11 Fall Road Trip Tips For All First Timers
A road trip is the perfect holiday for the fall. The weather is cooler and the trees look gorgeous. Here are eleven road trip tips for first timers this fall!
1. North Coast 500 – Scotland
The North Coast 500 is a 500-mile tour around Scotland’s northern coast. Starting in Inverness, you will see famous sights such as Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, and many whiskey distilleries. Important road trip tips here though – bring a warm jacket and make sure you don’t taste the whiskey when it is your turn to drive!
2. Great Ocean Road – Australia
The Great Ocean Road in the state of Victoria is one of Australia’s most scenic routes to drive. Starting in Torquay and ending in Warrnambool, this coast trek will take you past some of Australia’s most famous rock formations including the 12 Apostles, The Grotto, and The Arch. It will also lead you to Port Campbell National Park and Apollo Bay, perfect for a picnic on the beach.
3. Pacific Coast Highway – USA
One of the most famous highways in the USA, Pacific Coast Highway is located in California and takes you from Monterey to Morro Bay. The highway stretches through the countryside and along the cliff-edges, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The route is lined with quaint little bed and breakfasts where you can spend the night, and sights include the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Point Bonita Lighthouse.
4. Loire Valley – France
If fairytale castles and dreamlike scenery is what you are looking for, then this is the road trip for you. Loire Valley is where French royalty historically went for their holidays, and it is everything you would expect of a regal vacation spot. As you venture along the river, you will pass through the town of Amboise and the city of Angers. You can also turn off into the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park where you will find the prettiest picnic spots you could ever ask for.
5. Wild Atlantic Way – Ireland
The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest coastal route in the world at 2500km and will take you at least 3 weeks to enjoy it fully. Landmarks along the way include the Cliffs of Moher, Skellig Islands, and Malin Head. Once you have sufficiently worn yourself out, you can stop at one of the many traditional Irish pubs for a rest.
6. Lake Superior Circle Tour – Canada/USA
This road trip will take you all around the world’s largest freshwater lake. The route will lead you through Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconson, and Michigan. Along the way, you will find Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Thunder Bay, and White River. There is plenty to see, so plan some overnight stays.
7. Beartooth Highway – USA
Beartooth Highway in Montana, USA, has changed very little since it was used by a Civil War army to travel through the mountains. It passes through the Custer and Shoshone National Forests, as well as the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The road has been called ‘the most beautiful drive in America’. Fair warning, though, the road is closed between mid-October and mid-May, so plan your trip for early fall.
8. Land’s End To John O’ Groats – UK
This is the ultimate UK road trip, taking you from the southernmost point of England to the northernmost point of Scotland. The entire trip takes 15 hours in total but can be broken up by stopping at some major landmarks along the way, such as the Cotswolds, Lake District National Park, and the Cairngorms. This is the most impressive UK road trip you can take.
9. Rural Tuscany – Italy
Tuscany is one of the most beautiful regions of Italy, and its sprawling countryside means you will need a car to explore it fully. Road tripping through Tuscany will lead you to the renaissance cities of Florence and Orvieto. You will also find many vineyards on your route where you can stop and taste the beautiful Tuscan wine before heading back into the city for some traditional Italian food.
10. Coast and Borders Circle – Scotland
If the 500 mile North Coast tour is not quite enough for you, this trip might quench your thirst for adventure. Scotland is such a small country that it is entirely possible to road trip around the entire coast and through the borders to complete a perfect circle. Doing this will take you through historic towns such as Ayr and St. Andrews, as well as the ‘Granite City’ of Aberdeen.
11. Bergen to Trondheim Fjord Tour – Norway
The Arctic fjords of Norway are some of the world’s most beautiful sights. The route along Norway’s southwest coast will lead you to the world’s longest road tunnel, an expansive cavern under the mountains. To get the full experience of this road trip, you will need to take a ferry across the water – so be sure to factor this into your journey.
