If you are planning a road trip in the UK and Ireland, you have plenty of routes to choose from. The rugged Scottish coastline, lush rolling green hills of Ireland, quaint English villages and historic Welsh castles will all captivate you.
For this reason, it pays to be prepared. That’s why we’ve put together this guide covering the best driving routes across the British Isles. In it, you’ll find suggested stops, trip lengths, and car hire tips. We’ve also included advice on maps, ferries, and local driving rules. Hopefully, it will make your road-tripping experience that little bit smoother.
What Should You Know Before Hiring a Car?
The great thing about hiring a car is that it gives you the freedom to visit places such as remote beaches, walking trails, and small villages that may otherwise be difficult to reach. However, before you book one, it’s worth carefully considering the size of the vehicle you need.
A smaller car, for instance, is usually easier to drive along narrow country lanes. But you still need to ensure there is enough room for passengers and luggage. You also need to be careful if you intend to go off-roading.
Equally important is to check the insurance terms before you reach the rental desk. That’s because, while most hire cars include a basic damage waiver, you may still be responsible for a large excess if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. Ideally, before collecting your car, you should compare standalone car hire excess cover with the waivers offered by the rental company. Be sure to review the cost, exclusions, and claims process, and note whether tyres, windscreens, towing, and lost keys are covered.
Additionally, check the fuel and mileage conditions imposed by the rental company. You may well be best off with a full-to-full fuel policy, which will allow you to collect the car with a full tank and return it in the same condition. It is also a good idea to tell them if you plan to cross a border or take the car on a ferry, as you may need written permission or to pay an extra fee.
How Should You Plan a UK and Ireland Road Trip?
The best place to start when planning a road trip around the UK and Ireland is by choosing a route that suits the number of days you have available. When doing this, pay particular attention to driving times because even short distances on a map can be misleading, especially when they take you down winding, narrow or rural roads.
While internet coverage is generally good across the UK, you might find connections unreliable in the Scottish Highlands, rural Wales and parts of western Ireland. Therefore, consider downloading an offline map before setting off. It is also a good idea to mark your accommodation and nearby fuel stations so you can still find them if you can’t get coverage.
Best Road Trip Destinations
Half the fun of planning a road trip is working out where you can go. Here are five routes you’d be well advised to take.
1. The North Coast 500, Scotland
The North Coast 500 is one of Scotland’s best-known road trips. It starts and finishes in Inverness and forms a loop of about 830 kilometres around the northern Highlands.
The route passes mountains, white-sand beaches, fishing villages and historic castles. Along the way you can stop off at places like Applecross, Ullapool, Durness, John o’ Groats and Dunrobin Castle.
Although it is possible to complete the loop in five days, seven days will feel much more comfortable. Particularly as many sections use narrow single-track roads with passing places. You can trace the route on this a map of Scotland.
2. The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
The Wild Atlantic Way follows Ireland’s western coastline from County Donegal in the north to County Cork in the south. At around 2,500 kilometres, it is one of the world’s longest marked coastal driving routes.
Some of its major highlights include Slieve League, Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry. There’s plenty of colourful towns, quiet beaches and dramatic ocean views that will lift your soul.
Allow for at least two weeks if you want to cover most of the route. However, if you have less time, we recommend choosing a single region over four to seven days, such as Donegal, Galway, Kerry or Cork.
4. The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, England
A road trip through the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales brings together a patchwork quilt of lakes, mountain scenery, stone-built villages and traditional market towns.
Kendal is as good a starting point as any, as it’s one of the biggest towns in the region. From there, you could travel to Windermere, Keswick and Ullswater before continuing east towards Hawes and Grassington over a period of about four or five days. This gives you enough time to stop for short walks or boat trips rather than simply driving between towns.
If you head to Hardknott or Wrynose Pass, be mindful that they are extremely steep and narrow. In fact, if you are not comfortable with difficult roads, then you might be better off choosing one of the easier routes around the central fells.
5. The Wales Coastal Road Trip
A coastal journey through Wales is a wonderful experience that can take you to sandy beaches, medieval castles, harbour towns and mountain landscapes.
One possible route you can take starts in Cardiff, then heads west to the Gower Peninsula and Pembrokeshire. From there, continue north through Cardigan Bay towards Eryri and the historic town of Conwy.
Allow at least seven days to do this trip justice. If you have ten days available, it will give you more time to visit Tenby, St Davids, Portmeirion and sections of the Wales Coast Path.
Something to be aware of is that many roads in rural Wales pass through villages or farming areas. Therefore, the speed limits are lower than you might anticipate.
6. The Atlantic Highway, South West England
The A39 between Barnstaple and Newquay is often called the Atlantic Highway. Passing through Devon and Cornwall, it offers easy detours to beaches, fishing towns and clifftop walks.
Some of the most popular places you can visit here include Clovelly, Bude, Tintagel and Padstow. If time permits, you can also continue farther into Cornwall.
Generally speaking, three or four days is a suitable amount of time to complete the main route. However, summer traffic can be heavy, and parking spaces fill early in well-known coastal towns. Therefore, it’s best to start your day before the crowds hit the road.