The iconic Garden Route of South Africa has been named among the World’s Best Road Trip in a 2026 global study by AutoTrader UK. It has been ranked ahead of USA’s Route 66.
Stretched along the southern coast, this scenic drive is known for its ocean views, green forests and charming towns. It topped the list for its road quality, natural beauty, and pleasant driving conditions throughout the year. Hence, confirming its place as one of the world’s top travel experiences.
Recognising South Africa’s Garden Route as the top-most the AutoTrader Uk writes, “South Africa’s Garden Route takes the lead when it comes to great driving conditions, scoring 90.6 out of 100 in our index.”
AuoTrader UK added, “Between Mossel Bay and Storms River, this 300 km stretch of road consistently delivers what we all dream of when we hit the road. Clear skies for most of the year which give drivers the opportunity to take in the views of the Indian Ocean Coast, gentle winds and comfortable temperatures.”
“The Garden Route takes you from ocean, to forest, to mountains and is as close to perfect as driving weather gets,” stated AutoTrader UK
To find out this, AutoTrader UK partnered with Jim R N Dale, Senior Meteorologist and founder of British Weather Services. They defined the weather conditions that made driving feel at its easiest, and safest. His verdict is simple, visibility comes first; in his word’s visibility is “No.1 in the hierarchy of perfect driving conditions.”
Using Jim’s expertise, AutoTrader UK created a Perfect Driving Weather Score. They used a range of factors including humidity, ground temperature, number of clear days, visibility quality and wind speed.
They have applied the criteria to popular drives within the UK, as well as some of the world’s most celebrated driving routes. Using historical weather data, they revealed which roads most reliably deliver the ideal climate conditions, both here and abroad. The results might just inspire your next road trip.
Other than the Garden Route of South Africa, the rank tally is as follows:
- Route 66 of USA has been ranked 2nd with 87.3 points
- Pacific Coast Highway of USA is 3rd with 86.1 points
- Amalfi Coast Road in Italy is placed as 4th with 81 points
- Costa Brava Coastal Roads in Spain is ranked as 5th with 76.3 points
- Great Ocean Road in Australia came 6th with 71.4 points
- Icefields Parkway in Canada ranked as 7th with 69.5 points
- Loire Valley Drives in France secured 8th place with 67.3 points
- Kahekili Highway in USA positioned on 9th with 57.2 points
- Norwegian Atlantic Road in Norway made to 10th with 39.1 points
Expert Jim further added that, it matters not where you are if you are able to view as far as your eyes will allow. Driving on coastal roads and within mountain ranges arguably offer the twin peaks of panoramas. To be able to view landscapes or seascapes that offer variety and engagement, along with natural or manmade highlights, tend to press most of the right buttons.