Some drives stay with you long after the engine is off. Coastal roads do that best. There’s something about having the ocean right there, moving beside you, while the road keeps pulling you forward. You roll the windows down, turn the music low, and let the scenery do the talking. These 11 coastal drives are great when you want to slow your pace without stopping the trip.
This article is for anyone who loves travel that feels real and unforced. No rushing. No checklist pressure. Just road, sky, and water working together. You don’t need special skills or a fancy car. Curiosity and a full tank go a long way. If you’ve ever wanted a reason to take the long way, this is it. These drives remind you why getting there can matter more than where you end up.
Pacific Coast Highway (California, USA)
Stretching along California’s dramatic shoreline, the Pacific Coast Highway traces cliffs above the Pacific Ocean from Southern California through Big Sur and beyond. Sheer drops meet rolling waves, while coastal fog drifts across redwood groves and rocky headlands. Drivers encounter iconic landmarks such as Bixby Creek Bridge, secluded coves, and waterfalls that spill directly onto the beach. Sea lions bask on offshore rocks as pelicans glide alongside the road. Each curve reveals new contrasts between land and sea, making the journey feel cinematic from start to finish.
Garden Route (South Africa)
Running along South Africa’s southern coast, the Garden Route travels through a constantly changing landscape of ocean, forest, and mountains. The drive passes long sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and calm lagoons framed by dense indigenous woodland. Coastal viewpoints open onto crashing waves, while inland detours lead to rivers, gorges, and quiet towns. Wildlife frequently appears, from dolphins offshore to birds hidden in the trees. With frequent transitions between sea and greenery, the journey feels expansive and dynamic, revealing a coastline shaped by water, wind, and time.
Hana Highway (Maui, Hawaii, USA)
A narrow ribbon of pavement winds through eastern Maui, surrounded by dense rainforest and volcanic slopes. The route curves past waterfalls spilling down rock faces and bridges crossing fast-moving streams. Glimpses of the coastline appear between trees, revealing black-sand beaches and lava-sculpted shores. Humidity, rain, and sunlight constantly reshape the scenery, making each mile feel different from the last. Frequent pullouts lead to short walks and scenic overlooks. This drive feels immersive, drawing travelers deep into a landscape defined by water, stone, and lush vegetation.
Cabot Trail (Nova Scotia, Canada)
High above the Gulf of St. Lawrence, sweeping curves trace the edge of Cape Breton Island. Forested highlands fall away to steep cliffs, revealing broad ocean views that stretch to the horizon. The road passes small coastal communities, rocky shorelines, and hidden beaches far below. Seasonal changes dramatically alter the scene, from misty mornings to vivid autumn foliage. Wildlife sightings, including moose and seabirds, are common along quieter stretches. The combination of elevation, open water, and wilderness creates a drive that feels expansive and deeply connected to nature.
Basque Coastal Route (Spain)
Along Spain’s northern edge, a rugged shoreline unfolds between green hills and the Bay of Biscay. Fishing villages cling to headlands, while cliffs drop sharply into churning water below. The road weaves past quiet coves, windswept beaches, and dramatic rock formations shaped by centuries of waves. Small harbors appear suddenly, marked by colorful boats and stone breakwaters. Inland glimpses reveal vineyards and rolling countryside before the route swings back toward the sea. Constant transitions between mountain, village, and ocean give this drive a strong sense of rhythm and place.
Amalfi Coast Road (Italy)
The Amalfi Coast Road winds along steep cliffs above the Tyrrhenian Sea, linking pastel-colored towns perched high above the water. Narrow lanes curve past terraced hillsides filled with lemon groves and stone villas. Below, fishing boats trace the coastline, while sunlight reflects off the deep blue sea. Each bend reveals views of dramatic drops, ancient watchtowers, and church domes rising from the villages. The road demands focus, yet rewards drivers with constant visual drama, combining human craftsmanship and rugged geography along one of Europe’s most striking shorelines.
Chapman’s Peak Drive (Cape Town, South Africa)
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Cut into near-vertical cliffs between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, Chapman’s Peak Drive clings high above the Atlantic Ocean. The road curves along rock faces with steep drops to the water below, revealing long views across open sea and distant beaches. Sunlight and cloud movement constantly reshape the colors of the cliffs and waves. Pullouts allow moments to pause and absorb the scale of the setting. This route feels dramatic and exposed, combining precision engineering with one of the most striking coastal backdrops in southern Africa.
Ring of Kerry – Skellig Coast (Ireland)
The Skellig Coast section of the Ring of Kerry follows Ireland’s western edge, where the Atlantic collides with towering cliffs and rocky headlands. Narrow roads wind past stone walls, remote farmland, and sweeping ocean views shaped by relentless wind and waves. Offshore, the Skellig Michael rises sharply from the sea, its jagged profile often wrapped in mist. Weather shifts quickly, transforming the scenery from bright greens to brooding grays. Ancient ruins, quiet harbors, and wide horizons create a powerful sense of isolation along this dramatic coastal route.
Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland)
Spanning Ireland’s western fringe, this vast coastal route follows an untamed Atlantic edge shaped by wind and water. Long stretches of road pass towering cliffs, offshore islands, and empty beaches where waves roll in uninterrupted. Stone cottages and small villages appear against wide skies and open fields. Weather shifts rapidly, casting changing light across sea and land. Ancient forts, lighthouses, and sea stacks punctuate the journey, adding depth and history. Rather than a single road, the experience feels like a continuous encounter with raw coastline and enduring maritime culture.
Great Ocean Road (Victoria, Australia)
Carved into Australia’s southern coastline, the Great Ocean Road follows wild seas, wind-shaped cliffs, and expansive beaches. The route passes surf towns, dense eucalyptus forests, and viewpoints overlooking powerful Southern Ocean swells. Limestone formations like the Twelve Apostles rise from the water, changing color with shifting light throughout the day. Lookouts reveal shipwreck sites, dramatic arches, and quiet coves far below. Wildlife sightings are common, from koalas in roadside trees to seabirds circling overhead. This drive combines raw coastal scenery with a strong sense of history and scale.
Atlantic Road (Norway)
Norway’s Atlantic Road links small islands with a series of striking bridges that curve above open water. The drive sits directly at the edge of the Norwegian Sea, where waves crash against rocks just below the roadway. On calm days, the surface reflects sky and clouds; during storms, spray rises dramatically into the air. Sparse vegetation, exposed stone, and distant mountains shape the scene. Short yet intense, this route feels engineered into the landscape itself, highlighting the raw interaction between modern design and a harsh maritime environment.
Take the Long Way, Always
When the drive is done and the car is parked, what sticks isn’t just the view. It’s how the road made you feel. Coastal drives slow things down in the best way. They give your mind room to wander and your senses something steady to follow. These routes are great reminders that travel doesn’t need to be rushed or complicated to matter.
If this list sparks even one future trip, it’s done its job. You don’t need perfect timing or a big plan. Pick a stretch of coast, point the car toward the water, and go. Let the road lead for a while. These drives have a way of resetting your pace and clearing your head. Long after the salt air fades, the memory of that moving horizon tends to stick around. And that’s a pretty solid reason to keep chasing roads like these.
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