This South African Road Just Ranked No.1 in the World

South Africa has taken the top spot for the world’s best road trip route, with the Garden Route ranked number one globally in a new study by Auto Trader UK.

The ranking places the iconic coastal stretch ahead of some of the most famous driving routes in the world, including Route 66 in the United States and Australia’s Great Ocean Road.

The world’s best road trip route is in South Africa

The Garden Route scored an impressive 90.6 out of 100, making it the highest-ranked road globally for driving conditions.

Stretching roughly 300km between Mossel Bay and Storms River, the route offers:

• ocean views along the Indian Ocean
• forest and mountain landscapes
• consistent clear weather
• comfortable driving conditions year-round

According to the report, it delivers “as close to perfect driving weather as it gets.”

How the rankings were calculated

The study was developed in partnership with meteorologist Jim R N Dale from British Weather Services.

The ranking is based on a Perfect Driving Weather Score, which measures:

• visibility and number of clear days
• wind speed
• humidity levels
• ground temperature
• rainfall and road surface conditions

Visibility was identified as the most important factor for an ideal driving experience.

The world’s top road trip routes

South Africa leads a global list of iconic drives:

1. Garden Route, South Africa – 90.6
2. Route 66, USA – 87.3
3. Pacific Coast Highway, USA – 86.1
4. Amalfi Coast Road, Italy – 81
5. Costa Brava Coastal Roads, Spain – 76.3
6. Great Ocean Road, Australia – 71.4
7. Icefields Parkway, Canada – 69.5
8. Loire Valley Drives, France – 67.3
9. Kahekili Highway, USA – 57.2
10. Norwegian Atlantic Road, Norway – 39.1

The list combines both scenic appeal and real-world driving conditions.

Why the Garden Route stands out

Unlike many global routes that rely on scenery alone, the Garden Route delivers a balance of:

• stable weather conditions
• strong visibility
• low wind speeds
• diverse landscapes within a short distance

Drivers move from coastline to forest to mountains in a single trip.

What makes a “perfect” road trip

According to the study, the best driving routes are not only scenic but also comfortable and safe.

Key factors include:

• clear visibility
• moderate temperatures
• low rainfall
• manageable wind conditions

These conditions allow drivers to fully experience the landscape without disruption.

A major win for South African tourism

This ranking reinforces South Africa’s reputation as one of the world’s top road trip destinations.

The Garden Route has long been popular with travellers, but this data-driven ranking adds global credibility to its appeal.

It also positions the country strongly as demand for experience-based travel continues to grow.

Why this matters

Global rankings like this influence travel planning and destination choices.

With South Africa taking the number one spot, the country is likely to see increased interest from both international visitors and local travellers planning road trips.

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