© Shutterstock

Pacific Coast Highway, USA -

One of the world's most celebrated road trip options is to drive the Pacific Coast Highway on America's West Coast. While heading north out of San Diego is a favorite starting point, commencing the journey in San Francisco and motoring south keeps you in the lane closest to the ocean. Completing the 950-km (590-mi) route takes around 10 hours.

© Shutterstock 

Great Ocean Road, Australia -

Stretching 240 km (149 mi) between the cities of Torquay and Allansford in Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is another of the world's most scenic coastal drives, snaking as it does along the wild and windswept Southern Ocean.

© Shutterstock 

Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway -

Connecting Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands and islets spanned by a total of eight bridges, the 8-km (5-mi) Atlantic Ocean Road is one of Norway's national tourist routes.

© Shutterstock 

Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa -

Named for a mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in Cape Town, Chapman's Peak Drive is 9 km (5.5 mi) in length and affords spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean.

© Shutterstock 

Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland -

Leaving Belfast and following the Causeway Coastal Route north towards Derry takes you through the nine Glens of Antrim and past the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Giant's Causeway. The 209-km (130-mi) route is one of the most scenic in the United Kingdom.

© Shutterstock 

Grand Pacific Drive, Australia -

Meandering south out of the Royal National Park near Sydney and encompassing some of the most scenic coastlines in New South Wales, the Grand Pacific Drive weaves its way towards Wollongong and beyond to reach the Sapphire Coast, 140 km (86 mi) away.

© Shutterstock 

Amalfi Drive, Italy -

The drive from the Sorrento peninsula to Salerno in southern Italy is simply breathtaking. Known as the Amalfi Drive, this is one of the most stunning coastal roads in Europe, a 50-km (31-mi) two-lane blacktop hugging the cliffs and coves of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

© Shutterstock 

Overseas Highway, USA -

A modern wonder, the iconic 181-km (113-mi) Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West in Florida incorporates 42 bridges leapfrogging from key to key over a stunning turquoise and emerald wash.

© Shutterstock 

Cap de Formentor, Spain -

The corkscrew drive to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor on Majorca, the largest island in the Balearic Islands, affords seriously romantic views of the isolated northern tip of this popular tourist destination.

© Shutterstock 

Hana Highway, USA -

Following the Hana Highway along the northeastern coast of the Hawaiian island of Maui is to embark on a 83-km (51-mi) adventure through tropical jungle while skirting towering sea cliffs.

© Shutterstock 

Cabot Trail, Canada -

Canada's Nova Scotia province is blessed with the Cabot Trail, a picturesque highway on Cape Breton Island. Effectively a 298-km (185-mi) loop around the northern tip of the island, the road passes along and through the Cape Breton Highlands and the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

© Shutterstock 

Calanques de Piana, France -

The UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Calanques de Piana is Corsica's greatest natural wonder. To discover this exceptional landscape take the sinewy D81 road, connecting Porto to Piana, and marvel at the beautiful russet colored cliffs sculpted by the wind.

© Shutterstock 

Estrada de Escarpa, Portugal -

Located 40 km (25 mi) south of Lisbon is the serene Serra da Arrábida, a region that encompasses forested hills, lofty sea cliffs, and beautiful beaches. Traversing the heights of this pristine parkland is the Estrada de Escarpa (N379), the views from which are jaw-dropping.

© Shutterstock 

SP 227 di Portofino, Italy -

This short 12-km (7-mi) drive links the town of Rapallo with Portofino, on the Gulf of Tigullio. Every bend showcases the very best of the Italian Riviera, and offers up picture-perfect photo opportunities.

© Shutterstock 

Oregon Coast Highway 10, USA -

The Oregon Coast Highway is a US road trip favorite. This is a world-class route that stretches 584 km (363 mi) along a visually stunning seafront marked by picturesque towns and secluded beaches.

© Shutterstock 

Clarence Drive, South Africa -

Another unforgettable South Africa tourist route, Clarence Drive (R44) is part mountain pass, part coastal drive. The road goes through the charming seaside towns of Betty's Bay and Pringle Bay, as well as showcasing Gordon's Bay and Rooi-Els—all among the Western Cape's most sought-after visitor attractions.

© Shutterstock 

Adriatic Highway, Croatia -

Also known as the Jadranska Magistrala, this is Croatia's dazzling seafront treat, a highway 650 km (403 mi) in length and one of Europe's most unforgettable journeys. It passes numerous tourist hotspots, including the historic port city of Dubrovnik.

© Shutterstock 

North Coast 500, Scotland -

For the ultimate Scotland road trip, follow the challenging North Coast 500. This 800-km (500-mi) route takes in the best of the North Highlands' breathtaking scenery, and offers up some ingenious routes, such as that across the amazing Kylesku Bridge.

© Shutterstock 

Grande Corniche, France -

The French Riviera is a delight to discover, especially by vehicle along the Corniche roads. There are three of these super scenic routes: the Grande Corniche (pictured), the Moyenne Corniche, and the Corniche Inférieure. Each has its own charm—the Grande Corniche follows the ancient Roman route known as Via Julia Augusta—and all afford enviable views of the sparkling Mediterranean.

© Shutterstock 

Ring of Kerry, Ireland -

As its name suggests, this scene-stealing route circles the beautifully rugged Iveragh Peninsula in southwest Ireland's County Kerry. The 179-km (111-mi) loop encloses one of the most stunning landscapes in the country.

© Shutterstock 

D599, France -

Another memorable French Riviera driving option is to motor along the the D599, which passes several shallow, clear-blue bays. Along the way you'll pass the quaint village of Agay, which is more or less equidistant from Cannes and Saint-Tropez. Stop here and take in the scenery.

© Shutterstock 

Gásadalur to Tórshavn, Faroe Islands -

Fancy motoring on the wild side? The road from remote Gásadalur to Tórshavn via Sakson in the Faroe Islands takes in some truly awesome landscapes, including Múlafossur, one of the prettiest waterfalls in the world.

© Shutterstock 

Sagres to Cape St. Vincent, Portugal -

The short drive from the historic town of Sagres to Cape St. Vincent perfectly showcases the wild and windy character of the western Algarve. The lighthouse is one of the most famous in Portugal.

© Shutterstock 

Ruta 1, Chile -

Here's one for the truly adventurous. Chile's Ruta 1 is a dramatic 598-km (371-mi) road that appears as if forged out of a lunar landscape. The highway skirts the South Pacific Ocean while barren mountains provide a forbidding backdrop. 

© Shutterstock 

Valley of the Rocks, England -

The lovely road that runs through the Valley of the Rocks in North Devon brings visitors up close and personal with one of the most charming corners of the United Kingdom. The 19-km (12-mi) route begins in Lynton and continues through Martinhoe, along the edge of Exmore National Park.

© Shutterstock 

Queen Charlotte Drive, New Zealand -

Set between Havelock and Picton on South Island, this 40-km (24-mi) meandering road fringed with lush forest offers one of the most scenic drives you're likely to encounter, not least for the breathtaking views of the iconic Marlborough Sounds.

© Shutterstock 

Slea Head Drive, Ireland -

The wonderfully scenic Slea Head Drive is a gentle loop route beginning and ending at Dingle, in southwest County Kerry. The circular road is 47 km (30 mi) in length, and driving it is the most rewarding way to discover the Dingle Peninsula.

© Shutterstock 

Fv805, Norway -

Following the Fv805, located in Flakstadøya, an island in the remote Lofoten archipelago in Nordland county, is to seek solitude with nature. This is one of Scandinavia's most charming and least-driven roads, and is absolutely stunning when illuminated in winter by the northern lights. Just keep one eye on the weather: heavy snowfall is commonplace.

© Shutterstock 

Military Road, England -

So named because it was built by the military in the 1860s as part of the defense of the island, Military Road (A3055) on the Isle of Wight in southern England runs much of the length of the west coast of the island.

© Shutterstock 

Avenida Marginal, Portugal -

Motoring west out of Lisbon towards the resort town of Cascais affords a pleasant, breezy 30-km (18-mi) drive along the Avenida Marginal, a dual carriageway that skirts the mouth of the Tagus Estuary.

Sources: (BBC)

See also: Portugal's picture-perfect towns and villages

© Shutterstock