Top road trip locations around the world

Explore these unforgettable drives and the memories they inspire

There’s a unique sense of freedom that comes from packing a bag, hopping in the car, and following the open road. Road trips offer the chance to travel at your own pace, uncover hidden gems, and experience a country from the ground up. They’re sometimes spontaneous and makes you appreciate the scenic beauty of your surroundings, making for some of the most cherished memories. Capturing these experiences in a road trip photo album allows you to relive the journey long after the engine stops. Whether you’re tracing dramatic coastlines, winding through mountain ranges, or crossing vast desert landscapes, the journey itself becomes part of the story. Here, we highlight ten of the most breathtaking road trip locations from around the world to inspire your next adventure.

1. Pacific Coast Highway, United States

Stretching more than 600 miles from San Francisco to San Diego, the Pacific Coast Highway is a road trip icon. Winding along the edge of the continent, this route showcases California’s wild beauty and laid-back, chilled-out charm. From the towering redwoods in the north to the golden beaches of the south, every curve reveals a new vista, each more breathtaking than the last.

Take in the misty cliffs and ocean spray of Big Sur, where the mountains meet the sea. Stop in Monterey for a dose of maritime history and a stroll along Cannery Row. Further down, explore the sunlit streets of Santa Barbara or the artistic energy of Los Angeles. In Santa Cruz, surfers dance on waves under pastel skies, while at McWay Falls, water cascades onto a secluded beach, one of the coast’s most photographed scenes. Preserve the journey in a Premium Photo Book or Travel Magazine, pairing expansive images with elegant page templates that bring the journey to life in your travel keepsake. However you choose to remember it, this is a road trip worth reliving again and again.

2. Amalfi Coast, Italy

Often hailed as one of the most picturesque drives in Europe, the Amalfi Coast is a 50-kilometer stretch of road along the southern edge of Italy's Sorrentine Peninsula. What makes this road trip exceptional is its mix of natural and architectural beauty. Cliffs tumble into the sea, vibrant bougainvillea drapes over pastel buildings, and each turn reveals another postcard-perfect town.

Stop in charming Positano for a seaside lunch, explore the cliff-top gardens of Ravello, or wander through the historic streets of Amalfi. With every mile, there's a story worth preserving in a European photo album - a romantic stroll, a gelato break, or the golden hour light painting the sea. The visual richness of this region makes for stunning images to look back on long after your return home.

3. Ring Road, Iceland

The Ring Road (Route 1) circles Iceland, offering a front-row seat to the island's most extraordinary natural wonders. This 1332 kilometer loop takes you past volcanic craters, lava fields, glaciers, and steaming hot springs, each stretch revealing something unforgettable.

You’ll witness iconic waterfalls like Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss, stroll along black-sand beaches near Vík, and, if you're lucky, catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. With its dramatic landscapes and shifting light, Iceland is best explored by road and best remembered in the perfect MILK Photo Book format. Our elegant, handcrafted formats are designed to help you preserve the beauty, stillness, and awe of this one-of-a-kind journey.

4. South Island, New Zealand

New Zealand's South Island is a dream destination for road trippers. The landscape shifts dramatically from glacier-carved fjords to mirror-like lakes, snow-capped mountains to rolling vineyards. It's a place where every bend in the road reveals another awe-inspiring view.

A popular route takes you from Queenstown to Milford Sound, passing through Fiordland National Park. There’s also the Remarkables Road, for those who love alpine driving throughout the mountains of Queenstown. Capture the serenity of Lake Tekapo, the grandeur of Mount Cook, and the winding roads through alpine passes all available in the South Island of New Zealand. The purity of this untouched landscape makes it ideal for panoramic spreads in a gorgeous MILK Photo Album.

5. Garden Route, South Africa

The Garden Route is a spectacular 300 kilometer drive along South Africa’s southeastern coast, celebrated for its lush biodiversity and ever-changing scenery. Winding through dense forests, golden beaches, serene lakes, and dramatic coastlines, it offers a journey that is as diverse as it is unforgettable. Along the way, charming towns like Knysna, Wilderness, and Plettenberg Bay invite you to pause, explore, and soak in the relaxed coastal culture.

For those seeking adventure, there’s no shortage of experiences. Brave the world’s highest commercial bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge, hike the coastal trails of Tsitsikamma National Park, or cruise the Knysna Lagoon at sunset. Nature lovers will find moments of awe in every corner, from whale watching and bird spotting to discovering rare flora in the indigenous forests. This route is rich with natural hues, wildlife, and memory-making potential. Whether captured in a Premium Photo Album or a series of Mini Magazines, the Garden Route is a story worth telling, vivid, dynamic, and deeply connected to nature. Let your road trip live on in pages that can be passed down and cherished for years to come.

6. Route des Grandes Alpes, France

This alpine road trip winds through the French Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean Sea. Traversing 684 kilometers and 16 mountain passes, it offers breathtaking views and quintessential alpine charm.

Perfect for taking summer photos, this route is a hidden gem for those who love mountain scenery, quaint villages, and winding drives. Capture the dramatic shifts in elevation and the cosy charm of alpine life with a Travel Photo Album designed to elevate your photography.

7. North Coast 500, Scotland

For a road trip that combines dramatic landscapes with cultural heritage, the North Coast 500 in Scotland delivers. This 830-kilometer loop starts and ends in Inverness, winding through rugged coastlines, highland castles, and remote fishing villages. Expect misty moors, ancient ruins, and possibly a few Highland cows. The ethereal beauty of Scotland offers a unique journey that feels both historical yet timeless, ideal for a legacy keeping format like a Moleskine Photo Book.

8. Ruta 40, Argentina

Running parallel to the Andes for over 5000 kilometers, Ruta 40 is Argentina's most famous road trip. It takes travelers through arid deserts, lush wine regions, and remote Patagonian wilderness. Highlights include the vineyards of Mendoza, the glacial landscapes of El Chaltén, and the windswept steppe of Santa Cruz. This epic journey is one of contrasts and scale, well-suited to the panoramic layouts of a Premium Photo Album.

9. Atlantic Road, Norway

A shorter road trip, but one filled with grandeur, Norway’s Atlantic Road is a striking feat of engineering and natural beauty. Stretching just over 8 kilometers, this scenic route connects a chain of islands via eight architecturally bold bridges. Each turn offers sweeping views of the Norwegian Sea, with waves crashing dramatically against the coast, especially memorable during stormy weather.

10. Great Ocean Road, Australia

This iconic drive stretches 243 kilometers along the southern coast of Victoria, Australia. Renowned for its surf beaches and dramatic cliffs, the Great Ocean Road is a celebration of nature’s artistry. Highlights include the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and the Great Otway National Park. With its mix of dramatic coastlines and inland forestry, this road trip is a visual journey made for storytelling in a MILK Magazine.

Road trips naturally lend themselves to storytelling. There’s a beginning, a middle, and an end, each filled with unexpected detours, scenic pauses, and moments of appreciation with the places you travel. Unlike other travel experiences, a road trip is just as much about the journey as the destination. With a road trip photo album, you can bring that narrative to life. Our handcrafted keepsakes with beautiful materials, personalized covers and elegant page layouts offer the perfect canvas for your travel memories. Whether you’re adding thoughtful captions and stories to a particular road trip photo album design, or crafting a custom road trip photo book for travel memories, every format helps preserve the magic of the road in a tangible, lasting way.

Not sure where to start? Our intuitive Design Studio makes it easy to learn how to make a road trip photo album that feels uniquely yours. Whether you're commemorating a weekend getaway or a cross-country odyssey, there’s a format to suit your story. Wherever the road takes you, take the time to document your story. Then, when the journey ends, let us help you preserve it beautifully.