The Best Countries for Road Trips in 2026: Zutobi's New Ranking

Analysts at Zutobi have released a new global ranking of the best countries for road trips, evaluating traffic congestion, road quality, safety, and tourism infrastructure. Some of the results were surprising—several popular tourist destinations received fairly low scores. Learn more about the countries that have emerged as the best destinations for a comfortable and safe road trip

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Road trips remain one of the most popular forms of tourism worldwide. For a new study, Zutobi experts analyzed dozens of countries based on several key indicators: traffic congestion levels, road infrastructure quality, traffic fatality rates, the number of tourist attractions, and the cost of travel for drivers.

The ranking showed that the ideal road trip is not just about beautiful scenery. Safe roads, minimal traffic congestion, affordable parking, and travel comfort for foreign tourists also play an important role.

How did Zutobi compile the ranking of the best countries for a road trip?

When compiling the ranking, analysts used international databases on road infrastructure, traffic accident statistics, and the tourist popularity of countries. To assess the comfort of road trips, several factors were taken into account:

- Level of traffic congestion

- Road surface quality

- Traffic fatality rates

- Number of tourist attractions

- Fuel prices

- Parking costs

- Overall convenience for foreign drivers

Particular attention was paid to the practical travel experience—that is, how easily a tourist can travel around the country by car without constant delays, expensive parking, or a complex road system.

According to Zutobi, the top-performing countries typically combine several factors: high-quality roads, low traffic congestion, scenic routes, and a wealth of natural and tourist attractions.

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Slovenia – the best country for road trips in the world

Slovenia topped Zutobi’s global ranking as the best country for a road trip. One of the main reasons was the high concentration of tourist attractions—176 attractions per 100,000 residents, which is one of the best figures in the study.

At the same time, the country has relatively low traffic congestion—29.9%—which is significantly more comfortable compared to many popular European tourist destinations. For drivers, this means less time stuck in traffic and more opportunities to travel between cities and natural sites.

Slovenia also received high marks for the short distances between major tourist destinations. In just a few hours by car, you can travel from the Alps to the Adriatic coast or from Lake Bled to the capital, Ljubljana.

Among the most popular road trip routes in the country are:

- Ljubljana – Lake Bled

- Triglav National Park

- The Soča River Valley

- The Piran Coast

- The Vrsic Pass in the Julian Alps

Separately, Zutobi experts noted the quality of the road infrastructure and the ease of travel for foreign drivers. The country has a well-developed highway system, and most popular tourist routes feature high-quality pavement and clear signage.

Portugal ranks among the best countries for road trips

Portugal ranked among the top spots in the Zutobi rating thanks to a combination of comfortable roads, moderate traffic, and a large number of tourist attractions. The country has approximately 180 attractions per 100,000 residents—one of the best ratios in the world.

Traffic congestion in Portugal stands at 27.4%, making travel between cities significantly more comfortable than in many other popular European tourist destinations. This is particularly noticeable outside of Lisbon and Porto, where traffic is much lighter even during peak season.

One of Portugal’s main advantages for road trips is the variety of routes. In a single trip, tourists can see the ocean coast, vineyards, historic cities, and mountainous regions.

The country’s most popular road routes:

- Lisbon – Algarve along the Atlantic coast

- Porto – the Douro Valley

- The route through Sintra and Cape Roca

- A drive along the winding roads of Madeira

- The central wine regions of Alentejo

Another advantage for road trippers is the relatively short distances between major tourist cities. For example, the drive from Lisbon to Porto takes about 3 hours by car, and to the Algarve coast—about 2.5–3 hours, depending on the route.

Spain has become one of the most driver-friendly countries

Spain also ranked among the leaders in the Zutobi rating, receiving high marks for road infrastructure and driving comfort. One of the key indicators was the low level of traffic congestion—just 20.92%, which is one of the best results among popular European tourist destinations.

In addition, the country has 132 tourist attractions per 100,000 residents. For road trippers, this means a vast selection of routes: from the Mediterranean coast to mountainous regions and historic cities.

Spain is particularly popular among fans of long road trips thanks to its modern highways and numerous scenic routes. In many regions of the country, roads run along the coast, through national parks, or along winding mountain roads.

Among the most popular routes for road trips:

- Barcelona – Valencia along the coast

- Andalusia: Seville – Granada – Malaga

- The Costa Brava route

- The mountain roads of Mallorca

- Northern Spain – the Basque Country and the Bay of Biscay coast

Zutobi also notes the good quality of roads even in the country’s less touristy regions. At the same time, Spain remains relatively affordable for road trippers compared to some Western European countries—especially regarding fuel costs, car rentals, and intercity travel.

Norway has the least traffic congestion and the safest roads

Norway achieved several record-breaking results in the Zutobi study. It recorded the lowest level of traffic congestion among all countries in the ranking—just 15.5%, making car travel as comfortable as possible even in popular tourist regions.

The country also ranked first in road safety. The traffic fatality rate in Norway is just 1.5 per 100,000 people—one of the best results in the world. By comparison, in some Latin American countries, this figure exceeds 15 deaths per 100,000 people.

One of the reasons for these high ratings is the high-quality road infrastructure and strict safety controls. Norway has strict rules regarding speed limits, vehicle condition, and driver behavior on the roads.

The country’s most popular driving routes pass through fjords, mountain passes, and the Atlantic coast. Among them are:

- The Atlantic Road

- The Trollstigen Route

- The Lofoten Islands

- Geirangerfjord

- The road through Jotunheimen National Park

Despite high ratings, Norway remains one of the most expensive countries for road travelers in Europe. Drivers should take into account the high cost of fuel, toll roads, parking, and car rentals, especially in major cities and tourist areas.

Singapore tops the ranking for road quality

Singapore has become the global leader in road infrastructure quality. In the Zutobi ranking, the country received a score of 6.45 out of a possible 7, the best result among all participants in the study.

Experts note that roads in Singapore feature high-quality pavement, a modern navigation system, and well-organized urban traffic. The country has virtually no issues with road markings, lighting, or the condition of highways.

At the same time, Singapore cannot be called an ideal destination for budget road trips. The country is among the most expensive in the world for drivers due to high costs of car ownership, fuel, parking, and toll roads.

Tourists should also be aware of strict traffic laws and hefty fines. Singapore actively uses automated speed enforcement systems, and violations such as illegal parking or using a phone while driving can cost hundreds of dollars.

Despite this, the country remains one of the most comfortable places in the world to drive thanks to its highly organized road system and minimal traffic issues.

Colombia has become one of the most challenging countries for drivers

Colombia ranked among the countries with the worst conditions for road travel in a Zutobi study. One of the main issues was the extremely high level of traffic congestion—about 50%, which is one of the worst figures in the ranking.

Experts identified road safety as an even more serious problem. The traffic fatality rate in the country is 16.2 per 100,000 people—more than ten times higher than in Norway.

Drivers face the most difficulties in major cities, particularly in Bogotá and Medellín, where daily traffic jams can last several hours. The situation is further complicated by mountain roads, challenging terrain, and the poor condition of some highways outside major cities.

Despite this, Colombia remains a popular destination for road trippers thanks to its natural beauty and diverse routes. Particularly popular are:

- Roads through the Andes

- The route between Bogotá and Medellín

- Colombia’s coffee region

- The Caribbean coast

- National parks

Experts advise travelers to plan their routes carefully, avoid night driving in remote areas, and check road conditions in advance before traveling.

Israel made the list of the most expensive countries for drivers

Israel received low scores in the Zutobi ranking due to high costs for motorists. One of the most expensive aspects was parking—an average of about $8.79 for two hours, which is one of the highest rates in the study.

Parking remains particularly expensive in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, where finding an open spot in tourist areas can be difficult even on weekdays. Because of this, some tourists choose not to rent a car in major cities and use a vehicle only for intercity trips.

High fuel prices, toll roads, and car rental fees add to drivers’ expenses. At the same time, traffic in the country’s major cities remains quite heavy, especially during rush hour.

Popular driving routes include:

- Tel Aviv – Jerusalem

- The Mediterranean Coast

- Route to the Dead Sea

- Negev Desert

- Northern Israel and the Galilee

Despite the high costs, Israel continues to attract road travelers thanks to the short distances between major tourist destinations. In just a few hours, you can drive from the Mediterranean Sea to the Negev Desert or the Dead Sea.

Slovakia received low ratings due to traffic jams and road conditions

Slovakia was also among the countries that received lower ratings in the Zutobi ranking. The main reasons were traffic jams, uneven infrastructure quality, and difficulties with mobility in some regions of the country.

Drivers face the most problems in Bratislava and on major transportation routes between large cities. During rush hour, traffic jams can significantly increase travel times, especially on the approaches to the capital.

Experts also noted the condition of certain roads outside the main highways. Although the country is actively modernizing its transportation infrastructure, some regional roads still lag behind the quality of roads in Western Europe.

Despite this, Slovakia remains popular among tourists traveling through Central Europe by car. The country attracts visitors with relatively short distances between cities, mountain routes, and national parks.

The most popular destinations for road trips:

- High Tatras;

- Bratislava–Košice route;

- Slovak Paradise;

- Medieval castles of central Slovakia;

- Mountain roads near the Polish border.

Tourists are advised to check the rules for using toll roads in advance, as the country has an electronic vignette system for most highways.

Which road trip routes remain the most popular in the world?

Separately, Zutobi analyzed the most popular road trip routes in the world. The study took into account the number of search queries, tourist popularity, and travelers’ interest in specific destinations.

One of the undisputed leaders remains the legendary Route 66 in the U.S. According to Zutobi, this route generates over 6.5 million search queries annually. The road passes through eight states—from Chicago to Los Angeles—and has long been a symbol of the classic American road trip.

The list of the most popular routes also includes:

1. Big Sur in California—a road along the Pacific coast;

2. Blue Ridge Parkway in the U.S. – one of North America’s most famous mountain routes;

3. The Dolomites in Italy – a popular route among lovers of mountain serpentines;

4. The Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia – one of the most unusual driving routes in the world.

Experts note that the popularity of road trips continues to grow thanks to the flexibility of this type of travel. Tourists are increasingly choosing routes that allow them to combine nature, small towns, national parks, and lesser-known locations without being tied to flights or public transportation.

When planning a trip to Europe by car, it is important to take care of paying for toll roads in advance. A vignette allows you to legally drive on the highways of many European countries without fines and unnecessary stops. You can issue a vignette quickly and online on Visit Ukraine - it is convenient, transparent and suitable for both short trips and long journeys.

We remind you! With the arrival of spring, Ukrainians are increasingly planning trips abroad in their own cars, but this also brings a greater risk of encountering fraudsters. Find out how scams involving fake ‘Green Cards’ work, what risks this poses to drivers, and how to check the authenticity of an insurance policy before your trip.

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