Road Trip Travel Worldwide with Auto Europe – Discover Freedom by the Mile

Intro to Auto Europe

Imagine waking up in Lisbon, winding through Portugal’s cliffs by morning, then watching the sunset over a vineyard in Spain — all on your schedule. Or picture yourself cruising California’s Pacific Coast Highway, then tracing Route 66 into the Arizona desert. Wherever your travel dreams take you, the most liberating way to explore is by car — and Auto Europe makes it easier than ever.

With car rental access in over 180 countries worldwide, Auto Europe goes far beyond Europe. From North American road trips and Southern Hemisphere escapes to Mediterranean coastlines and Southeast Asian detours, their global booking network helps you craft your own path — whether for a weekend getaway or a three-week adventure.

Start planning your global road trip adventure with this complete guide — featuring top destinations, car rental tips, route ideas, and smart driving hacks for traveling with Auto Europe.

Why Choose Road Trip Travel with Auto Europe?

Road trips offer the perfect blend of freedom, flexibility, and discovery. Trains and planes rush you past the details. Buses skip the scenic stops. But in a car, the journey becomes the experience.

Here’s why road trip travel with Auto Europe offers a globally optimized way to explore:

• Worldwide Coverage, Local Access
  With locations in over 180 countries — including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa, Morocco, Argentina, and beyond — Auto Europe lets you pick up and go almost anywhere.
• One-Way Rentals & Cross-Border Options
  Plan a loop through New Zealand’s South Island or a one-way drop-off from Spain into France. Auto Europe supports both — with clear policies and insurance options.
• Local Language Support & Currency Conversion
  Booking from your home country is simplified with currency, language, and insurance explanations already built in.
• Long-Term & Short-Term Rentals
  From weekend escapes in Scotland to month-long cross-continent drives, Auto Europe’s platform helps you compare car types, insurance, and rental durations with transparency.
• Customer Support in Real Time
  Flight delayed? Need to change pickup? Auto Europe offers multilingual support and flexible management tools across global partners.

Above all, road trip travel with Auto Europe means driving on your terms — not anyone else’s.

Best Road Trip Destinations Around the World with Auto Europe

Wherever the roads stretch wide, the mountains rise high, or the coasts wind dramatically — Auto Europe has cars waiting.

1. United States – Cross-Country Icons & Coastal Cruising

From the Pacific Coast Highway to Route 66, the U.S. is road trip royalty. Rent in Los Angeles, Miami, Denver, or New York and build your own loop.

Spotlight Route:
San Francisco to San Diego — cliffside drives, redwoods, surfing towns, and endless ocean.

2. South Africa – Safaris & Scenic Drives

Start in Cape Town, drive to the Winelands, then embark on the Garden Route. Wildlife reserves, beach towns, and mountain passes await.

Spotlight Route:
Cape Town to Addo National Park via Wilderness and Tsitsikamma.

3. Australia & New Zealand – Long Roads, Big Horizons

Australia’s Great Ocean Road and NZ’s South Island routes are built for road lovers. With Auto Europe, you can rent from Sydney, Melbourne, Christchurch, or Queenstown.

Spotlight Route:
Queenstown to Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo — epic landscapes with stargazing detours.

4. Japan – Modern Meets Timeless

Beyond Tokyo’s trains lies a peaceful countryside. Rent in Osaka, Hiroshima, or Sapporo and explore castles, forests, and coastlines.

Spotlight Route:
Kyoto to Kanazawa via the Japanese Alps.

5. Canada – Wilderness & Wine Routes

From British Columbia’s Pacific ranges to Nova Scotia’s maritime charm, Canada invites big drives with few people in between. Auto Europe rentals cover all major cities and airports.

Spotlight Route:
Banff to Vancouver via the Icefields Parkway and Okanagan wine country.

6. Chile & Argentina – Desert, Andes, and Patagonia

Experience desert moonscapes in Atacama, glacial lakes near Bariloche, and remote mountain towns only reachable by car.

Spotlight Route:
Santiago to Mendoza — crossing the Andes in a day with vineyard views.

7. Portugal & Spain – Culture by the Coast

Classic road trip Europe still counts. Drive from Lisbon to Seville, hugging the coast and diving into Moorish towns, castles, and beach food.

Spotlight Route:
Lisbon → Algarve → Seville → Granada

8. Morocco – Kasbahs & Mountains

Start in Marrakech or Tangier. Drive through the Atlas Mountains, desert villages, and oasis towns toward Fez or Merzouga.

Spotlight Route:
Marrakech to Merzouga — camel rides, Berber camps, and desert silence.

Global Road Trip Experiences to Book Along the Way

Wherever you’re driving with Auto Europe, the journey isn’t just the road — it’s what you stop for.

Nature & Wellness

• Norway’s fjords, New Zealand’s lakes, or Canada’s mountain trails — all better when you control the pace.
• Desert hot springs in Arizona or Japan’s onsen towns — drive straight into relaxation.
• Forest cabins in South Africa or Tasmania — no public transit required.

Adrenaline & Adventure

• Snowboard Whistler one day, hike Banff the next.
• Scuba in Okinawa, then drive inland for sake and sushi.
• Skydiving over Swiss valleys or dune driving in Namibia — each starts with the freedom of your own wheels.

Food & Culture

• From Bordeaux’s wine country to Mendoza’s Malbec trails, road travel lets you build your own tasting schedule.
• Explore street food in Bangkok, night markets in Morocco, or olive farms in Andalusia.
• Attend village festivals, stop at monasteries, and visit UNESCO towns where buses never go.

Relaxation & Renewal

• Sleep in the desert, recharge in forests, and chase sunrises on your schedule.
• Book spa hotels in Iceland, vineyard B&Bs in Tuscany, or lakeside chalets in Switzerland.
• Detour to small beach towns in Uruguay or Croatia.

Where to Stay on a Global Road Trip

Choosing the right accommodations is just as important as choosing the right car. With Auto Europe giving you the freedom to go anywhere, here’s how to align your stays with your driving route.

Boutique & Heritage Stays

Discover historic inns in Quebec, cave hotels in Cappadocia, and colonial casas in South America. These often sit just outside main city zones, accessible only by car.

Secluded Retreats & Scenic Lodges

Drive to off-grid safari camps in Namibia, hot spring cabins in Chile, or luxury ecolodges in New Zealand. Skip the shuttle — your rental gets you there in comfort.

Luxury Resorts & Vineyard Villas

Use Auto Europe to plan a countryside route that ends at a vineyard hotel in Burgundy, a lakeside spa in Slovenia, or a beach retreat in Australia’s Margaret River.

Budget-Friendly Road Stops

Campgrounds in Iceland, rural guesthouses in Scotland, or roadside motels in California — all give you flexibility and parking ease when you’re managing a car trip.

Explore road trip-ready accommodations and make the journey as comfortable as the destination.

What to Pack for Road Trip Travel

Road travel needs a different approach to packing — one that balances convenience, comfort, and safety.

• International Driver’s Permit (IDP) — Required in many countries outside your home license zone
• Portable Phone Mount + Offline Maps — Google Maps, Waze, or Maps.me
• Paper Copies of Key Documents — License, passport, insurance, roadside assistance
• Reusable Water Bottles + Local Snacks — Especially for desert, rural, or highland routes
• USB-C Charger & Power Bank — For devices on long hauls
• Backup Navigation or Physical Map — In areas with no cell service (Patagonia, Arctic, rural Balkans)
• Day Bag with Essentials — In case you go off-trail or take short hikes
• Playlist or Audiobook Library — Drive time is story time

Sample Itineraries for Global Road Trip Travelers

Here are sample driving itineraries tailored to different trip lengths and regions:

3-Day Mini-Adventure – Portugal Coastline

Day 1: Pick up in Lisbon, drive to Sintra, explore palaces
Day 2: Scenic drive to the Algarve coast, lunch in Lagos
Day 3: Return via Évora, drop off in Lisbon

Route tip: Use Auto Europe’s one-way drop-off filter.

7-Day Cultural Loop – Japan (Kyoto to Tokyo)

Day 1–2: Kyoto temple hopping + sake villages
Day 3–4: Drive to Mount Fuji via Lake Biwa
Day 5–6: Explore Hakone’s hot springs and art
Day 7: Arrive in Tokyo, drop-off near Shibuya

Tip: Choose a compact car with English GPS add-on.

14-Day Cross-Border Escape – Chile to Argentina

Day 1–3: Santiago → Valparaíso → Wine region
Day 4–6: Andean pass to Mendoza, Argentina
Day 7–10: Córdoba → Rosario → Buenos Aires
Day 11–14: Coastal route down to Mar del Plata

Note: Cross-border permission must be selected during Auto Europe booking.

Auto Europe Booking Tips for Global Trips

To make the most of your rental:

• Use Auto Europe’s filter tool to compare global suppliers (Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, and more)
• Book early in high seasons, especially in Iceland, Japan, or New Zealand
• Check cross-border regulations, which vary by region (e.g., EU is easy; Balkans require permission)
• Select full insurance coverage if visiting countries with tight driving laws (Italy, France, Japan)
• Choose automatic or manual carefully — in Europe and Asia, manuals are default
• Request extras like GPS, ski racks, or child seats during booking — not at pickup

With Auto Europe, you can also opt for long-term leasing in select countries — ideal for digital nomads or extended travelers.

Driving Rules & Local Tips by Region

USA & Canada

• Drive right. Watch for wildlife in rural areas. Gas is plentiful. Speed limits strictly enforced.

Europe (Western)

• Right-hand driving mostly, except UK/Ireland. Toll roads common. Roundabouts frequent.

Europe (Eastern/Balkans)

• Rural roads may be rough. Some regions require vignette passes (Slovenia, Austria).

Japan & Australia/New Zealand

• Left-side driving. Cities may be congested; countryside is ideal for road trips. Auto Europe supports international pickup licenses with IDP.

South America

• Drive with caution; local road rules vary. Book 4WD for Patagonia, Atacama, and Andean routes.

Africa (South, Morocco)

• Road quality varies. Safari zones often require permits or 4WD. Avoid night driving.

Middle East

• Main roads are excellent (UAE, Qatar); avoid remote driving without local knowledge.

Always double-check driving laws and fuel types for each country you enter — and enable roadside assistance during booking.

More Road Trip Adventures Around the World

| Scenic Drives in British Columbia
Sea-to-Sky Highway, Okanagan wine roads, and Rocky Mountain loops

| Coastal Spain and Portugal
Lisbon to Valencia with seaside towns, castles, and tapas along the way

| Off-Grid Namibia
From Windhoek to Sossusvlei, explore surreal desert terrain with your own wheels

| Southeast Australia
Melbourne to Sydney via Great Ocean Road, Blue Mountains, and wine valleys

| Balkans Beyond Borders
Croatia → Montenegro → Bosnia → Serbia — full of castles, rivers, and local gems

Ready to unlock global freedom, one road at a time?
Discover unforgettable moments with a worldwide car rental from Auto Europe. Compare routes, book scenic drives, and experience the world behind the wheel with full flexibility and support.

Explore our complete Global Road Trip Travel Guide and start mapping your next adventure today.