Planning an international road trip? Knowing where to hit the road, and where to avoid it, can make or break your travel experience.
From stunning scenic drives to frustrating traffic jams and poor infrastructure, driving conditions vary greatly across countries. In this guide, we’ve ranked the 10 best and worst countries for driving abroad based on road safety, rental costs, infrastructure, congestion, and traveler interest.
Whether you’re dreaming of cruising along Spain’s coastlines or reconsidering a drive through Romania’s rugged roads, this list will help you make informed choices for a safer, smoother, and more enjoyable journey behind the wheel.
1. Spain
According to Compare the Market’s findings, Spain ranks as the best country for driving abroad. Travelers considering road trips, whether taking day trips from Madrid, driving along Costa Brava, or exploring Andalusia’s Moorish past, can expect a positive experience.
A key advantage noted is that renting a car there is economical. Furthermore, Spain demonstrates a strong performance in road safety, boasting the ninth-lowest number of road accidents among all the countries included in the study.
These factors collectively contribute to Spain’s top position for international road travel, allowing for pleasant journeys across diverse landscapes.
2. Canada
For nature enthusiasts planning an international road trip, Canada presents spectacular scenic opportunities.
Destinations like the Icefields Parkway in Alberta and the Irish Loop in Newfoundland offer stunning views.
A significant benefit for drivers in Canada is the relatively low amount of traffic. The study highlights that Canada has the fourth-lowest congestion levels among all the surveyed countries.
This means drivers are less likely to face significant delays, allowing for a smoother and more enjoyable journey through Canada’s vast landscapes, making Canada a less stressful driving destination.
3. United States
Americans looking for a great road trip destination don’t necessarily need to travel abroad, as the United States is ranked highly as a place for road-tripping.
The US demonstrates significant traveler interest, with a massive road trip search volume of 19,200 searches per year.
This high search volume helped the country secure a strong position on the list. However, prevented the US from ranking even higher: high car rental costs.
Travelers might consider driving their own vehicle to mitigate this expense. Despite this drawback, its vast size and iconic routes remain a draw for travelers interested in exploration by car.
4. United Kingdom
Coming in at a respectable fourth place is the United Kingdom, deemed an ideal country for driving abroad.
The UK shows strong appeal for road trippers, even outperforming the US in terms of online interest, with a road trip search volume of 19,800 searches per year.
Despite its popularity, drivers should be prepared for potential delays. The study indicates that it takes an average of 36.3 minutes to drive 10 kilometers (6.21 miles).
This makes the UK the country where travelers are most likely to get stuck in traffic among those surveyed.
Travelers should factor in potential delays when planning their routes and journey times across the country.
5. Portugal
Travelers who dream of road-tripping through Portugal while enjoying traditional Portuguese egg custard tarts will find it ranks favorably.
Portugal is listed as the fifth-best country for driving abroad. It performs well in terms of infrastructure, securing the fourth position for good road quality.
Additionally, Portugal is recognized as a budget-friendly option for vehicles, being the fifth cheapest country for car rentals in the study.
These factors make Portugal an appealing destination for international road travelers. These combined factors make Portugal an appealing and relatively easy destination for international road travelers looking to explore.
6. Serbia
According to the study, Serbia ranks as the worst country overall for travelers who want to drive abroad. This small European nation faces challenges in two key areas evaluated by Compare the Market.
It registered the second-lowest search volume for road trips, suggesting low traveler interest in driving there.
Furthermore, Serbia has the second-worst road quality among the countries surveyed. Data on Serbia’s congestion levels was not available for inclusion in the study’s analysis.
Therefore, a complete picture of driving conditions might be difficult to form without this data point.
7. Romania
Romania is listed as the second-worst country for tourists considering driving through its cities and countryside.
It holds the lowest ranking for road quality among all countries studied. Road safety is also a concern, as Romania has 10.29 road accidents per 100,000 people. This figure is the second-highest number of road accidents on the list.
These unflattering statistics suggest that driving conditions in Romania may present significant challenges for international visitors. This high accident rate indicates a potential risk factor for visitors choosing to drive there.
8. Belgium
Travelers watching their budget might find alternative transportation options in Belgium more appealing.
Car rentals there are noted as being the fifth-highest in cost among the countries included in the study. Additionally, Belgium experiences significant traffic congestion.
The analysis shows it takes an average of 25.5 minutes to travel 10 kilometers (6.21 miles). Taking a train, such as the 45-minute journey from Brussels to Antwerp, which covers approximately 34 miles, is likely a better and more efficient option than driving.
9. Greece
Potential road trippers might want to reconsider driving in Greece due to certain safety and cost factors. Greece is noted for having the fourth-highest number of road accidents.
It also ranks with the sixth-highest gas prices, which can increase the overall cost of a road trip. However, there is a notable benefit: car rental prices are the second lowest among the countries studied.
An added advantage for drivers is the ability to take their car on a ferry to explore many of the beautiful Greek islands.
This potential saving on vehicle rental could help offset the higher fuel costs experienced during travel.
10. Hungary
Hungary is not the absolute worst country for driving abroad according to the study, but it is listed among the bottom five.
A significant negative factor is its road infrastructure, as Hungary has the fourth-worst road quality among the surveyed nations.
The country also registers a low annual search volume for road trips, with only 140 searches noted.
For visitors primarily focused on Budapest, getting around by foot or public transportation is described as easy.
For exploring other regions, buses or trains are recommended alternatives to driving. Given these challenges, relying on alternative public transport methods is often advisable for tourists.
Alicia Richards