5 Mind-blowing road trips to take in a rental car this year

There is a distinct magic to a great road trip. It’s the total freedom to pull over when you see a hidden beach, skip the crowded tour buses, and watch the landscape change outside your window. But a truly legendary road trip requires two things: an incredible route and a vehicle perfectly matched to the terrain. You don't want to conquer mountain passes in a sputtering economy car, just like you don't want to squeeze a massive SUV through a medieval European village. By using this global car rental comparison platform, you can skip the boring airport fleets and tap into thousands of local and international suppliers to secure the absolute perfect vehicle for the job. If you're looking for ultimate travel inspiration, here are three of the world’s most spectacular road trips and the exact rides you should source to conquer them.

The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Spanning over 1,500 miles along Ireland's rugged west coast, this road trip takes you past soaring cliffs, ancient castles, and vibrant seaside villages. Navigating the dramatic, winding loops of the Ring of Kerry and standing at the edge of the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. When you search vehicle, look specifically for a compact or intermediate station wagon (estate car) with automatic transmission. Ireland’s rural roads are famously narrow, bordered by historic stone walls. A massive SUV will make passing oncoming traffic incredibly stressful. A premium compact wagon gives you plenty of trunk space for rainy-day gear while remaining agile enough to navigate tight coastal bends. The smart airport-to-airport plan: Most travelers pick one of these two seamless options depending on how much time they have:

Option 1: The South-to-North route (Recommended) — Fly into Cork Airport (ORK) or Shannon Airport (SNN). Cork Airport is just a 25-minute drive to the southern starting line in Kinsale. Drive the coast all the way up to Malin Head. Fly out of Dublin Airport (DUB) or Belfast International Airport (BFS). Once you finish at the northern tip in Donegal, it is roughly a 4-hour drive back down to Dublin Airport where you can drop off the car and catch your flight home.

Option 2: The Dublin round-trip loop — If you must use the same airport for your arrival and departure flights (usually Dublin Airport because it offers the most international flights), you will pick up your car in Dublin, drive across the country to one endpoint, complete the coastal route, and then cut back across the island from the opposite endpoint.

Important car rental tip: If you choose a route where you pick up the car in the south (like Cork) and drop it off in the north or east (like Dublin), you will be doing a one-way car rental. Most rental agencies allow this, but they will charge a one-way drop-off fee (usually between €50 and €150). However, this fee is well worth it because it saves you from having to drive 8+ hours backwards along the highway just to return the car.

The Road to Hana, Maui, Hawaii

This iconic 64-mile highway connects Kahului to the isolated town of Hana. It features over 600 curves and 59 bridges — most of them only one lane wide, cutting through lush rainforests and past crashing waterfalls. Stopping to swim in black sand beaches, hiking through bamboo forests, and buying fresh banana bread from roadside shacks. Use the category filters on this tropical destination rental engine to hunt for a soft-top Jeep Wrangler. The Road to Hana is a sensory experience. Driving with the top down allows you to smell the eucalyptus trees, hear the waterfalls, and feel the tropical air. Plus, the high clearance makes navigating unpredictable tropical downpours a breeze.

The Grand Circle, Southwest USA

The ultimate American Southwest adventure. This loop takes you through the highest concentration of National Parks in the country, starting and ending in Las Vegas. Watching the sunrise over the Grand Canyon, hiking through the towering red arches of Zion, and driving between the iconic sandstone buttes of Monument Valley. Look for a Standard or Full-Size SUV with All-Wheel Drive (AWD). You will be driving long distances across vast desert highways with dramatic temperature changes. A spacious, modern SUV gives you the highway comfort needed for hours of driving, massive trunk space for camping or hiking gear, and the capability to handle unpaved dirt scenic drives safely.

The Icefields Parkway, Alberta, Canada

Widely considered one of the most beautiful drives on the planet, this 143-mile highway links Banff and Jasper National Parks, carving directly through the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Standing in awe of the glowing turquoise waters of Lake Louise and Peyto Lake, and stopping to view the massive ancient ice fields at the Columbia Icefield Skywalk. When searching vehicle, use the filters to book a Crossover or Mid-Size SUV with All-Wheel Drive (AWD). Mountain weather is highly unpredictable, even in the middle of summer. A sturdy crossover or SUV gives you elevated visibility for spotting wildlife (like elk and bears) safely from the road, plus the necessary traction control and ground clearance if you catch an unexpected mountain flurry or rough gravel turnout.

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

A breathtaking 150-mile stretch of road winding along the wild, wind-swept southeastern coast of Australia, starting just outside of Melbourne. Seeing the world-famous Twelve Apostles (towering limestone stacks rising out of the ocean), spotting wild koalas in the eucalyptus trees of Kennett River, and watching pro surfers at Bells Beach. Search rental car aggregator and filter for a Premium Compact Sedan or Compact SUV with Automatic Transmission. Don't forget that in Australia, you drive on the left side of the road! If you aren't used to it, navigating tight, cliffside curves while shifting a manual stick shift with your left hand is incredibly stressful. Securing an automatic compact ride lets you focus 100% of your attention on keeping left and enjoying the spectacular coastal views.

Tips to booking your road trip car

To ensure your dream road trip doesn't turn into a logistical nightmare, always use this quick checklist when booking your vehicle through the portal:

Grab the "Full Coverage" protection: Road trips mean gravel roads, tight parking spots at crowded trailheads, and unpredictable weather. Buying the independent Full Coverage online during checkout is a fraction of the cost of airport counter insurance and covers your deductible for dings, scratches, and windshield cracks.

Filter for unlimited mileage: The Southwest USA and Ireland routes can rack up miles incredibly fast. Double-check that your selected car includes "Unlimited Mileage" in the terms so you don't get slapped with a massive bill when you return the keys.

Trust the desk ratings: Don't just pick the absolute cheapest supplier. Use the sidebar to filter for rental desks rated 8.0 or higher. A smooth, fast pick-up experience ensures you hit the open road without a headache.