More often than not, there’s a memory somewhere in the back of our minds that starts in the backseat of a car. The term “road trip” brings up images of a ride with the windows down, sharing snacks, singing along to songs on the radio, making pit stops on the way, and watching the world unfold. There's something freeing and magnetic about the open road: the freedom to pull over for a view, discover a sleepy village café, or chase a sunset no itinerary could ever predict.
For 2026, the classic road trip is becoming the holiday of choice again, and not just because it's cheaper, but because it turns the journey into the experience itself.
In this road trip planner guide, we explore why international road trips are making a comeback, what different types of travellers value most about them, and four curated itineraries that prove the best trips aren't always taken at 35,000 feet.
Why People Are Choosing Road Trip Holidays Again
Don’t think of a road trip as just a means of getting from point A to point B; they’re the point, period. They’re built around freedom, curiosity, and that unmistakable feeling of possibility that comes with the road opening up ahead of you. Here's why so many travellers are choosing road trips over traditional holidays, and why the trend is growing:
Freedom and Flexibility
You create your own schedule when you're behind the wheel. Anything and everything is on the table. If you feel like pulling over for a photo, go ahead. Want to take a detour to a lake you just spotted on the map? Stay somewhere longer because it feels right? All signs point to yes.
Adventure and Exploration
The space between destinations becomes part of the experience on a road trip. You're free to explore quiet coastal towns, roadside farms, tiny bakeries with no online reviews, and viewpoints that don't appear on any "Top 10 Things To Do" list.
Personal Connection
Whether it's a family trip filled with car games and snack negotiations, or a long conversation with a partner while the miles roll on, the road gives you uninterrupted time together, something modern life rarely allows. Even solo travellers find that the car becomes a space for reflection, self-talk, and sometimes, the best kind of silence.
Cost
A road trip can be far more budget-friendly than flying, especially for groups or families. There are no baggage fees, no airport transfers, no overpriced in-terminal sandwiches. You can pack camping gear, bring your own food, or split petrol costs, and the more people in the car, the cheaper the journey becomes per head.
Nature and Scenery
A road trip gives you a front-row seat to landscapes that would appear as dots from a plane, and that too if you’re lucky enough to get a window seat. You can pull over for photos, hikes, swims, or just ten minutes of fresh air and silence.
Sense of Escape and Control
There's something deeply therapeutic about driving as the road rolls under you, the control of choosing your direction, and the small but satisfying act of moving forward under your own power, all of which help you disconnect from routine and reconnect with yourself.
Let's explore how different types of travellers approach road trips differently, and where to go in 2026 if you're planning your own journey.
Road Trips for Families
A family road trip can be a way to create space. Space for stops when the little ones get restless, for ice-cream-break negotiations, and slow days that don't feel rushed or over-scheduled. Families tend to choose road trips because they provide freedom, routine-friendly pacing, and the kind of shared memories you don't get on a plane or a packaged tour.
Below is an itinerary designed for families who want a mix of beaches, culture, easy driving days, and plenty of room for kids to explore, with none of the holiday crowds.
Cantabria and Asturias Coast, Northern Spain
Northern Spain's Costa Verde, also known as the "Green Coast", runs along the Bay of Biscay. It's a region full of postcard-worthy stops, but without the tourist overload of the Mediterranean.
Unlike the south, where resorts stretch endlessly, this coastline is dotted with beaches that feel secret: coves like Playa de Póo, sheltered and shallow enough for toddlers, or Toranda Beach, a favourite among families and beginner surfers. Add small fishing towns like Llanes, Cudillero, and Santillana del Mar, plus the mountain backdrop of the Picos de Europa, and you get a road trip that mixes beaches, countryside, castles, caves, and cider-making towns, all within short driving distances to avoid "Are we there yet?" meltdowns.
Why This Road Trip Works for Families:
- Short driving stretches with rarely more than 1.5–2 hours between stops.
- Kid-friendly beaches with calmer, shallower waters.
- Lots of history, nature, and "wow" moments without long queues.
- Accommodation in small towns, not noisy cities.
- Great food for adults (seafood, cider) plus simple menus for kids.
Planning Tips
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the experience:
- Build in 1–2 nights per stop so kids can reset instead of packing up daily.
- Choose coastal bases with easy access to playground-style beaches.
- Pack for mixed weather, as the Costa Verde can be unpredictable.
- Take the trip slowly and instead of long highway drives, use the coast road, and stop often.
- Look for local family activities, such as surf lessons, sea cave tours, boat rides, and castle visits.
Getting There with Avios
Fly into Madrid, explore the city briefly, then pick up a car and head north. Fly home from Oviedo or back via Madrid. You can find BA reward flights in off-peak Economy between London and Madrid from 11,750 Avios plus 50p each way.
9-Day Family Itinerary: Northern Spain by Road
Just to take some of the load off your shoulders, here’s how we propose you plan a road trip through northern Spain:
Day 1: Arrival in Madrid
Why it works: Easy flight access, with a gentle start before driving begins.
What to do:
- Stretch your legs in Retiro Park, watch the boats on the lake, or grab churros near Plaza Mayor.
- If energy levels allow, visit the Royal Palace or just wander Madrid's pedestrian streets and let the kids run off the travel boredom.
Overnight: Madrid
Day 2: Madrid → Burgos → Santander
Drive time: The drive takes about 4–4.5 hours total and you can split into two short legs with a short lunch break in between to stretch the legs and take some photos.
Stops and Highlights:
- Burgos (perfect halfway pause): visit the Gothic cathedral, have lunch in the old square, or let kids burn off energy in the riverfront park.
- Santander: The coast finally appears here, and the sea breeze signals "holiday has properly begun."
What families love: Beaches right in the city, long waterfront walks, seafood without tourist chaos.
Overnight: Santander
Day 3: Explore Santander and Nearby Villages
What to do:
- Visit Magdalena Palace and ride the small tourist train around the grounds.
- Spend the afternoon at El Sardinero Beach (wide, sandy, great for paddling).
- Optional mini road trip: Santillana del Mar (medieval cobblestone village) or Comillas for Gaudí's quirky El Capricho villa.
Overnight: Santander or Comillas
Day 4: Santander → Llanes (enter Asturias)
Drive time: It’s a relatively short drive of between 1.5 to 2 hours.
Must-do stops:
- Castro Urdiales or Laredo for an ice cream break or a seaside lunch.
- Arrive in Llanes, a colourful fishing town that kids love for its harbour, sea walls painted with bright murals, and easy coastal walks.
Overnight: Llanes
Day 5: Llanes and Eastern Asturias Coast
Short scenic drives only today (10–30 mins each)
Family favourites:
- Playa de Gulpiyuri, a tiny inland beach fed by an underground sea tunnel
- Cuevas del Mar features caves, rock arches, and shallow water for paddling.
- Playa de Toró, get ready for some dramatic rocks and tide pools.
Optional: Who can say no to kayaking? You can also take surf lessons, or take cliff-top walks if the group is energetic.
Overnight: Llanes or Ribadesella
Day 6: Ribadesella → Cangas de Onís
Drive time: Around 40–50 mins
What to do:
- Explore Tito Bustillo Cave (prehistoric art). Book ahead for an educational and mind-blowing experience for kids.
- Head inland to Cangas de Onís, gateway to the Picos de Europa mountains.
- Snap the famous Roman Bridge for the "we-were-here" family photo moment.
Overnight: Cangas de Onís
Day 7: Cangas de Onís → Gijón or Oviedo
Drive time: The drive is only 1.5–2 hours long.
Two great options:
- Gijón for beaches, aquarium, coastal parks, and a relaxed seaside vibe.
- Oviedo for history, clean walkable streets, statues everywhere, and foodie culture (parents get cider, kids get pastries).
Overnight: Gijón or Oviedo
Day 8: Western Asturias/Optional Coast Hopping
Relaxing final full day. Choose based on mood:
- Stay by the sea in Gijón.
- Drive to colourful fishing towns like Avilés, Luarca, or Cudillero.
- Nature walks plus picnic at quiet beaches.
- Visit local markets, pick up ceramics, honey, or sidra to take home.
Overnight: Gijón or Oviedo
Day 9: Return and Departure
Drive back to Madrid for your flight, or return a rental car in Oviedo and connect by train/plane.
Road Trips for Couples
Some trips are about ticking off attractions, but a couple's road trip is about slowing the world down so you can actually enjoy it together. Without having to plan for the kids, a couple’s road trip is more intimate. Think fewer tour groups, more shared playlists, fewer timed reservations, more spontaneous wine stops. The open road becomes a private bubble with no distractions, no schedules, just the two of you and a changing backdrop of landscapes, cafés, castles, and quiet moments you never get at home.
Bavaria's Romantic Road and Castle Route, Germany
If ever there was a competition for best named road trip for couples, Germany's Romantic Road, which runs through medieval towns, vineyards, rolling countryside, and Disney-inspiring castles in the foothills of the Alps, would win it hands down. The journey is filled with cinematic, atmospheric moments and is designed for couples who want a trip that combines equal parts adventure and slow-paced wandering.
The list of things to do is endless, but for starters, you can stroll (hand-in-hand of course) through cobblestone streets in Rothenburg ob der Tauber at dusk, or hike to a castle turret together, sipping Riesling under half-timbered medieval houses, or look out at mountain lakes from the windows of Neuschwanstein, one of the most iconic castles in Europe.
Why This Road Trip Works for Couples
- Storybook castles: Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, Würzburg Residence.
- Slow driving days: With plenty of time for cafés, trails, wineries, and "just one more photo" stops.
- Small historic towns: Not big crowded cities, but quaint places that lead to peaceful evenings, cosy stays, romantic dinners.
- Lots of optional activities: Boat trips, spa days, hikes, cycling, Christmas markets.
- Easy to customise: Go full fairytale or full outdoors, depending on your mood.
Getting There with Avios
Fly into Munich and pick up your rental car. The Romantic Road starts just a short drive away. You can also return home from Munich. You’ll find BA reward flights in off-peak Economy to Munich from 18,500 Avios plus 50p each way, or you can upgrade using Avios for flights if you're treating yourselves to a more luxurious start. A great route for anyone learning how to use Avios points for shorter-haul European travel.
6–7 Day Couples Itinerary: Bavaria and Castles
Here’s what we recommend for a week-long long road trip:
Day 1: Munich → Füssen / Neuschwanstein
Pick up the car, drive south toward the Alps. Tour Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, then take a lakeside walk or enjoy a candlelit dinner in town.
Overnight: Füssen or Hohenschwangau
Day 2: Füssen → Oberammergau → Ettal → Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Take in the scenic villages, frescoed houses, and even a baroque monastery along the way. There’s also a spa and cable-car ride in the Alps.
Overnight: Garmisch-Partenkirchen
Day 3: Garmisch → Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Day 3 requires more driving but that’s exactly what you need. Arrive in Rothenburg just in time for sunset over the medieval walls.
Overnight: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Day 4: Rothenburg → Dinkelsbühl → Nördlingen → Augsburg
Short scenic hops between romantic walled towns. Wine bars, market squares, timbered houses.
Overnight: Augsburg
Day 5: Augsburg → Würzburg / Nuremberg
Visit the palace gardens at Würzburg or explore Nuremberg's old town and riverside paths. Wine tasting strongly encouraged.
Overnight: Würzburg or Nuremberg
Day 6: Optional Day/Flex Day
Stay longer in your favourite town, or head back into the mountains for a spa day or lake walk.
Day 7: Return to Munich, fly home.
Drop off the rental and head back with at least 500 new photos of castle towers and narrow streets you can't stop talking about.
Road Trips for Solo Travellers
A solo road trip is a very different kind of travel. It's one that isn't about compromise, coordination, or keeping anyone else entertained. We've covered it before, but for those who need a refresher, let's just say it's the rare kind of journey where you get to enjoy your own company. You decide every turn, every stop, every playlist, and every pause. For many people, driving alone becomes a moving meditation: time to think, reset, and experience a place on your own terms.
Iceland's Ring Road
For solo travellers, the best road trips include safety, clear routes, dramatic scenery, and a balance of remote nature plus easy places to eat, sleep, and refuel. That's why Iceland's Ring Road has become one of the most iconic solo road trips in the world.
The Ring Road (Route 1) loops around the entire country, making it easy to follow even without constant navigation. One moment you're pulling over to photograph a waterfall exploding over cliffs, the next you're walking inside a lava cave or soaking in a geothermal pool with snow-capped mountains in the distance. Unlike many solo itineraries, Iceland gives you structure without feeling restrictive: the route is clear, fuel stops are spaced out, nearly every village has guesthouses and cafés, and the scenery never stops changing.
Why This Trip Works for Solo Travellers
- Easy-to-drive roads: The roads are well-marked, well-maintained with no confusing detours.
- Easy accommodation: There are small towns along the way which means easy places to meet people when you want company.
- Nature takes centre stage: It’s perfect for photography, hiking, journaling, unplugging.
- Driving rhythm feels meditative: Expect long, peaceful stretches with dramatic views.
- No need for constant planning: Just drive and go wherever the road takes you, the Ring Road is the plan.
Flying There with Avios
Fly into and out of Reykjavik without any need for multi-city logistics. Off-peak British Airways reward flights from London to Reykjavik start from 27,500 Avios plus 50p in Economy. A great redemption if you're still figuring out how to use Avios points for adventure travel rather than just city breaks.
4-Day Solo Itinerary: Iceland Ring Road
Four days driving along the Ring Road should be perfect for solo travellers. Here’s what we recommend:
Day 1: Reykjavik → Akureyri (North Iceland)
Distance: Around 380 km, which should take around 5 to 6 hours with scenic stops along the way.
Must-sees:
- Þingvellir National Park: Visit the tectonic plates and waterfalls.
- Geysir: Geothermal area, you can’t miss the eruptions, which happen every few minutes.
- Gullfoss: It’s one of Iceland's most powerful waterfalls.
- Evening: Explore cafés and harbour in Akureyri ("Capital of the North").
Overnight: Akureyri
Day 2: Akureyri → Eastfjords
Distance: Approximately 300–350 km, which should again take between 5 to 6 hours.
Highlights:
- Goðafoss Waterfall: Stunning and easy to access.
- Lake Mývatn: Experience steaming vents, mud pools, and volcanic craters.
- Dettifoss: This one’s a bit of detour, but you get to see one of Europe's most powerful waterfalls.
- Sleep in Egilsstaðir or a fishing village like Seyðisfjörður.
Overnight: Eastfjords
Day 3: Eastfjords → Vík (South Coast)
Distance: Around 400 km, taking 6–7 hours.
Highlights:
- Hengifoss: A 128m waterfall framed by red volcanic stripes.
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: See floating icebergs and Diamond Beach.
- Skaftafell National Park: Plenty to do including taking glacier hikes, and seeing black waterfalls.
Overnight: Vík
Day 4: Vík → Reykjavik
Distance: One of the shorter drives, covering 180–200 km, which take around 2.5–3 hours or more with stops.
Final stops:
- Skógafoss: We recommend climbing the stairs for epic views. You can thank us later.
- Seljalandsfoss: Walk behind the waterfall.
- Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon: It provides sweeping viewpoints, and the trails are not that hard, even for beginners.
- Return to Reykjavik for one last meal, topped off with an Icelandic bathtub-warm geothermal soak.
Road Trips for Adventure Seekers and Outdoor Travellers
Sometimes, a road trip isn't a journey unless it involves dirt trails, switchback roads, canyon overlooks, river rapids, and national parks that make you feel small in the best possible way. Adventure-focused road trips are built around landscape, adrenaline, and access: being able to throw climbing gear, hiking boots, or a paddleboard in the boot and go wherever the trail (or the 4×4 track) leads next.
Which is why the Colorado and Utah National Parks road trip has become a bucket-list route for hikers, climbers, stargazers, and anyone who feels most at home under an open sky.
Colorado and Utah National Parks, USA
Starting in Denver and finishing in Las Vegas, this American road trip strings together some of the USA’s most dramatic landscapes: the alpine peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park, the red rock canyons of Moab, the orange hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, and the deep sandstone gorges of Zion National Park.
It's a choose-your-own-adventure playground where every stop has something active: hiking trails, river rafting, slot canyons, via ferrata routes, off-road tracks, and night skies so clear you could map constellations by hand. If you're the kind of traveller who thinks a day in the car should end with a hike, not a hotel bar, this is your road trip.
Why This Road Trip Works for Adventure Travellers
- Back-to-back national parks: There are no filler driving days, just pure scenery.
- Perfect for gear plus car travel: You don’t have to worry about baggage limits, bring all your equipment.
- Endless outdoor options: There’s a host of options, including rafting, climbing, canyon hikes, and mountain passes.
- Easy logistics: All the routes are clearly defined with well-mapped parks and ranger stations everywhere.
- Flexibility: You can camp, glamp, stay in lodges, or mix it up based on weather and mood.
Getting There with Avios
Fly into Denver and home from Las Vegas, making it a clean one-way road trip, no backtracking. Off-peak Business Class reward flights on British Airways start at 90,000 Avios plus £237.50 each way.
8-Day Adventure Itinerary: Colorado → Utah → Nevada
Day 1: Arrival in Denver
Explore the city, stretch your legs, and fit in a sunset hike at Red Rocks Park.
Overnight: Denver
Day 2: Denver → Rocky Mountain National Park
It’s around a 2-hour drive. Hike alpine lakes, spot elk, and drive Trail Ridge Road.
Overnight: Estes Park
Day 3: Rocky Mountains → Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)
Long drive, but worth every mile. Arrive among red rock towers and desert mesas.
Overnight: Moab
Day 4: Arches National Park
Lots of places to visit, including Delicate Arch, Windows Section. Don’t miss the fiery sandstone at sunset. Optional: rock climbing or MTB.
Overnight: Moab
Day 5: Canyonlands NP and Dead Horse Point
There are breathtaking views on offer, including mesa overlooks, canyon trails, and opportunities for sunrise photography, as well as optional 4×4 excursions or rafting on the Colorado River.
Overnight: Moab
Day 6: Moab → Bryce Canyon National Park
Attractions include hoodoo-filled amphitheatres, Queen's Garden hike, and sunset colours that don't look real.
Overnight: Near Bryce
Day 7: Bryce Canyon → Zion National Park
It’s a short drive into sandstone canyon country. Big hike options: Angels Landing (permit) or Observation Point.
Overnight: Springdale (Zion)
Day 8: Zion → Las Vegas (Departure)
Optional sunrise hike, then drive for 3 hours to Vegas to end your road trip with a well-deserved shower followed by a steak, or some shuteye.
Why Road Trips Are the Travel Trend to Watch in 2026
If the last few years have taught us anything, it's that many things, such as the open road and the freedom to go anywhere we want, are not things we should take for granted. There's no time like the present, and in 2026, the humble road trip has become one of the most rewarding and personal ways to see the world.
What’s even better is that you don't have to choose between flying and road tripping. With British Airways reward flights, it's now easy to fly into a starting point using Avios for flights, pick up a car, and let the adventure unfold from there.
