Top 7 Scenic Road Trip to Embark on with a Rental Car

3 January, 2024 Sadia Jabeen 50 Comments 1 category

Taking a scenic road trip is an experience that cannot be topped, and having a rental car gives you the freedom to explore and discover new things at your pace, making the trip an enjoyable journey. Travelers are attracted to taking road trips across the world, which range from scenic highways to rugged mountain passes.

This blog highlights the top 7 scenic road trips that should be on every travel enthusiast’s bucket list. These journeys showcase the breathtaking scenery, diverse cultures, and unmatched beauty that can be experienced when one embraces their wanderlust while driving.

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Scenic Road Trip of Pacific Coast Highway, USA:

Have a fascinating road trip across the famous Pacific Coast Highway in the United States. Rent a stylish car to explore the narrow coastal roads that lead to breathtaking views of the Pacific. As you travel by picturesque seaside towns, golden beaches, and jagged cliffs, you can feel the refreshing ocean breeze.

Visit Big Sur to take in the striking scenery and test the regional cuisine. Discover the famed Hearst Castle and take a stroll through Carmel, also known as a haven for artists. Go further south to see Malibu and Santa Barbara, two breathtakingly beautiful places. A sensory journey with breathtaking scenery and the freedom of the open road is what this scenic road trip promises to deliver

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Amalfi Coast, Italy:

Set out on a captivating journey through the wandering scenic roads of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. To navigate the striking coastal cliffs that overlook the azure Tyrrhenian Sea, rent a modern vehicle. Take in the quaint charm of Positano’s pastel-colored buildings and stroll through Amalfi’s famed cathedral-lined streets. Discover hidden treasures like Ravello, renowned for its panoramic views and cultural diversity, as you drive through groves filled with the scent of lemons.

Savor real Italian food in charming coastal towns and experience the excitement of driving the winding roads that lead to unmatched coastal beauty. This road trip along the Amalfi Coast promises a sensory feast of Mediterranean splendor, culture, and landscapes.

Great Ocean Road, Australia:

To make the experience even more thrilling, rent a car and head out on Australia’s Great Ocean Road for a wonderful road trip. Start in Melbourne and travel through charming seaside towns and verdant rainforests. Hugging the cliffs that face the Southern Ocean, you can feel the breeze from the sea.

Take in the striking Twelve Apostles, towering limestone pillars that rise out of the ocean. Savor the excitement of driving this breathtaking work of art, which reveals sweeping views of the ocean, craggy cliffs, and a wide variety of wildlife. A scenic road trip along the Great Ocean Road offers a rainbow of scenic attractions.

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🌟 Fact	📍 Details
🛣️ Length	The Great Ocean Road stretches for 243 km (151 miles) along the southeastern coast of Australia.
🏗️ Built By	Constructed by returned soldiers between 1919 and 1932, it’s the world’s largest war memorial. 🇦🇺🎖️
🧭 Route	Starts at Torquay and ends at Allansford, passing iconic coastal towns like Lorne, Apollo Bay, and Port Campbell.
🌊 12 Apostles	The famous limestone stacks were originally 9, now only 7 remain due to erosion. 🌄📸
🐨 Wildlife	Spot koalas, kangaroos, and echidnas in the wild — especially near Kennett River! 🐨🦘
🌲 Great Otway National Park	Offers lush rainforests, waterfalls, and treetop walks. 🌳🌧️ Don’t miss Hopetoun Falls!
🚗 Best Time to Go	Ideal months: November to April (Australian spring & summer). 🌞 Less rain, more views!
🏄 Surf Culture	Torquay is the surf capital of Australia 🏄‍♂️— home to Bells Beach, site of the Rip Curl Pro.
⏱️ Recommended Trip Length	Best enjoyed over 3–5 days for a relaxed and scenic journey. 🗓️🛏️
🛍️ Local Finds	Taste local wines, craft beer 🍷🍺, and fresh seafood 🦐 in seaside towns along the way.

Ring Road, Iceland:

Travel the Ring Road of Iceland and experience a surreal journey that will take you through a landscape as diverse as the country itself. Hire a reliable vehicle to travel this 1,332-kilometer loop, which winds through glaciers, gushing waterfalls, and offbeat lava fields. Explore beaches with black sand, see the Northern Lights dance, and relax in Blue Lagoon-style geothermal hot springs.

Come across Icelandic horses grazing against a snow-covered mountain backdrop. Admire Vatnajökull National Park’s dynamic nature. This road trip offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience of discovery and wonder as it immerses you in the pure beauty of Iceland—a place where fire and ice merge.

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Cabot Trail, Canada:

Take a captivating scenic road trip along Canada’s Cabot Trail, where breathtaking scenery can be seen around every turn. Rent a car to drive the winding path that wanders around Cape Breton Island’s craggy coastline. Give yourself over to the summer’s seaside charm or the autumn’s color wheel.

Travel through the highlands, where you can see the expanding beauty of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and see bald eagles soaring overhead. Tak

charming fishing communities such as Chéticamp and savor the regional catch. With its breathtaking cliffs and untamed wilderness, the Cabot Trail makes for a road trip straight out of a movie, offering peace and wild beauty around every corner.

Garden Route, South Africa:

Set out on a captivating scenic road trip along the Garden Route in South Africa, going through an array of varied terrains. Get a rental car and drive along this gorgeous stretch of coastline, which combines golden beaches, rocky cliffs, and lush forests. Start with Mossel Bay and follow the edge of the Indian Ocean to the towering trees of Tsitsikamma National Park.

Explore the Oudtshoorn ostrich farms and take in the beauty of Knysna’s lagoon. Experience the Addo Elephant National Park’s wildlife and Stellenbosch’s world-class wines. This trip offers an enthralling fusion of nature, adventure, and South African hospitality, thanks to the Garden Route’s botanical treasures and coastal charm.

Transfagarasan Highway, Romania:

Have an exciting driving adventure along the Transfagarasan Highway in Romania, a scenic route that winds through the Carpathian Mountains. Get a rental car and drive through the breathtaking hairpin turns and tunnels that lead to a wonderful high-altitude dreamscape. Climb to the ethereal Balea Lake and marvel at the engineering achievement of the Transfagarasan.

Explore alpine meadows, traverse tumbling waterfalls, and soak in stunning views. Explore the historic Cârța Monastery ruins and the medieval charm of Dracula’s Poienari Castle. This road trip combines the excitement of the open road with the allure of Romania’s picturesque landscapes to reveal a symphony of nature and history.

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📍 Location	📏 Altitude	🔎 Highlights
Curtea de Argeș	450 m	Starting point of the highway. Famous for the Curtea de Argeș Monastery, built in the 16th century. ⛪
Vidraru Dam	830 m	Massive hydroelectric dam, 166 m high and 305 m long. Offers stunning views and bungee jumping! 🌊🚤
Lake Vidraru	~830 m	Artificial lake created by the dam, perfect for photos, boating, and picnics. 📸🛶
Poenari Fortress	860 m	Ruins of Vlad the Impaler’s (Dracula’s) real castle. Requires climbing 1,480 steps! 🧛‍♂️🏰
Capra Waterfall	1,690 m	Cascading mountain waterfall right by the road — great photo stop! 💦📷
Bâlea Lake	2,042 m	The highest and most scenic stop. Glacial lake surrounded by peaks. Home to the Bâlea Ice Hotel (winter only). ❄️🏔️
Bâlea Tunnel	2,045 m	Romania’s longest road tunnel at 887 m, connecting the lake area to the north side. 🚇🛣️
Cârțișoara	500 m	Northern end of the route. Gateway to Sibiu (45 km away) and Transylvanian villages. 🏘️🌲

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Conclusion:

These seven most beautiful Scenic road trip provide a diverse range of breathtaking scenery, vibrant cultures, and life-changing adventures. Every journey offers a symphony of sights and sounds that can only be fully appreciated from the driver’s seat, whether you’re traveling the compelling landscapes of Iceland’s Ring Road or tracing the coastal curves of the Pacific Coast Highway.

Rent a car, nourish your wanderlust, and set out on these incredible scenic adventures with the open road as your guide. After all, there’s nothing like exploring the world with the wind in your hair and the endless horizon in front of you.

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Category: Travel Tips