Epic and Fun Family Road Trip Destinations Around The World

For adventurous families that love travelling and discovering new places, going on a road trip is one of the best experiences they can have: it makes it easier to explore different areas at your own pace and it gives travellers more freedom and independence. If you don’t own a car, or the one you have is not big or comfortable enough for spending a lot of time on the road, there’s always the chance of hiring a vehicle at a rental agency. 

In fact, renting a vehicle is the only option you have if you’re organizing a road trip abroad. It’s really easy to find attractive deals online only to find out  when you get to the counter that the price didn’t include insurance. And when you ask about the insurance fees offered by the rental agency they shock you with astronomical costs. When driving in a foreign country, along roads you don’t know that well, going with basic insurance isn’t worth considering; but you don’t want to blow out your budget either! Fortunately, there are other options available in the market. There are many outstanding companies from which you can purchase insurance for your rental car. And don’t be surprised if you discover that they give you a much thorough coverage and far better deals than rental companies. 

Ask anybody and they’ll probably agree that road trips are fun. Want to make yours not only fun but also epic? Then choose any of the destinations listed below!

Pacific Coast Highway 101 Road Trip

From a technical point of view, the Pacific Coast Highway 101 becomes Pacific Coast Highway 1 in California and runs from Seattle to San Diego. You can go on a long road trip and drive the whole length of this route or explore it in different vacations. 

It’s a traditional American road trip and one that will take you through some of the most interesting cities and most beautiful landscapes in the country. Along the way, you’ll be able to appreciate sprawling redwood forests, charming beach towns and large cities as San Francisco or Los Angeles and attractive touristy areas as Big Sur. 

This is the perfect road trip for families that love outdoor life and would love to combine fantastic landscapes with hiking, surfing and enjoying amazing beaches. 

If you’ll be driving from Seattle, here are some of the highlights and most interesting stops along the way: 

• Seattle and its many wonderful attractions: the iconic Space Needle, Seattle Great Wheel for great panoramic views of its skyline.
• Cannon Beach, in Oregon
• Portland, Oregon. Don’t miss its fantastic science museum and Columbia River Gorge; only 30 minutes from Portland it offers great hikes and gorgeous waterfalls.
• Leggett, CA: Here you can drive through a Redwood tree, the Chandelier Tree, which is so large that most vehicles can fit through its centre. 
• Stop in Santa Rosa, CA, and visit Charles Schulz museum. A must do for Snoopy and Peanuts fans!
• San Francisco, CA. There’s lots to do here! Visit the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39.

Route 66 Road Trip

There are not many summer road trips that can compete with the famous Route 66. Although it’s not 2448 miles long any longer but 2.278 miles, it’s a fantastic road trip experience for all the family. Today it runs from Chicago (Illinois) to Santa Monica (California) and it can be done in about two weeks.

Children will love looking at the countless roadside attractions along the way. In fact, what makes driving Route 66 so special is that it’s not about reaching a specific destination but about the journey itself. Whether you embark yourself in an epic cross-country journey or in a quick weekend away, this is an adventure that your family will enjoy. 

Traditionally driven from East to West, those departing from Illinois can spend some time at the magnificent Shedd Aquarium before they go. With more than 30 thousand animals, it’s a favourite amongst families. 

Another famous attraction is the Blue Whale of Catoosa, in OK. Teens and tweens probably know it from Snapchat It’s a quick stop but you definitely don’t want to miss it. Drive to Amarillo, in Texas. Visit Cadillac Ranch, a must-see Road 66 attraction!

The Central Avenue in Albuquerque is the most fun path of the road trip. Get ready for a trip back in time and drive past old school diners, shops and motels. There are a few comfortable hotels with a nice retro vibe where you can stay overnight.

Flagstaff, in Arizona, offers families plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs and get active after spending so much time squeezed in the car. Numerous hiking trails and state parks ensure tons of fun. Don’t miss hiking through a lava river cave, an underground cave where you’ll need flashlights and headlamps to guide you over boulders and rocks.

Los Angeles, in California, is the next big stop. With so many things to see and do, make sure that you spend at least a couple of days here.  

Santa Monica marks the end of this fantastic road trip. Go to Santa Monica pier and ride the Ferris Wheel. It’s a great way to put an end to such an epic car journey!

Florida Keys Road Trip

The Florida Keys road trip is a favo re new to road tripping and that would love to “test the water” first before committing to a longer and more adventurous journey.Despite being only around 4 hours long from the cosmopolitan and vibrant city of Miami, it offers countless stops, amazing ocean views and it is all about taking it slow and chilling out. The trip will take you from Miami to Key West on the Overseas Highway. Some of the popular stops are Bahia Honda State Park and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Another hidden gem is Laura Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary in Tavernier. It offers a safe and humane place where injured birds can live out their lives. They have a beautiful walking trail through the mangroves. Everglades National Park is another highlight of this road trip. It’s the place to say hello to alligators and American crocodiles, manatees and tons of birds! You’ll embark then in the overseas portion of the highway. There are plenty of opportunities to see dolphins  in their natural home.

The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road, in Victoria, Australia is the perfect excuse to go on a transoceanic flight and enjoy this road trip famous for its amazing coastal views including the Twelve Apostles.

It runs for 244 km from Torquay to Warrnambool in Victoria and it offers incredible views of the ocean from cliff tops and fantastic road formations such as the Twelve Apostles or London Bridge.

Port Fairy is a fishing town with wallabies, whales and yachts in abundance. If you love water sports, try kayaking and surfing at Lorne Beach. Forgot your gear at home? Don’t worry! You can hire the equipment there as well!  

Other highlights include walking through the rainforest to the Erskine Falls, spotting koalas in the trees at Kennett River, visiting Cape Otway Lighthouse or ziplining through the trees at the Otway Fly!

From family-friendly swimming beaches to world-class surf breaks, dramatic cliffs and a superb variety of sea life and wildlife, the Great Ocean Road offers one of the most scenic drives in Australia. 

It’s one of those journeys where toddlers, young children and teens can have a great time. Splendid views, iconic rock formations, fantastic surf breaks, quaint seaside villages and fantastic waterfalls, beaches that invite you to sunbathe and play in the sand! It’s perfect to combine an active lifestyle with moments of bliss and relax.

The Red Centre Way, Northern  Territory

Known as the ultimate Australian road trip, the Red Centre Way is definitely not a car journey for the faint hearted. Packed with iconic scenery and otherworldly experiences, it’s an epic and vast journey.

As you drive the almost 700 km of these remote roads you’ll be able to admire Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs amongst others. From waterfalls to wildlife, to sand dunes to mountains and captivating cultural experiences, it’s a road trip experience of a lifetime! The whole drive will take you around 5 days. Make sure you book accommodation far in advance as roads are remote and it’s not that easy to find where to spend the night.

Road Tripping in Germany

Located in the heart of Europe, this large country is not only famous for its beer and sausages but also for some of the most famous road trips in the world: the Black Forest High Road, the German Wine Route, the Castle Route or the Fairytale Route are just some of them. 

They are popular amongst families that want to explore such an interesting country in depth at their own pace while focusing on a specific aspect of its culture and landscape.

Families with school-age children will probably enjoy the Fairytale Route the most. Inspired by the Grimm brothers’ fairy tales, it offers many stops related to some of their stories such as Cinderella or Hansel and Gretel.    

 Another favourite German road trip amongst families is the Romantic Road. This route takes drivers through beautiful villages, monasteries, and the stunningly beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle. The Castle Route is also amongst the most favourite road trips that you can do. Through its 600 miles of road you’ll be able to see more than 70 castles!

Jordan Road Trip

Adventurous families interested in exploring exotic locations should seriously consider going on a family road trip around Jordan. Located in the Middle East, Jordan is a beautiful country with plenty of interesting things to offer. 

Pick a rental car in Amman and drive southwards to the Red Sea to the beautiful resort town of Aqaba before you wind your way back through the depths of the country. 

The vast desert plains and captivating rock structures of Wadi Rum, the Lost City of Petra that is hidden in the mountains are all gems and highlights of your trip.

Starting from Petra, a very long and winding mountainous Kings Highway takes you through the centre of the country. You’ll pass by ancient Crusader castles and villages before descending to the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.