in Europe. It also has more relics in the crypt than any other church in France, many of which are from Charlemagne (9th century).

You should also spend time at Place du Capitole and the square in front of it. Some parts of the building date back to the 12th century. It has beautiful frescos and offers tours.

Montpellier – Carcassonne – Toulouse is 245 km or 150 miles.

It would take about 3 hours to drive this France road trip route straight through without stopping. However, to truly enjoy each location, I would give yourself a minimum of 5 days.

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About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

10 thoughts on “15 Best France Road Trip Itinerary Ideas (+ Driving Tips!)”

hello 🙂 just finished reading your ” escape clause” and i found some great tips so just like to thank you for that first of all. I’m planning on travelling to France by car from west Yorkshire in the UK for a 10 day holiday in total, we would start of by a 5 hour drive to dover then get the ferry crossing to Calais and carry on from there. we will have a 3 year old and a 1 year old too with us so we want to see plenty of beaches and coastal scenery. i wondered if you could maybe point us in the right direction on places to visit/stay ( ideally 2 different locations on family friendly campsites with lodges or tents) and go off on day trips from there if that makes sense 🙂 look forward to hearing back from you guys iain

Hi Iain! Unfortunately, we haven’t had a chance to spend much time in northwestern France (we were supposed to this year, but alas, 2020 had other plans). I can tell you our personal wish list in that general corner of France, though, includes all the major hits: Etretat, Le Havre, Honfleur, Lille, Rouen, and if you get that far south, of course, Mont Saint-Michel. Etretat is ideal for the coastal scenery you mentioned!

Wish we had more detail to offer, but there are some stunning places up that way!

Staggering beauty here Kate. Wow. France surprises me with its range. Definitely a worthy spot for a serious road trip. Fabulous images guys!

thank you for this! we are planning visit in aug/sept 2022 x 21d staring our in paris and heading toward bordeaux, the sw coast, basque, french pyrenees, and andorra. Wasn’t sure how to finish up the loop back to paris but I would love to incorporate provence. I also love your focus on gorges! I just started following you on IG and will look out for more inspiration!

Thanks so much, Leigh! Sounds like an incredible trip.

We’re toying with a trip to Basque Country and/or Bordeaux ourselves this spring–it never stops being difficult to narrow down our options!

Hope you guys have a wonderful time!

Very good coverage of driving tours in France. One suggestion for drivers I don’t recall was mentioned. After you pick up your car rental stop somewhere and invest in materials to clean your windshield. We have driven thousands of miles on many car trips and estimate that most of the time gas stations don’t have squeegees, sponges, paper towels, or even water available. Well worth the small cost. France is a large agricultural country and bugs abound.

Thanks so much. Very useful

Happy to help!

Hello Kate. I am planning my trip to France. It is our first trip to France. We will fly from New York to Paris and we want to explore France as much as we can within 9 days. We want to rent car and use train if we need. My plan is to start from Paris and go to other nice places including small towns/villages and end up in south and fly back to US from other south city. We need your advice please. Thank you in advance.

With 9 days, the first thing I’d do is narrow down what general region of France you want to visit, as you can access a wide variety of beautiful small towns in that time!

Normandy and Provence are both popular regions for first-time visitors to France, though it sounds like you’re most likely wanting Provence. For Normandy, you might drive right from Paris, and for Provence, you’d likely want to take a train to Aix-en-Provence and then pick up a car. This itinerary covers Provence: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/south-of-france-itinerary/

If you want to stick very close to Paris, consider the Loire Valley.

Other options could include the Bordeaux area (we love St. Emilion: https://www.ourescapeclause.com/saint-emilion-france/ ) or Burgundy ( https://www.ourescapeclause.com/things-to-do-in-dijon-france/ ).

You obviously can’t cover all of that, but narrowing down where you want to go will be the first step. France has lifetimes worth of villages to explore. 🙂

If you’re wanting to fly home from the south of France, you’ll want to look at flights from Bordeaux (in the west) or Nice, Marseille, Lyon, or Toulouse (in the east).

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Road Trip from Barcelona to Nice

Looking for an unforgettable European adventure? Then let the glittering Mediterranean Coast keep you company as you drive up to the French Riviera from Spain. You will make memories that will last a lifetime on this epic journey from Barcelona to Nice.

The 800 km road trip from Barcelona will take about 11 hours and 30 minutes to drive. Notable sights are Arles, Marseille, Saint Tropez, Cannes, Aix-En Provence, Camargue, Calanques National Park, Carpentras, Andorra la Vella, Entrevaux and Orange.

A perfect way to explore Europe's beautiful medieval cities, this journey is a cross-country tour with scenic views and sandy beaches. Just what the doctor ordered! Read on to find out the best routes to follow, amazing places to stop at, beautiful things to see and the absolute best time to visit.

How far is Nice from Barcelona, and how long will the road trip take?

Here are two options for a road trip from Barcelona to Nice: The French Riviera Route, which goes along the coast, and the Historic Alps Route, which goes inland through mountains and important landmarks.

The French Riviera Route is about 800 km and will take about 11 hours and 30 minutes to drive. The drive may be longer since you will pass through many major cities. You will want to avoid rush hour and pre-plan your trip well, especially in cities like Marseille.

On the Historic Alps Route, driving time is about 14 hours and 10 minutes, with a distance of around 1,000km. Drive time may take longer as this route passes through mountainous terrain. Roads are also affected by wind and weather, so keep this in mind.

Since you will pass through different countries, plan for the border and potential delays. We recommend taking at least a week off to travel, so you will have time to explore the French countryside.

Best road trip route from Barcelona to Nice

Whether you drive along the Mediterranean coast or through the Andorran mountains, there is so much natural beauty, gourmet food, and sightseeing to enjoy on this trip.

On the French Riviera Route from Barcelona, you can take detours to enjoy the famous beaches. The south of France is known for its gorgeous landscapes, and regions like Montpellier, Camargue, Arles, Marseille Saint-Tropez, and Cannes are great places to try delicious food and wine.

On the Historic Alps Route, you will travel through beautiful Andorra, between Spain and France. Wander the streets in Carcassonne, Montpellier, and Nîmes. There are spectacular views at the Parque Natural Regional de los Pirineos del Ariège and Verdon Natural Regional Park.

When choosing a route option, think about which part of the French countryside you would like to see most. Both routes are scenic no matter the season, with charming European cities to wander through.

The French Riviera Route

From Barcelona, get on the B-10 freeway toward Perpignan, France. The paved streets welcome you on your first stop through medieval France.

There is more to see in Béziers, one of the oldest cities in France. In Montpellier, take a minute to sample the rich wine selection.

The road to Camargue from Montpellier on the D66 has breathtaking views of the Étang de l'Or Lake. Stopover in Arles to enjoy the UNESCO World Heritage Sites – including Roman and Romanesque Monuments.

If you are interested in art history, Aix-En Provence is the place. This university town features the works of the French painter Cezanne.

Move on to Marseille, famous for bouillabaisse and some of the best seafood on the Riviera. The Calanques National Park is about a 25-minute drive from Marseille. It's a beautiful area with a gorgeous crystal blue lake.

Make your way to Saint-Tropez on the D559 from here. Expect a rich blend of fun and fancy at this famous celebrity hideaway. Once you have thoroughly enjoyed yourself, head out on the D25/A8 to Cannes.

The film festival is well known, but Cannes is also a great place for retail therapy – starting on the Boulevard De La Croisette. After leaving the city, enjoy views of the Mediterranean as you trip over to your final destination, Nice, on the A8.

The Historic Alps Route

Take the B-10 freeway from Barcelona to Andorra's capital, Andorra la Vella. There is so much natural beauty and sightseeing in this small country, nestled in the Pyrenees mountains.

Take the D6 to get to beautiful Carcassonne, France's famous fortified city. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site with medieval streets to stroll through. From here, travel to Béziers, one of the oldest cities in France, and Nîmes, a striking commune known for its Romanesque architecture.

About 45 minutes out of Nîmes is Orange, a small river town. Follow the Rte de Carpentras and D950 to Carpentras, home to some of the best food markets in Provence. Cross the beautiful French countryside to Verdon Natural Regional Park, where you can find sprawling views of Lake St. Croix.

Travel to Entrevaux from here and explore the fortified village, then head over to your final destination, Nice, on the A8.

Best places to stop between Barcelona and Nice

The South of France has some lovely countryside and coastlines for road trippers. Traveling from Barcelona to Nice will show you some of Europe's most impressive scenery and sights.

We've made a list of great overnight stops on each route to help you stop, rest and explore.

Explore the legacy of Van Gogh in Arles

Arles is a great overnight stop on The French Riviera Route, about halfway into your trip. This city is full of Romanesque architecture, and Arles is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites featuring Roman monuments.

The Arles Amphitheater and St-Trophime Cloister are particularly impressive. Visit the Les Alyscamps and Théâtre Antique and wander around the arches.

Arles is the home of artist Vincent Van Gogh, and influences of his paintings are everywhere. Check out the Place du Forum (the inspiration for the famous Cafe Terrace at Night painting), and the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles art museum, dedicated to his work.

Arles has some great accommodation options, but we recommend L'Hôtel Particulier . It is centrally located in the historic district and near the banks of the Rhone River, so the views are gorgeous. It is within walking distance of Roman monuments and the Amphitheater, so you will not have to travel far to see the sights.

Some rooms have antique furniture and fireplaces if you want a simple night in. There is an outdoor garden with a swimming pool for guests to relax. The bar and restaurant have a seasonal menu with a buffet breakfast.

Visit Carcassonne's medieval citadels and castles

On the Historic Alps Route, Carcassonne is located about one-third of the way into your road trip. The medieval walled city is near the Spanish border, making it a great place to stop for a night and recharge.

Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a well-preserved fortified city. The Cité de Carcassonne is marvelous: a medieval citadel with tall fortresses and 12th-century towers.

The Canal Du Midi has cycling routes, or you can hire a boat to enjoy scenic views of the city from the water. The Musée des Beaux-Arts has a fine collection of works by Van Goyen and Courbet and even features a 19th-century telescope owned by Napoleon. Some of the city's churches, like Saint Nazaire Basilica, are awe-inspiring inside and out.

Carcassonne is a popular day trip for visitors and has some great hotel options. You will love the Hôtel de la Cité & Spa MGallery . It's a Medieval-style chateau with gorgeous grounds and a Provencal interior design.

The hotel has everything you need to relax in luxury, including a swimming pool, spa, and wellness center. There is a Michelin-star restaurant on-site with regional dishes. The rooms are classic and stylish – keeping in theme with the castle within a castle vibe.

Hôtel de la Cité MGallery is next to Saint Nazaire Basilica, giving you a beautiful view. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Carcassonne and Canal du Midi are also within walking distance. The hotel itself is inside the walls of Carcassonne.

Where to stay when you reach Nice

Along the East Coast of the French Riviera, Nice is a Mediterranean seaside paradise. The coastal city is the holiday destination for beachgoers, and you will understand why when you're sipping cocktails alongside them!

The popular Marinières Beach is a great place to lounge and swim. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais or rent a bicycle for a breezy ride. Visit the beautiful Castle Hill Park and Parc Phoenix, a botanical garden.

Nice Old Town is a must-see 18th-century wonder, with cobblestone streets and stunning old-style houses. Visit the Nice Opéra and Lascaris Palace here and enjoy the many restaurants in the area.

There is no shortage of accommodation in Nice, but you will want a special place to end this beautiful trip. We recommend the Boscolo Nice Hotel & Spa . Located centrally, the hotel has private parking for a fee.

The rooms are spacious and beautiful, with glittering city views. Inside and outside, this luxury hotel is a combo of Belle Époque and modern design. Guests can enjoy the indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and spa.

The Promenade des Anglais, Nice Old Town, and beaches are a 10-minute walk from the Boscolo Nice Hotel & Spa.

Things to see on a road trip from Barcelona to Nice

The Mediterranean Coast shows off on this road trip from Barcelona to Nice. Whether you take the French Riviera Route or the Historic Alps Route, every city overflows with natural beauty and French culture.

Here is a list of attractions along each route to help you plan your European adventure.

• Perpignan - Stroll along the paved streets of French Catalonia and visit the Castillet, a fortress that was once a prison.
• Camargue – There are stunning natural landscapes like marshes, salt flats, and lakes in Camargue, with wildlife, including the famous pink flamingos.
• Aix-En Provence - The birthplace of Cezanne, this town has the studio where the artist created his famous works. Check out the chic cafes and public squares here too.
• Marseille – This port city is famous for seafood and its signature dish, bouillabaisse. Visit the Old Port, and stroll along the promenade to find restaurants, cafes, and bars.
• Calanques National Park – The park has a stunning crystal lake and a beach with clear turquoise waters and towering cliffs.
• Toulon - Take a cable car to the top of Mont Faron and enjoy beautiful city views.
• Saint-Tropez – Mingle with the rich and famous in this luxurious resort town. The Vieux Port is a great place to admire the breathtaking yachts – where you may spot a celebrity!
• Cannes – The famous film festival attracts visitors, but Cannes also has the beautiful Le Suquet, a picturesque old town neighborhood. Visit the Boulevard De La Croisette for dining and shopping along the Mediterranean Sea.

• Terrassa – Just outside of Barcelona, Terrassa is a neat little town to wander around. Visit Parc de Vallparadís, a natural urban space with sculptures.
• Andorra la Vella – The beautiful and tiny landlocked country has spectacular natural beauty and some historical gems, including the Sant Esteve Church.
• Parque Natural Regional de los Pirineos del Ariège – Hike up the Pyrenees Mountains and tick it off your bucket list. The unspoiled countryside and tranquil lakesides are a spectacular sight.
• Nîmes – Often referred to as the 'most Roman city outside Italy', the beautiful Amphitheater of Nîmes is well-preserved and often hosts concerts in summer.
• Orange – There are two stunning UNESCO World Monuments to visit in this small commune: the Amphitheater and Triumphal Arch.
• Carpentras – The city is famous for its markets, so stroll through them and visit on a Friday to find fresh food sourced from local farms. The local rosé is famous for its slight hint of cherry.
• Verdon Natural Regional Park – Bright blue Lake St. Croix is the star of this beautiful park surrounded by gorges and deep canyons.
• Entrevaux – A beautiful medieval city, this fortified village has a citadel towering above it, with views of the valleys below.

Both Routes

• Narbonne – There are Roman tunnels under this beautiful French city, which also has lovely beaches.
• Béziers – A quaint city, the old town here has a citadel where you can walk up the bell tower to enjoy the views.
• Sète – This charming port city has some of the coast's tastiest mussels and oysters. There is even a water jousting tournament – definitely something to see!
• Montpellier – a stately cosmopolitan city in the south of France, the Place de la Comédie is a lovely place to visit for bars, shops, and restaurants.

Best time to go on a road trip from Barcelona to Nice

This Mediterranean adventure from Barcelona to Nice is a lovely trip year-round. While cities on the French Riviera Route and the Historic Alps Route are great to visit anytime, crowds flock to the beaches in summer.

The climate is hotter during summer and cooler during winter. Expect temperatures between 24-27 degrees Celsius during July and August. The holiday season begins in June, and rates will be higher with crowds straight through August.

In winter, January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 8 degrees Celsius, while temperatures average 9 degrees Celsius in December and February. You may get more budget-friendly rates during winter with fewer crowds.

Nice is pleasant in Spring, with temperatures between 13-17 degrees Celsius in April and May. In autumn, temperatures range between 17-21 degrees Celsius in September and October. Expect some rainfall and lingering holidaymakers around this time. You may get better rates during autumn.

France has some lovely seasonal festivals and events. In February, the colorful Carnival de Nice brings over 200,000 visitors to the streets. The Cannes Film Festival takes place in May. France's national public holiday, Bastille Day, is on July 14th.

The Nice Jazz Festival is in July and is a musical extravaganza for jazz lovers. In December, there are Christmas Markets like Place Masséna in Nice.

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23 Best Road Trips in the U.S.

From Hawaii to the Florida Keys, these are 23 of the best road trips in the U.S.

Sarah Rose is a journalist and the author of two best-selling novels. She was a news columnist at The Wall Street Journal and her features have appeared in Outside , The Washington Post , Travel + Leisure , Bon Appétit , and more.

Loki1100/Getty Images

From the dramatic California coast to the history-lined thoroughfares of New England, the U.S. is brimming with scenic drives, some more stunning than others. Take the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway for example, meandering past limestone caverns, clear mountain springs, and Appalachian majesty, offering different panoramic vistas depending on the season.

Sometimes it's not just the nature but also the human-made sights that make the trip. As you cruise along Chicago's Lake Shore Drive, the view to the west includes such iconic feats of American architecture as the Willis Tower, better known as the Sears Tower, once the tallest building in the world. And on U.S. 1 from Key Largo to Key West, travelers pass over coral reefs on the Seven-Mile Bridge to arrive at marinas where they can hand-feed tarpon and drink margaritas at beach bars blaring Jimmy Buffet hits.

Those road trips and more around the U.S., ahead.

Hana Highway, Maui

The T-shirts all say: "I survived the road to Hana." It can take more than two and a half hours to travel the 52 miles from Kahului to Hana, as you snake past steep sea cliffs lush with blooming mango trees, ideally stopping to buy banana bread from roadside stalls and take in the Jurassic vistas at every turn. In tiny Hana, a town on eastern Maui, a cinder cone shields a red-sand beach where nudists and endangered monk seals bake idly in the sun. Just beyond where the Road to Hana terminates, about 30 minutes further, are the must-visit Pools of Oheo, a gently cascading, seven-tiered gulch in Haleakala National Park .

Blue Ridge Parkway, the Carolinas and Virginia

Andre Jenny/Alamy

The nearly 469 miles of blacktop twisting through the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah national parks was built for travelers seeking Appalachian overlooks. It's a panoramic drive for all seasons, with undulating slopes of color in autumn, a bounty of forest canopy in summer, and ski resorts in winter. In the mines of the mineral-rich Appalachian Mountains, visitors can even pan for emeralds, amethyst, rubies, topaz, and gold. The parkway is a paradise for nature lovers, with hundreds of bird species and more types of trees than the whole continent of Europe.

Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

The rock stars of American architecture line up like soldiers facing Lake Michigan along this urban drive. Chicago's buildings are decidedly showstopping, from the blocky staircase of the Willis Tower — formerly the Sears Tower, once the tallest building in the world — to the Belle Époque elegance of Burnham and Root's Rookery, to the stark post-Bauhaus boxes of Mies van der Rohe. It could easily be called the greatest road for architecture-spotting on earth. Lake Shore Drive is just 15 miles long, but you'll want to break up the brief journey with a stop at Millennium Park to visit the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture (otherwise known as "The Bean").

17-Mile Drive, California

The so-called 17-Mile Drive loops around California's stunning Monterey Peninsula. Stretching from the towns of Pacific Grove to Carmel , the road (privately owned by Pebble Beach) skirts the Pacific coast and runs through the parts of the Del Monte Forest belonging to an exclusive golf community. In addition to surf-beaten cliffs, colonies of harbor seals, and lookout points galore, the route offers spectacular sunset views that make it worth the $11.25 entry fee to drive it. Not too far off the 17-Mile Drive, the Monterey Bay Aquarium has sunlit kelp-forest tanks, a petting pool, and a million-gallon tank with giant sharks and sea turtles.

U.S. 1, Florida Keys

M. Timothy O'Keefe/Alamy

Leaving the mainland for Florida's Keys, travelers enter a paradise of beach bars, water sports, and Parrotheads (Jimmy Buffett fans). From Key Largo to Key West, the Overseas Highway strings the islands together like beads, running past lighthouses, underwater coral reef parks, and across the Seven-Mile Bridge, among the longest bridges in the world. On the docks at Islamorada, travelers can hand-feed bait fish to tarpon more than six feet long. Further down, on Big Pine Key, you can spot some of the island chain's most well-known residents at the National Key Deer Refuge .

Route 12, Utah

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

The red rock majesty of Utah is on triumphant display on State Route 12 winding between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks. The 124-mile strip has funky small towns and very few entry and exit points, so it takes some commitment to witness the steep sandstone canyons and bluffs of purple sage, and to tackle the narrow cliff-hanging ridgeline road called The Hogback around the halfway point. Stop in at Escalante's artsy log-and-sandstone Kiva Koffeehouse , open Wednesdays to Sundays April through October, to get your caffeine fix with a stunning view of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument .

Bluebonnet Trail, Texas

Bluebonnets are spiky blue wildflowers found in the U.S. Southwest. They're especially abundant in Texas (where they're the official state flower) from March to May. Start this road trip in Austin, home of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center , named for the first lady who made national beautification a priority. Stop by to admire the native flower, then embark on an eastward journey via U.S. Route 290. In addition to seeing them on the side of the road, you'll also get to admire them in full force in Brenham, the halfway point to Houston. Visit Brenham's official tourism website for up-to-date information on where to find the best bluebonnet patches (behind a Burger King, for example), then make your way to Houston to see them blooming at Buffalo Bayou and Hermann parks.

North Shore Drive, Minnesota

Minnesota's Lake Superior shoreline is a thing of glacial beauty. In Duluth, a walking path along the lake's edge shows off the city highlights, including a rose garden and an aerial bridge. Nearby, you can get a look at ocean tankers anchored in the last inland port of the St. Lawrence Seaway as they wait to load iron or grain from America's heartland before sending it out to the world. From Duluth, drive toward Two Harbors, only about 30 minutes away, and admire the lake's shining waters stretching out to the right, birch and northwood maples climbing high on the left. At your destination, you'll find the Split Rock Lighthouse , now a museum, overlooking Lake Superior's rugged coast.

Trail Ridge Road, Colorado

Welcome to the highest continuously paved road in the U.S. Trail Ridge Road begins at the Beaver Meadows Entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park and climbs as high as 12,183 feet. Crossing over the Continental Divide (following a similar route Native Americans once took) visitors might see elk, deer, and bighorn sheep above the tree line in the dramatic tundra. After about two to three hours of driving, you'll hit Grand Lake, Colorado's largest natural body of water, which is also home to a historic town and year-round lake sports. Note, however, that Trail Ridge Road is not a year-round route and can only be driven in good conditions, typically from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Kancamagus Highway, New Hampshire

Though the White Mountains are a year-round sportsperson's paradise, the autumnal fireworks are the undisputed highlights of New Hampshire's 34.5-mile Kancamagus Highway. Serious leaf-peepers visit in October to see the maples, alder, and birch blazing in full technicolor glory. In the spring, expect yellow violets and wood anemone.

This route starts in Lincoln and ends in Conway (or vice versa) and takes about two to three hours to drive. However, you'll want to factor in plenty of time to pull over and explore the White Mountains on foot. One highlight is the half-mile hike to Sabbaday Falls, a three-tiered waterfall easily accessed from the road.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana

One of America's most inspiring public works projects runs along the spine of the Rockies past Glacier National Park's snow-covered peaks, sub-alpine meadows, and lakes across the Continental Divide. The 50-mile stretch takes about two hours to drive. Snowdrifts threaten to top 100 feet in winter, so Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open only when conditions allow (typically in the summer months). To learn more about the geology of glaciers, local Native American customs, or the park's ecosystem, supplement your road trip with a class at the Glacier Institute .

Highway 101, Oregon

Unlike the rest of the West Coast, Oregon's portion of the Pacific shoreline is entirely owned by the state and, therefore, open to the public. The 400-or-so miles of beaches off Highway 101 provide road trippers with perfectly preserved and unobstructed natural vistas. Between Port Orford and Brookings, about an hour's drive, fierce sea cliffs stand in contrast to the pastoral farmland and roaming cattle of Oregon's small towns . Pull over when you spot the roadside Tyrannosaurus rex at the Prehistoric Gardens, where 23 life-size dinosaur replicas are staged against the rainforest landscape.

Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington

Both the scenic route and the peninsula's only major route, Highway 101 loops around one of the largest wilderness areas in the continental U.S. From the base of the peninsula, drive counterclockwise to climb into the Hoh Rain Forest, dominated by ancient Sitka spruce and western hemlock. You can spy the San Juan Islands from the top of Hurricane Ridge, 18 miles off the loop from Port Angeles. At low tide, the pools on Olympic beaches are rife with starfish, sand dollars, and crabs. Take a break in the spooky logging town of Forks, a must for Twilight fans, but travel onward to Lake Quinault Lodge if you're looking for a place to stay. The whole loop takes about six hours without stops.

Route 6, Massachusetts

The easternmost portion of Route 6 — which actually runs all the way to Bishop, California — links together Cape Cod's network of sand dunes, beaches, marshes, tidal ponds, and quaint fishing towns. You can follow it to Provincetown's music festivals and art galleries, to the bay side for family-friendly beaches, or oceanside for panoramas of the Cape Cod National Seashore . Our advice? Book a whale-watching boat tour between May and October to catch a glimpse of a big-winged New Englander (aka a humpback whale).

Anchorage to Valdez, Alaska

The trip from Anchorage to Valdez, which connects Glenn and Richardson highways, runs past prehistoric glaciers and into mountain ranges with so many peaks a lot of them haven't even been named. Along the 300-mile route in Palmer, gaze at domesticated musk oxen, the Ice Age wonders of the Alaskan landscape prized for their wool. Further along, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline pops in and out of view. The final approach to Valdez includes a 30-mile drop from Thompson Pass (2,678 feet of elevation) to sea level through the waterfalls of Keystone Canyon, opening into Prince William Sound.

Lemhi Pass, Montana and Idaho

Meriwether Lewis came to the Rocky Mountain backbone of North America, the Continental Divide, at Lemhi Pass (7,323-foot elevation) in 1805. Instead of the fabled Northwest Passage to the Pacific Ocean, Lewis looked west over the mountains and saw more mountains. Determined visitors with a four-wheel drive can take in the historic view on single-lane Forest Service roads from either Beaverhead Rock State Park in Montana or the Salmon-Challis National Forest in Idaho.

For the full experience, go in July to see men dressed in buckskin traveling on dugout canoes at the annual Lewis and Clark Festival in Great Falls, Montana, about three hours from Beaverhead Rock State Park.

Silverado Trail, California

Here's a road trip where the food rivals the scenery. Flanked by dozens of vineyards and wineries, the Silverado Trail on the eastern edge of Napa Valley gives the California road tripper endless vino options and perhaps some of tastiest meals on the American culinary scene. Non-drivers must try the Estate Collection tasting flight at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars , where a 1973 cabernet made headlines for beating French wines in a blind taste test. And for foodies, the three-Michelin star French Laundry restaurant in Yountville is a highlight.

Ocean Drive, Newport, Rhode Island

This 10-mile coastal route packs in historic mansions and spectacular views over the water. The Gilded-Age "cottages" of Ocean Drive — which confusingly follows Ocean Avenue , not Drive — compete with maritime scenery for jaw-dropping splendor, including opulent homes built for titans of fin de siècle industry, the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Morgans. War buffs will definitely want to visit historic Fort Adams, which remained an active United States Army post from the early 19th century up until World War II.

Park Loop Road, Maine

The loop through Acadia National Park can be completed in an hour — when summer tourists aren't clogging the 27-mile, two-lane artery. But whatever the season, you'll want to give yourself time to appreciate the high ridgelines, sheer rock precipices, and rugged coast of the North Atlantic along the way. An oceanside cavern dubbed Thunder Hole explodes with a plume of foamy surf as waves beat the shore. If you've got time to spare, spend some time on a lobster fishing boat, then take your catch home for supper.

Highway 143, Tennessee

Set out along Tennessee's 12.5-mile Highway 143 in the Roan Highlands of the Appalachian Mountains to witness uninterrupted slopes cloaked in heather — and purple rhododendron blossoms come early summer. The highlands portion of the Appalachian Trail is famous for its "balds" (summits covered in thick grasses rather than trees). Stop to admire them on foot with a walk at Carvers Gap, just across the North Carolina border.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, Michigan

Only 7.4 miles long, this short-and-sweet drive along Lake Michigan's eastern shore shows off the majesty of the giant Sleeping Bear Dunes , dense forest canopies, and a freshwater lake so wide you won't be able to see the opposite shore. The trip would take you less than 30 minutes were it not for the lookout points over the lake and dunes to distract you. Before closing the loop, you'll cross a covered bridge reconstructed from one Pierce Stocking himself built in the '60s. To extend the trip slightly, head five minutes up South Dune Highway to catch the view of Glen Lake from the top of the " Dune Climb ," a sand mound estimated to be about 450 feet tall.

The High Road to Taos, New Mexico

The 77-mile route between Santa Fe and Taos delivers one photo op after another: ancient pueblos, deserts, forests, wildflower meadows, and artists' colonies in 17th-century adobe towns. The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway passes by Chimayo, a haven for art and history, and provides canyon views over Truchas Peak at 13,102 feet. Whichever direction you choose to drive it, the High Road is bookended by two towns bursting with color and personality. If you're in town during a sweltering summer, don't miss attending a concert at the Santa Fe Opera .

Highway 2, Nebraska

Sandhills (grass-covered sand dunes) make up nearly one-fourth of Nebraska, undulating in slow, hypnotic curves as far as the eye can see. Drive any stretch of Highway 2, stretching 52 miles from the South Dakota border to Grand Island, for expansive views of the Great Plains and pastureland. The sand dunes are smack in the middle of the Central Flyway Migration Corridor ; look out for cranes at the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center just off Highway 2 in Wood River.

Related Articles

25 Best Road Trips in the World – That We’ve Taken

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: February 11, 2024

We’ve taken a lot of the best road trips in the world during our travels. We’ve done everything from epic road trips lasting 6 weeks to one-day scenic drives that cover spectacular scenery. We’ve done them all and here are the best road trips Dave and I have done around the world.

Table of Contents

Best Road Trips in the World

Thanks  Johnny Jet  and  Chris McGinnis  for giving us the idea to make this list. It was during their Twitter chat about road trips that we realized, “wow, we’ve driven most of the ultimate road trip destinations on earth!” So without further adieu, let’s take a look at road trips around the world that we have done by country or continent.

Road Trips in the USA

There’s no doubt about it, the United States is one of the best road trip destinations in the world. Many of the best road trips in the world are located right in the United States. We’ve been lucky enough to drive along most of the East and West Coasts of the country and here are a few of our favorite routes.

1. Route 66 – Arizona

Route 66 is the road trip of dreams. We have all listened to that beautiful song by Nat King Cole and fantasized about driving Route 66 one day. And we had the chance. It lives up to the hype. Albeit, only portions of it are worth driving.

Much of the 3,940km route is abandoned and decrepit as it was forgotten when the highway system was put in place, but there are parts that have been turned into national scenic byways in Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Arizona . We have driven many different portions of  Route 66 , but you can drive this entire route from Chicago to California.

For more another great US Road trip not on this list check out:  The Ulitmate 10 Day Arizona Road Trip ,

• Duration: 1 Day for portions to 2-3 weeks
• Highlights of Route 66: Best portions are in Arizona , New Mexico, Missouri and Illinois.
• Read more at:  Route 66 Road Trip – Cruising The Main Street of America

2. Pacific Coast Highway – California

It’s the most epic drive in the United States. The drive starts in Monterrey and weaves down Highway 1 to Los Angeles . Make sure to stay the night in Monterrey or Carmel by the Sea . There is great kayaking in the marine reserve of Monterrey and Surfing in Carmel. Read more: Big Sur Road Trip – The Best Viewpoints

It’s a beautiful coastal highway with long stretches of beaches, impressive sea cliffs, and legendary stops where movie stars and billionaires have hung out for decades to escape the hustle and bustle of California cities. And definitely take time to stay at one of the best places to stay in California (Mark Zuckerberg stayed here) the Ventana

• Duration: 2-4 Days
• Highlights of Pacific Coast Highway – The Bixby Bridge, McWay Falls, Carmel by the Sea, Big Sur, Hearst Castle, Santa Barbara, and Pfeiffer Beach.
• Read more at  California Road Trip and Where to Camp in Big Sur

3. San Francisco to LA –  National Parks Route

This is the epic American route. Don’t just drive in a straight line from San Francisco to Los Angeles, go everywhere in between. This road trip takes you through four different states and showcases the best of America’s National Parks and cities.

It takes you through the most rugged and beautiful landscapes of America and you visit the most exciting cities in the country. Read more: Things to do in Yosemite National Park

• Duration: 2 Weeks
• Highlights of San Francisco to Los Angeles – Grand Canyon , Vegas, Antelope Canyon, Zion National Park, Yosemite National Park
• Read More:  Make the Most of Antelope Canyon Photography Tour

4. Hana Highway – Maui Hawaii

It’s just a short drive, but everyone who goes to Maui raves about the Hana Highway. This (mostly) single lane road is a day trip that spans the North Coast of the Island from Paia to Hana.

It twists and turns and you cross 59 bridges during the 2-3 hour drive (one way) there are many scenic stops along the way, but the real beauty begins after Hana when you reach  Haleakala National Park . This is one of the top things to do in Maui , so if you plan a trip, make sure to rent a car and drive the road to hana.

• Duration: 1 Day
• Highlights of the Hana Highway : Bamboo Forest, Painted Eucalyptus Trees, 7 Sacred Pools, Waterfalls, Scenic Views
• Read More: Road Trip to Hana and Beyond

5. 17 Mile Drive – California

It may be a short road trip, but it is a goodie. You can take an entire day exploring 17-Mile Drive at Carmel By the Sea. If you are looking for a different way of road tripping, try e-biking instead of going in a car. A road trip doesn’t have to be always in a car, we’ve included cycling Africa as one of our best road trips we’ve ever done! Read more: Photography Guide to Big Sur Coastal Drive, California

• Duration: a few hours to 1 day
• Highlights of 17 Mile Drive: Ghost Tree, Bird Rock,  the Lone Cypress, Spanish Bay, John Denver Memorial, Beaches, Links at Spanish Bay, Pebble Cove.
• Read More : The Ultimate Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary and The Best Viewpoints
• Best California Road Trip

6. Miami to Key West

It took Dave and me a few tries to finally make it to Key West. We have driven from Canada to Central Florida many times, but only ever made it as far as Daytona and Orlando .

We had flown into Miami before but never did a road trip to the Florida Keys. When we finally rented a car and made our way to the famous ocean highway to the southern tip of the United States. We felt like we entered a different world. Key West is like being in the Caribbean without having to stamp your passport. Check out these Facts about Florida

It’s only a day trip from Miami to Key West, but we suggest taking your time to explore the Keys on the way down.

• Duration: 1-day return trip to 1 week for exploring.
• Highlights of Key West Road Trip – Marathon Key, Hemingway’s House, Key Largo , Dry Tortugas National Park, snorkeling, underwater museum, Seven Mile Bridge, Southernmost Point , Islamorada Florida Keys , & Where to Stay in The Florida Keys
• Read More: Miami to Key West Road Trip – Best Florida Keys Itinerary

7. Lake Superior Circle Tour – USA and Canada

Road trips can take many forms and we circumnavigated the world’s largest freshwater lake by motorcycle. The Lake Superior Circle Tour is one of the epic motorcycle routes in North America, but it’s also fabulous in a car and makes for an amazing road trip.

From the sandy shores of the southern shore to the rocky high sea cliffs of the wild north, this is an unexpected route through Ontario, Michigan, Wisconson, and Minnesota. Travel through small-town USA, historic treasures and the wild abandoned North of Ontario, this road trip is magnificent.

• Duration: 4 days to 2 weeks.
• Highlights of Lake Superior Circle Tour – Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Terri Fox Memorial, Beautiful coast, three different states and one province in Canada
• Read More:  The Best of the Lake Superior Circle Tour
• See all of the best places to visit in Michigan for your next road trip.

Canadian Road Trips

Canada is our favourite country for road tripping and in our humble opinion, the best road trips in the world are located in our home country. From both coasts to the far north, through high altitude of the Rocky Mountains and along the shore, you will see it all in Canada.

8. Icefields Parkway – Alberta

Alberta’s Icefields Parkway is often considered one of the top road trips in the world! And with good reason. There are so many things to see along the way. There is one spectacular scene after another.

Starting in Banff, the road trip takes you north along Highway 1 through the Rocky Mountains. It spans two of Canada’s most beautiful National Parks. Banff National Park and Jasper National Park. See our full drive here.

There are scenic lookouts galore where you can go hiking or to simply take in the view of mirror lakes reflecting jagged snow-capped mountains. A highlight is stopping at the Athabasca Glacier for a snowcat tour of this gigantic piece of ice and to take a walk on the Icefields Sky Walk. Continue on to Jasper where you can explore more of Alberta’s rugged and remote areas. Suggested hotel Fairmont Jasper and Fairmont Lake Louise

• Duration:  1-3 Days
• Highlights of the Icefields Parkway: Bow Lake, Columbia Icefields Skywalk, Athabasca Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise
• Read more about Banff:  The Rocky Mountaineer,   Where to Stay in Banff

9. Dempster Highway – Yukon

For the ultimate road trip adventure, there’s not a lot that compares to the Dempster Highway. You can drive to the Arctic on the Dempster Highway and that is exactly what we did.

This 736 km road stretches from the far Arctic in Inuvik in the Northwest Territories, to Dawson City in the  Yukon. It crosses the equator through the most beautiful landscape in the world. You’ll see caribou, grizzley bears and other wildlife on along the way and it is simply spectacular.

• Duration:  2-6 days
• Highlights of the Dempster Highway:  Crossing the Arctic Circle, Innuvik, Dawson City, Eagle Plains, Tombstone Mountains
• Read More:   Drive to the Arctic, Yes you Can

10. Fundy Trail – New Brunswick

The province of New Brunswick houses one of the most beautiful coastal drives in Canada. Famous for the Hopewell Rocks, we drove along the Bay of Fundy Parkway and witnessed giant sea cliffs plunging into the sea.

There are secluded and isolated beaches, it crosses through the Fundy National Park where you can hike to waterfalls and lookouts and it drives along one of the longest undeveloped coastlines in North America.

It is home to the world’s highest tides where you can walk out for miles on the ocean floor. Take your time to drive along this stretch of road that houses some of the most spectacular scenery on earth.

• Duration:  3 – 4 Days
• Highlights of the Fundy Trail : Hopewell Rocks, Saint Stephen’s Sea Caves, Fundy National Park, Cape Enrage, Town of Alma, Covered Bridges. 
• Read More:  Things to do in Saint John, New Brunswick

11. Cowboy Trail – Alberta

If you love getting away from it all and having a rip-roaring adventure, the Cowboy Trail is for you. This is one of our favourite road trips we’ve ever done. Following the route through Southern Alberta is easy, well marked and filled with activities and beauty. There is something to see every single day and this trip will surprise you.

From the lunar landscape of the badlands to where the great plains meet the Rocky Mountains, you’ll be driving through the varied landscapes that will take your breath away.

• Highlights of the Cowboy Trail: Dinosaur Provincial Park, Crows Nest Pass, Bar U Ranch, Waterton Lakes National Park, Hoodoos of Drumheller
• Read more:  Full Itinerary – Alberta Road Trip, Where to Stay in Banff

12. Cabot Trail – Nova Scotia

The Cabot Trail is one of Canada’s Ultimate Scenic Highways. Located on  Nova Scotia’s  Cape Breton Island, it is filled with sea cliffs, coastal hikes, beaches, and untamed wilderness. You’ll see moose on the Skyline walk, whales on kayaking and scenic boat trips and stunning sunsets over the Gulf of St. Lawrence explore the best scenic stops in the country.

• Duration: 2-5 Days
• Highlights of the Cabot Trail: Skyline Trail, Alexander Graham Bell’s house, Uisge Ban Waterfall Hike, North River Kayaking, Ingonish Beach, Middle Head Trail, Boat Tours, whale watching and wildlife.
• Read More:  11 Not to be Missed Stops on the Cabot Trail

13. Sea to Sky Highway – British Columbia

Canada is known for its multiday road trips since the country is so massive, but the Sea to Sky Highway is an excellent short road trip from Vancouver. The Sea to Sky drive is only about 90 minutes from Vancouver to Whistler, but there are many sights to see along the way this mountain road.

We suggest taking at least two days and spend the night in Squamish. Squamish has some of the best rock climbing in the world at Big Chief, there are world-class kite surfing and backcountry hiking. It also has fantastic dining options.

On the way to Whistler (home to the 2010 Olympics), there are scenic lookouts, waterfalls, hiking trails and adrenaline sports like bungy jumping, skydiving and scenic flights) Read more at Sea to Sky Highway Stops – What to See From Vancouver to Whistler

14. Sunshine Coast – British Columbia

A 90-minute ferry ride from Vancouver takes you to the start of the Sunshine Coast drive at Gibsons Landing. The beloved Canadian TV Series, The Beachcombers was filmed here for 20 years! You may also like These Best Places to Visit in British Columbia

The Sunshine Coast takes you through a gorgeous coastal drive, historic towns, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It has some of the best mountain biking and hiking in the country with well marked trails and few crowds.

It’s a wonderful road trip taking you on several ferries, over bridges and along the coast. The entire loop goes through the towns on the Sunshine Coast to Vancouver Island.

• Duration: 1 week Highlights of the Sunshine Coast: Gibson’s Landing, Smuggler’s Cove, Historic Powell River, Rockwater Resort, Secret Cove, Lund, Desolation Sound
• Watch our video of our Sunshine Coast Road Trip

The Best European Road Trips

5. wild atlantic way – ireland.

It’s the longest Coastal Route in the World and Ireland has done an incredible job at marketing it as the best road trips on earth. During our many trips around Ireland, The Wild Atlantic Way is a standout. Starting in Dublin , we made a b-line for the west coast of Southwest coast of Ireland from Cork to the  Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal .

The Wild Atlantic Way runs 2500 km up the Western Coast of Ireland. There are so many things to see and do on this route. Every day offers spectacular views of enormous sea cliffs, incredible beaches, and unique culture . This is a road trip that packs a huge punch with a road that goes along the entire west coast of Ireland. Read more: 23 of The Very Best Things to do in Ireland

• Duration: 2-4 weeks
• Highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way: Cliffs of Moher, Skellig Michael, Mizen Head, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Slea Head Drive, Aran Islands
• Read more about this Road Trip :  Tips for Driving the Wild Atlantic Way 

16. North Coast 500 – Scotland

The North Coast 500 is Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66. With legendary castles, extraordinary coastal scenery, and famous whisky distilleries lining the winding single track lanes, the North Coast 500 is the ultimate drive for travel lovers.

At 500 miles long it is a touring route around Scotland’s northern coast, starting in Inverness. A Highlithg was most certainly Duncansby Head’s Seastacks

• Duration: 5 Days to 2 Weeks
• Highlights of the North Coast 500:  Inverness, Duncansby Head, Loch Ness, Distilleries, Dornoch Castle, Smoo Caves, Ullapool, Klinlochewe Viewpoint, Applecross, Baelnabach. Eilean Donan Castle
• Read More:  The Essential Guide to the North Coast 500

17. Amalfi Coast – Italy

I think the best road trip in Europe is the Amalfi Coast . We fell in love with that drive from Sorrento to Ravello. There is a reason this drive along the most stunning sea cliffs on earth has been used in so many movies.

The towns and lookouts along the coast are something out of a fairytale. They are just gorgeous. We pulled off to the side of the road to look at the luxurious island of Capri. We saw yachts sailing along the coast, and we were ein awe at the height of the seacliffs. It is truly spectacular.

• Duration:  2 days to a week
• Highlights of the Amalfi Coast  – Positano , Amalfi Town, Ravello, Sorrento, Beaches, Grottos, Capri, Hiking and Waterfalls. 
• Watch it:  Watch our video of our Amalfi Road Trip
• Check out our post :  The Best Things to do on the Amalfi Coast

18. Causeway Coast – Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is so amazing for driving and its star attraction is the Causeway Coast. The Causeway Coastal Route is filled with stop after stop of amazing sights and scenery.

It’s a much shorter route than the Wild Atlantic Way and it can be done in just a couple of days, but we recommend giving at least 4 days to explore this coast because there is so much to see.

We actually took 9 days to drive around Northern Ireland and it was perfect. Highlights include the Giant’s Causeway, Carick a Rede Bridge, The Dark Hedges and Belfast

• Duration: About a Week
• Highlights of the Causeway Coast – Giant’s Causeway, Dark Hedges, Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, Belfast, Game of Thrones. 
• Read more:  Best things to do in Northern Ireland

19. Bavaria – Germany

Driving through the Bavarian Alps will take your breath away. Our road trip through the Alps started in Munich where we made our way to some of Germany’s most iconic sites.

Take a trip through fairytale castles and the highest peaks of Germany for one of the most memorable drives on earth. Go to the Olympic town of Garmish-Partenkirken, tour the world’s oldest monastery and brewery and hike through the picturesque landscape filled with rivers, valleys, lakes, and mountains.

• Duration: 2  Weeks
• Highlights of Bavaria : Neuschwanstein Castle, Berchtesgaden ,  Weltenburg Abbey, Danube Gorge, Munich , Nuremberg, Volkach wine region, Alpspix
•   The Best of Bavaria  
• Things to do in Garmisch Partenkirchen
• Things to do in Munich

20. Ring Road – Iceland

The Ring Road Route 1 of Iceland circles the entire country offering drivers the chance to explore every nook and cranny. People normally drive the route in 10 days to 2 weeks, but to really explore Iceland properly you should take longer. We drove around the island in a counterclockwise directly from Reyjavik Vik and then turning north to see the rest of Iceland.

You can camp or stay at hotels along the way. We drove counterclockwise around the 1,322 km (821 miles). With magnificent glaciers, mountains, hot springs, an untamed coastline, and fascinating culture, The Iceland Ring Road is definitely one of the best road trips in the world.

• Duration: 2 Weeks
• Highlights of the Ring Road:  Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Skogafoss waterfall, Seljalandsfoss, Vik, Horseback Riding Skagafjörður Region, Myvatn Geothermal Area, Kirkjufellsfoss
• Read more:  18 Photos of Iceland’s Mind-Blowing Beauty and 30 of the Best Places To Visit In Iceland

The Best International Road Trips

21. south island – new zealand.

The best way to get around New Zealand is by driving independently. We traveled the South Island two ways, on a bus with the Flying Kiwi which was affordable and a great way to see the highlights, but once we took more time to explore with our own camper van, that’s when the true road trip in New Zealand began.

Just follow the roads in a circle around the South Island island to explore all there is to see and do. New Zealand has a diverse landscape in a very little area. You’ll be mesmerized by the changing landscape before your eyes at each and every turn. Be sure to drive the Milford Road to see the incredible Milford Sound.

There are glaciers, mountains, lakes, and amazing adventures to be had. Read all about it on 46 Top Things to do in New Zealand

• Duration: 4 Weeks
• Highlights : Queenstown, Milford Sound, Abel Tasman, Lake Tekapo, Kaikoura, Pancake Rocks
• Read more about New Zealand:  33 Reasons to Visit New Zealand

22. Great Ocean Road – Australia

Australia is an amazing country to take a driving tour. The Great Ocean Road is probably the most scenic road trip in the country. The route is more than 600km (400 miles) and drives along sea cliffs, jungles, and out to amazing beaches. Some of the top beaches for surfing are located along this route.

If you can, get out and hike because that is where you really get to witness the spectacular coast. We did the Great Ocean Walk – A Beautiful Way to Experience the Twelve Apostles and it was truly a memorable experience.

• Duration:  1 – 3 days
• Highlights  – Twelve Apostles, Bells Beach, Koalas of Kennet River, Otway National Park,
• Read more:   Great Ocean Walk to the 12 Apostles

Overland Europe to Asia

23. mongol rally – 12 countries/2 continents.

It’s the mother of all road trips and the most epic road trip we have ever taken. We hit the open road for six weeks traveling overland from England to Mongolia. iI you are up for the adventure of a lifetime, this is a must.

The Mongol Rally is on many a bucket list and it lives up to the hype! The Mongol Rally is a charity rally starting in London, England and ending in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Read more: 38 Best Things to do in London, England In 2023

You choose your route and take as long as you want to get there. Take your time to get to know the people, and to experience some of the most remote regions on earth.

You just have to raise a certain amount of money for charity and buy a car that used to be donated to the country, but now must be shipped back when you finished.

Or if you have loads of time, return in back around in a different route!

• Duration – 3-8 weeks
• Highlights – 15 countries, 2 continents, endless possibilities – Siberia, The Mongolian Steppe, Prague, Brussels , Kyiv, Kazakhstan, it all really depends on the route you choose to take.
• Countries include England , France, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Tip of Austria, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia.

Africa Road Trips

24.  garden route – south africa.

I always thought the Garden Route of South Africa sounded a little tame, the name sounds like we’d be driving through Botanical gardens. I had visions of sipping tea in manicured gardens as we overlooked the ocean, but this road trip is filled with amazing adventure, striking coastlines, wild animals, incredible nature, and world class wine and dining.

The Garden Route is the southern half of the Durban to Cape Town road trip that we took, and we highly recommend doing the entire thing. South Africa has it all in one of the most exotic and beautiful places on earth. From Gorgeous coastal views, whale watching, jungles and caves. There is so much to see. This is a year round route so hop in your car and go any time.

• Highlights – Great White Shark Diving, Cango Caves, Big 5 Safari, Ostrich Farm, Microlight over Durban, Cape Town
• Read More:  Awesome Things to do in South Africa

25. Cairo to Cape Town –  Entire Coast of Africa

We said early that road trips take many forms, so we wanted to include this one as well. This is more than a cross country road trip, it’s a cross-continent road trip!

Even though we did it by bicycle, you can drive an SUV or motorcycle down the Eastern side of Africa. 12,000 km takes you through some of the most fascinating countries on earth.

Landscapes and cultures vary drastically as you start in the desert landscape of Egypt’s Middle East and the Islamic culture of Sudan. It’s then into the great plains, jungles, and wildlife of Eastern and Southern Africa that takes you all the way down to the Southern point of the continent. Wow!

You can drive this epic route down Africa going through 9 countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa.

• Duration: 3 – 4 months
• Highlights : 10 countries, 3- 6 months, the possibilities are once again endless…Pyramids of Egypt, Blue Nile, Victoria Falls, Safaris, Chobe National Park, Addis Ababa, Nubian Desert of Sudan, Cape Town South Africa
• Read more:  We cycled the Continent of Africa

Road Trip Planner Apps

• Road Tripping Apps – Going on a Road Trip Check out these driving route planners and travel apps to make the most of your trip.
• Apple Maps:  We used Apple Maps recently from Florida to Toronto and found it to be better than Google Maps. It offered more options for avoiding traffic than Google.
• Road Trippers:  Road Trippers is a popular one that is free for shorter road trips offering 7 waypoints. If you upgrade to the paid subscription you get 150 points to pin on your route.
• Waze:  Dave os a huge fan of Waze, even for daily commutes. It’s a social-riven app that lets you know of collisions, traffic, police radar and gas prices.
• Spotify:  Okay, this isn’t a route planning app, but it is a must for road tripping. We have our tunes for each part of the day sectioned on playlists.
• To get started we use our  Ultimate Road Trip playlist  and then as the day goes on we end with our mellow mix.

Travel Tips for Road Trip Planning

We have taken a lot of road trips, and the best times we have had were when we were prepared.

We aren’t saying that you can’t stray from your route, but have what you need ready in case of an emergency or any unplanned hiccups.

I know a lot of this is common sense, but if you go through the checklist, it will make for fewer headaches when you are on the road.

Route Planning and Maps

Plan the route on your road trip planner,  but have a hard copy map with you as well. In many places, you are going to drop cellular coverage and will have to rely on good old fashioned map reading.

Have car chargers for your electronics . Most cars have a USB charger, but we find we need more than one. We love the dual USB charger, we have even charged our drone in our car while on a road trip.

Car Insurance

Insurance : If you are renting a car, check with your insurance company to see if it covers rentals, if not make sure you get insurance.

Our American Express Platinum Card also covers all insurance if we rent our car through our credit card in the same name that the rental is in. Check with your credit card company to see if you are covered for everything.

We nearly always get the extra coverage because we don’t want the hassle of having to go through our insurance should something happen.

If there is a fender bender, we just hand over the keys and don’t worry about a thing. but it is more money, so be prepared.

If you enjoyed this post, save it to Pinterest for future travel planning. 

So there you have it. The best road trips ever! (that we have taken) There are other road trips on our list. Like Let us know if you have a suggestion, we are always adding to our list.

Read other road trip itineraries destinations around the world

• Tasmania Road Trip
• Ultimate Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
• Bosnia and Herzegovina Road Trip
• Tips for Driving from England to Mongolia
• Mongol Rally Gear Guide

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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72 thoughts on “25 Best Road Trips in the World – That We’ve Taken”

I was very excited after reading about Road Trip. I like this part “It’s the longest Coastal Route in the World and Ireland has done an incredible job at marketing it as the best road trips on earth” very much because I have never here about it. Thanks for writing about road trip. I also write a blog on it but it is nothing in front of your Article.

I would have never thought about the Mongol Rally until I saw this. That is an awesome trip out of so many I honestly don’t know how to pick a favorite. Thanks so much for all this good information to have.

I loved reading about your road trip experience around the world. Your descriptions really made it come alive for me. Happy travels!

Arizona is my one of the favorite places. hope, i’ll go there in future. thanks for sharing this amazing post with us.

So many fantastic road trips – so much to be discovered! We have done a lot in the USA, and especially loved our California road trip that included 5 national parks and we REALLY LOVE Colorado – you two would love a southwest Colorado road trip !

The view of the Arizone road 66 is awesome.It stars attracting me,haha

OMG! These places are really so amazing. I always love to travel whenever I’ve chance to visit. Also, I want to say that these roads are beautiful to see. You’ve counted the most beautiful place from all over the world. In this article all pictures are mindblowing. Thanks

When i “grow up” i want to to atleast half of this 🙂 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

Really a great list of road trips. Love to do one of these road trips. Thanks for sharing.

Amazing post! I’ve only been to a few of these road trips in past four years. Now it looks like I have many more to add to my bucket list. Pictures are gorgeous! Thanks for the list.

Wow, what a great list of the trips. It is nice and informative.

Can any one give me a perfect travel plan to visit Amalfi Coast – Italy. May i know the monsoon time of Amalfi Coast.

You can check out our blog here. We are planning on updating it with more information, but it gives you the highlights here. https://theplanetd.com/things-to-do-in-amalfi-coast-italy/

Thanks for sharing a great post!

Great post, we have to go back to Canada for a while next year and planning a few road trips out west. We’ve seen much of the world the last 5 years but really haven’t seen much of Canada.

We did our own version of the Garden Route a few years back, crossing the mountains into the Karoo and then across the Swartberg pass to Prince Albert. The best road trip we’ve done.

Fantastic list of imagination I love road trips very much. I feel more close to nature Maybe in my next trip I’ll think about one of them and over time I’ll try it all Thank you I’m constantly following up on your advice

Looks like you have not traversed the entire Route 66 so let’s do it. When do you want to go?

Thank you all for your responses. Greatly appreciated.

I’ve done the road 66 with my best friends and laugh a lot, I really need to make much more road trips it was so a good experience, loved it! I’ve written an article also about Road trips

I’d add the Corniche, the drive along the French Riviera coastline from St Tropez to Cannes, past and then on to Juan Les Pins, Antibes and Nice, a really brilliant drive.

Awesome article and inspiration, thanks Dave and Deb! I agree with you on the South African Garden Route (also the trans-Karoo is spectacular…and many more in our beautiful country). One more to try out if you haven’t is Namibia – that country was MADE for gravel travel roadtripping! From south to north, the desert scenery turns to bush and lush riverine country in the north – and NEVER gets ugly, boring or repetitive. An outstandingly beautiful and safe country to travel. PS our names are also Dave and Deb 🙂

hey Dave and Deb, In search of freedom and liberty, I quit my job and started my business. Hope this venture of mine goes successful. If that happens, the first thing that I am gonna do is spend a nice and a long vacation with my family. you guys are amazing. keep travelling and keep sharing.

regards, Dhruv K. Mangukia

Amazing photos, great list of Road trips. You guys done a great job. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Thabks sharing the awesome travel Skills

I think Ireland will be one for us soon ? Headed to the US soon but no roadtrip one this trip!

Another nice but short road-trip is from Lisbon to Faro at the west-coast of Portugal. I did this last year with a friend and it was awesome! Although the weather wasn’t that good we saw a lot of beautiful bay areas. forests and hidden cliffs!

Wow these are all epic, I would love to do some of these road trips – fantastic post!

really a very good list.. thanx for sharing

Great list! I’d love to take one of these road trips one day. Thanks for sharing..

Love your site!!! We me and my wife are getting ready for a European roadtrip in a mobile home do you have any expirience or tips of that? All our best Annika & Daniel Majak

We haven’t done a European mobile home trip, but we did have a campervan in New Zealand. just have a great time, be flexible and enjoy the campgrounds. We’ve stayed at a few campgrounds in Europe and they are excellent! They’re often close to cities and some even have shuttles.

I have almost finished 2500km walk around Ireland, doing both the Coastal walk, and the Wild Atlantic way, the published distance is a bit missleading, you would have to go back and forth on every sign poated road for the WAW to be 2500. That said , it is spectacular.

That is great that you have walked nearly all around Ireland. The official Website for the WAW also says 2500 km. That’s their claim to fame, the longest coast driving route int he world. Pretty awesome. I didn’t measure the exact km we did from bottom to top, but it was pretty much 2500 km as well. We definitely did a lot of back and forth and around different bays and lochs, so that probably explains. If you go in a direct line, it definitely cuts km off:)

Awesome and interesting post.

Massive list!! You guys have done on a lot! Currently doing a massive road trip to Mongolia, inspired by the mongol rally. But i like to take some more time then 3-8 weeks 😉

One good roadtrip that you guys ‘should’ do is the Transfagarasan in Romania. 90 km both ways and very scenic!

Love your website!!! Arnoud

That’s a good idea. We’d like to do it again but take a few months. There’s so much to see and so many different routes. The Mongol Rally was a blast, but longer would be better. Thanks for the suggestion about Romania. We drove through Romania during the Mongol Rally, but I’m not sure if we went that route. Cheers!

Would do any of these at the drop of a hat. Road trips are such a fun, classic way to see the world 🙂

They are a great way to see the world aren’t they?

Some incredibly beautiful places…… all the pics in this post are worthy of becoming wallpaper on my laptop……. I will make at least a couple of these my laptop wallpapers!!

Some of these are still on the bucket list, and while the LA to SF is one of the shortest it is one of my favorite! So many people think California is just LA and don’t take the time to spend the extra couple days to enjoy the AMAZING drive up the coast. Carmel might just be one of my favorite little towns on Earth!

Great list! I’d love to take one of these road trips one day. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you Sanjana. You would love any one of these road trips. We definitely did.

Amazing photos, great list of Road trips. Though I’m a hiking lover but you did succeed in encouraging me to try road trips. I don’t know how to drive and my parents never taught me. Maybe I can ask my parents to drive for me and explore all of this area.

Glad we could entice you to give road trips a try. We love hiking too. The great thing about a road trip, is you can take time off to go for a hike. The car gives you freedom to do whatever you like. I think your parents would love a road trip too!

Taking note, as a few of these are in the works. And guys, Norway has fabulous road trips, especially along the long coast. Just sayin’. 🙂

Thanks Sophie! Have a great time road tripping! I would love to go to Norway, hopefully one day soon, that is one long coas.t We’ll be sure to rent a car!

The Cairo to Cape town trip looks exciting. Is the route generally safe?

Dave & Deb, having just made the legendary road-trip along California’s Highway One, I’m eager to do more, and like the look of the drives that you included here. Another one of our favorites has been exploring the Dalmatian coastline in Croatia, and then crossing into Montenegro and Albania too. Love your captures, particularly those from Hawaii and Dark Hedges,.

They sound like awesome road trips, thanks for sharing! WE havne’t been to Montenegro or Albania, I smell another road trip on the horizon! Thanks for the compliment regarding the photographs. It’s pretty easy to be inspired by such beautiful destinations.

Some great exciting road trips, im from New Zealand and have yet done a South Island road trip, although many of my friends have and say it is amazing!

Thank you! You’ll definitely have to get that South Island road trip in, it’s amazing!

I have done a few of these road trips that you mentioned, but nothing to the level that you guys have done. The pictures are fabulous. Your mention of the Route 66 road trip brought back memories to me. I made a cross country road trip of the USA where most of it was on Route 66 when they were still building the interstate highway system, so most the the route was still there. I am so glad that I did because a lot of that is gone now and I have memories that cannot be duplicated today. I am intrigued with Canada and would love to take a trip across the southern portion. I would also enjoy such a trip by train and leave the driving to them. I heard there is such a great trip available.

Hey Bob, that would have been amazing. We only gave it an honorable mention because we haven’t done the entire thing. We felt that we couldn’t properly say we’ve done Route 66 when we’ve only done portions. Now to do the whole thing, that would be amazing. I’d love to do it on a motorcycle. You would love visiting Canada, In the summer, it’s beautiful. A road trip through the Rockies is outstanding.

Loved doing road trips in South Africa and in South Island New Zealand where the blues are the most gorgeous hues we have ever seen! Next time, do try the Route 62 from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in South Africa – the towering cliffs just come at you! Also you two will love the east coastal drive in Sri Lanka – although hugging the east coast, the route also takes you inland through some rugged terrain with elephants. Lovely images – thanks for inspiring us.

Sounds fantastic! Thanks for the recommendations. You could spend a lifetime doing road trips around the world and barely scratch the surface. We didn’t get to explore much of the Eastern Sri Lankan Coast, another reason to go back!

South Island, New Zealand is very beautiful place in world. Really I like this place very much. Anyone can be more delighted to come here.

These all look amazing. I was on the Hana Highway many years ago, and would love to go back. Having lived in Alberta in the 70’s (and dating a couple of cowboys!), I’d love to go back and do the Cowboy Trail

thanks for this compilation. It will now be on my bucket list before I turn 60. 10 years to go. Keep exploring guys !

Fantastic photos guys. Very sharp! I’ve done a road trip from LA through to Arizona, Utah and Nevada. It was our first time in America and I did this with my husband and young son. Also, we drove from Berlin to London. I’m not sure that you would call it a road trip per se, but I think driving through 5 independent countries and then crossing the British Channel should surely count LOL! Nice post guys. 🙂

Hi Victoria, Thanks for the compliment. Sounds like you’ve done some awesome road trips. I call Berlin to London a road trip for sure. Anytime you drive and travel, it’s a road trip to me! Love it!

Wow, what a great list of road trips! Some wonderful photos too. Really like the bamboo forest. I’ve only done a couple road trips that you have listed…Page to Antelope Canyon being one of them. I actually did a little video if your readers are interested: http://www.mikesroadtrip.com/antelope-canyon

Thanks Mike, that bamboo forest is pretty incredible eh? I’ll definitely check out the video, thanks for sharing.

Would love to do every single one of the road trips you mentioned above. Especially the Mongol Rally would be something I´d love to do. My aunt and uncle did it a couple of years ago and they fell in love with the landscape in Mongolia. If you have a chance you should do a road trip in Southern France. The Lavender Route is a great route where you will drive along one of the largest canyons in Europe and you will drive past the famous lavender fields.

Your Aunt and Uncle are right. The landscape of Mongolia is so beautiful, we both really want to go back. We’ve actually done Southern France, I should have included that one! We went from Paris through the South of France, into Spain and then over to the Cinque Terre in Italy. You’ve reminded me that I will have to add it to this list when I get a chance.

Great list!! We are currently driving the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland! Also headed to the Causeway Coast. Love the Lake Superior Circle Tour (Duluth/Superior is our home town!!!) and loved the Road to Hana. Nothing like a great road trip.

Have an amazing time on the Wild Atlantic Way! It’s incredible isn’t it? And enjoy the Causeway Coast,try to stay over night at the Giant’s Causeway to see it in the morning or at sunset without all the tour buses there. Totally worth it.

Great post with amazing photos!

Thanks Johnny! And thanks for the inspiration it was #TravelSkills that got me thinking about putting all the road trips together!

I’ve only been to a few of these road trips, looks like quite a few more I would need to add to my bucket list – gorgeous pics!

Thanks Noel, I’m glad we could inspire you with a few ideas:)

Fantastic list of imagination I love road trips very much. I feel more close to nature Maybe in my next trip I’ll think about one of them and over time I’ll try it all Thank you I’m constantly following up on your advice

Thanks Noel even I am glad to know this Thank You very much

The Great American Road Trip: A 4-Month Itinerary Around the USA

The Great American Road Trip. It’s the kind of multi-month adventure most dream about, but few actually do.

While many of us have bucket-list goals of exploring this vast and diverse landscape, more often than not, we end up heading abroad instead. International travel just seems more alluring, exotic, and exciting.

But this country has more than enough eclectic cities, small towns, regional culinary traditions, historic sites, fascinating museums, and natural wonders to keep any intrepid traveler busy.

I’ve done five big US road trips (two that completely crisscrossed the country and three in various regions) that cumulatively add up to a year on the road (and that doesn’t count all the “regular” trips, vacations, and weekend getaways). I’ve seen a lot of the United States.

When COVID-19 caused us to consider our backyard more and more, many Americans turned to domestic travel. We finally got to explore all the wonders our own country has to offer.

So, because of that, I’ve created an epic four-month itinerary for traveling around the States. I think it balances time in cities with relaxing in nature.

It may seem like a lot, but four months just scratches the surface. And, since I don’t expect most of you to have four months, you can easily break this trip into smaller portions. It’s much better to concentrate your focus rather than try to see a lot in a short amount of time.

One note before we begin: There are so many routes you could take that it’s impossible to have one “best” route. The US is just too big. The route below is just one of my favorites. Use it as a starting point for creating your own itinerary that mixes realistic drive times, national parks, and fabulous cities.

Table of Contents

Month 1: East Coast, Southern US

Month 2: south, southwestern us, west coast, month 3: pacific northwest, western us, month 4: midwest, northeast us, days 1-3: boston, ma.

• Walk the Freedom Trail – This 2.5-mile (4 kilometer) route links many historic sites, including the Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, the State House, and Bunker Hill. To get the most out of your experience, take a guided tour . You’ll be able to ask questions to an expert local guide for a more in-depth experience.
• Relax in Boston Common – This is one of America’s oldest parks and was once used as communal pasture land by Puritan settlers. Today, it’s a great place to relax, people-watch, and picnic.
• See the Bunker Hill Monument – The Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) was one of the first major battles of the Revolutionary War. While the British won, the Americans wore British forces down more than was expected. The monument stands 221 feet (67 meters) tall; you can climb to the top to enjoy the best view of Boston.
• Visit the Museum of Fine Arts – This museum has over 450,000 pieces of fine art, covering everything from the pre-Columbian era to Italian Impressionists. It’s one of the biggest collections in the country. It’s free after 4pm on Wednesdays.

For more things to do, check out my free guide to Boston . And, for places to stay, here are my hostel recommendations.

Days 4-8: New York City, NY

• Take a walking tour – To get a feel for the city, take a walking tour. There are myriad free and paid tours on a variety of subjects. Nothing is too obscure. Here’s a list of suggested walking tour companies in NYC .
• Wander Central Park – This massive, 51-block-long, 843-acre park is the best free attraction in town. There are plenty of places to bike, walk, jog, read, picnic, and people-watch. During the summer, there are free concerts and theater productions too. Free tours are run by the parks service. The “Iconic Views of Central Park” tour is offered daily at 10am from the spring to the fall.
• See the Statue of Liberty – You can pay to visit Ellis Island if you want to see the statue up close . However, you can also take a free ferry to Staten Island instead if you just want to see it while passing by.
• Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum – At the base of the Freedom Tower is a park commemorating the victims of 9/11. Inside the museum, there are over 14,000 artifacts from that day, as well as 3,500 recordings from survivors, first responders, and family members of those killed. It’s a sobering, eye-opening exhibit. A timed-entry ticket is $19.40 USD.
• Walk the High Line – The High Line is an elevated urban walking park on the west side of NYC. Made from a converted train track, it runs for 22 blocks and is lined with overlooks, gardens, public art, food stalls, and greenery.
• Cross the Brooklyn Bridge – For a view of the Manhattan skyline, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a long walk (around 40 minutes if you stop for photos), but the view is worth it — especially at night. It’s free too!
• Explore the Met – The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the foremost fine art collections in the world. You can easily spend an entire day here if you wanted to see it all.

If you want more ideas for things to see and do in NYC, here’s a detailed suggested itinerary that can come.

For accommodation suggestions, here is my comprehensive list of hostels in NYC , my recommended hotels , as well as a neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to the city .  

Days 9-11: Philadelphia, PA

• See the Liberty Bell – This bell, which dates to 1752, is an iconic symbol of American freedom. It’s said to have been rung when the Declaration of Independence was read in July 1776. Today, the bell is located in Independence National Historical Park, which you can visit for free.
• Wander around Independence Hall – Learn about the founding of the United States at Independence Hall, and wander around the area’s historic colonial buildings.
• Explore Franklin Court – This is where Benjamin Franklin lived while serving in the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention. While his house was torn down after his death in 1790, a hollow structure stands where it was located, and there’s a museum nearby with information about his life and works.
• Climb the Rocky stairs – The stairs from Rocky , the classic boxing film, are located at the Museum of Art. You can’t visit Philadelphia without running up them and doing your best Stallone impression.
• Visit the Magic Gardens – This quirky art gallery is one of the most unique attractions in town: a collection of indoor and outdoor art and mosaics made from broken tiles, glass, and all kinds of odds and ends. Indoors, there’s a more conventional art gallery and space for events and concerts.

Days 12-14: Washington, DC

• Visit the Holocaust Museum – The Holocaust Museum is informative and heart-wrenching. Its permanent exhibit takes up three entire levels and tells the story of the Holocaust through films, photos, artifacts, and first-person stories. Admission is free.
• Tour the Smithsonian – The Smithsonian Institution is a group of world-class museums and research centers. All of them are free to enter. Some of the best museums are: the Air and Space Museum, the African American Museum, the Smithsonian Castle, and the American Art Museum.
• See the Lincoln Memorial – This iconic 19-foot statue is located on the National Mall and pays tribute to America’s 16th president. Built in 1914, it’s surrounded by 36 columns, each of which represents a state in the union at the time of his death in 1865.

For tons more ideas on what to see, here’s my free detailed guide to DC!  

Days 15-16: Shenandoah National Park, VA

Days 17-19: Asheville, NC

• The Biltmore Estate – This is America’s largest house. It’s a whopping 178,926-square-foot mansion surrounded by 8,000 acres of land. The massive estate has over 250 rooms (including 33 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms). I love it!
• Enjoying craft beer – Asheville has over 25 breweries (and there are another 50+ outside town too). Take a brewery tour, or just hop around and sample some local offerings. My two favorites are Bhramari and Wicked Weed.
• Hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains – Parts of the Appalachian Trail can be found here, and there are lots of day or multiday hikes. You can also climb Mount Mitchell, the highest summit east of the Mississippi River.

Days 20-22: Atlanta, GA

• See the Center for Civil and Human Rights – Opened in 2014, this museum highlights the struggles and accomplishments of the civil rights movement as well as human rights around the globe. (To learn more about civil rights history in Atlanta, take this city walking tour with Unexpected Atlanta. )
• Wander the Atlanta Botanical Garden – Escape the urban hustle and bustle with a getaway to this 30-acre oasis in the heart of the city. In addition to its orchids and tropical plants, there’s a 600-foot canopy walk that lets you enjoy the gardens from 40 feet in the air.
• Take a street art tour – Atlanta is one of the best destinations for street art. There are tons of murals along the Krog Street Tunnel and the Belt Line. Take a guided tour or use the website streetartmap.org for self-guided suggestions.

Days 23-27: Nashville, TN

• Attend the Grand Ole Opry – Opened in 1925, this is one of the most famous country music venues in the world. Today, the Opry hosts regular live performances, TV broadcasts, and radio shows. You can buy tickets here or book a guided tour of the venue here .
• See the Parthenon – This full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, was built in 1897. It was created to celebrate Nashville’s 100th anniversary and chosen because Nashville is called “the Athens of the South” (due to its historic focus on higher education).
• Explore the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – This museum has one of the largest music collections in the entire world. There are over 200,000 recordings here, including 98% of music released before World War II. Tickets are $29.95 USD.
• Visit Franklin – Located just 25 minutes outside of Nashville, most people assume Franklin is just another suburb. However, it has a lot going for it: it’s bursting with small-town charm, has stellar food and drink (it’s where I discovered my favorite Bourbon, H Clark), is full of history ( there was a major Civil War battle here ), and has one of the best-preserved historic main streets in the country. I’d spend two nights here.

Days 28-30: Memphis, TN

• Visit the National Civil Rights Museum – This museum traces the history of civil rights from the 17th century to today. It’s housed in the former motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It’s powerful and poignant. Don’t miss it. Admission is $20 USD.
• See the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum – This museum highlights the musical pioneers of blues, rock, and soul music from the 1930s to the 1970s. There are costumes and recordings, interactive media, and exhibitions on famous musicians from Memphis. A joint ticket that also includes the Music Hall of Fame is $17 USD.
• Stroll down Beale Street – Known as “America’s most iconic street,” Beale Street features many bars where you’ll find Memphis’s best live music. There are also numerous street buskers. If you’re going out at night, start here. ( Backbeat Tours offers guided tours if you’d like to learn more about the street’s history.)
• Day-trip to Graceland – The home of Elvis Presley, Graceland is located a few miles south of town. Even if you’re not a huge Elvis fan, it’s worth a visit to see just how impactful his life and music have been. You’ll see loads of lookalikes and die-hard fans making the pilgrimage to see the King.

Days 31-32: Natchez, MS

• Visit antebellum homes – Built in the early to mid-19th century, these historic homes are Natchez’s main draw. Longwood, Rosalie Mansion, and Stanton Hall were my favorites. Admission is $20-25 USD at each or there is a joint ticket that includes all three for $65 USD.
• Attend the Natchez Pilgrimage – During the Natchez Pilgrimage in the spring, all of the private historical homes open up to the public. The costumed guides explain the history of the home, their owners, and the region. It’s the city’s biggest annual event, and there are some 20 homes on display.
• See the Emerald Mount – Constructed sometime between the 13th and 17th centuries, this was an elevated place of worship for the Plaquemine Native Americans. All kinds of animal bones have been found nearby, leading researchers to believe it was the site of religious or sacred activity.

Days 33-36: New Orleans, LA

• Visit the National World War II Museum – This is the largest World War II museum in America. It’s also one of the best museums in the world. You can listen to firsthand accounts of the war, which make it all feel that much more intimate and impactful. You can get your tickets here .
• Listen to music on Frenchmen Street – Live music is available every night of the week, and there are innumerable venues to listen to blues and jazz. My personal favorite is the Spotted Cat.
• Wander the French Quarter and Garden District – These are two of NOLA’s most iconic and historic districts, full of old French-influenced buildings and grand mansions. You can either do a self-guided tour or go with Tour Orleans to learn more about this beautiful area.
• Take a ghost or voodoo tour – “The Big Easy” has a creepy past. The best way to learn about it is to take a voodoo or ghost tour . You’ll get to see cemeteries, explore haunted buildings, and hear all sorts of unsettling anecdotes and ghostly tales.

For more things to see and do in NOLA, check out this detailed itinerary .  

Days 37-39: Houston, TX

Houston is home to the Space Center and NASA’s astronaut training complex, as well as countless breweries and museums and a killer food scene (definitely go out for Viet BBQ).

These are some things you can do while you’re in town:

• Visit Space Center Houston – This is Houston’s top attraction, bringing in over a million visitors each year. There are over 400 items in the collection, including moon rocks and three spacecraft that were used during missions. Get your timed-entry ticket here .
• Explore the Museum of Natural Science – Opened in 1909, this museum has four floors of exhibitions (as well as a planetarium and an IMAX theatre). There are displays on wildlife, ancient Egypt, dinosaurs, minerals, and much more! Tickets are $25 USD.
• Wander Buffalo Bayou Park – This 124-acre park has all kinds of walking trails and is a nice spot for a picnic, to relax with a book, or to people-watch. There are also lots of concerts and events here too, so check the local tourism office to see what’s coming up.

Days 40-44: Austin, TX

• Relax at Barton Springs – Barton Springs is a pool/creek that locals flock to in warm weather. It’s fed by a natural cold-water spring in Zilker Park and has manicured lawns that are great for lounging on and relaxing when it’s too hot to do much else. You can also rent kayaks and paddle around.
• Go two-stepping – Two-stepping is a popular country dance — and country dancing is one of Austin’s favorite pastimes. To see it in action (and try it yourself), head to the White Horse, where there are free lessons so you can then dance your way around town.
• Enjoy world-class barbecue — Some of the best BBQ joints in the US are here in Austin. If you’re looking to treat your taste buds (and don’t mind waiting, usually a couple of hours), head to Franklin’s or La Barbecue. For something faster, check out Micklethwait Craft Meats.

For way more activities, check out my free guide to Austin ! Since I lived here for so long, I have a lot of suggestions on how to spend your time.  

Days 45-47: Truth or Consequences, NM

Originally named Hot Springs, “T or C,” as it’s known, got its name from a radio contest in 1950. After winning, the town kept the name. Located 10 hours from Austin, T or C is known for its wellness tourism. The entire town was built over a hot mineral spring, so it’s the perfect place to relax at a spa.

Try to explore some of the nearby ghost towns. Winston and Chloride, located north of T and C, are two mining towns that were abandoned in the early 1900s; some of the original buildings still remain.  

Days 48-49: Phoenix, AZ

• See the Desert Botanical Garden – This 140-acre garden is home to over 50,000 plants, including over 14,000 cacti. It’s super interesting!
• Visit the Heard Museum – This museum focuses on Native American art. There are permanent and rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, as well as cultural artifacts that highlight the history and traditions of the region’s native cultures.
• Hike Camelback Mountain – With an elevation of 2,700 feet, this 2-3-hour hike is a fun way to see Arizona’s stunning and arid landscapes. There are two trails, both of which are challenging but rewarding.

Days 50-51: Joshua Tree National Park, CA

A seven-day vehicle pass is $30 USD. It allows multiple entries in case you stay in one of the nearby towns.  

Days 52-54: San Diego, CA

• See the USS Midway Museum – This aircraft carrier was commissioned after World War II and was the largest ship in the world until 1955. It saw action in numerous conflicts, including Vietnam. After it was decommissioned, it became a museum open to the public. Skip-the-line tickets are $32 USD.
• Visit wildlife at the San Diego Zoo – Located in Balboa Park, this zoo is home to over 3,500 animals and 700,000 plant species. It’s a massive 1,800-acre park, and you could easily spend an entire day here. It’s a fun place to visit with kids (there’s even a Children’s Zoo). A skip-the-line ticket is $72 USD.
• Go whale watching – California gray whales migrate from Alaska to Mexico between December and April. They are spectacular to see up close, as they grow up to 49 feet long and live for over 70 years. Tours range from around $60-75 USD depending on length and tour company. A 4-hour tour with City Cruises California is $73 USD.

Days 55-58: Los Angeles, CA

• Wander Hollywood Boulevard – Play tourist and visit the Walk of Fame (where stars have their names engraved in the sidewalk) and Grauman’s (now TCL) Chinese Theatre (featuring celebrities’ handprints and footprints).
• Relax on the beach – At iconic Venice Beach, you’ll find all kinds of street performers, surfers, roller-skaters, and locals and tourists alike soaking up the sun. Some other beaches worth checking out are Carbon Beach, Santa Monica State Beach, Huntington City Beach, and El Matador.
• Visit to the Hollywood sign – Don’t just settle for a photo of the sign — go see it up close. The three trails that you can take (from easiest to hardest) are the Mt. Hollywood Trail, the Brush Canyon Trail, and the Cahuenga Peak Trail. Bring water and sunscreen, as the hike will take a few hours. If you don’t want to go solo, guided hikes to the Hollywood sign cost $25 USD.
• Go hiking – LA is an active city, and locals love escaping the hustle and bustle as often as they can. Some trails worth checking out are the Charlie Turner Trail (90 minutes), Runyon Canyon (45 minutes), Portuguese Bend Reserve (3 hours), and Echo Mountain (3–3.5 hours).

For an even more detailed list of what else you can see and do while in LA, check out my Los Angeles travel guide . For accommodation suggestions, here are my favorite hostels in Los Angeles .  

Days 59-61: Las Vegas, NV

• Explore Fremont Street – Old Vegas is full of sketchy bars, vintage casinos, and a Bourbon Street vibe. It makes for an interesting contrast to the sleek and polished Strip. There are lots of cover bands, buskers, and celeb lookalikes pandering for paid photos, as well as people-watching, cheap slots, and cheap drinks. There’s also an hourly light show on the ceiling above the street. Las Vegas Walking Tours offers a 3-hour tour of Fremont Street if you’d like a bit of a deeper dive.
• Hike Red Rock – Just 30 minutes outside town, Red Rock Canyon offers plenty of hiking and biking trails. Just make sure to arrive early in the morning before it gets too hot. Red Rock Discovery Tours also offers guided hikes starting at $95 USD (includes round-trip transportation from Vegas).
• Visit the Neon Museum – This is essentially an eclectic graveyard for the huge lights and signs that once beckoned to tourists from casinos like the Silver Slipper, Stardust, and El Cortez. It spans three acres and gives you a glimpse into the city’s shining and sinful past. Admission is $20 USD.
• See the Grand Canyon – Rent a car and drive the four hours to the South or North Rim of the Grand Canyon . It’s one of the most epic, iconic sights in the country and absolutely worth the drive. If you can, hike down to the bottom and stay the night. It’s an amazing experience! And if you want to dive deeper into this beautiful area, check out HoneyTrek’s Grand Circle Road Trip .

For more activities (and there’s plenty to choose from that don’t involve gambling), here is my comprehensive guide to Las Vegas .  

Days 62-64: Yosemite National Park, CA

Days 65-67: San Francisco, CA

• Walk the Golden Gate Bridge – When it opened in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was the world’s longest and tallest suspension bridge. Spend some time walking across to enjoy the view of the bay and the ships coming and going.
• Tour Alcatraz – One of the most infamous prisons in the country, Alcatraz housed some of the nation’s worst criminals (renowned gangster Al “Scarface” Capone spent four years here). Today, it’s a national landmark where you can take tours, step foot in the cells, and learn about its grim history. Tickets are $53.25 USD. There are also many joint ticket options, such as this one that includes a cruise around San Francisco Bay .
• Relax at Golden Gate Park – This gigantic park features a Japanese garden, museums, an arboretum, a carousel, and many hiking and walking trails. It’s a whopping 20% bigger than New York City’s Central Park, so you easily could spend an entire day here relaxing, walking, and lounging.

Again, for even ways to spend your time in SF, here’s my guide to the city . And, for suggested places to stay, here’s a list of my favorite hostels in San Francisco .  

Days 68-69: Redwood National Park, CA

Given the drive time from SF, spend two nights here to make sure you get some good hiking in.  

Days 70-73: The Oregon Coast

• Binge on oysters – I’ve grown to love oysters in recent years and some of the best in the country can be found in Oregon. Some of my favorite places I stopped at were from Shucker’s Oyster Bar (Lincoln City), Oregon Oyster Farm and Mo’s Seafood & Chowder (both in Newport), and Clausen Oysters (North Bend).
• See Thor’s Well – This coastal sinkhole near Cape Perpetua is known as the Drainpipe of the Pacific. While it can be dangerous to get too close (it’s very easy to get swept away into the water or rocks), you’ll nevertheless see tons of tourists posing for pictures near the well. It’s worth a stop to snap some quick pics.
• Relax at Cannon Beach – This iconic beach is long and sandy and is best known for its photogenic Haystack Rock, a giant rock jutting out of the ocean just offshore. There are plenty of tide pools and places to picnic here, and the town itself (also called Cannon Beach) is full of all kinds of cafés and artisanal shops.

Here’s a list of my favorite things to see and do along the Oregon coast to help you make the most of your drive.  

Days 74-76: Portland

• See Pittock Mansion – Built in 1914, this 46-room French Renaissance-style mansion was originally owned by a wealthy couple from England. Today, it’s part of the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, you’ll find beautiful artwork and furniture collected by the original owners. Admission is $16.50 USD.
• Devour some donuts – Portland is known for its donuts. Voodoo Doughnuts put Portland on the map with its weird and wonderful combinations, such as Cap’n Crunch and maple bacon. Some argue that Voodoo is for tourists and that actually Blue Star makes better donuts. Try both and see for yourself! You can also take a donut food tour with Underground Donut Tours for $70 USD.
• Hike the Columbia River Gorge – Located east of town, here you’ll find waterfalls (including Oregon’s tallest, Multnomah Falls), scenic vistas, and hiking trails. Some suggested hikes are Dry Creek Falls (easy, 2 hours), Wahkeena Falls Loop (moderate, 3 hours), and Starvation Ridge and Warren Lake (hard, 8 hours). Guided hikes with Wildwood Tours cost around $80 USD (transportation included).

For more suggestions on how to spend your time in Portland, here’s a list of the best things to see and do in the city!  

Days 77-79: Seattle, WA

• Explore the Seattle Center – Seattle Center is home to the Space Needle as well as a complex of entertainment venues: the Museum of Pop Culture (formerly the Experience Music Project), the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, the Pacific Science Center, and the outdoor Mural Amphitheater, as well as the International Fountain and the Armory food court. Don’t miss the views from the top of the Space Needle ( get your skip-the-line ticket here )!
• Wander Pike Place Market – Pike Place Market is one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the US. It’s a nine-acre, four-floor sprawl of shops, stalls, galleries, and cafés (including the original Starbucks location) selling everything from crafts to flowers to fresh produce. Wander, eat, shop, and enjoy the ambiance. Show Me Seattle offers food tours of the market for a more guided experience.
• See the Boeing Museum of Flight – This museum highlights planes and spacecraft through the ages, offering insight into how flight has evolved over the decades. You’ll also get a chance to see the original Boeing “factory.” The original Air Force One is here too. Admission is $26.

For more things to see and do, here’s my in-depth guide to Seattle . And here are some budget-friendly accommodation suggestions for your visit.  

Days 80-82: Missoula, MT

• Tour the breweries – For such a small city, there are breweries and bars everywhere (Montana has the third-highest number of craft breweries per capita in the country). Don’t miss Bayern Brewery (the state’s first craft brewery), Draught Works Brewery (which has live music three nights a week), and Imagine Nation (which is also a community center). If you visit in April, you can attend the Missoula Craft Beer Week.
• Hike the M – Mount Sentinel is a small mountain nearby that offers some stunning views. The trail is just 1.2 miles, so it’s not particularly challenging, though you can extend the route for an all-day hike by continuing along the Crazy Canyon Trail at the summit.
• Ski Snowball Mountain – In the winter you’ll find upwards of a thousand acres of skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, the area is open for zip-lining, hiking, and mountain biking. It’s just twenty minutes from downtown,

NOTE: While not here, if you have time, you can drive north to spend a few days in Glacier National Park.  

Days 83-86: Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone is home to the largest volcanic system in North America, which is why geysers like Old Faithful (and the largest active geyser in the world, Steamboat) can be found here. Wolves, bears, lynx, cougars, and bison all call the park home as well. Spend some time here hiking, camping, and basking in the park’s magnificent landscapes.  

Days 87-90: Denver, CO

• Visit the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum – This museum is housed on an old air base and has a collection of over 50 aircraft on display. Some of the highlights include a supersonic Rockwell Lancer and the massive B-52 Stratofortress. Admission is $19.95.
• Hike Mount Evans – This 14,265-foot peak can actually be summited in under 30 minutes (though there are longer trails too). You’ll see sweeping panoramic views of the region without having to hike for hours. Be sure to visit Like Echo and Mount Goliath on the way here.
• Catch a show at Red Rocks – The Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a 9,000-seat outdoor venue that regularly hosts concerts and other events. It’s one of the most beautiful concert venues in the US. Try to catch a show here if you can.

Days 91-93: Kansas City, MO

• Indulge in BBQ – KC is one of America’s best hubs for delicious barbecue. You can find pretty much any kind of meat barbecued here, from brisket to turkey to fish. Kansas City’s barbecue dates back to the 1920s, and the city takes this tradition seriously. Harp Barbecue and Fiorella’s Jack Stack are two of the best in town.
• Wander the Jazz District – The historic 18th and Vine area is known as the Jazz District, owing to the popularity of jazz music from the 1920s to the ’40s and performances here by the likes of Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louie Armstrong. Wander the district and bar-hop to catch some stellar live music.
• See the World War I Museum – The award-winning National World War I Museum and Memorial of the United States sheds light on the history and horrors of the Great War.

Days 94-97: Chicago, IL

• Relax in Grant & Millennium Parks – Located downtown, these two parks provide a relaxing place to hang out, have a picnic, or go for a run. You’ll find people playing chess, and during the summer, there are a lot of free concerts. The famous “Chicago Bean” sculpture is located in Millennium Park.
• Try the pizza – Deep-dish pizza and stuffed-crust pizza were developed in Chicago, and no trip is complete without trying at least one. Deep-dish pizza was invented by Pizzeria Uno, which is now a national restaurant chain. But for something more local, Chicagoans swear by Lou Malnati’s.
• Visit the Art Institute of Chicago – Founded in 1879, this is one of the oldest art museums in the country. It has everything from photography to architecture to textiles, and its permanent collection includes works by Eva Hesse, David Hockney, and Ellsworth Kelly. A skip-the-line ticket is $40 USD.

If you want additional things to see and do (as well as some money-saving tips), consult my comprehensive guide to Chicago!

And here is my list of the best hostels in Chicago for budget-friendly accommodation .  

Days 98-100: Detroit, MI

• Explore the Detroit Institute of Art – This 130-year-old museum is located in the heart of Midtown and has something to offer every visitor. There are more than 65,000 works of art here, ranging from classic to more modern and contemporary pieces, spread out over 100 different galleries. It’s one of the best art museums in the country. Admission is $18 USD.
• Walk the Dequindre Cut – The Dequindre Cut Greenway is a two-mile urban recreational path that offers a pedestrian link between the East Riverfront, the Eastern Market, and several residential neighborhoods in between. Along the path, you’ll find all kinds of street art, as well as buskers in the summer. It’s a nice place to walk or jog and take in the city.
• Shop at the Eastern Market – The Eastern Market is a huge marketplace with local foods, art, jewelry, artisan crafts, and more. It covers 43 acres and is the largest historic public market district in the United States, dating back over 150 years. It is particularly busy on Saturdays, when farmers bring in their fresh produce.

Days 101-103: Cleveland, OH

• See the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – This is one of the largest collections of musical memorabilia in the entire world. John Lennon’s guitar, Elvis Presley’s military uniform, and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust outfits are just some of the items in the massive collection.
• Tour the Museum of Natural History – Founded in 1920, this massive museum is home to over four million specimens. There are exhibits on dinosaurs, minerals, primates, animals, and more. It’s super educational, and there are lots of interactive exhibits too.
• Hike the Cuyahoga Valley National Park – Located on the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, this is the only national park in Ohio. Encompassing 32,000 acres, the park has all kinds of hiking and biking trails (camping is no longer permitted).

Days 104-106: Pittsburgh, PA

• Ride the Duquesne Incline – This 140-year-old funicular used to transport workers up Pittsburgh’s steep hills before cars became commonplace. Hop on, ride to the top, and enjoy the view! Tickets are $2.50 USD one way.
• Visit the Warhol Museum – Dedicated to Andy Warhol, Pittsburgh’s best-known artist, this is the largest museum in the country dedicated to a single person. While much of his art is unusual, it’s still worth a visit, as Warhol has had a profound and lasting impact on modern art. Admission is $25.
• See Randyland – Created by a local artist, here you’ll find a section of the north end completely painted in all kinds of bright colors and murals. Buildings, fences, driveways — it’s a massive, bright, and fun spot to visit and unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere! Admission is free but donations are encouraged.
• Tour Carrie Furnace – Built in 1884, these former blast furnaces were part of the Homestead Steel Works and produced over 1,000 tons of iron per day. It’s one of the only pre–World War II blast furnaces in existence. Tours are $25 USD.

Days 107-110: Finger Lakes, NY

• Visit the wineries – There are tons of wineries all around the Finger Lakes, most of which offer tours and tastings (some also have live music and serve food). To guide your way, follow the Seneca Wine Trail or the Keuka Wine Trail, which link some of the best wineries in the region.
• See Watkins Glen State Park – Watkins Glen State Park gorge trail is home to 19 picturesque waterfalls spread out over a two-hour hike. It’s not particularly strenuous, and there are lots of spots to relax and snap photos.
• Visit Ithaca – This photogenic small town has over 150 waterfalls within 10 miles of the town. There’s also a charming downtown, the beautiful Cornell campus (one of the prettiest in the country), and Cayuga Lake.

Days 111-113: Albany, NY

• Hike in John Boyd Thacher State Park – Located 30 minutes outside of town, this state park has over 25 miles of trails, as well as panoramic views from the Helderberg Escarpment. It’s a beautiful place for a day hike.
• Visit New York State Museum – This museum has a wide range of interesting exhibitions, including on local birds and wildlife, colonial history, and the ice age, among other topics. Admission is free (though a $5 USD donation is suggested).
• Tour the Capitol – The NY State Capitol building offers free daily tours. They’re the perfect way to learn more about the state, the city, and the building (including some ghost stories about the capitol’s haunting). Tours last one hour.

Days 114-120: Buffer Days

Having some padding in your itinerary will let you explore, have serendipitous travel experiences, and dig a little deeper into the regions and cultures you’ll be passing through.

While this is a solid itinerary, please mix it up. Skip some cities and spend more time in nature — or vice versa!

At the end of the day, the United States is an amazing and diverse country. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it. Delicious food, adventure activities, hiking, museums, history — we’ve got it all. You just need to hit the road and see it for yourself.

Need a rental car for your epic adventure? use the widget below to find the best deals!

Book Your Trip to the United States: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money — and I think they will help you too!

Want more information on the United States? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on the USA for even more planning tips!

Hi, I’m Nomadic Matt, the New York Times best-selling author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad, as well as the founder of this website! And I’m here to help you save money on your next trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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Bucket List: The 12 Best Road Trip Routes In The World

• Road trips offer freedom and flexibility, allowing travelers to explore at their own pace and stop as long as they want. No schedules or time constraints to worry about.
• The world is full of incredible road trip routes, from scenic coastal drives to traversing challenging mountain passes. There are options for every type of traveler.
• Some of the top road trip routes include Route 66 in the US, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Ocean Road in Australia, Trollstigen in Norway, and the Ring Road in Iceland. These routes offer amazing views and unforgettable experiences.

Traveling by train, like enjoying an adventure on Amtrak's epic sleeper train routes around the world , can be a comfortable way to explore a destination (and multiple, at that!). However, there's far less freedom when traveling by rail because passengers are limited to the time constraints and stops on the journey. What's better than rail travel for folks with wanderlust hoping to be free from the clutches of time limits? Road trips, of course!

Going on a road trip is an amazing way for travelers to discover the world at their own pace; explorers can go wherever their hearts desire and stop for as long as they wish without having to worry about schedules. Moreover, there are countless options for road trip routes that range from scenic coastal drives to traversing rugged mountain passes and immersing oneself in the culture and history of an area (or an entire country, in many cases).

For aspiring roadtrippers looking to see the world, here are the top ten best road trip routes around the globe to add to the bucket list. From the breathtaking vistas of Scotland's North Coast 500 to the remote and challenging terrain of Pakistan's Karakoram Highway, these amazing bucket list road trips offer unforgettable experiences and awe-inspiring views for those who crave adventure on the open road.

UPDATE: 2023/11/30 12:40 EST BY NOAH STAATS

Who's Up For A Drive? These Are Some Of The Most Beautiful Routes To Take

This list covers a number of the most beautiful road trips in the world (in other words, the best!). However, there's always room for more! As such, this article has been updated with two new bucket list road trip routes, both in the US and the most beautiful to embark on ASAP. From Route 66 across the Western United States to the Blue Ridge Mountain Drive, there are endless places to travel by vehicle. Have fun!

Related: Road Trip Bucket List: 12 Major Cities To Stop At Along Route 66

Route 66, United States

Welcome to the wild west: route 66 is the perfect desert adventure.

One of the most famous road trips in the world is Route 66 in the United States. Not only has this iconic road-inspired movie like Cars , but it also boasts endless scenery, history, and communities worth stopping in for the night. Most notably, Route 66 offers tons of epic stops and spans over 2,400 miles across states like Arizona, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico and ends in Los Angeles, California.

This is undeniably one of the best driving ideas for a road trip itinerary and should keep everyone occupied from mile one to 2,488. Moreover, Route 66 boasts an eight-state coverage, with something to see and do at nearly every turn. However, much of this route goes through desert landscape, so make sure and bring plenty of water!

• Distance : 2,448 miles
• Time to Drive: 10 days (minimum) , but 2 weeks is an ideal timeframe

The Blue Ridge Parkway, United States

This road trip route is known to be the most scenic drive in the united states.

Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most stunning drives in the United States and arguably North America. Here, people can embark on a 469-mile adventure through this famous mountain range, traveling through states like Virginia and North Carolina. Moreover, the Blue Ridge Parkway detours into places like Shenandoah National Park and the Smoky Mountains National Park system. This makes it a perfect choice for mountain lovers and hikers, plus it is a pretty scenic route from start to finish.

It's also worth noting that while on this road trip route, you will drive through countless towns, including Linville Falls, Blowing Rock, Boone, Sparta, Roanoke, Virginia, Bryson City, Mouth of Wilson (Grayson Highlands State Park), West Jefferson, and so on.

• Distance: 469 miles
• Time to Drive: ~9-10 hours

The Blue Ridge Scenic Highway through North Carolina is another epic US road trip route in this region!

Great Ocean Road, Australia

Coastal views and cliffside driving make the great ocean road a top road trip.

Covering a distance of 413 miles, The Great Ocean Road is a picturesque coastal route that starts from Torquay and ends in Allansford, near Warrnambool, located on the southeastern coast of Australia.

Constructed by Australian soldiers in remembrance of their fallen colleagues, the road is renowned for its scenic beauty, with stunning oceanic views, cliffs, and rainforests. Exploring this road with its gorgeous scenery is one of the best things to do in Australia.

• Distance: 413 miles
• Time to Drive: ~9.5 hours

Trollstigen, Norway

Get ready to turn (a lot) in norway while driving trollstigen.

Trollstigen, which translates to the "Troll's Path" or the "Troll's Road", is a mountainous road located in western Norway, running from south to north from Sylte in Fjord Municipality to Åndalsnes in Rauma Municipality. It is approximately 20 kilometers long and contains 11 hairpin turns that ascend the steep mountainside, with gradients as steep as 10%.

The road was built between 1925 and 1936 and has since become a popular tourist attraction due to its breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and mountains, earning a spot on many lists of the world's most scenic drives. Even though it is not included as one of the things travelers should not miss out on in Norway because it's a bit off the beaten path (and tourists without a car will have to rent one), it provides a breathtaking experience for road trip fans.

• Distance: 31 miles
• Time to Drive: ~1-2 hours

Ring Road, Iceland

Also called route 1, this route offers glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, and falls.

The Iceland Ring Road, also referred to as Route 1 or simply the Ring Road, is an 828-mile-long highway encircling the entire island country of Iceland. The road provides access to some of Iceland's most popular tourist spots, such as volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs, and waterfalls.

Completed in 1974, the Ring Road has emerged as a major tourist attraction in Iceland, offering visitors stunning vistas of the country's diverse landscapes and unique geological formations. Several charming towns and villages in Iceland (other than Reykjavik) dot the road, providing essential services and accommodations to travelers. From Icelandic culinary adventures to marveling at Iceland's unique beaches , Iceland's Ring Road is worth the bucket list because it promises a deep exploration of the entire country.

• Distance: 828 miles
• Time to Drive: Approximately 6 days in summer and 12 days in winter , at a minimum

The Garden Route, South Africa

190 miles of beaches, mountains, lagoons, and forests.

Located on the south-western coast of South Africa, The Garden Route is easily one of the most scenic drives in the world; it's a 190-mile-long scenic route between Mossel Bay and Storms River, passing through a range of breathtaking landscapes such as lush forests, pristine beaches, towering mountains, and tranquil lagoons.

As a popular tourist spot, The Garden Route offers visitors an array of attractions and activities throughout the journey, making it an ideal road trip destination. Drive down this road and discover what South Africa is really like .

• Distance: 190 miles
• Time to Drive: 2-3 hours (but it's recommended to take a few days to complete it and appreciate the sights along the way)

Amalfi Coast, Italy

High-class living and mediterranean views make the amalfi coast an upscale road trip choice.

The stunning Amalfi Coast is a 31-mile road that winds along the southern coast of Italy, connecting the cities of Sorrento and Salerno. The road passes through a series of charming coastal towns, such as Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi, each with its own unique character and attractions.

The narrow, winding road features hairpin turns and steep drops, providing breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and cliffs. Travelers can stop at scenic overlooks, indulge in local cuisine, and explore historical sites and cultural attractions.

• Time to Drive: ~2 hours

A82, Scotland

Catch a glimpse of the lochness monster on scotland's a82 route.

In Scotland, the A82 is a major road that spans approximately 167 miles from Glasgow to Inverness, passing through some of Scotland's most stunning landscapes, such as Loch Lomond, Glencoe, and Loch Ness.

Initially constructed in the 18th century as a military route to the Highlands, it has become a vital transport link and popular tourist route. The A82 goes through several towns and villages, including Fort William, the gateway to Ben Nevis, which is the highest mountain in the UK.

• Distance: 167 miles
• Time to Drive: ~3 hours (but it's better to take one's time to enjoy the stops and views along the way)

Related: Discovering The Beauty Of The Palisades Parkway: A Road Trip Adventure In Northern New Jersey

The Karakoram Highway, China/Pakistan

Peaks, glaciers, and valleys from kashgar, china to islamabad, pakistan.

The Karakoram Highway, also known as the Friendship Highway, is one of the best travel routes for road trippers on this list for those who crave adventurous terrain. The route spans over 1,300 kilometers from Kashgar in China to Islamabad in Pakistan. The road traverses through some of the most remote and rugged terrain on earth, including the Karakoram mountain range, which houses some of the world's highest peaks, such as K2, the second-highest mountain in the world.

The construction of the Karakoram Highway was completed in 1986, and it is recognized as a remarkable engineering feat involving the construction of numerous bridges and tunnels through some of the planet's most challenging terrain. The highway provides breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and deep valleys while also providing an opportunity to experience the culture and history of the region.

• Distance: 810 miles
• Time to Drive: ~4-5 days (but travelers can spend longer if they wish to take their time)

Related: From Canyons To Wildflowers: Discovering Anza Borrego On A Scenic Road Trip

The North Coast 500, Scotland

Castles, cliffs, pubs, and water views in the scottish highlands.

The Scottish Highlands is a picturesque region in Scotland that boasts natural beauty, rugged landscapes, and historical landmarks. Many scenic routes and roads are scattered throughout the area, offering visitors breathtaking views of the region's unique culture and history. However, none are quite as enchanting as the North Coast 500 drive, which easily earns its place among the world's best road trips for its scenery alone (and the quintessential Scottish pubs en route!).

One of the best road trips in Scotland (or indeed the UK overall) is the North Coast 500, a 516-mile road trip showcasing some of Scotland's most spectacular scenery. The journey begins and ends in Inverness, taking travelers through small villages, historic towns, dramatic mountain ranges, and rugged coastlines. There are plenty of ancient castles, scenic overlooks, and traditional Scottish pubs to stop and enjoy along the way.

• Distance: 516 miles
• Time to Drive: ~ 8 hours 30 minutes

The Overseas Highway, Florida Keys, USA

This is the drive between the florida keys and miami beach.

The Overseas Highway , located in the Florida Keys of the USA, is a 113-mile-long road that connects Miami to Key West, the southernmost point in the continental United States. The highway spans a series of islands, providing awe-inspiring views of the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Originally built as a railroad track in the early 20th century, it was later converted to a highway to connect the Keys' islands. Today, the highway is one of the best road trips in the world for coastal scenery, passing through several towns and villages, including Islamorada and Marathon, each with its own unique attractions and activities.

• Distance: 113 miles
• Time to Drive: ~4 hours one-way

Related: From Waterfalls To Wildlife: Exploring The Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway On A Road Trip Adventure

The Atlantic Road, Norway

This route in norway makes its way to the little island of averøy.

The Atlantic Road in Norway is a 5.2-mile road that runs along Norway's coast, connecting the mainland to the island of Averøy with eight bridges. It passes through some of Norway's most stunning coastal landscapes, offering views of the open sea, rugged cliffs, and tiny islands.

This road is an engineering marvel, completed in 1989, as it required the construction of several bridges and causeways in one of the most challenging marine environments in the world. The Atlantic Road is a popular tourist attraction that offers stunning views of the surrounding scenery to those visiting Norway.

• Distance : 5.2 miles
• Time to Drive: ~10 minutes

This road is short but sweet; however, if travelers want to extend it, they can drive the whole of the super scenic Route 64 ( Route 64 includes the Atlantic Road ). Doing so will add around an hour and 15 minutes to the journey.

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• Local & State

Resurgam festival, a massive yard sale and more things to do this weekend

Comedian Dave Attell is in town, Zephyr Ice is serving up cool treats and food trucks are out in force (there's an app that will tell you where).

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We’re not entirely sure how the weekend weather is going to shake out, but either way there’s a whole lot going on, so let’s get to it.

Maine Roller Derby skaters competing at Happy Wheels Skate Center in Westbrook. Photo by Jim Vernier

On Saturday and Sunday, Maine Roller Derby’s first international tournament happens at Happy Wheels Skate Center in Westbrook. There will be several exciting flat-track bouts, and if you’re a Mainer, tickets are half off.

Get a discount on tickets to Maine Roller Derby’s international tournament

Max Abraham runs through Moon Tide Park while performing with the band Corpus Chicanery at last year’s Resurgam festival. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

The Resurgam Music and Arts Festival is Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean Gateway marine terminal and surrounding areas. The list of performers is about 17 miles long and includes Oshima Brothers Band and professional hula hoop and circus artist Nettie Loops.

Resurgam festival returns this weekend with music, arts and more

Local musician Toby McAllister, pictured here at The Press Room in Portsmouth, would of course play at a local venue on his perfect day. Photo by Corey Fitzgerald and courtesy of Toby McAllister

Another musician you can see at Resurgam is Toby McAllister from Sparks The Rescue. McAllister unpacked his perfect Maine day for us, and it includes a hike in Grafton Notch and a stop at Puzzle Mountain Bakery in Newry for cookies.

My Perfect Day: Hiking Old Speck, eating tacos and sweets, playing a show – for musician Toby McAllister, it all strikes a chord

Comic Dave Attell plays the State Theatre in Portland, June 8. Photo courtesy of the State Theatre

There’s plenty else cooking this weekend , including Yoga in the Park on Saturday and the Walk the Working Waterfront tour. Both are in Portland. Or you can shop till you drop at Maine’s Ultimate Spring Yard Sale Saturday at Cumberland Fairgrounds. Need a few laughs? Grab a ticket to see comic Dave Attell at the State Theatre Saturday.

Waterfront tour, giant yard sale, comic Dave Attell

Zephyr proudly tells its customers that everything is made in house with real fruit and no dyes. Photo by Megan Gray

Satisfy your sweet tooth with something a little different this weekend. Zephyr Ice in Portland serves shaved ice atop a scoop of regular or vegan ice cream. Choose from a variety of syrup flavors, all made in-house with real fruit.

For cool, customizable treats, breeze on in to Zephyr Ice

Mainely Burgers food truck. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

Should you fancy a food truck fix, check out our massive, always growing food truck guide and get busy chowing down.

A guide to 87 food trucks rolling through Maine

A Foodtruckalico Instagram post featuring the Ugly Dumpling food truck. Photo by Justin Velgos

For even more food truck fodder, we suggest heading to Food Truckalico on Instagram . A couple of times a week, the account shares details about where and when you can find trucks in the Portland area.

Follow the food trucks with Food Truckalico on Instagram

A newspaper article about a Comegato sighting from web series “Tracking the Comegato.” Photo courtesy of Kate Kaminski

If the weather does indeed relegate you to the indoors, curl up on the couch and fire up the new web series “Tracking the Comegato” about a beastly human-weasel hybrid that may or may not exist.

Could this human-weasel hybrid from Maine join the ranks of Bigfoot?

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