This November marks 100 years since Route 66 first found its place on the American map. Stretching from Chicago to California, the legendary highway helped turn the road trip into something more than simply getting from A to B, and a century later, the open road still holds plenty of appeal. From Australian sea cliffs to bridges seemingly suspended above the Atlantic, these are five journeys where getting there really is half the fun.
Few roads have entered popular culture quite like Route 66. Immortalised in songs, films and countless road trip fantasies, the original route was established on 11 November 1926 and ran for around 2,448 miles from Chicago to California, passing through eight states along the way. Today, historic sections still lead travellers past neon-lit motels, roadside diners, desert landscapes and the small towns that helped give the “Mother Road” its enduring mythology. When it’s time to park up for the night, check in at La Posada in Winslow, Arizona, a beautifully restored 1930s railroad hotel celebrated for its architecture, art and fine dining.
Australia does coastal driving on a suitably enormous scale. Victoria’s Great Ocean Road traces the southern coastline through surf towns, rainforest and dramatic limestone cliffs, with the Twelve Apostles as the showstopper. One moment you’re hugging the shoreline, the next winding through forest before emerging to another vast sweep of Southern Ocean. After a day behind the wheel, relax in a contemporary villa at Chris’s Beacon Point near Apollo Bay, where panoramic sea views and an acclaimed restaurant make it tempting to linger a little longer.
Running between the Western and Eastern Cape, South Africa’s Garden Route takes in some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, from sweeping beaches and ancient forests to dramatic mountain ranges. Follow the N2 through charming coastal towns such as Knysna, famous for its lagoon and towering sandstone Heads, or take a detour into Tsitsikamma National Park, where walking trails wind through indigenous forest towards the rugged shoreline. For an indulgent overnight stop, head to The Plettenberg, a five-star hideaway perched above the bay, with refined rooms and sweeping ocean views.
Norway’s Atlantic Road feels made for photography. Its most famous section leaps between islands and skerries on a string of bridges, the Norwegian Sea just below. Part of a 36-kilometre National Scenic Route between Kårvåg and Bud, it pairs dramatic seascapes with some remarkable engineering, including the curved Storseisund Bridge. On a calm day it is spectacular; when the weather turns, it becomes something altogether more elemental. After an exhilarating journey, unwind at Angvik Gamle Handelssted, about an hour away on the Tingvollfjord, where elegant fjordside rooms, fine dining and an atmospheric spa offer a welcome change of pace.
North Coast 500, Scotland
Starting and ending in Inverness, Scotland’s North Coast 500 loops for just over 500 miles around the northern Highlands. The scenery does much of the talking: empty beaches, lochs, mountains, fishing villages and single-track roads curling through some of the country’s wildest landscapes. Pack for all four seasons, quite possibly in the same afternoon, and leave plenty of room in the itinerary for spontaneous detours. When you’re ready to put your feet up, settle in at The Torridon, a five-star boutique resort offering luxurious rooms, exceptional dining and a spectacular setting on the shores of Loch Torridon.
