Best Coastal Road Trips

Some people chase mountains, some chase cities. But travelers who chase coasts know that these routes give you everything at once. Fresh air, warm colors, places that feel handmade, small towns where nothing changes for decades. And all of it connected by a single road running alongside a giant blue backdrop.
Here are some of the best coastal road trips you can take. Some well known, others honestly underrated, but all of them capable of turning a regular weekend into something that sticks in your memory for years.
1. Pacific Coast Highway, USA
California’s Pacific Coast Highway is famous for a reason. It’s one of those drives where you lean forward just a little, because every turn opens a new view. Cliffs that fall straight into the ocean, beaches stretching into a hazy horizon, houses perched in impossible spots. And that classic golden California light that hits the road in a way photographers dream about.
Start anywhere, really. Some people choose San Francisco to Los Angeles, others flip it, others break it into pieces. The Big Sur section is the star, with high bridges, rock formations, and that mist rolling in like it’s performing for you. Pull over often. There are tiny beaches, random trails, and view points that make you forget time.
Gas stations can be far apart around Big Sur, so don’t test your tank’s courage. And stop for fresh seafood in the smaller towns, the local diners usually do it better than the fancy places.
2. Amalfi Coast Road, Italy
Driving the Amalfi Coast feels like operating a very chaotic, very glamorous video game. The road is narrow, bending sharply around cliffs, scooters slipping past like little bees. But the payoff is unreal. Bright pastel villages clinging to rock walls, citrus gardens, the sea glowing in deep blue tones. The kind of beauty that feels almost too much.
Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, each town has its charm. But the real magic is between them. Those tiny balconies above the road, the terraced vineyards, the sudden break in the cliffs that reveals the whole coastline in one big view. Sometimes you’ll want to stop but there’s no space, so you just slow down and take it in through the window.
Even in winter the air feels soft, a bit salty, perfect for long wandering walks after you park. If you’re nervous about steep roads, visit in quieter months, the traffic can be heavy in summer.
3. Garden Route, South Africa
The Garden Route is wide, open, and full of surprises. It stretches along South Africa’s southern coast, with landscapes changing like a slideshow. One moment you’re passing long beaches, then forests, then lakes that shine under the sun. It’s not only coastal, but the ocean follows you like a patient shadow most of the time.
Small towns pop up along the way. Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Mossel Bay. Each has its own vibe. Local markets, coffee shops, craft stores, that kind of relaxed scene where no one seems stressed about anything.
The wildlife is another reason this trip is special. You can spot whales from some viewpoints in the right season, or stop at nature reserves to see birds, monkeys, sometimes even bigger animals if you’re lucky.
It’s a road trip with a little bit of everything. Warm breezes, nature, long open stretches, and that gentle rhythm that coastal routes are known for.
4. The Great Ocean Road, Australia
Australia doesn’t do anything halfway, and the Great Ocean Road proves it. This route is famous not only for the dramatic cliffs and ocean views but also for the wildlife. You can literally spot koalas in eucalyptus trees near the road if you take your time.
The Twelve Apostles are the big attraction. These tall rock pillars rise from the ocean like something out of a fantasy set. Sunrise or sunset there feels unreal, the light hits the stone and everything glows.
What makes this road trip fun is how the scenery keeps switching. One moment you’re driving next to rough waves smashing against rocks, the next you’re surrounded by green hills, and suddenly you’re passing small towns with surf shops and pie bakeries that look like they haven’t changed in decades.
Pack layers, the weather moves fast around here, warm sun one minute, chilly wind the next.
5. Atlantic Road, Norway
Norway’s Atlantic Road is shorter than most coastal routes, but it delivers big drama in a small package. The road jumps from island to island with bridges that look like they’re floating. The famous Storseisundet Bridge curves sharply and has that visual trick where it seems to rise into the sky.
On stormy days the waves hit the rocks and sometimes splash near the road, giving everything this wild, raw energy. But quiet days are beautiful too, with calm water reflecting the sky like a mirror.
This route feels more like an experience than a simple drive. You’re close to the edge of the ocean, the air is crisp, and the views are wide open. Stop at the viewpoints, walk around, breathe deeply. It’s chilly most of the year, but honestly that’s part of the charm. It’s a coastal route that reminds you the sea is powerful.
6. Basque Coast Drive, Spain and France
The Basque coastline is rugged, dramatic, and full of personality. It sits between France and Spain, and the road travels through cliffs, green hills, and fishing towns painted in nice whites and reds.
San Sebastián is a highlight with its curved bay and food scene that might ruin you for other places. But the small stops are even better. Places like Getaria or Hondarribia feel calm and warm, with grilled fish so fresh you can taste the ocean in every bite.
On the French side, Biarritz and Saint Jean de Luz bring more elegance. Surfers, big Atlantic waves, pastel houses, and that glowing light that photographers love.
This road trip feels cozy, cultural, a bit romantic, and very, very delicious.
7. Ring Road Southern Coast, Iceland
You probably don’t think of Iceland when you hear the word coastal, but its southern edge is surprisingly road trip friendly. Black sand beaches, waterfalls spilling over cliffs, glaciers in the distance, waves crashing with this deep echoing sound.
In winter it’s cold, sure, but the views are so strong you forget about it. The Reynisfjara beach has basalt columns and roaring waves. The Dyrhólaey arch is like a giant stone doorway over the sea. And if you catch a sunny moment the whole coast shines in blue, silver, and dark tones.
Driving here feels like moving through scenes from different planets. Just keep an eye on weather reports, storms can change the roads fast.
What Makes Coastal Road Trips So Addictive
Maybe it’s the mix of elements. Land on one side, sea on the other, sky stretching above in big open pieces. You feel small in a good way. There’s something healing about seeing the horizon for hours at a time.
Coastal drives also have a natural flow. They’re curvy, gentle, unpredictable. You slow down without trying. You stop for views, for small cafes, for beaches you didn’t even know existed. It becomes less about reaching a destination and more about letting the road show you things.
And the sound of waves, even when you only glimpse the ocean, stays with you. A soft reminder that travel doesn’t always need big plans, sometimes it just needs a direction.
Tips for a Perfect Coastal Road Trip
Start early, coastal mornings are magic.
Keep snacks in the car, especially fruit or local pastries.
Stop more often than you think.
Bring a light jacket, even warm places get windy.
Don’t rush. The sea doesn’t, so why should you.
Make playlists that feel slightly nostalgic, coastal roads love them.
The Coast Has Its Own Stories
When you drive along the coast, you pass through dozens of small stories. Fishermen repairing nets, surfers waiting for the next wave, kids building sand castles, old men sitting on benches watching the sea like it’s a lifelong habit. You see these slices of daily life and suddenly you feel connected, even if you never stop to speak.
Road trips by the sea remind you that the world is wider than your routine. They wake you up, gently or sometimes dramatically, depending on the waves that day.
So if you’re looking for your next adventure, choose a road that runs next to the ocean. Roll down the window, breathe the salty air, let the horizon guide you. You might come home calmer, happier, and maybe a little more sun touched than before.