The Most Scenic Places to Drive in the World

The best driving routes are about the journey, not the destination. Whether carving curves in a sports car, climbing hills in an off-roader or cruising along the sea is your cup of tea, there's a place on Earth to explore while behind the wheel.

- EILEEN FALKENBERG-HULL

All of the roads on this list-from stunning sea views in Big Sur, California, to a Norwegian archipelago or the "99 bends" in Tasmania-are open to the public and don't require any special skills to navigate. Go out, explore and enjoy! 

01 Redwood Route

State Route 1 

BIG SUR, CALIFORNIA

Bordered by Carmel and San Simeon, this route features sweeping sea views on one side of the road and mountain landscapes on the other. Iconic bridges like the Bixby Bridge connect curves over canyons while redwood forests provide shade. The roadway is generally smooth, and sharp curves give way to straightaways. Watch out for tourists and parked vehicles near the street.

02 American West

Million Dollar Highway

COLORADO

The breathtaking views along this 25-mile stretch of highway are reason enough to make a point of taking the route which follows U.S. Highway 550 between Silverton and Ouray. Colorado's natural landscape provides plenty of recreation opportunities along the way like biking beside the Animas River, hiking, camping, rock climbing, snowshoeing and whitewater rafting. Stop in Durango or Telluride to enjoy authentic Western U.S. shopping and entertainment.

03 Palm Tree Paradise

Spondylus Route

ECUADOR

This roadway hugs the coastline of Ecuador before turning inland at Parque Nacional Machalilla. It takes drivers past beautiful beaches, through national parks and enables visitation to a region formally called Isla de la Plata but known as "Poor Man's Galapagos." Small towns along the route welcome travelers. Reviews of the route say that portions are lined with palm trees.

04 Continuous Curves

National Route A006