Have you listened to Heike Pirngruber’s podcast interview on her lifestyle around traveling and exploring the world on the back of her push bike. And in case you are wondering, a push bike is a bicycle. You essentially push forward with your own two feet and hence the name. Heike mentioned bicycling as such a liberating way to see the world. You slow down, you connect with the landscape and stop to smell the roses as well as interact with the locals as opposed to just flying overhead at 30,000 ft where everything is tiny and minuscular.
In case you missed Heike’s podcast interview you can listen to it here.
So many of us are road trip junkies. Near or far, long or short, road trips are often the most satisfying of journeys. By physically driving the distance between places you get to know the landscapes of the world more intimately than if you had taken a plane. You grab your keys, buckle up, turn the radio on, and put the car in drive. With the windows down and nothing but the wide open road ahead, there’s nothing left to do but go.
If you’re itching to get behind the wheel, here are some incredible road-trip locations from around the world.
#1 Route 66, United State Of America
Arguably the most famous route of all, Route 66 is known as the ‘Main Street of America’. This route was established in 1926 and has become an iconic symbol of the great American road trip. Stretching across seven different states, from Illinois to California, this 2,448-mile (or 3,940-kilometer) route served as a main thoroughfare for those heading west throughout the 1900s. The development of the U.S. Highway System overtook Route 66 in terms of usage and speed of travel but for many a road trip on the original Route 66 is still the best way to see the country.
#2 Manali to Leh Ladakh, India
To reach the city of Leh, Ladakh’s capital in the north of India, travellers can choose between the two routes – the highway from Srinagar to Leh, or the Manali to Leh road. The road trip from Manali to Leh takes about two days, with its extraordinary views and some very high passes (highest at 18,000ft). The Manali to Leh road is an epic adventure that many travellers, including bikers, dream of accomplishing. The road opens for only a few months in the summer, after its damaged sections have been rebuilt and repaired, usually in May. The monsoon can also cause parts of the road to vanish. Although there are comfortable asphalt sections, large parts remain unpaved, just dirt and gravel. With countless hair-pin bends and steep elevation gains, this road isn’t for the faint of heart. Make sure to include plenty of stop to get acclamitized to the altitude gains along the way.
#3 Ring Road, Iceland
Iceland has become hugely popular as a travelers destination, and one of the more popular activities in Iceland is to take a road trip around the ring road. This is an 800+ mile route that circles the entire country, and is home to some of the most spectacular natural attractions in Iceland, from massive waterfalls to volcanic landscapes to black sand beaches. Whilst many of the attractions are on the route, there are lots of notable places to visit in Iceland that are a little way off the main ring road, so taking a little bit longer is definitely going to be rewarding. As with any road trip, build in plenty of down time to enjoy the landscape along the way. Zipping by from start to finish is only going to leave you wanting more of this amazing country.
#4 The Great Ocean Road, Australia
Stretching around 151 miles ( or 243 kilometers) across Victoria, the Great Ocean Road hugs the Australian coast and treats those who drive it to views of beaches, lighthouses, rainforests, coastal towns, wildlife, and the towering rock formations known as the Twelve Apostles. The views from the great ocean road are stunning. It is also the world’s largest war memorial built by former soldiers between 1919 and 1932 to memorialize those who were killed during battle in WWI. Be prepared to notice an array of wildlife on the drive from Torquay to Allansford. Anteaters, kangaroos, penguins, koalas, kookaburras, parrots, and a host of other creatures call this region home.
#5 West Coast & Milford Sound, New Zealand
Whilst pretty much all of New Zealand is a road trippers dream come true, many argue that the west coast of the south island, and in particular, the drive to Milford Sound, features some of the best scenery in the country. On the west coast you’ll encounter glaciers, beaches and rain forests. And the 75 mile drive from Te Anau into Milford Sound along Milford Road (State Highway 94) is without doubt the highlight. This winding road takes you into Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO world heritage listed site which is also the largest national park in New Zealand.
While these are certainly some of the more popular road trips, they don’t encompass all the wonderful areas that are there to explore. No matter where you are, take a road trip to explore and experience the world around you – even if it is within your own city, state or country. So go ahead and hit the road and have epic adventures along the way.
What’s your favorite road trip destination around the world? We would love to know.
You’ve curated a great selection of road trips here! The Manali to Leh road trip in particular is simply sublime, never a dull moment with those winding roads ? If road trips are your thing I’d urge you to head to the Carretera Austral in Chile, which is 1240km of astounding scenery and a test of the nerves at a few points! Thanks for the inspiration.
Great article! Love how you summarized these and I’m off to new Zealand so appreciate the tips!
Gorgeous pictures and wonderful suggestions for road trips. We’ve only done Route 66.
I love this! I’ve done #1 and #5 and now I need to add the rest to my list. Thanks for all the info and ideas.
A great list. I’ve done the Iceland Ring Road and New Zealand. Even though I live in Australia I still have to do the Great Ocean Road.