If you’re looking for a leisurely or challenging drive, these six are among the most famous roads in the world.
Transfagarasan Highway, Romania
More than twice the length of the Stelvio Pass in Italy, Romania’s Transfagarasan was built for the military in the 1970s, so it’s both wide and smooth. It climbs more than 1.5 km with tight turns that never seem to end. Snowfall at the pass means it’s only open completely from late June to the end of October.
California State Route 1, United States
One of the most popular road trips in America, State Route 1 hugs the Pacific Coast from north of San Francisco to the south of Los Angeles. Make the most of this famous road by heading south, so you always have the ocean on your side.
Great Ocean Road, Australia
Australia boasts spectacular views along the 240-kilometres of the rugged southern coast west of Melbourne. Dramatic offshore rock formations include the Twelve Apostles, a collection of limestone stacks that are nearly 50-metres high.
Stelvio Pass, Italy
There are 48 hairpin bends in about 50 km of road that connects Lombardy to the rest of northern Italy on this route, open from June to October. It’s a 2,000-metre climb to the pass, which borders Switzerland and is the highest paved pass in Europe’s Eastern Alps. There may be snow at the top of this winding road as it’s situated well above the treeline. Watch for cyclists, who also favour this stretch.
Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway
An engineering marvel, the swooping bridges of Norway’s County Road 64 were most recently featured in the James Bond film No Time to Die. Its most famous eight-kilometre section connects an archipelago of islands to the mainland and is truly impressive. Continue on to the nearby Atlantic Ocean Tunnel, one of the deepest undersea tunnels in the world
Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
Hugging the western coast of Ireland, this 2,500 km stretch passes through nine counties and three provinces. There are over 180 discovery points along the route, including Ireland’s most northern point, Malin Head, where you’ll see some of Europe’s largest sand dunes and a small fishing village, Cleggan Harbour.
Ready to travel?
CAA has you covered for the travel inspiration you need. Plus, now that you’re thinking about driving some famous roads around the world, we can help get you ready for that international road trip. When you’re ready to book, talk to a CAA Travel Consultant to plan your perfect getaway.