Road Trips: Your Map to the World's Best Drives
Coastal highways, mountain passes, and hidden backroads. Every route mapped, every stop planned.
There’s something about a road trip that no flight or train can replicate. You pick the route. You stop when you want. You take the weird detour because the sign looked interesting. Some of the best travel experiences we’ve had started with a rental car key and a rough idea of where to go. This page pulls together every road trip route we’ve mapped so far, from Scottish highland passes to South African coastal drives, with practical info on what it actually costs, how to plan it, and which routes are worth your time. Pick a region, pick a route, and go.
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50+ Routes
And Counting
From £18/day
Car rental (Europe avg)
~€1.78/L
EU petrol average
Book 2–4 Weeks Ahead
For best rental rates
10+ Countries
Across 4 continents
Road Trip Routes By Region
Every route comes with a free interactive map, day-by-day stops, and honest tips on what’s actually worth your time.
UK & Ireland
Italy
Germany & Austria
Multi-Country Europe
France, Belgium, & Netherlands
Switzerland
Scandinavia & Nordic
Central & Eastern Europe
North America
Africa
Oceania
How Much Does a Road Trip Actually Cost?
It varies wildly by country, but here’s what to realistically budget for car rental, fuel, tolls, and everything else.
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Budget
~£55 / $70 / €65 per day
- Economy car rental from £18 / $23 / €21 per day
- Fuel budget: £12–20 / $15–25 / €14–24 per day (varies hugely by country)
- Camping or hostel: £10–25 / $13–32 / €12–30 per night
- Supermarket meals and picnic lunches
- Free scenic stops and national parks
🚗
Mid-Range
~£110 / $140 / €130 per day
- Compact or mid-size rental: £30–50 / $38–64 / €35–59 per day
- Fuel: £15–25 / $19–32 / €18–30 per day
- B&Bs, boutique hotels, or Airbnb: £50–90 / $64–115 / €59–106 per night
- Restaurant lunches and local dinners
- Paid attractions and guided experiences
🏎️
Premium
~£200+ / $255+ / €235+ per day
- SUV, convertible, or luxury rental: £65–100+ / $83–128+ / €76–118+ per day
- Premium fuel and motorway tolls included
- Boutique hotels and high-end stays: £120+ / $153+ / €141+ per night
- Fine dining and wine tasting stops
- Helicopter tours, private guides, VIP access
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Budget (GBP / USD / EUR) | Mid-Range (GBP / USD / EUR) | |
| Economy car (per day) | £18–30 / $23–38 / €21–35 | £30–50 / $38–64 / €35–59 |
| Compact/mid-size (per day) | £25–40 / $32–51 / €29–47 | £45–70 / $57–90 / €53–82 |
| SUV or premium (per day) | — | £65–100+ / $83–128+ / €76–118+ |
| Insurance top-up (per day) | £8–15 / $10–19 / €9–18 | Included or £5–10 / $6–13 / €6–12 |
| Cross-border fee (one-off) | £20–65 / $26–83 / €24–76 | Often included |
| Additional driver (per day) | £5–15 / $6–19 / €6–18 | £5–15 / $6–19 / €6–18 |
| Budget (GBP / USD / EUR) | Mid-Range (GBP / USD / EUR) | |
| EU average petrol (per litre) | £1.50 / $1.91 / €1.78 | Same |
| Cheapest EU countries | Malta: ~£1.13 / $1.44 / €1.34/L | — |
| Most expensive EU countries | Netherlands: ~£1.98 / $2.53 / €2.35/L | — |
| Estimated daily fuel (250km) | £12–20 / $15–25 / €14–24 | £15–30 / $19–38 / €18–35 |
| Motorway vs town stations | Highway can be 15–25% more expensive | Fill up before hitting motorways |
| Country/Region | System | Approximate Cost |
| France | Distance-based tolls | £0.08–0.14 / $0.10–0.18 / €0.09–0.16 per km |
| Italy | Distance-based tolls | £0.05–0.09 / $0.06–0.11 / €0.06–0.10 per km |
| Spain | Some toll roads (autopistas) | £0.06–0.11 / $0.08–0.14 / €0.07–0.13 per km |
| Switzerland | Annual vignette required | ~£34 / $43 / €40 (annual) |
| Austria | Vignette required | ~£8–15 / $10–19 / €10–18 (10-day) |
| Germany | Autobahns free | £0 |
| UK | Most roads free | Occasional tolls (M6 Toll, Dartford Crossing) |
| Norway | Electronic tolls (AutoPASS) | Varies, £3–8 / $4–10 / €4–9 per toll point |
| Croatia | Distance-based tolls | £0.05–0.07 / $0.06–0.09 / €0.06–0.08 per km |
Pro tip: Download the Tollguru or Via Michelin app before your trip. It calculates toll costs for your exact route so there are no surprises.
| Budget (GBP / USD / EUR) | Mid-Range (GBP / USD / EUR) | |
| Campsite | £8–20 / $10–26 / €9–24 per night | — |
| Hostel dorm | £12–25 / $15–32 / €14–29 per night | — |
| Budget hotel / Airbnb | £35–55 / $45–70 / €41–65 per night | £55–90 / $70–115 / €65–106 per night |
| Boutique hotel / B&B | — | £80–150 / $102–192 / €94–176 per night |
| Luxury / resort | — | £150+ / $192+ / €176+ per night |
| Campervan (rental + sleep) | £50–80 / $64–102 / €59–94 per day | Saves on separate accommodation |
10 Ways to Cut Your Road Trip Costs
⛽ Fill up before the motorway — highway stations charge 15–25% more across most of Europe. A 5-minute detour into town saves real money over a full trip.
📅 Book your rental 2–4 weeks ahead — contrary to what you’d expect, last-minute bookings aren’t cheaper. The 2–4 week window consistently offers the best rates in Europe.
🚗 Go manual if you can drive one — automatic transmission cars cost 20–40% more to rent in Europe. Manual is the default and the cheapest option.
🏕️ Mix camping with hotels — even one or two nights in a campsite or wild camping (where legal) cuts your daily accommodation spend significantly.
🍞 Pack a cooler — supermarket picnics at scenic viewpoints beat overpriced roadside restaurants every time. Plus, you actually get to enjoy the view.
💳 Use a no-fee travel card — foreign transaction fees on car hire, fuel, and tolls add up fast. Cards like Wise, Revolut, or Chase Sapphire save 2–3% on every transaction.
🔄 Pick up and drop off at the same location — one-way drop-off fees are brutal, sometimes doubling the total cost. Plan a loop route instead.
📱 Download offline maps — roaming data charges and GPS rental fees (£12–15/day) are pointless when Google Maps works offline. Download your route before you leave.
⏰ Avoid peak summer weeks — rental prices spike 20–50% in July and August. Shoulder season (May, June, September, October) gives you better prices and emptier roads.
🛡️ Get third-party insurance — the rental desk will push their excess waiver hard (£15–20/day). Third-party cover from iCarhireinsurance or your travel insurance policy does the same job for a fraction of the price.
Planning Your Road Trip
The practical stuff that makes or breaks a road trip. Rental tips, route planning, and what to know before you drive.
Choosing Your Rental
Economy for city-to-city trips. Compact or mid-size for longer routes. SUV or 4×4 for mountain passes and unpaved roads. Campervan if you want to sleep in it.
✅ Compare across multiple sites (DiscoverCars aggregates well)
✅ Manual transmission = cheapest option in Europe
❌ Avoid airport pick-up if a city centre branch is cheaper
Insurance & Documents
Basic third-party liability is always included. Collision damage waiver is where costs vary. Third-party policies from iCarhireinsurance or your travel insurance are usually cheaper than the rental desk.
✅ Check your credit card — some include rental car cover
✅ Carry your driving licence + International Driving Permit (if required)
❌ Don’t sign the rental desk waiver without checking alternatives
Route Planning
Google Maps does the basics but doesn’t factor in toll costs, scenic detours, or driving time realistically. Via Michelin and Tollguru are better for European routes.
✅ Download offline maps for areas with patchy signal
✅ Build in buffer time — road trips always take longer than Google says
❌ Don’t plan more than 4–5 hours of driving per day if you want to enjoy it
Fuel Strategy
EU average is around €1.78/L for petrol right now. But that hides massive variation. Malta is €1.34/L, the Netherlands is €2.35/L. Where you fill up matters as much as how much you drive.
✅ Fill up before motorways — highway stations add 15–25% markup
✅ In border regions, check prices across the border before filling up
❌ Don’t return the rental empty
Tolls & Vignettes
Some countries charge per kilometre (France, Italy, Spain). Others need a prepaid sticker or vignette (Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic). Germany’s autobahns are free. Know what you’re driving into.
✅ Budget €5–15/day for tolls in France/Italy
✅ Buy vignettes online before crossing the border
❌ Don’t forget — driving in Switzerland without a vignette is a €200 fine
Cross-Border Driving
Driving across EU borders is easy, but your rental contract might not agree. Many companies charge €20–65 per cross-border trip, and some restrict certain countries entirely (common with Eastern Europe).
✅ Declare all countries you’re visiting when booking
✅ Check if the company allows specific destinations (Balkans, Eastern Europe)
❌ Don’t assume Schengen = free movement for rental cars. It doesn’t.
What type of road trip are you?
Weekend getaway
UK or short European loop — 2–3 days, one country
Week-long road trip
Single country deep dive — Italy, Scotland, Norway
Multi-country adventure
Cross-border route — Alpine loop, Danube trail, Adriatic coast
Seasonal special
Winter drives, Christmas markets, autumn foliage, spring tulips
Quick Tips
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Take Photos of the Car
Before you drive off, photograph every scratch and dent. The rental company will try to charge you later otherwise.
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Drive Mornings
European mountain passes and coastal roads are best in early morning light. Less traffic, better photos, cooler temperatures.
⛽️
Don't Run Low
In rural Scotland, Norway, or Iceland, petrol stations can be 50+ km apart. Fill up whenever you see one below half tank.
⚠️
Know Local Rules
Speed cameras, drink-driving limits, and right-of-way rules vary by country. France requires a breathalyser. Spain needs a hi-vis vest in the car.
Related Resources
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here’s how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Theft & Scams
Pickpockets, tourist traps, and cons you won’t see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to avoid every single one.
Travel Insurance
Don’t skip this one. Especially travelling solo. We compare the best policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit for a European road trip?
It depends on where you’re going and where your licence was issued. If you hold a UK licence, you don’t need one for most EU countries, but Italy technically requires one, and police there do check. US licence holders should get an IDP for most of Europe. They cost about £5.50 / $7 / €6.50 and you can get one from your national automobile association. Takes five minutes and avoids hassle.
How far in advance should I book a rental car?
For Europe, 2 to 4 weeks before your trip usually gives the best rates. Booking months ahead doesn’t save as much as you’d think, and last-minute rates are often inflated. Peak summer (July and August) is the exception. Book those as early as you can because availability drops fast in popular destinations like Italy, Croatia, and the south of France.
Is it cheaper to rent a car at the airport or in the city?
It’s a mixed bag. Airport locations often have more competition between rental companies, which can push prices down. But some airports charge a premium surcharge of £15–50 / $19–64 / €18–59 per rental. Compare both options on a booking site like DiscoverCars before deciding. The difference can go either way depending on the destination.
Can I drive my rental car across European borders?
Usually yes, but it’s not automatic. Most major rental companies allow driving within the EU and Schengen zone, but they charge a cross-border fee of £20–65 / $26–83 / €24–76 per trip. Some companies restrict certain countries entirely (common with Eastern European destinations like Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania). Always declare every country on your itinerary when booking.
What's the best road trip for a first-timer in Europe?
Tuscany is hard to beat. Short distances between stops, well-maintained roads, amazing food at every turn, and some of the most photographed scenery on the continent. The NC500 in Scotland is another strong choice if you want dramatic landscapes without navigating a foreign language. Both are manageable in under a week.
How much should I budget for tolls?
It depends entirely on the country. Germany’s autobahns are free. France and Italy charge distance-based tolls that can add up to £15–30 / $19–38 / €18–35 per day on a motorway-heavy route. Switzerland and Austria use vignette systems (a prepaid sticker) costing £8–34 / $10–43 / €10–40 depending on duration. For a toll estimate on your exact route, use Via Michelin or the Tollguru app.
Is driving in Europe difficult?
Not really, but it’s different. Right-hand traffic (if you’re from the UK) takes about 30 minutes to adjust to. Roundabouts, narrow village streets, and aggressive city driving (looking at you, Italy and France) take a bit longer. Stick to smaller roads when you can. That’s where road trips are best anyway. Motorways are the same everywhere and not why you’re doing this.
What should I pack for a road trip?
Beyond the obvious stuff: a phone mount (non-negotiable), a 12V car charger, a cooler bag for roadside picnics, a basic first-aid kit, a high-vis vest (legally required in several European countries), and a paper road atlas as backup. Download offline maps before you leave. GPS signal drops out in mountain passes and rural areas more often than you’d think.
Are road trips good value compared to flying?
For solo travellers, usually not. The rental, fuel, tolls, and parking often exceed a budget flight. But for two to four people sharing a car? Road trips become significantly better value, especially when you factor in luggage freedom, no airport transfers, and the ability to stop wherever you want. The real value is in the experience, not the spreadsheet.
When is the best time for a European road trip?
May, June, and September are the sweet spot. Warm enough for comfortable driving with the windows down, but before (or after) peak summer crowds and pricing. Spring is best for tulip routes in the Netherlands and wildflowers in Provence. Autumn is ideal for foliage drives in Germany, Austria, and Romania. Winter road trips work beautifully in Scandinavia and the Alps if you’re prepared for the conditions.
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