Have you ever wondered why road trips are a whole movie genre? It’s just a bunch of people in a car going somewhere and talking to each other — what’s the most exciting thing that can happen? Well, that assumption is absolutely wrong. Any and every road trip is full of exciting events, unforgettable experiences, and amazing discoveries. It doesn’t have to be super dramatic like in movies, but it gives you infinite opportunities to enjoy the trip.
If you are stuck with the question “How do I make my trip fun?”, I would greatly recommend doing some planning. Obviously, you don’t have to go too deep if you don’t want to, like using a trip planner or writing down very detailed itineraries. Instead, figure out what kind of experience you are looking for, select a destination (or a general direction), and — most importantly! — choose company you can rely on and feel comfortable with at all times. Find out what the best route to your destination is, but feel free to improvise once you’re on the road. This way, you are open to new adventures but also have a safe backup plan.
If you want to plan a trip but are not quite sure where you want to go, scroll down to find some of the best road trips as recommended by experienced travelers from all over the world. Share them with the friends you’d like to take with you on a road trip, and if you have already done any of them, let us know your impressions in the comments. Do you have any other great road trip ideas? Tell us all about them!
#41 Fundy Trail — New Brunswick, Canada
If you love coastal drives, don’t miss out on the Fundy Trail. Famous for its Hopewell Rocks, it also goes through the Fundy National Park where you can go hiking. Discover all the secluded beaches along one of the longest undeveloped coastlines in North America.
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7points
#42 San Francisco To LA – National Parks Route, United States
Sure, you can take a straight line from San Francisco to LA, but why would you deprive yourself of all the beauty that lies in between? Instead, take the route that will take you through all the national parks and forests. This will take longer but will be so much more fulfilling.
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6points
#43 Lake Superior Circle Tour — USA & Canada
Though the Lake Superior Circle Tour around the largest freshwater lake on Earth is a motorcycle route, driving will be no less enjoyable. Taking you through three US states and one Canadian province, it includes sandy shores in the south and rocky cliffs in the north.
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6points
#44 Cowboy Trail — Alberta, Canada
This route through Southern Alberta is easy and well marked, yet it will take you away from all the daily buzz. From the Badlands to the edge of the Rocky Mountains, you will discover something new to see every day.
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6points
#45 Autobahn — Germany
If the ultimate goal of a road trip for you is speed without any particular destination, take Germany’s Autobahn (“highway”) to metaphorically feel the wind in your hair. Spanning almost 13,000 km, this national controlled-access highway system is notable for two things: it is one of the longest in the world, and it has no speed limit on over half of its length.
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6points
#46 Brandywine Valley — Pennsylvania & Delaware, United States
The Brandywine Valley drive might only be 19 miles (30 km) long, but it will take you from one state to another and give you a taste of the way things were in the old days. South Pennsylvania to North Delaware, it will take you through scenic countryside with historic summer estates and breathtaking nature. For a bonus, make a stop at Longwood Gardens.
5points
