10 Road Trips That'll Immediately Make You Want to Get Behind the Wheel
The Ring Road, Iceland
This incredible drive is best undertaken with plenty of time — ideally a week — to really soak up the views that are considered to be some of the most amazing on Earth. Begin on the Golden Circle, where you can stand in awe as Strokkur Geyser erupts, and marvel at powerful waterfalls and the rainbows that develop in their mists.
Fantastical wonders seem to wait around nearly every turn. Walk across a black-sand beach to unique cliffs of basalt columns, and take a break at the Glacier Lagoon to cruise among the maze of floating icebergs.
Your reward at the end of this unforgettable drive is a soak in the healing waters of the renowned Blue Lagoon.
Million Dollar Highway, CO
This drive that follows Highway 550 between Silverton and Ouray in Colorado isn’t for the faint of heart, but if you can manage the twists and turns at the edge of steep cliffs, it’ll be worth the reward of taking in some of the most impressive views you’ll find anywhere.
The “Switzerland of America,” as it’s sometimes called, reveals the dramatic, jagged peaks of the San Juan Mountains in the southwestern part of the state. There are lots of lookout points along the way for capturing amazing photos too. Those lookouts make this an equally great road trip for families as they provide opportunities for the kids to get out and burn off some energy.
Need an excuse to take a quick trip with your significant other? These Thanksgiving getaways for couples have great food and dangerously beautiful views.
Mamalahoa Highway, Hawaii
Mamalahoa Highway, also known as the Belt Road, is made up of Hawaii State Routes 11, 19 and 190. The route circles the Big Island of Hawaii, and passes numerous stunning sights, including pristine, white beaches, lush jungle areas, active lava flows and lava deserts.
The roadway rises in altitude while lowering in temperature until reaching Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Here you can safely view the active lava flows, getting up close by joining a ranger-led hike.
