There’s something indescribable about the vastness of coastlines, where expansive waters collide with sandy shores and splash against mountain bases. When paved pathways meet in between these natural intersections, hungry eyes are fed with magical panoramic views of various paradises as they pass, creating a surreal experience for each onlooker. Check out these routes, where roads follow the most fascinating scenic coastlines around the globe.
The Great Ocean Road
Reaching just over 150 miles on the southeastern coast of Australia, stretching from the city of Torquay and ending in Allansford, the Great Ocean Road is one of the most remarkable coastal drives in the world. With breathtaking landmarks like the limestone stacks known as the 12 Apostles and the waterfall-filled Great Otway National Park, there’s more than the mesmerizing motion of the Southern Ocean to take in on this grand roadway.
Atlantic Ocean Road
Driving on the Atlantic Ocean Road in northern Norway is an adventurous joyride. The unique route, passing over a series of tiny islands and interlinking them to the mainland, seems to simulate the waves of the underlying Norwegian Sea, with its occasional rollercoaster-like rises in the road. On-the-go spectators can look forward to peering out into open waters on either side of the sea-lined road.
Hana Road
A bucket-list feat that many hope to accomplish, driving the riveting Hana Road on Maui’s east coast is a dream. Officially known as Hawaii Route 360, this thruway cruises past black-sand beaches and waterfall viewpoints and allows for stops at gorgeous hiking paths, such as the Waikamoi Nature Walk. Passing over cliffs and bridges, Hana Road easily travels beyond the expectations of even the most zealous road-trippers.
Tsunoshima Bridge
Connecting the mainland island of Yamaguchi, Japan, and Tsunoshima Island, the Tsunoshima Bridge reaches into the Sea of Japan and paves an over-water path for vehicles to traverse. Though Tsunoshima Island is a wondrous destination on its own, with luscious vegetation and sandy shores, the bridge delivers a stunning perspective of the turquoise and deep azure colors of the expansive sea, with a wide-shot preview of the approaching green island.
The Amalfi Coast
Not for the faint of heart, the winding, mountainside road from the Italian town of Sorrento to Solerno, best known as the Amalfi Coast, provides a spectacular bird’s eye view of the Tyrrhenian Sea below its bluffs. Located along the scenic drive, small towns like Ravello and Positano conjure feelings of amore, with romantic gardens peeking out of the terraces of pastel homes, blending with the lush landscape surrounding them.
Sea-to-Sky Highway Route
Traveling along several bodies of water throughout its 254-mile route, the Sea-to-Sky Highway Route, officially named British Columbia Highway 99, transports road trip travelers through passages of canyons, waterfalls, and historic sites. Beginning at the border of Washington and British Columbia, the best coastal views emerge when the route passes through the peninsula of Stanley Park and climbs north though Vancouver, bordering Howe Sound.
Coastal US Route 1
Not to be mistaken for State Route 1 in California, U.S. Route 1 runs more than 2,300 miles from Fort Kent, Maine, all the way down to the Florida Keys, making it the longest north-south highway in the United States. Though the route veers inland in some states, stopping through major cities, including New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C., it sticks to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean through Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut before reemerging on the coast of Florida and ending in Key West.
Marine Drive of Great Orme
Bordering Great Orme, a limestone headland west of Llandudno, Wales, Marine Drive offers refreshing views of the Irish Sea. Though the drive is a relatively short one, motorists tend to glide slowly along the way to take in the flora and fauna, including the wild Kashmiri goats roaming cliffside, as well as a wealth of seabirds, like puffins and gulls, nesting nearby, often flying toward the water to feed on fish.
Timothy Hill
On the island of St. Kitts, sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, a curving road carries onlookers to the Timothy Hill lookout point, where elevated views show the spanning landscape of the peninsula and neighboring Nevis island. Riding the twisted route offers the opportunity for stop-offs, where calming waves washing over sands can be witnessed up close.
Pacific Coast Highway
Running north to south, covering the majority of the country’s West Coast, California State Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, is an iconic American road trip. With its northernmost end beginning in Port Townsend, Washington, near Olympic National Park, traveling through the mountainous coastline of Big Sur, and ending in Orange County, there’s plenty to see and experience on the legendary PCH.
Niemeyer Avenue
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Niemeyer Avenue lines the coast under a slope of vibrant green trees, intercepting the foliage from the Atlantic Ocean that’s just beneath it. With an adjacent bike path near the road, both bicyclists and motorists can drift along the edge of the earth, while gandering at a setting that seems too good to be true.
Clarence Drive
On the southwestern tip of South Africa, about 60 miles from Cape Town, Clarence Drive provides an elaborate experience for road wanderers. The mountain pass is at its best right up on the coast between Rooi-Els and Gordons Bay, where gasp-inducing views of False Bay meet the heights of mountains overhead, creating an unforgettable tour for sightseers on this world-renown drive.
