UK and Europe’s Most Underrated Road Trips

Starting to plan your dream road trip for this year? With our guide to the top UK and European travel networks, turning your travel goals into reality is easier than ever. Just grab your favourite playlist and hit the road!  

Taking loved ones or soloing for that fresh perspective? Our research reveals the best routes off the beaten track and those tried-and-tested, popular ones.  

To top it all off, experts from car diagnostic tool Vixa share their top tips for ensuring the well-being of your wagon on the trail. Let’s get inspired by the possibilities.  

The 10 Most Underrated Road Trips 

 Seekers of viral stories or digital detoxers will delight in any of these 10 most underrated road trips.  

 #1  Most Underrated - Pembrokeshire Coast 200, Wales 

Shift through the gears on the Pembrokeshire Coast 200 as you explore one of the smallest but prettiest UK National Parks. There’s no denying why this spot came out on top. The west of the U.K. promises spectacular scenes, including thriving wetlands, wildlife and coastal views. This route offers a variety of attractions, including cliff-side castles and fortresses, where you’ll get a glimpse of the region’s rich mediaeval history. The roads are well-maintained with good signage, so you can relax into the journey and absorb all there is to learn and see along the way. 

 #2 Kintyre 66, Scotland 

Untamed and teetering on the wild side, you’ll feel a strong sense of achievement, having conquered this route. Boasting panoramic views atop rugged cliffs and charming bays, experience pure awe in the dramatic beauty of coastal Scotland. The Kintyre 66 route offers something for everyone. Step off the mainline with a short ferry trip to Gigha Island and enjoy a sea breeze with a different view. Or why not get acquainted with the local tipples?  

 #3 Route des Crêtes, France 

 Looking for a five-star road trip? This French trail has over 650 five-star reviews on Tripadvisor! A wide-lens camera and walking boots are essential for this underrated escape. Depending on the time of year, expect a buzzing calendar of events to attend and take your time sampling local foods and wine. Pack some croissants and coffee since this road trip is not for the faint. With hairpin bends, winding roads, and cliffs to climb, this route won’t fail to disappoint and makes for an exciting adventure. 

 #4 Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland 

Breath-taking scenes and hiking opportunities will entice you to leave the comforts of your car on this route. Famous for the Giant’s Causeway and being a filming location for The Game of Thrones, there is plenty to see and explore here. It’s also a great year-round destination, with friendly locals, humble towns, and cosy pubs. Taking a trip along the Causeway Coastal route is a great way to experience rural Ireland.  

#5 Transfăgărășan Road, Romania 

With a road trip score of 73.56, many have marvelled at this route of riches. Engineered back in the 1970s, Transfăgărășan Road is considered an engineering marvel. It was also hailed by the popular car enthusiasts programme Top Gear as “the best road in the world”. Since the route climbs over 2,000 metres above sea level, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views and plenty of picture ops. It can also be completed in a day, but one of the beautiful things about a road trip is there’s no rush - take it slow and enjoy the adventure.  

The UK’s 5 most underrated road trips 

We’ve covered the popular Pembrokeshire Coast 200, Kintyre 66 and Causeway Coast, leaving two more underrated UK trips to explore. 

 The Scottish Road to the Isles scored 71.18/100, and there’s no denying the reasons why. Starting in the university town, Fort William, at the base of Ben Nevis, you will surely understand why Scotland’s landscape is often described as “dramatic”. Expect no less than vast mountains and hills, picturesque glens and lochs, and shimmering coastlines. The Cambrian Way in Wales is also one to consider. It’s home to Mount Snowdon, the highest peak in the country. It’s a fantastic destination for outdoor lovers, with mountain biking, rock climbing, walking tours and plenty of opportunities to frolic in freshwater pools.  

The 10 Most Popular Road Trips 

 Next, you’ll discover the most searched-for road trips. These routes have over 16.2 million Instagram hashtags, so you can be sure they’re selfie-certified! 

#1 Most Popular - Amalfi Coast, Italy 

Foodie heaven, quaint plazas, and coastal romance await you in Europe. The Amalfi Coast is voted number one on the most popular road trip list, with over 1,000 five-star Tripadvisor reviews. Fly into Naples and Salerno and hire a car or drive from the UK for the full European tour. Plus, don’t forget your Vixa plug-in—the newest car diagnostic tool and insurance-approved vehicle tracker—so you can totally relax into the adventure. 

#2 The Cotswolds, England 

Feast your eyes upon idyllic England, with quaint villages and charming market towns. It’s a great year-round road trip destination. In spring and summertime, you’ll enjoy luscious landscapes, buzzing farms and wildflower meadows, whereas later in the year, autumnal colours and winter festivities. The Cotswolds is a fantastic choice for couples and families of all ages.  

#3 Lake District, England 

Do you feel more alive the closer you are to water? Then you’ll love this route. The Lake District is famous for its lakes. They are recognised as being the largest and deepest in all of England. Journey to Windermere, Ullswater, or Derwentwater and feel the mesmerising pull of nature. The roads wind through mossy woodlands and lush, rolling hills; we promise you won’t be disappointed if you choose the Lake District.   

#4 Peak District, England 

Another English destination is on top; we can’t wait to tell you why. Offering the perfect juxtaposition, in the south, you’ll find what is often referred to as the “White Peaks” since these are made of lighter limestone. In the north, you can visit the “Dark Peaks”, characterised by a rugged, moorland landscape and dark, heather-clad hills. In either location, you will be sure to enjoy serene settings that are perfect for picnics and miles of walks. You can even go on a guided tour to gain a fuller understanding of the local history and appreciation for the region’s unique biodiversity.   

#5 Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

The Wild Atlantic Way is designed as a tourist route with clear signposting and various accommodation options. Since it’s super accessible, it’s perfect for those seeking a relaxed ride and adventurous explorers. The coastline offers many trappings for wildlife lovers. Dolphins, seals, and occasionally whales can be spotted swimming in the nearby waters. Birdwatchers will enjoy the variety of seabirds, including puffins on the Skellig Islands and seabirds along the cliffs. If food, drink and festivities are more your thing, enjoy the year-round event calendar with traditional festivals, experiences and local crafts.     

Expert Car Checks & Safety Tips You Can Do Yourself  

Make sure your road trip of a lifetime is unforgettable and for all the right reasons. Below, you’ll find 8 top tips from Vixa experts to better prepare and stay safe on the journey.  

1. Get insured 

Make sure your car is insured in your chosen destination. European roads sometimes require permits, so check with your provider for more information. 

2. On-the-Road Support 

Feel even more zen with our virtual mechanic assistance feature. Whatever happens on the road, if within the UK, the Vixa app will direct you to an AA approved garage or if outside the UK, get you an AA mechanic on the phone to help you with your problem so you can go back to your adventure – don’t go without it.  

3. Carry out a maintenance check 

Do a simple car maintenance check at home before getting into gear and hitting the road. Check the lights, MOT, and tyre health to make sure you’re road-ready. Our clever Vixa plug-in device does a lot of this for you! It monitors your battery health using machine learning, predicts potential issues, and helps to keep your engine running smoothly with real-time diagnostics.  

4. Pack for success 

Put comfort and care first with a watertight packing list. You’ll need enough clothes for the duration -  sunglasses, wet weather gear, sun lotion and perhaps a high vis jacket, too!   

5. Check the weather 

Snow, ice, rain, and thunderstorms can challenge even the most confident driver. Our experts recommend checking out how the season might affect your chosen route. With so much to see and do, adjusting your itinerary around the forecast is easy.  

6. Check the roadworks 

Enjoy every minute of your journey by pre-empting delays and adjusting your route to avoid potential roadworks.  

7. Important documents 

You'll need to pack a driver's licence, ID, and national insurance number. Permits and other documents will be required depending on your route, so check online before you travel. 

8. Take regular breaks  

Concentration is key, so we recommend taking a 15-minute break every 2-3 hours. Plus, the app allows you to access an AA mechanic for personalised advice on any concerns that arise during your trip.  

With the Vixa plug-in device and app, your road trip can be worry-free. From ensuring your car’s health to providing real-time updates and support, Vixa is your ultimate road trip companion. Join Vixa today and embark on your adventure with confidence!  

Disclaimer: Vixa is a standalone product and will not affect your AA breakdown membership (if you have one). If you're an AA member and you’re in a breakdown situation, please refer to your AA Breakdown policy documents. 

• Vixa car plug-ins devices are designed to operate within the UK and may not operate in other countries.  

• The ability to book AA Approved garages and mobile mechanics is solely available in the UK. 

• The plugin device is only 2G capable. 

Methodology & Sources  

Sources: 

• Volume of Instagram hashtags: https://www.instagram.com/  

• Number of 5* reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/  

• Average monthly Google Searches: Google Keyword Planner 

Methodology:   

The dataset ranks 39 of Europe’s popular road trips based on three factors - scored as below. Once the data for these factors were collected, they were normalised using an index system, providing each factor a score out of 10. The scores for Instagram hashtag usage and monthly Google searches were subtracted from the Tripadvisor rating score to provide a ‘Road Trip Score’  to identify how underrated or overrated the road trip is.   The factors used are as follows:  

1. Volume of Instagram hashtags - High values get a high score.  

2. Google Searches - High values get a high score. 

3. Percentage of 5* reviews in relation to the overall reviews given - High values get a high score. 

 All data is correct as of 22/07/2024.