Despite the over population and the man made heavy pollution, which we even face in the remotest spots of the Pacific Ocean, our planet still has numerous beautiful locations, which should surely belong in everyone’s bucket list. In this blog post I like to present to you the World’s 12 Most Exciting Routes to Travel in an RV. I have chosen to list the routes according to the continents from East to West, hence the numbers do not indicate a prioritization in terms of a natural beauty contest. Enjoy the RV Road Trip Gems, which I carefully evaluated and selected for you!

1. THE WORLD’S 12 MOST EXCITING ROUTES TO
TRAVEL IN AN RV
Posted by Janet Mancuso, VP Camping & Van Life, Nuovo Nova
Table of Contents
● How to Select the Most Rewarding RV Travel Routes?
● Best RV-Routes of Our Planet from New Zealand to Hawaii
○ #1 North Island, New Zealand
○ #2 East Coast, Australia
○ #3 Okinawa to Hokkaido, Japan
○ #4 Turquoise Coast, Türkiye
○ #5 Western Coast, Norway
○ #6 Loire Valley, France

2. ○ #7 North Coast 500, Scotland, UK
○ #8 Ring Road, Iceland
○ #9 Route 66, USA
○ #10 Highway 101, USA
○ #11 Sea to Sky Highway, BC, Canada
○ #12 Maui Road to Hana, Hawaii, USA
● Conclusion
(Last Updated On: 21st June 2022)
HOW TO SELECT THE MOST REWARDING RV
TRAVEL ROUTES?
Despite the over population and the man made heavy pollution, which we even face in
the remotest spots of the Pacific Ocean, our planet still has numerous beautiful
locations, which should surely belong in everyone’s bucket list.
In this blog post I like to present to you the World’s 12 Most Exciting Routes to Travel in
an RV. I have chosen to list the routes according to the continents from East to West,
hence the numbers do not indicate a prioritization in terms of a natural beauty contest.
Enjoy the RV Road Trip Gems, which I carefully evaluated and selected for you!

3. BEST RV-ROUTES OF OUR PLANET FROM NEW
ZEALAND TO HAWAII
#1 North Island, New Zealand
New Zealand is very well suited to a fantastic road trip in an RV. You’ll have no trouble
finding your way around thanks to the inexpensive, uncomplicated campsites that are
conveniently positioned near hiking trail entrances and landmarks. The North Island’s
Auckland to Wellington route is highly recommended. The travel between these two
locations will be great for lovers of The Lord of the Rings. You’ll be able to view many
of the filming locations, as well as some natural beauties, such as: Matamata
(Hobbiton): The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have been turned into a must-see
tourist attraction. You can take a tour around this small section of the Shire while a
guide offers up some fun facts. Mount Maunganui: This is a small hill overlooking a
beautiful bay, with a great beach right below. This fairly steep hike to the hill’s summit
takes around 40 minutes. The views along the way and at the peak make the hike very
much worth it. Waitomo (Glow worm Caves): This area is home to some of the finest
glow worm caves in the world. Join a tour to be taken in a dingy and witness thousands
of the insects nesting in caverns. Tongariro National Park: This contains one of New
Zealand’s “Great Walks”, the Tongariro Crossing. It is 19.4km (12 miles) long and can

4. be completed in a day. The hike up to Mount Ngauruhoe, also known as Mount Doom,
is a challenging side quest.
#2 East Coast, Australia
For road-tripping adventurers, Australia’s East Coast has lots to offer. Picture-perfect
beaches, hip towns, beautiful rainforests, the Great Barrier Reef, and plentiful local
animals can all be found along the sun-bleached blacktop. Driving routes may be
tailored to suit any interest, ranging from epic long-distance journeys to specific
itineraries of must-see sights. So grab your surfboard, hiking boots, and hunger and hit
the road on the East Coast, which offers several very attractive routes to choose from.
The best of these routes are:1) The Great Barrier Reef Drive – Cairns to Cape
Tribulation takes approximately 7 days. Don’t forget to take your time for a snorkel or
dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef. 2) The Great Beach Drive – Sunshine Coast to
Fraser Island can be completed in 10 days. This is your access to high-profile outdoor
adventure along the aptly named Sunshine Coast in Southeast Queensland. 3) A Tale
of Two Cities – Brisbane to the Gold Coast. Reaching the surfer’s paradise from
Brisbane takes less than 2 hours. Incredible beaches, lush hinterland, theme parks –
there’s no end to the reasons to visit the Gold Coast.This iconic tourist destination is a
must for a glimpse into the quintessential “Aussie Lifestyle.” If you don’t mind getting
your feet wet, then an offshore adventure is also available in this region. Travel from
Airlie Beach along the Whitsunday Island Archipelago to Magnetic Island. This 10 day
trip is definitely worth the time and efforts invested!

5. #3 Okinawa to Hokkaido, Japan
The driving distance between the tropical island of Okinawa in the south and the snow
covered volcanic island of Hokkaido in the north is 3200 km, while the air travel distance
is 2244 km. Wending their way from palm-fringed beaches to snow-capped peaks – via
limpid lakes and primeval forests – Japan’s highways offer a privileged perspective on
parts of the country that many visitors don’t get to see. I recommend to fill up on culture
as well as gas in pulsating cities, middle-of-nowhere temples and traditional villages.
With views of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashinoko, the Hakone Skyline Course is one of the
country’s most scenic drives, and is conveniently lined with handy rest stops. No less
stunning is the Mikuni Pass, which tiptoes above primeval forest in Tokachi
Subprefecture of Hokkaido. At the completion of your RV travel in this magnificent
island you might evolve into a different person.

6. #4 Turquoise Coast, Türkiye
If you plan enough time and don’t take the straight and fast highway connection, the
route between the cities of Izmir and Antalya through the Turkish Riviera or the
Turquoise Coast follows a meandering road along the complicated structure of the
coastline with several peninsulas, bays and islands. The picturesque coastal towns of
Didim, Bodrum, Datca, Marmaris, Kas, Fethiye and Kemer line up like a string of pearls
between pine tree covered hills. Ancient Lycian, Greek, Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman
Empires have all contributed and shaped the cultural landscape in this area. World
renowned archeological sites, among others Ephesus, Aspendos, Patara, Side, Perge
and Termessos, can be admired here, as well.
If the breathtaking scenery of the Turkish Riviera can’t convince you to take a road trip
through Turkey, nothing will. You couldn’t find a more scenic coastal drive than the D400
between Antalya and Fethiye, exploring ancient Lycia! Bright blue sea, deserted
beaches and glorious mountains all the way! The route is jam-packed with ancient ruins
and natural beauty, well worth exploring.

7. #5 Western Coast, Norway
Travelers know Norway for being very RV friendly, and it is one of a few European
destinations that allows “wild camping” or camping for free on undeveloped land. There
are 47 national parks in Norway, which means whichever route you choose, you’re
going to end up somewhere amazing. Western Norway is home to an immense network
of road tunnels which have mostly replaced the old fjord-side roads. These older roads
can be a bit narrow and tight so drive with caution, especially if you’re in a new
motorhome, as you will meet lots of other large vehicles. Norway’s tunnels are
legendary – well lit, beautifully sealed and some even have roundabouts in them.
Norway is also home to the Laerdal Tunnel, or Lærdalstunnelen, at 15 miles it’s the
longest road tunnel in the world!
For the ultimate Norway road trip along the Western Coast, I recommend making stops
at Bergen – otherwise known as the Fjord Capital, Loen, Geiranger, Trollstigen,
Kristiansund, Trondheim, Jektvik, Bodo, and Tromso, which is the gate to Arctic
adventures.. This trip takes 2-3 weeks, but there are some other shorter Norwegian
road trips if you want to explore other areas of the country or have a tighter timeline.
Just to give you an idea about the distances, for driving in an RV from Oslo to Lafoten
Islands – one of the world’s most spectacular archipelagos – you will need an estimated
30 hours. Along the way, you’ll see fjords, glaciers, museums, and if you drive north
enough to enter the Arctic Cycle, you have a good chance of witnessing Aurora Borealis
or the Northern Lights.

8. #6 Loire Valley, France
There is too much to explore in France to have just one RV road trip route through the
country, for example,the French Riviera. Starting your tour in Portofino, Italy along the
Amalfi Coast, crossing the border to France and driving along the French Riviera, or
Côte d’Azur, to the resort towns of Monaco, Nice, Antibes, Cannes and ending the tour
in the charming beach town, Toulon. For more about these beautiful coastal towns click
here.
Another can’t-miss route in France is the Loire Valley. You’ll feel you are in a fairytale as
you visit all the stunning castles, or chateaux. I would suggest the following Loire Valley
road trip itinerary: Château d’Ussé, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, Château de Villandry,
Château de Chenonceau, and Château de Chambord. It is nearly impossible to see all
the castles in the valley, but you won’t be disappointed if you manage to hit these very
well preserved architectural masterpieces. While in France, don’t forget to make a stop
in Paris, or to visit Cherbourg at the Atlantic Coast. Crossing over to Great Britain with a
ferry is possible at Le Havre or via the Eurotunnel further north.

9. #7 North Coast 500, Scotland, UK
Scotland’s northern coast is the spot to visit if you want to experience stunning green
landscapes, ocean beaches, culture, history, and friendly locals. The 516-mile North
Coast 500 route cuts through sodden carpets of heather in the bleakly gorgeous
Highlands, connecting the dots between crumbling castles, weather-beaten fishing
communities, and middle-of-nowhere distilleries. The route, which is lined with
campsites, includes the winding mountain pass of Bealach na Bà – Scotland’s highest
road – and passes via John o’ Groats, the most northerly point on mainland Britain. If
the weather cooperates, bring your swimming and snorkeling gear; there are some
unexpectedly gorgeous beaches up here.
When traveling the Scottish 500, allow at least five days to complete the 516 miles of
coastline beginning and ending at Inverness Castle. As a matter of fact, most campers
start and end their trip in Inverness – the largest city in the Highlands. The city’s cozy
pubs, a 19th-century cathedral and the already mentioned lofty castle bookend the
journey nicely.

10. #8 Ring Road, Iceland
Iceland’s main highway, Route 1 or better known as the Ring Road, circles the entire
country/island, cutting off only the corners and larger fjords. The road’s total length is
1,322 kilometers (821 miles), so driving and exploring it (a few hours of driving per day
and plenty of time to hike and join excursions) can easily take as long as two weeks.
Besides linking the island’s main towns, the road also provides easy access to popular
natural features. The Ring Road is packed with epic landscapes and is easy to drive.
From popular but worthwhile stops, like Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, to hard-to-reach
gems, like Studlagil Canyon, traveling this route will be the journey of a lifetime. Here
are the sites you need to visit when in Iceland: Seljalandsfoss (tall and thin waterfall
accessible to walk behind), Skógafoss (waterfall which lands onto flat ground, allowing
visitors to practically stand under it), Vík or the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach (famous
for its hexagonal basalt columns and Reynisdrangar rock formation), Jökulsárlón
(glacial lagoon with bright blue water and pieces of glacial ice floating in it and most of
the time a few seals resting at the shore), Egilsstaðir / Hallormsstaður (small, peaceful
town near of the largest forest in Iceland offering a handful of gorgeous hiking trails),
Dimmuborgir / Mývatn (lava field containing natural columns and arches, next to
Iceland’s largest lake, Mývatn.), Akureyri (the second largest urban area in Iceland,
outside of the Capital Region known for whale watching and snowboarding), and finally,
Borganes (a peaceful town slightly above Reykjavík, on the west coast). While you
enjoy the ride and the scenery, I recommend you never let your gas tank get too empty,
as gas stations are few and far between in some parts of the country.

11. #9 Route 66, USA
This is arguably the most famous RV road trip route. Although the route doesn’t actually
exist as one complete highway anymore, you can still drive most of it. You’ll just exit on
the parts that have been decommissioned and re-join further along. The original Route
66 ran all the way from Chicago, Illinois in the east to Los Angeles, California in the
west. You can still use these as your start and end points, but will have to join other
highways at times. Between Illinois and California, you’ll pass through a handful of
states: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The trip is
around 4000 km (2,500 miles) so you’ll want to commit a few weeks to drive it. Here are
some popular stops on the way. Springfield, Missouri: Visit preserved Route 66
businesses that maintain a vintage feel. If you feel like learning some history, visit the
Route 66 Car Museum. Clinton, Oklahoma: This town features an indoor water park, the
Water Zoo, which will come in handy to cool down from the bolstering heat in the
summer months. Cadillac Ranch, Texas: Ten old Cadillacs are buried in the ground with
their tails pointing upwards. The cars are from different years between 1949 and 1964,
showcasing the model’s development. Santa Rosa, New Mexico: The retro vibe of this
town will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The state also has some
incredible hikes to enjoy. Santa Monica Pier, California: This famous spot with its
beautiful beach and classic fair is a great place to start, or wrap up your journey.

12. #10 Highway 101, USA
Romanticized by beat writers and Hollywood film directors, the American road trip is
practically a subgenre of its own. From Grapes of Wrath to Vanishing Point, Thelma &
Louise to Sideways, the nation’s highways are littered with great plots. Given the
profusion of road movies that have come out of Hollywood, California is an apt place to
(wheel) spin your own 4WD narrative.
The Golden State offers a handful of iconic itineraries from Highway 101 to the dirt
tracks of Death Valley, but if you only drive one road, make Route 1, well, the one.
Lined with campsites, this feted highway hugs the rugged Californian coast for 143km
between San Simeon and the Carmel Highlands. All plunging cliffs and wave-lashed
beaches, it is the longest stretch of undeveloped shoreline in the USA.

13. #11 Sea to Sky Highway, BC, Canada
The Sea to Sky Highway route stretches from Vancouver, British Columbia to Whistler
Ski Resort and beyond. The road is known as such because it begins at sea level and
gradually rises to 700 meters. For 125 km, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the
ocean, mountains and small communities. The journey can be completed in a day, but
there are some great stops to discover while en route. Whistler, although it is well worth
checking out, needn’t be your final stop. The highway continues for another 125 km to
Lillooet. You could easily fill three days traveling this route and exploring. Here are a few
recommended sites to add to your list. Stanley Park: This park essentially sits at the
center of Vancouver city and is home to some giant Canadian trees. It’s a wonderful
place to spend a few hours walking around. Squamish: This is one of the most ideal
locations for people who love the outdoors. With climbing, challenging hikes, mountain
biking, canoeing and more, you’ll never want to leave this adventure-soaked haven.
Hiking up the Stawamus Chief is highly recommended. Whistler is best known as a ski
resort and is one of the most famous in North America. The resort’s two mountains,
Whistler and Blackcomb, are 1,530 meters (5,020 feet) and 1,565 meters (5,133 feet)
tall. At the base, a large town full of restaurants, hotels and bars cater to the huge
number of visitors. In the summer, Whistler turns into a destination for hikers and
mountain bikers, as well as offering other activities. Zip lining and bungee jumping are
also available, so Whistler is really the best place to get your adrenaline on.

14. #12 Maui Road to Hana, Hawaii, USA
This is a trip across the north coast of the Hawaiian island, Maui. On this journey, your
eyes will be blessed with some incredible scenery and picturesque waterfalls. The road
itself is just over 100km (62 miles), so it can be tackled in a day. However, it’s best to
stretch it out two or three days, for a chance to experience all the great stops. While the
route is called the Road to Hana, it is the journey that carries the real value. You’ll be
stopping frequently to hike, take pictures and admire the views. The route generally
begins in Kahului or Paia, close to the island’s main airport. From there, you follow
Route 36 east, and this transitions to Route 360. The road is very windy and narrow in
places, so take it slow and be aware of other cars. Here are some ideas of places to
stop. Twin Falls: This trail is 2.9km (1.8 miles) and features stream crossing. You’ll come
across the smaller waterfall first, then the larger one further along. Both have pools
beneath them that you can swim in. Garden of Eden: This is a botanical garden with
multiple trails passing through it. You can see both native and introduced flowers and
trees in settings that resemble something out of a dream. Hana Lava Tube: A hollow
cavern you can walk through. One of many lava tubes through Hawaii. Hana Town: This
small town doesn’t have to be the end of the journey, but as the name indicates, it is
where this route ends. Please keep in mind, on this windy road you should only stop
where it is safe to do so. Stopping on the side of the road is clearly no option.

15. CONCLUSION
Our planet offers plenty more incredibly beautiful regions, which everyone would love to
visit if they knew about the very existence of these destinations. Since this is not
supposed to become an almanac but merely a blog post, I was forced to exclude
several worthy candidates out of “The World's 12 Most Exciting Routes to Travel in an
RV” list. Therefore, such rewarding routes, like Namibia Overlanding (Windhoek, Etosha
National Park, Namib Desert, the Skeleton Coast with colossal rusting shipwrecks),
New Zealand’s South Island (Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook, Wanaka, Franz
Josef Glacier, Milford Sound) or Chile’s Pan American Highway (Patagonia, Atacama
Desert, Elqui Valley, the Andes) are not described in this post. I hope that you still liked
reading and gained out of it some beneficial information for the planning of your next
adventure!
Posted by Janet Mancuso, VP Camping & Van Life, Nuovo Nova
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