The Best Roads In The World (for Your Bucket List)

If you love roadtrips, you’ve probably dreamed about driving some of the best roads in the world. You’re not alone.

Here’s our collection of the top five we think car lovers and travel lovers alike should do their utmost to see at least once in their lifetime. So, read carefully and add one (or all) to your bucket list of roads to drive, whether that consists mostly of smooth, fast autobahns in Germany or winding scenic roads in South America.

Five of the best roads in the world

Of course, it’s impossible to narrow down the entire globe into just five roads. After all, there are highways, suburban streets, winding regional roads and dirt tracks traversing the whole world. From dusty, ghostland tracks in African deserts to super highways in China, the amount of roads you could drive is…well…endless.

And while we love the Great Ocean Road and the Nullabor, we kept this list to international roads. So that once the pandemic is over, you’ll have already done lots of planning and dreaming and be ready to explore. For some uniquely Aussie roadtrips, read:

• What To See and Do on a Tasmania Driving Holiday
• West Coast Australia Road Trip Time
• Caravan Travel Australia
• Boost Australian Tourism – Have a Roadtrip Adventure
• Top Winter Getaways in South Australia

But taking to international shores, these are our picks for the best roads in the world; the “must dos” of roadtrips.

Nurburgring: one of the best racing roads in the world

Even if you’re not really “into” cars or racing, you’ve probably heard of the Nurburgring. But what exactly is it about this race track in a small German town which attracts so much attention worldwide?

The racing track is just over 25km long, and most of the top car manufacturers in the world test their cars there. Why? It’s winding and challenging to drive, with a huge variety of corners and bends which put cars (and their drivers!) to the test.

Interestingly, most of the top performing laps at the Nurburgring have seconds between them, rather than mere milliseconds – which shows just how hard it is to drive properly.

Still, if you love driving, it’s a great experience. And you don’t have to be some kind of racing master to do it either. The Nurburgring is open to the public, and you can even hire a car nearby. It’s definitely the kind of experience any petrolhead or speed demon should add to their bucket list.

Plus, you could always combine it with a trip to Germany’s famous beer halls or war museums.

Here’s what it feels like to be in the driver’s seat at the Nurburgring (thanks to dash cam footage):

Chapman’s Peak: one of the best sea-view roads in the world

Chapman’s Peak in South Africa’s Western Cape offers one of the most scenic sea view drives in the world. Winding from Noordhoek to Hout Bay, the nine kilometre drive takes you on a winding, twisty route around the side of the mountain.

Along the way, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, with glimpses of glittering Cape Town as well. There’s plenty of viewing points and stops where you can have a drink or picnic, so take your time and make a day of it.

Plus, Noordhoek beach is always deserted and is one of the most spectacular in the area; with bright white sands and turquoise waters.

Here’s the Chapman’s Peak drive:

Dades Gorges: mountain passes in Morocco

Dades Gorge is a gorge carved into the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Originally created by a river, there’s very little that can beat the dramatic scenery Dades Gorge offers.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you’re likely to see snow on one side, and striking red desert on the other, interspersed with towering cliffs and lush oases sporting palm trees.

You’ll be able to stop and marvel at incredible rock formations, restaurants serving traditional Moroccan mint tea, and drive the famous “zig zag” section – probably what earns it a spot as one of the best roads in the world. This involves lots of sweeping hairpin turns and brings you within 12 inches of the side of the mountain.

Take a look:

Guoliang Tunnel Road: one of the most breathtaking roads in the world

Some of the roads on this list got there thanks to the scenery they take you through or the incredible driving pleasure they offer. But the Guoliang Tunnel Road makes it onto the list purely due to the incredible visual impact it has.

This is no ordinary road, and it must have taken some seriously imaginative people to build it. Though it’s short at just over a kilometre long, it’s carved right into the sides of the Taihang Mountains.

One thing’s for sure though, this isn’t a road for the faint of heart. If you’re scared of heights, look away – you might end up with vertigo.

Atlantic Road: island hopping by road

Island hopping doesn’t have to mean boats. Not in Norway, anyway. Atlantic Road makes it onto our list of the best roads in the world partly because Norway’s archipelagos are stunningly beautiful.

And partly because we love the innovation of being able to drive between the small islands dotted around, all connected by a road rising out of the waters. What’s not to love about an island cruise without the need to share your space with strangers on a boat?

And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Really, it doesn’t get much more perfect than that.

Check out this drone footage of Atlantic Road:

Other “honourable mention” best roads in the world

There were lots of roads which nearly made the cut on our list of best roads in the world. And if you’re looking for a little bit of extra inspiration, maybe one of these will appeal to you:

• Ring Road in Iceland. This is one of the best roads to see everything Iceland has to offer in a short time, from volcanic landscapes to waterfalls and hot springs.
• Highway One or “Big Sur.” Along the California coast, this is one of the world’s best roadtrips – and you’ll recognise it from numerous TV shows and movies. The best section, arguably, is Big Sur where you can enjoy both mountains and sea. Drive it slowly over a few years, drinking it all in. Or simply enjoy the drive, and spend only a couple of hours.
• Stelvio pass. This rose to fame on Top Gear when the trio tackled the mountainous, twisty, Italian alpine road with typical Top Gear glee.

Car insurance

If you’re driving, car insurance is your best friend. There’s nothing which puts an abrupt end to your dream trip quicker than a crash with no insurance cover.

And seeing as you’re probably going to be sticking to Aussie roadtrips while planning your next big overseas trip, it’s best to get that comprehensive car insurance sorted out…don’t you think?