Planning a Road Trip This Summer? Expert Reveals The Rules You Can’t Ignore 

Save to Find It Later!

• Searches for road trips have increased by 40% in the last three months. 
• To help people plan better, Leasing Options has put together a guide to 20 popular global road trips, looking at factors such as stops, affordability, and key safety advice for travelling overseas.

There’s nothing that screams “adventure” more than a classic road trip, and they’re rising in popularity. In the last three months alone, there has been a +40% increase in searches for “best US road trips” and “best European road trips”.(1) 

Some people want the calm of blue waters and a sunny coast, while others crave the enormous heights of mountains and an endless sea of spruce trees clinging to the slopes. However, it can be easy to get caught out with incorrect planning, such as your documentation or obeying various road and traffic laws when you go overseas. 

To support travellers this year, the team at Leasing Options has curated a guide based on the 20 most popular global routes, measured by metrics such as the number of stops and affordability. Mike Thompson, Chief Operations Officer at Leasing Options, has also offered his safety tips for travellers taking a road trip this year. 

The most popular roadtrips across the world 

1)      Blue Ridge Parkway

With a monthly TikTok search volume of 110,000 and a Tripadvisor rating of 4.8, Blue Ridge Parkway spans 17 North Carolina and 12 Virginia counties, travelling through countless communities and offering stunning views of the Appalachian landscape. 

The parkway is scenic year-round, and without stops, takes roughly 12 hours to finish. It’s a highly rated trip featuring 24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

2)      Route 66

Arguably the most famous road trip in the world, and the longest route in our index, Route 66 spans 3,940 km of the USA. Also known as the “Mother Road”, it takes a staggering 34 hours to finish without stops and stretches from Chicago in Illinois to Santa Monica in California.

Monthly, this road trip brings in a Google search volume of 823,000 and a TikTok search volume of 546,000. There’s a total of 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites to visit, such as the Grand Canyon National Park and Unity Temple.

3)      Pacific Coast Highway

With a Tripadvisor rating of 4.8 and a total route length of 2,655 km, the Pacific Coast Highway is the perfect option for people wanting to experience the East Coast of America.

It gathers a monthly Google search volume of 368,000, and is the third longest route, taking a total of 32 hours to complete without stops. It spans 600 miles along the Californian coastline from San Diego to the south of San Francisco, and with so many destinations to visit – like Point Sur and the Bixby Bridge – it’s no wonder 22,000 people search for this trip on TikTok every month.

4)      Icefields Parkway

Icefields Parkway in Canada still earns a high score of 4.8 on Tripadvisor and has a monthly search volume of 26,900 on TikTok and 40,500 on Google. It only takes 3 hours to complete with no stops, but still offers 22 total UNESCO World Heritage Sites to see. It’s a road that is open year-round, and links Lake Louise with Jasper, surrounded by rocky mountain peaks, icefields, and beautiful valleys filled with a multitude of wildlife. 

Keeping safe on the roads

Mike explains how to remain safe on the roads:  

Minimising crash risks 

“To help minimise the risk of accidents, make regular rest stops part of your journey. Long drives can be tiring, and even a short break to stretch your legs, eat, or recharge can make a big difference to your concentration behind the wheel. Motels, hotels, and roadside stops are usually easy to find along the way, so there is no need to push through when you are feeling tired. Taking your time and resting properly will help you stay alert, drive more safely, and enjoy the trip much more.”

Be aware of road quality

“Road quality is also worth keeping in mind when planning a driving trip. Better-quality roads can make for a smoother, more comfortable journey, while lower-quality routes may require extra care due to things like uneven surfaces, potholes, or sharper bends. That does not mean these roads are not worth experiencing, but it is sensible to be prepared and stay more cautious when driving them.”

“Checking the route in advance and adjusting your driving to suit the conditions can help make the journey safer and less stressful.”

Remember insurance

“Having the correct insurance and proof of a legal licence is vital for driving abroad. The rules can differ from country to country, so it’s always good to double-check before you begin your journey.

 “For most drivers in the UK, the minimum cover you’ll have driving abroad is ‘third-party only’, which is the legal level of insurance you need to drive. If you’re looking to travel to Italy for the Stelvio Pass, or to Germany to drive down Romantic Road, you might want to upgrade to European cover, which typically covers theft, accidental damage to your car, and fire protection.”

Look up local driving rules

“In Europe, remember to drive on the right and negotiate roundabouts in an anti-clockwise direction. The usage of toll roads is also much higher in places like Spain and France than it is in the UK, so remember to take plenty of coins. The tunnels also happen to be much longer in Europe than they are in the UK. The longest in Norway is about 15 miles long. Remember to keep your lights on, keep your distance, and look out for emergency exits.”

“When it comes to the USA, you will also be driving on the right, and vehicles can only be rented by people aged 21 and up. Speed limits are shown in miles per hour (mph) like they are in the UK, and can go from 10mph near schools, to 70mph on freeways or expressways.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.leasingoptions.co.uk/news/blog/the-ultimate-road-trip-guide/9065