Gear Up to Drive World’s GOAT (Greatest of All Travel!) Road Trips

Is there anything more enticing than an open road? Perhaps not — especially when it leads to epic landscapes and wild adventures or offers a fast track to the food, culture and wildlife of a destination.

From short-but-spectacular coastal jaunts to journeys that cross countries, time zones and continents, these are the world’s dreamiest drives — so buckle up, set the GPS and enjoy the ride of your life.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Australia’s Great Ocean Road

With waves crashing, sun blazing and your favorite tunes turned up high, Australia’s Great Ocean Road offers three days of sublime trippin’ along Victoria’s untamed coastline. Surf-sculpted rock towers, wide golden beaches, soaring sea cliffs — this is a landscape of raw, untamed beauty lined with gemstone-blue waters for surfing, diving and whale watching.

Or, on Australia’s west coast, immerse yourself in Perth’s vibrant art, culture and food scene before driving the South West Edge to Esperance. Despite its lush wineries, wildlife-filled woodlands and pristine white beaches (some with kangaroos!), this 746-mile (1,200 kilometer) route is amazingly crowd-free. Plan for 12 days, but linger longer if you can.

The U.S.’s Mother Road

It’s the O.G. road trip: Route 66, aka the “Mother Road,” traverses three time zones and eight states on its 2,400-mile journey between Chicago and Santa Monica — weaving through red-rock canyons, offbeat towns and vast prairies. Allow two weeks … or longer for some stellar diversions: The Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Santa Fe are tantalizingly nearby.

For maximum adventure, drive Route 66 from east to west and tag California’s Pacific Coast Highway onto the end: Hugging the shore between L.A. and San Francisco, it’s a four-day feast of wild beaches, legendary wineries and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge.

Canada’s Jawdroppers

Meanwhile, in Canada, every twist and turn of the Icefields Parkway reveals snowcapped peaks, ancient glaciers and forest-fringed lakes with plenty of stops for hiking, kayaking and more.

Or, heading north from Vancouver, Highway 99 — the Sea to Sky Highway — weaves up, up, up to Whistler’s ski slopes, zip lines and whitewater rafting.

Europe’s Many Marvels

Each European nation has its own unique road trips — so which will you choose? Maybe you’ll discover fairy-tale palaces and fortresses on Germany’s Castle Road, or combine sapphire sea views with foodie nirvana on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Meanwhile, Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route is catnip for hikers, cyclists and thrill-seekers, with clifftop rope bridges and quaint fishing villages to explore.

For edge-of-the-world beauty, Iceland’s Ring Road promises steaming volcanoes, roaring waterfalls, stark lava fields and iceberg-filled lagoons. This 820-mile (1,320-kilometer) trip is not to be rushed: From Reykjavik’s buzzing nightlife to black-sand beaches, wild thermal pools and the northern lights (if you’re lucky!), Iceland has endless surprises up its sleeve.

Sand Dunes, Sculpture and Skyscrapers in the Middle East

In the Gulf nations, the line between city and desert is extraordinarily thin. One minute, you’ll be cruising through a thriving metropolis, marveling at the skyscrapers; the next, you’ll be surrounded by golden dunes — yet always with smooth, safe asphalt under your wheels. See for yourself on the highways between Dubai and Hatta (84 miles / 135 kilometers), or Abu Dhabi and Al Ain (105 miles / 170 kilometers), both in the UAE.

In Qatar, follow the road from Doha to Brouq Nature Reserve (53 miles / 85 kilometers) — home of the eerie “East-West / West-East” sculpture, located deep in the desert. As the capital’s glittering towers shrink in your rearview, the landscape softens to a sea of sand stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s a huge adventure yet takes just a few hours.

Latin America’s Awe-Inspiring Terrain

To really get to know Argentina, you must drive Ruta 40. It follows the nation’s backbone — the mighty Andes mountains — for more than 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers), crossing from north to south, or vice-versa if you prefer.

As well as juicy steaks, amazing wines and quirky wildlife (hello, pink fairy armadillos) along the route, the pit stops are mind-blowing: from razor-edge clifftops and neon-blue crater lakes to the frozen majesty of Perito Moreno Glacier.

In Chile, the Carretera Austral is a winding, 770-mile (1,240-kilometer) journey through wild national parks and volcanic peaks, rich with landscapes that inspire forest trekking, river rafting, horseback riding and even dolphin spotting. Each day brings a new adventure, just as every epic road trip should.

Africa’s Epic Drives

Up for an epic cross-continent expedition? The western road route from Nairobi to Cape Town traverses five countries — Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa — with the possibility to explore many more.

On Google Maps, the direct journey time is a laughably short 70 hours, but you should allow at least three weeks: spotting lions and cheetahs in the Serengeti, marveling at the thundering cascades of Victoria Falls, canoeing alongside elephants in the Okavango Delta — and much more.

For a shorter trip (or a breathtaking finale), South Africa’s Garden Route serves up 186 miles (300 kilometers) of glorious beaches, sublime seafood and lush vineyards: Start in Witsand, near Cape Town, and spend four to 10 days driving east to Storms River.