10 days · Los AngelesTrip idea
California Pacific Coast Highway
A coastal route idea combining city stays with ocean viewpoints. Check Highway 1 access before fixing your overnight stops.
- San Francisco
- Big Sur
- Santa Barbara
Only Travel · Travel by style
Road Trips & Fly-Drive
Open roads, memorable detours and a different view each morning. Find inspiration for an independent driving holiday, then compare flights, hire cars and places to stay.
A little inspiration
Routes worth taking
Suggested itineraries, not live offers or fixed departures. Durations are ideas. Check dates, inclusions and availability with the partner.
8 days · ReykjavikTrip idea
Iceland Ring Road
Waterfalls, volcanic landscapes and small-town stays around the island. Leave room in the schedule for weather and road conditions.
- Golden Circle
- Jökulsárlón
- Akureyri
8 days · InvernessTrip idea
Scottish Highlands & Island Roads
Build a relaxed Highland loop with loch-side walks and scenic detours. Plan longer stays rather than a new hotel every night.
- Loch Ness
- Isle of Skye
- Glencoe
14 days · QueenstownTrip idea
New Zealand South Island Explorer
Mountain scenery and lakeside bases for an independent driving holiday. Allow separate days for longer excursions.
- Milford Sound
- Lake Tekapo
- Wānaka
12 days · Cape TownTrip idea
Cape Town & the Garden Route
Pair time in Cape Town with a slower coastal drive and inland stops. Compare pick-up and drop-off locations before booking.
- Cape Peninsula
- Winelands
- Knysna
12 days · Las VegasTrip idea
US Southwest National Parks Loop
A driving idea linking desert national parks from one convenient flight hub. Check park entry reservations and seasonal road closures first.
- Zion
- Grand Canyon
- Monument Valley
7 days · MelbourneTrip idea
Great Ocean Road Coastal Drive
Follow Victoria's surf coast past rainforest and limestone stacks. Stay a night near Port Campbell to see the Twelve Apostles at sunset.
- Torquay
- Twelve Apostles
- Port Fairy
10 days · HobartTrip idea
Tasmania Wilderness Loop
A compact island loop of national parks, wineries and coastal towns. Distances look short, but winding roads deserve generous drive times.
- Freycinet
- Cradle Mountain
- Bay of Fires
7 days · PerthTrip idea
Perth to Margaret River
Head south from Perth for beaches, caves and cellar doors. Watch for wildlife on rural roads around dawn and dusk.
- Fremantle
- Busselton Jetty
- Margaret River wineries
Recommended booking options
Compare individual parts of your trip with our booking partners. Photos are illustrative, not a specific offer.
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Flights
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Hotels & stays
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Before you book
Planning a road trip or fly-drive holiday
A fly-drive holiday starts with a flight and continues at your own pace in a hire car. It works well when you want to link several places rather than stay in one resort. Start with the landscapes and towns you most want to see, choose an arrival airport, and build a route with realistic driving days. The route ideas here are starting points, not fixed packages.
The best plan leaves room for the road itself. A short distance on a map can take longer on winding coastal roads or mountain passes. Give your favourite stops more than one night, check the distance to your final airport, and decide whether a loop or a one-way drive fits your time. Visit California recommends checking Highway 1 closures before a coastal drive; Visit Iceland also highlights the importance of current road and weather conditions.
Build around driving time
Include breaks, viewpoints and daylight, not just the distance between hotels. Keep a buffer before the flight home.
Compare the whole car-hire cost
Check insurance excess, mileage, fuel policy, additional drivers and any one-way fee. A headline daily rate is only part of the comparison.
Check the route before departure
Confirm road access, seasonal restrictions and whether your vehicle is suitable. Recheck conditions during the journey rather than relying on an old itinerary.
Common questions
Official destination planning resources
A different way to go?
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