There’s something so romantic and rewarding about road trips. They’re one of the few types of travel where you’re in control of your time, terms, and how many detours to take. Plus, you can let your mood dictate whether you go the direct or scenic route.
Rental car company Europcar analyzed over 47 million (whew!) Instagram posts between 2016 and 2017 with the hashtag #roadtrip to see in what cities and countries people were hitting the road. The US was the most popular country with almost 8 million #roadtrip posts, with the hashtag #westcoast used over 197,000 times. Europcar then mapped common routes between the most mentioned locations, including the most visited hotspots, to find the most popular and Instagrammable road trips.
Ahead are their top 10 routes for a little travel inspiration—the open road is calling you.
1. Seattle to San Diego (1,538 miles): Traversing north to south along this route takes you from the chill hipster vibes of Pacific Northwest down to the laid-back surfer vibes of San Diego. Along the way, there are more than enough natural landscapes to take in: Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, the vineyards of Napa, iconic bridges like the Golden Gate in San Francisco and Bixby in Big Sur, and miles and miles of spectacular California coastline.
2. Los Angeles to Las Vegas (323 miles): Treat yo’ self from start to finish from the City of Angels to Sin City. Both Los Angeles and Las Vegas have enough restaurants, sights, and entertainment to keep you busy for days, but between the two, you’ll also cross the Mojave Desert and find something a little less populated: the former mining and now ghost town of Calico.
3. Las Vegas to Grand Canyon (313 miles): Leave the shiny spectacle of Vegas, pass the manmade marvel that is the Hoover Dam, and head for the natural grandeur of the Grand Canyon, where 277 miles and over two billion years of history await. Looking over the canyon, which is over a mile deep, will give you the feeling of standing on top of the world. On your way there, take a trip back in time to Bedrock City, Arizona’s Flintstones-themed park.
4. San Francisco to Yosemite (197 miles): Any outdoor enthusiasts should take the journey to Yosemite National Park, known for giant sequoia groves, numerous waterfalls, the formidable Half Dome, and over 740,000 acres of wilderness. Between San Francisco and Yosemite, you can also cross through California’s Red Hills, which is home to over 250 species of plants and animals. You may even spot a bald eagle in the winter!
5. New York City to Toronto (498 miles): This East Coast road trip take you from the Big Apple to Toronto, the home of a prestigious film festival, the 2019 NBA champions, and Drake. Drive through upstate New York, where the Finger Lakes region will seem worlds away from bustling Manhattan. Then spend some time to take in Niagara Falls (actually a group of three waterfalls), an awe-inspiring sight that connects the US and Canada. Don’t forget to pack a passport!
6. Route 66 (2,195 miles): Although Route 66 doesn’t officially exist anymore, you can still get your kicks by driving along most of the original road, which connects Los Angeles to Chicago and winds through many charming tiny towns and attractions. Even if you don’t make it across all 2,000+ miles, seeing a small stretch of the historic route is a quintessential American experience.
7. Melbourne to Brisbane (1,253 miles): Take your road trips down under, heading from hip Melbourne to outdoorsy Brisbane, and beach hop along Australia’s eastern coast. Must-dos include stopping through Sydney to take a selfie at the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, going for a swim at Bondi Beach or Bondi Icebergs swimming pool, and drinking at least one cup of delicious Australian coffee.
8. London to Paris (344 miles): You need to cross the English Channel to connect this route between two of Europe’s most famous capital cities, but you can do so with a car. In England, live your best royal life by visiting Buckingham Palace or exploring the rolling hills of the English countryside. In Paris, fuel up on a cafe au lait and croissant in any neighborhood boulangerie and then get your art and culture fix through the usual suspects like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Seine river.
9. Icelandic Golden Circle (160 miles): Most people head straight to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, but everywhere around the country, you can witness some of the most breathtaking natural scenery you’ll ever see (and some of the epic filming locations of Game of Thrones). Start in the capital of Reykjavik and then set off along the Golden Circle, which covers the southern loop of Iceland. You’ll discover hidden hot springs, massive waterfalls, glaciers, and wild Icelandic horses for a stunningly memorable adventure.
10. Milan to Venice (263 miles): You’ll understand why they call it la dolce vita when you make your way from the fashion mecca of Milan to the charming canals of Venice. Your Italian getaway will wind through many romantic destinations such as Verona, the city of love; Padua, a Shakespeare favorite; Lake Garda, the country’s largest lake; and Franciacorta, an under-the-radar relaxing sparkling wine region. Andiamo!
Tell us all about your best road trips in the comments!
(Images via Europcar)
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