As a small nation, it’s easy to traverse much of the UK by car – although you’ll need the help of a ferry to reach Northern Ireland. The UK is also officially one of Europe’s safest places to drive, one of the top three countries where you’re least likely to have a fatal accident on the road.

Convenience and safety is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to reasons to add UK road trips to your bucket list. With a wealth of routes to choose from, each journey promises staggering scenery, delicious traditional food and the chance for a peaceful escape away from the crowds.

The best time to go

As anyone who lives in the UK will know, the weather can be unpredictable year-round and we always seem to end up having a picnic in the car on every trip

However, spring and summer are the best bets for dry sunny days, and you benefit from the long evenings. This will make your driving days easier and afford you the best view of your surroundings.

Road trip with Jojo and moaning Momo

Convertibles sound great, but we don’t always get the weather on our road trips in the UK

Choosing your transport

Roads in the UK are largely good quality, but you’ll need a vehicle that can both hold its own on the motorway and navigate country lanes to ensure a successful trip whether this is your current car, a hired vehicle or a motorhome. Your vehicle should also be fairly spacious for day-to-day comfort, but also suitable for parking to see the sights on your trip itinerary.

Pre-journey preparation

As well as considering the type of transport, think about the driving element of the road trip. You should take advantage of temporary car insurance policies that enable multiple drivers to be insured on a vehicle for the duration of your holiday. This means there is always someone to take over if you are tired or in the event of an emergency.

You should also put together a comprehensive packing list as part of your pre-journey preparation. Look ahead at the weather and choose suitable clothes. Invest in sensible footwear for sightseeing. Food and drink to sustain you during long journeys will be essential too, as is a comprehensive first-aid kit.

Kylesku Bridge along the NC500 in Northern Scotland

Kylesku Bridge along the NC500 in Northern Scotland crosses two Loches in mesmerising countryside

Choosing your route

There are a wide range of routes to be driven, but these are four of our favourites we can honestly recommend as our picks of road trip ideas and locations.

North Coast 500

Discover the dramatic coastline of the Scottish Highlands on the North Coast 500 which ranks among the best road trips in the world. This scenic driving route covers around 500 miles of stunning coastal scenery, starting and ending at Inverness Castle.

The route takes you through picturesque villages, rugged landscapes, historic sites, and beautiful beaches. Places to watch out for include (on assumption you start on East Coast and follow the northern top down to the East Coast):

Inverness: The capital of the Scottish highlands, it’s the perfect base for a road trip or even hiring a narrow boat and sailing from one side of Scotland to the other. Heading South-West through the canal system that joins the three lochs of the Great Glenn. This includes Loch Ness, Loch Lochy and Loch Linnhe. Watch out for monsters!

Black Isle: Not actually an island, it’s a peninsula. A haven for wildlife and nature lovers, you can hike to the waterfalls in Fairy Glenn and go mountain biking at Learnie Red Rocks.

Easter Ross: Visit the beautiful seaboard fishing villages, and learn about the Picts.

Caithness: On the Northeast coast, the location of the northernmost point of the UK mainland in John O’Groats, and overlooking the Orkney Islands and the Shetlands. It’s pretty exposed to the elements, but is stunning landscape. Look out for Dunrobin Castle and Gardens and Dornoch cathedral town on the way up. And the Castle of Mey on the North Coast drive along to Castletown.

Sutherland: The North Coast has some stunning beaches to visit in Sangobeg Beach, Achininver Beach and Balnakeil Bay. Smoo Cave and the ruins of Ardvreck Castle are worth a stop. Take the Kylesku Bridge south for breath-taking views of Loch a Chairn Bhain and Locj Gleann Dubh.

Wester Ross: Sounding like it’s straight out of Game of Thrones (probably because it inspired the name of the continent based on Medieval Britain), it’s not subarctic wasteland north of the Antonine Wall. Full of lochs, mountain and beaches, and quaint fishing villages like Ullapool

If you have time, head to the Torridon mountains and drive the challenging and scenic road to the Bealach na Bà viewpoint, and through the Applecross Peninsula for panoramic views of the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides.

And while it’s a bit further south, I love Eilean Donan castle which is well worth the detour, set on a small island where three lochs meet.

road in Snowdonia national park

Eryri national Park (Snowdonia)

The Cambrian Way

The Cambrian Way is a long-distance hiking trail in Wales, UK. It runs for approximately 298 miles (480 km) from Cardiff in the south to Conwy in the north. The trail traverses the mountainous heart of Wales, passing through stunning landscapes, including the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia National Parks.

The Cambrian Way is known for its challenging terrain and remote sections, making it a popular choice for experienced hikers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a rugged and rewarding adventure.

You can also drive Wales from north to south along the Cambrian Way (or vice versa), a route that travels the mountainous spine of the country where awe-inspiring heritage sites and spectacular scenery await.

Don’t miss Cardiff Castle, the National Museum, and the Cardiff Bay area. And at the other end, Conwy is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historic town and well-preserved medieval castle and town walls are worth exploring.

There is plenty in-between. Stop and see Hay-on-Wye, known as the “Town of Books”, famous for its numerous bookshops.

If you fancy hiking to the summit of the highest mountain in Wales, Llanberis is a popular starting point. But make sure you are well prepared in advance.

My highlight was Beaumaris on the Isle of Anglesey, a picturesque town with a medieval castle, historic buildings, and a scenic waterfront.

Causeway Coast

The Causeway Coast is a scenic stretch of coastline in Northern Ireland, known for its stunning cliffs, beaches, and rock formations. One of the most famous attractions along the Causeway Coast is the myth-shrouded cliffs of the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made up of thousands of interlocking basalt columns. You should see the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge while you are here too.

The area is also known for its charming towns, such as Portrush and Portstewart, and for its picturesque views along the Causeway Coastal Route. Fly into Belfast and loop round to Derry and then the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you have the time and the weather, County Donegal is so beautiful too. The entire Wild Atlantic highway in Ireland is one of my favourite road trips in the whole world.

Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast is a lovely drive on the southern coast of England. It stretches for about 96 miles (155 km) from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset. The Jurassic Coast is known for its stunning natural beauty, unique geological features, and rich fossil record dating back to the Jurassic period, around 200 million years ago.

It is a popular destination for tourists, hikers, fossil hunters, and geology enthusiasts. Wend your way along the Jurassic Coast to discover the captivating cliffs, fossil-filled beaches and seascapes that earned this area UNESCO World Heritage status.

There are so many things to do on the Jurassic Coast it’s impossible to list them all, but you can go fossil hunting on any seaside beach (watch out for falling rocks), visit the iconic Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, visit historic sites like Corfe Castle, Lyme Regis, or Abbotsbury Swannery, and Knoll Beach in Studland Bay happens to be my favourite in the UK. It definitely one of the best beaches on a summers day.

I’m sure I’ll add to this list, as this year I really want to go to Bamburgh Castle and I hear Northumberland is gorgeous. And I’d like to see more of the Lake District, Peak District and Yorkshire at some point, despite living in Leeds for university.