The best road trips in the UK and Europe

There’s something about a road trip that gets the whole family excited; the idea of filling up the tank, packing up the boot of the car and setting off to explore a number of different towns or cities. 

With social distancing rules easing across the UK, it’s optimal time to start planning for the ultimate road trip this summer. Here’s the best UK & European road trips to enjoy this year:

The Atlantic Highway, England

First things first, we have to appreciate the potential for a great road trip within the UK. We’re lucky to be blessed with miles of idyllic coastline throughout the South Western parts of England.

A particular route to consider is The Atlantic Highway, which spans across 275km of beachy roads between Bridgwater, Somerset and Bude, Cornwall.  

This road trip would be ideal for anyone that’s wanting to catch some good surf, as it dips into the beachy hotspots of both Devon and Cornwall. This corner of the UK is also blessed with small fishing villages, quirky towns and Exmoor National Park - which means there’s something to please the whole family! 

Don’t forget that you can now spend on your Caxton Card fee-free* in the UK this summer. So, load your card up in GBP and get spending in our serene Southern coast.

Recommended holiday length: 2-4 days

North Coast 500, Scotland

Scotland is blessed with beautiful, untouched landscapes that would provide the perfect setting for a summer road trip (without the hassle of having to worry about passport expiry dates!) 

The North Coast 500 route encompasses over 805km of backroads throughout Scotland - enabling any keen traveller to tick off a number of the country’s hidden gems. The route covers Inverness, Black Isle, Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross - concluding at the Bealach na Bà.

Driving through the Scottish highlands will provide a tour with endless Gothic castles, herds of cattle and mountainous landscapes - perfect for individuals that enjoy being immersed within nature. 

Also, if you’re lucky, you can actually see the Northern Lights from parts of Scotland.

Recommended holiday length: 4-7 days

Valley of the Kings - Loire Valley, France

What’s not to love about our neighbouring country France, when it is filled with great landscapes, food and culture? Another feature that they can add to their list of redeeming attributes is the wines they produce - and where better to explore this than in the Loire Valley?

The Loire is the longest wild river in France, and much of it is surrounded by the picturesque Loire Valley. Road tripping in the Loire Valley will provide 236km of riverbanks scattered with trails of vineyards and magnificent chateaus, which has provided the Valley with its second name: the ‘valley of the kings.’

Touring this particular region of France will enable tourists to explore notable destinations like Nantes, Angers and Tours. 

As a bonus, any Caxton Customer is entitled to an exclusive deal of a FREE toll tag when driving on European motorways, which makes road-tripping even cheaper and more convenient this summer!

If the Loire Valley is inspiring you to visit more wine regions, check out this article for further inspiration on the best vineyards to visit. 

Recommended holiday length: 4 days

Route One, Iceland

If you’re looking for a real road trip adventure, no landscape can compare to Iceland’s active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and magnificent waterfalls. 

Route One is arguably the most famous and memorable Icelandic trail to drive across. The route starts in the capital city of Reykjavik, then spans across 1,322km of land, including some of the great tourist spots, such as whale watching in Husavik, hot springs at Myvatn and the Skogafoss waterfalls.

Being able to experience the Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as The Northern Lights, is near the top of most people’s bucket-lists. So, what are you waiting for?!

Recommended holiday length: 7-10 days 

The Road to the Sun - Catalonia, Spain

Spain ticks every box for a summer holiday, boasting beautiful cities, beaches, architecture and cuisine. 

A particular route that would make for an exciting road trip is ‘The Road to the Sun’ in Catalonia, which covers Cadaques, Rosas, Tossa de Mar, Girona, Palamos, Barcelona, Besalu. 

If you’re looking to get your dose of Vitamin D this summer, driving throughout this particular 320km of Spain will be a great option. 

Recommended holiday length: 5 days

Don’t forget, you can load up to 15 different currencies on your Caxton Card, so if you decide to embark on a road trip that crosses borders, you can store your money in one safe place.  Before you head off, make sure to check out our Travel Tracker for the latest, country-specific travel information.