The 10 Best Road Trips in Europe and North America by RV

Meili Wyss • Last updated: October 19, 2026 • 13 min read

Our Favorite Transatlantic Routes

Dreaming of a road trip through Europe, or would you rather explore North America closer to home? Some of the world’s best road trips start just a few hours from your front door, while others are worth the flight across the Atlantic. We’ve picked the 5 best RV routes in Europe and the 5 best in North America, from Norway’s fjords, Tuscany, and Andalusia to the Pacific Coast, the Grand Canyon, and the Florida Keys.

Every route starts at a roadsurfer rental station, so you can pick up your RV and hit the road. For each route, you’ll find a day-by-day itinerary, trip length, distance, the best time to go, and our top tip.

Which Road Trips in Europe and North America Are Most Worth It?

In Europe, our top five are Norway’s fjords, Brittany, Tuscany, Lake Garda, and Andalusia. In North America, the Pacific Coast from Seattle to San Francisco, the route to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley, Colorado, the Canadian Rockies, and the Overseas Highway to Key West lead the list. For most routes, plan 7 to 14 days on the road, plus travel days if you’re flying to Europe.

Route Start (roadsurfer station) Length Best time to go
Norway’s fjords Bergen 10–14 days June–August
Brittany Nantes 10–12 days May–September
Tuscany Florence 7–9 days April–June, Sept.–Oct.
Lake Garda Bergamo 7 days May, June, September
Andalusia Seville 10–12 days March–May, Sept.–Oct.
Pacific Coast: Seattle – San Francisco Seattle 10–14 days June–September
Grand Canyon & Monument Valley Phoenix 14 days March–May, Sept.–Nov.
Colorado Denver 12–13 days June–September
Canadian Rockies Calgary 7–10 days June–September
Overseas Highway Miami 7 days December–April

The 5 Best Road Trips in Europe

Fjords, sea cliffs, vineyards, and Moorish palaces: these five routes show Europe at its most varied, and every one of them starts at a roadsurfer station in a city with its own airport. Distances are short, so you can wake up by a fjord or in a medieval town and be somewhere completely different by dinner. We list distances in miles, but road signs and speed limits in Europe are in kilometers (1 mile is about 1.6 km).

Route 1: Norway’s Fjords and the Trollstigen from Bergen

An RV trip through Norway feels like driving through a picture book. This loop from Bergen takes you along two UNESCO-listed fjords, over the highest mountain pass road in Northern Europe, and up the country’s most famous switchback road. The ferries across the fjords aren’t a detour: they’re often the best moments of the trip.

At a glance:

  • Start: roadsurfer Bergen station
  • Length: 10–14 days
  • Distance: about 800 miles (loop)
  • Best time to go: June to August – the mountain passes usually don’t open until late May
Boxvan driving alondside a fjord in Norway on a sunny day.

Your itinerary:

  • Days 1–2, Bergen: Stroll along Bryggen, the colorful Hanseatic wharf, and ride the Fløibanen funicular up the city’s local mountain
  • Days 3–4, Flåm: Drive via Voss to the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the Sognefjord. From the Stegastein viewpoint, you look about 2,100 feet straight down to the water
  • Days 5–6, Sognefjell and Lom: Cross the Sognefjell, Northern Europe’s highest mountain pass road, to the mountain village of Lom and its medieval stave church
  • Days 7–8, Geiranger: The Geirangerfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here, the Trollstigen takes you down its 11 hairpin bends to Åndalsnes
  • Days 9–10, Atlantic Road: Between Molde and Kristiansund, you hop from island to island for about five miles
  • Days 11–13, back to Bergen: Follow the coast back to the station, with several ferry crossings along the way

Good to know: Mountain roads like the Trollstigen can close on short notice, even in summer, for rockfall work or bad weather. Check the current status with Statens vegvesen, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, before you set off.

Route 2: Brittany from Nantes

Sea cliffs, lighthouses, crêpes, and salt marshes: Brittany is France’s wildest corner. If you explore Brittany by RV, the loop starts and ends at our Nantes station. In between, you drive all the way across the region, from the old town of Rennes to the “end of the world” near Brest, as Bretons call the far western tip of France.

At a glance:

Your itinerary:

  • Day 1, Nantes: The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and the Passage Pommeraye, a 19th-century covered shopping arcade
  • Day 2, Rennes: Half-timbered houses in the old town and, on Saturdays, the Marché des Lices, one of the biggest markets in France
  • Days 3–4, Saint-Brieuc: A rugged coastline and fresh fish at the Le Légué harbor. A side trip to the pink granite rocks of the Côte de Granit Rose is well worth it
  • Day 5, Roscoff: A pretty little port town where you catch the ferry to the car-free Île de Batz
  • Days 6–7, Brest: Ride the cable car across the Penfeld River and take day trips to the cliffs of Finistère
  • Days 8–9, Vannes: Medieval city walls and boat trips into the Gulf of Morbihan
  • Day 10, Guérande: Watch how the famous fleur de sel is harvested in the salt marshes, then head back to Nantes

Good to know: Unlike most French highways, Brittany’s expressways are toll-free. The difference between low and high tide on the coast is huge, so check the tide tables before you set out on a beach walk.

Route 3: Tuscany from Florence

Cypress-lined roads, vineyards, and hilltop towns: an RV trip through Tuscany is the most delicious route on our list. Distances are short, so you’ll spend more time at the wine bar than behind the wheel.

At a glance:

  • Start: roadsurfer Florence station
  • Length: 7–9 days
  • Distance: about 340 miles (loop)
  • Best time to go: April to June, plus September and October for the grape harvest
Man leaning out of window of a campervan, while woman is standing next to him. Both looking down the road.

Your itinerary:

  • Days 1–2, Florence: The Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
  • Day 3, Chianti: Take the Chiantigiana (SR 222) through Greve and Castellina, with a wine tasting right at the winery
  • Day 4, San Gimignano: You’ll spot its medieval towers from miles away
  • Day 5, Siena: The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and the striped cathedral
  • Days 6–7, Val d’Orcia: Pienza, Montepulciano, and the hot-spring village of Bagno Vignoni. The whole landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Days 8–9, Lucca and Pisa: Bike along the top of Lucca’s city walls, then see the Leaning Tower before heading back to Florence

Good to know: Almost every historic town center in Italy has a ZTL (zona a traffico limitato), a restricted traffic zone you can only enter with a permit. Cameras record every license plate. Park your camper van at an area di sosta, an RV parking area on the edge of town, and walk the last stretch.

Route 4: A Loop Around Lake Garda from Bergamo

Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, is the road trip for anyone who wants to drive less and see more. In the north, the mountains rise straight out of the water; in the south, beaches, vineyards, and resort towns are waiting for you. From our Bergamo station, it’s just over an hour to the southern shore and about two hours to Riva del Garda, where the loop begins.

At a glance:

  • Start: roadsurfer Bergamo station
  • Length: 7 days
  • Distance: about 220 miles, including the drive there and back
  • Best time to go: May, June, and September

Your itinerary:

  • Day 1, Riva del Garda: The lakefront promenade and the climb up to Il Bastione, a Venetian watchtower
  • Day 2, Malcesine: Take the cable car up Monte Baldo for a view over the entire lake
  • Day 3, Torri del Benaco: A small Scaliger castle right on the harbor
  • Day 4, Lazise: Medieval city walls and one of the loveliest lakefront promenades on Lake Garda
  • Day 5, Peschiera and Sirmione: On the Sirmione peninsula, you’ll find the ruins of a Roman villa, the Grotte di Catullo
  • Day 6, San Felice del Benaco: The quieter western shore, with views of Isola del Garda
  • Day 7, Gargnano and Limone: Lemon groves and the scenic road up to Tremosine, then back to Bergamo

Good to know: Campsites at Lake Garda are in high demand in July and August, when much of Europe is on summer vacation. Book campsites on the eastern shore early, or head for the quieter western side.

Route 5: Andalusia from Seville

Flamenco, Moorish palaces, and whitewashed villages: Andalusia is Spain at its most Spanish. This road trip through Andalusia starts at our Seville station and takes you all the way to Europe’s only desert near Almería.

At a glance:

  • Start: roadsurfer Seville station
  • Length: 10–12 days
  • Distance: about 560 miles
  • Best time to go: March to May, plus September and October
City of Ronda, Spain, located on a cliff.

Your itinerary:

  • Days 1–2, Seville: The cathedral and its Giralda tower, the Alcázar palace, and the Plaza de España
  • Day 3, Cádiz: One of Europe’s oldest cities, with La Caleta beach right in the middle of the old town
  • Days 4–5, Ronda: The Puente Nuevo bridge spans the Tajo gorge almost 330 feet up
  • Days 6–7, Málaga: The Picasso Museum, the harbor, and the Moorish Gibralfaro fortress
  • Days 8–9, Granada: The Alhambra is the highlight of the entire trip
  • Days 10–11, Almería: The Tabernas Desert, where classic Westerns were filmed, and the wild coves of Cabo de Gata Natural Park

Good to know: Tickets for the Alhambra often sell out weeks in advance, so book them right after your camper van. In midsummer, temperatures inland climb above 104°F (40°C). You’ll have to drive back to Seville to return your camper, so plan your dates accordingly.

Our tip: In July and August, when many Europeans take their summer vacation, popular campsites at Lake Garda, in Tuscany, and on the Andalusian coast fill up fast. Travel in May, June, or September and you’ll get more space, milder temperatures, and often lower prices.

The 5 Best Road Trips in North America

Prefer to stay closer to home? No transatlantic flight, no big time difference: in North America, the distances are longer, the campgrounds roomier, and the national parks simply huge. These five routes also start at roadsurfer stations, one of them across the border in Canada.

Route 1: The Pacific Coast from Seattle to San Francisco

Rainforest, lighthouses, and the tallest trees on Earth: this route shows you a side of the West Coast that many travelers miss. From Seattle, you drive through Washington, along Oregon’s rugged coast, and through the redwood forests of Northern California all the way to San Francisco.

At a glance:

  • Start: roadsurfer Seattle station – End: San Francisco
  • Length: 10–14 days
  • Distance: about 1,050 miles (one way)
  • Best time to go: June to September
Scenic view of sea stacks rising from the sand on Bandon Beach, Oregon at low tide.

Your itinerary:

  • Day 1, Seattle: Pike Place Market and the skyline view from Kerry Park
  • Days 2–3, Olympic Peninsula: Driftwood on Ruby Beach and the Quinault Rainforest, one of the few temperate rainforests in the world
  • Day 4, Astoria: A harbor town at the mouth of the Columbia River, plus the Peter Iredale shipwreck in Fort Stevens State Park
  • Days 5–6, Newport: The Yaquina Head lighthouse and the Oregon Coast Aquarium
  • Day 7, Bandon and Coos Bay: Sea stacks on the beach and the Oregon Dunes, which rise up to 500 feet
  • Days 8–9, Crescent City and Eureka: The redwoods of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and the Avenue of the Giants
  • Day 10, San Francisco: Stop at Muir Woods, then cross the Golden Gate Bridge into the city

Good to know: This is a one-way route between two stations. You’ll see whether you can drop off in San Francisco when you book. If you have more time, keep heading south on the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1).

Route 2: Grand Canyon and Monument Valley from Phoenix

Red rock, wide-open spaces, and one of the most spectacular canyons on the planet: this loop feels like driving straight into a Western. It starts and ends at our Phoenix station.

At a glance:

  • Start: roadsurfer Phoenix station
  • Length: 14 days
  • Distance: about 800 miles (loop)
  • Best time to go: March to May, plus September to November
Camper van parked on a desert road in Monument Valley with rock formations in the background

Your itinerary:

  • Days 1–3, Phoenix: The Desert Botanical Garden with its giant cacti, and sunset at Dobbins Lookout
  • Days 4–5, Sedona: Red sandstone buttes, a hike to Devil’s Bridge, and a swim at Slide Rock State Park
  • Days 6–7, Grand Canyon: Viewpoints line the South Rim one after another, and our favorite for sunset is Hopi Point
  • Days 8–9, Williams: A small town on historic Route 66, full of diners and neon signs
  • Days 10–12, Monument Valley: The buttes from countless Western movies, best seen from Artist’s Point or on the Wildcat Trail
  • Days 13–14, back to Phoenix: On the way back, stop at Horseshoe Bend near Page

Good to know: Monument Valley is on Navajo Nation land and isn’t a national park, so you pay admission there separately. In summer, temperatures in Phoenix often top 104°F (40°C).

Route 3: Colorado from Denver

Colorado is our insider tip among the US routes: alpine lakes above 9,800 feet, Old West towns, and the tallest sand dunes in North America. The loop starts and ends at our Denver station.

At a glance:

Elk walking in front of towering sand dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park during a Road Trip through Colorado

Your itinerary:

  • Days 1–2, Denver: Union Station, Washington Park, and the colorful art experience Meow Wolf
  • Day 3, Fort Collins: A 19th-century Old Town and kayaking on Horsetooth Reservoir
  • Days 4–6, Rocky Mountain National Park: Hike to Dream Lake and Emerald Lake, and watch elk in Moraine Park
  • Days 7–8, Aspen: Ride the Silver Queen Gondola up Aspen Mountain
  • Days 9–11, Great Sand Dunes National Park: Sandboard down the dunes and, in early summer, splash in Medano Creek
  • Days 12–13, back to Denver: A last evening at one of the city’s many breweries

Good to know: In summer, Rocky Mountain National Park usually requires a timed-entry reservation that you book online in advance. Independence Pass near Aspen closes in winter and isn’t open to very long RVs.

Route 4: Canada Road Trip – the Rockies from Calgary to Vancouver

Turquoise glacier lakes, peaks above 9,800 feet, and, with a little luck, a bear by the side of the road: the Canadian Rockies are a dream for any camper van road trip. In one week, you drive from the mountains all the way to the Pacific.

At a glance:

  • Start: roadsurfer Calgary station – End: Vancouver
  • Length: 7–10 days
  • Distance: about 620 miles (one way)
  • Best time to go: June to September
A woman standing on a rocky shore in front of a turquoise lake with towering snowy mountains in the background, capturing the beauty of nature in Canada

Your itinerary:

  • Day 1, Calgary: Stock up on groceries and head for the mountains
  • Day 2, Banff: Banff National Park starts just over an hour from Calgary
  • Day 3, Lake Louise: Canada’s most famous lake. You can only reach Moraine Lake by shuttle, since the road is closed to private cars and RVs
  • Day 4, Golden: White water, hiking trails, and then west over Rogers Pass
  • Day 5, Sicamous: Canada’s houseboat capital on Shuswap Lake
  • Day 6, Harrison Hot Springs: Unwind in the hot springs
  • Day 7, Vancouver: Wrap up your trip with Stanley Park and Granville Island

Good to know: If you have a few extra days, drive the Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise toward Jasper: 144 miles of glaciers and lakes. Our Calgary station is closed from November 1 to April 30.

Route 5: The Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West

The Overseas Highway might be the most unusual road on our list: over about 113 miles and 42 bridges, it links the mainland to Key West, the southernmost city in the continental US. At one week, it’s also the shortest trip on our list.

At a glance:

  • Start: roadsurfer Miami station
  • Length: 7 days
  • Distance: about 320 miles (round trip)
  • Best time to go: December to April
Sky view from the seven mile bridge in Key West Florida

Your itinerary:

  • Days 1–2, Miami: Art Deco facades in Miami Beach and sunset at South Pointe Pier
  • Day 3, Key Largo: Snorkel the coral reefs at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
  • Day 4, Marathon: The Turtle Hospital and the Seven Mile Bridge, nearly seven miles over turquoise water
  • Days 5–6, Key West: Ernest Hemingway’s house and sunset at Mallory Square
  • Day 7, back to Miami: On the way back, a detour into the Everglades is well worth it

Good to know: Hurricane season runs from June to November. Campgrounds in the Keys are small and popular, so book early.

Our tip: If you’re visiting several national parks, the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass for US residents almost always pays for itself. Traveling with friends from abroad? Since January 1, 2026, non-US residents pay $250 for the annual pass, and without one, 11 especially popular parks such as Grand Canyon charge them an extra $100 per person. Check the current fees on the National Park Service website before you go.

How Do You Plan Your Road Trip in Europe or North America?

Start with the big question: how much time do you have? For North America, a week is often enough, and you can reach our stations by car or with a domestic flight. For Europe, plan at least ten days to two weeks: flights from the East Coast take about 7 to 9 hours, and it’s worth giving yourself a day to get over the jet lag before you pick up your camper van. Sort out these points before you book:

  • Best time to go: Mountain passes in Norway and the Rockies usually don’t open until late May, and hurricane season in Florida runs from June to November.
  • Campsites: Book early for US national parks and for Europe’s peak season in July and August. Most European campsites are privately run and usually have hot showers and electric hookups, often a small store or café too.
  • Driving in Europe: Distances and speed limits are in kilometers, fuel is sold by the liter, and many highways in France, Italy, and Spain charge tolls. Roads in old towns and villages are narrow, so a compact camper van makes life much easier.
  • One-way rentals: You’ll see right when you book whether you can pick up and drop off at different stations.
  • Entering Europe: As a US citizen, you can stay in the Schengen Area, which includes Norway, France, Italy, and Spain, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure. On arrival, you register your fingerprints and photo in the EU’s Entry/Exit System, and the EU plans to introduce the ETIAS travel authorization for US visitors. Check the latest on the US State Department’s page for travelers in Europe. For the Canada route, bring your passport.
  • Driver’s license: Find out which documents you need at pick-up in our driver’s license FAQs. According to the US State Department, many countries also require an International Driving Permit.

What’s Different About an RV Road Trip in Europe?

Mostly the scale. In Europe, the highlights are much closer together: you can drive past fjords, through a medieval town, and into the next valley in a single day. The flip side: roads are narrower, parking spaces are tighter, and many historic town centers are closed to traffic. In Tuscany’s old towns, on Norway’s mountain passes, and in the villages around Lake Garda, a compact camper van has a clear advantage over a big RV.

Camping works differently too. Instead of national park campgrounds with a fire pit and a picnic table, you’ll mostly stay at privately run campsites with hookups and hot showers. Many towns also have RV parking areas, called aires in France and aree di sosta in Italy, for a quick overnight stop. In North America, on the other hand, two highlights can easily be 190 miles apart, and nature is as vast and wild as it gets.

White roadsurfer RV photgraphed in the desert with the Grand Canyon visible in the background.

The Bottom Line: Europe or North America – Where’s the Best Road Trip?

Both. It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want lots of variety over short distances, Europe is hard to beat and well worth the flight: fjords, sea cliffs, vineyards, and beaches are all within reach of the nearest station, and centuries-old towns come with the scenery. If you’re after wide-open spaces, huge national parks, and that classic road movie feeling, North America is right on your doorstep. Our tip for your first trip: Lake Garda or Tuscany in Europe, and the Overseas Highway to Key West in North America.

FAQs: Road Trips in Europe and North America

It depends on what you’re looking for. For spectacular scenery, Norway’s fjords with the Geirangerfjord and the Trollstigen are hard to beat, and Brittany has the wildest coastline. If you love culture and good food, drive through Tuscany or Andalusia. All five European RV routes start at a roadsurfer station.

The Pacific Coast from Seattle to San Francisco combines rainforest, sea cliffs, and redwoods on a single route. If national parks are more your thing, we recommend the route from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley or the loop through Colorado.

Plan at least ten days to two weeks. The routes themselves take 7 to 14 days, plus your flights across the Atlantic and a day or two to get over the jet lag. Distances in Europe are short, so you can see a lot without moving on every day.

For most routes, late spring, early summer, and September are ideal. In Norway, Colorado, and the Canadian Rockies, mountain roads usually don’t open until late May or June. Florida, Arizona, and Andalusia are better in winter, spring, or fall, because summers there are very hot.

Yes, on some routes this makes sense, for example from Seattle to San Francisco or from Calgary to Vancouver. You’ll see right when you book whether a one-way rental between two stations is possible, but at the moment we only allow one-way rentals within North America, Most routes in this article are loops that start and end at the same station.

In peak season, yes, especially in US national parks: campgrounds at the Grand Canyon or in Rocky Mountain National Park are often booked up months ahead. In Europe, outside of July and August, booking a few days ahead is usually enough. For Lake Garda and the fjords in summer, though, book earlier.

More Road Trip Inspiration

A woman sits in the passenger seat of a camper van at dawn, looking through the windshield toward the dramatic coastal cliffs of Portugal. The soft morning light of sunrise illuminates her face as she quietly takes in the Atlantic Ocean landscape ahead, evoking a sense of travel, freedom, and contemplation along the rugged shoreline.

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