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Best road trip routes in Europe for unforgettable drives
Explore the best road trip routes in Europe with stunning coastlines, mountain roads, and unforgettable drives.
Europe almost feels like it was designed for road trips! One moment you’re driving along a coastline with turquoise views around every turn, and a few hours later, you could bedriving through mountain passes, vineyard-covered hills, or tiny villages that look frozen in time.
The distances between destinations are surprisingly manageable too. The borders are easy to cross, and, if you want, you could be having all 3 meals of the day in 3 different countries!
But the best road trip routes in Europe are not just about getting from Point A to Point B. They’re about scenic detours, amazing roadside discoveries, indulging in delicious local cuisine, and roads so beautiful that arriving at your destination probably won’t matter anymore.
If you’re planning your next drive, check out these 5 road trip routes in Europe for some inspo.
1. Amalfi Coast
Some roads make you drive faster. The Amalfi Coast does the opposite. This scenic route hugs dramatic cliffs above the sea, and winds through colorful villages that look like they are spilling down the mountainsides. The road itself, SS163, is famous for its twists and turns, and views that constantly make you say “just one more stop”!
Ideal duration: While you can technically drive the entire stretch in a single day, most travelers spend 3-5 days on the road to truly experience the region.
Best season: April to June or September to October.
Driving difficulty: Moderate to difficult. Roads are narrow, winding, and busy in summer.
Route suggestion: For a memorable road trip, you can drive from Sorrento → Positano → Praiano → Amalfi → Ravello → Salerno.
Tourist spots to visit on the way:
- Positano’s colorful cliffside.
- Amalfi Cathedral.
- Ravello and Villa Rufolo gardens.
- Furore Fjord.
- Marina di Praia beach.
Pro tip: Summer traffic here can test anyone’s patience. Go during shoulder season for a drive that feels almost unfairly beautiful.
2. Ring Road, Iceland
Circling the island country for roughly 1,300 kilometers, this is one of the best road trip routes in Europe. The drive connects waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches, lava fields, and charming fishing towns, yes, all in one trip! Because the scenery changes so dramatically from region to region, the Ring Road feels less like one road trip and more like a hundred adventures.
Ideal duration: 7-14 days.
Best season: Summer months of June, July and August are best for 1st timers. You’ll get stable weather, clear roads, and the midnight sun. But this is also peak tourist season, which means busier roads and higher prices. If you’re a pro, the shoulder months of May and September offer less traffic and cheaper prices.
Driving difficulty: Moderate.
Route suggestion: We recommend completing the full loop, Reykjavik → Vik → Hofn → Egilsstadir → Akureyri → Reykjavik.
Tourist spots to visit on the way:
- Seljalandsfoss waterfall.
- Skogafoss.
- Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach.
- Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.
- Lake Myvatn.
3. Route des Grandes Alpes, France
This 720 kilometers road trip crosses some of France’s famous Alpine passes, over 16 of them, connecting Lake Geneva to the French Riviera. Along the way, you climb through dramatic landscapes, ski towns, lakes, and villages that look like they belong in a fairytale.
Ideal duration: 5-7 days. For a leisurely drive, you could even plan a 10-day road trip.
Best season: June to September.
Driving difficulty: Challenging. While the roads are well-maintained, you’ll be navigating tight hairpin bends, steep inclines, and mountain drops.
Route suggestion: Thonon-les-Bains → La Clusaz → Val d’Isère → Valloire → Briançon → Barcelonnette → Menton.
Tourist spots to visit on the way:
- Col du Galibier.
- Vanoise National Park.
- Col d’Iseran.
- Gorges du Pont du Diable.
- Annecy.
- Chamonix.
4. Romantic Road, Germany
Despite the name, this route isn’t just for couples. Germany’s Romantic Road proves that not every road trip needs dramatic cliffs or mountain passes. Stretching through southern Germany, this route connects medieval towns, castles on hillocks, and winds through places with colorful half-timbered houses, old town squares, and centuries of history. It’s a slow-paced road trip for those who enjoy wandering, exploring, and making unplanned stops along the way.
Ideal duration: 4-7 days.
Best season: May through October.
Driving difficulty: Easy.
Route suggestion: Würzburg → Rothenburg ob der Tauber → Augsburg → Füssen.
Tourist spots to visit on the way:
- Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
- Harburg Castle.
- Augsburg Old Town.
- Neuschwanstein Castle.
5. Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Some coastal roads are scenic. But this one feels untamed. Stretching roughly 2,500 kilometers along Ireland’s western coast, the Wild Atlantic Way is among the longest defined coastal routes in the world. It takes you past dramatic sea cliffs, windswept beaches, quaint villages, lively pubs, and landscapes that look like they are from another world. This is one of the best road trip routes in Europe and passes through regions like Donegal, Galway, Clare, and Kerry, each bringing its own views (and personality).
Ideal duration: 2-3 weeks.
Best season: May to September.
Driving difficulty: Moderate.
Route suggestion: You can drive from Donegal → Sligo → Galway → Clare → Kerry → Cork.
Tourist spots to visit on the way:
- Cliffs of Moher.
- Dingle Peninsula.
- Connemara National Park.
- Malin Head.
- Ring of Kerry.
Tips for planning a road trip in Europe
A few things can make your European road trip much smoother.
Understand tolls and vignettes
Some countries charge traditional tolls. Others require prepaid windshield stickers called vignettes. Countries like Austria and Switzerland commonly use them.
Check permit requirements
Many travelers can drive using their regular licenses, but some countries require an International Driving Permit. Research before leaving.
Review insurance details carefully
Cross-border driving rules vary between rental companies, so confirm where you’re allowed to take the vehicle before booking. It’s also worth understanding what your policy actually covers, especially if you’re driving through multiple countries. Our guide to International Driving Insurance can help you here.
Budget for fuel
Fuel prices across Europe can vary, and Iceland and parts of Western Europe have noticeably more expensive rates.
Leave room for detours
Road trips become memorable because of random stops, tiny villages, strange museums, and viewpoints you never planned to find. So, leave room for detours.
Find the route that fits your travel style
Some travelers want dramatic coastlines, and camping by the beach. Others want mountain passes. Some want relaxed countryside drives with cafe stops every few hours. That’s what makes Europe such a great place for a road trip; there isn’t one route that fits everyone. Choosing the best road trip routes in Europe comes down to your travel style, the season you’re visiting in, and how comfortable you feel behind the wheel. And accordingly pick a route that matches the kind of experience you want.
