Top 10 road trips in Europe and how to stay protected

A European road trip gives you freedom that other holidays don’t. You choose the pace, pull over when something catches your eye, and shape each day as you go. From dramatic coastlines to high mountain passes, driving lets you see Europe in a way trains and flights can’t.

Below are 10 of the most memorable European road trips, plus practical tips to help you prepare. That includes the documents you may need, what to think about if your car breaks down, and how travel insurance, car insurance and breakdown cover each play a different role.

Cover varies by policy and insurer, and local requirements can change. Always check your documents and the rules for each country before you travel.

Iceland Ring Road: Route 1 

• Known for: A complete circuit of the island, taking in waterfalls, lava fields, glaciers and black-sand beaches

• Best time: Summer, when road conditions are generally easier and daylight hours are long

• Watch for: Sudden weather changes, strong winds and long gaps between services

• Stay protected tip: Save emergency numbers offline and confirm what assistance is included with hire cars. Terms can vary.

 Route des Grandes Alpes: France 

• Known for: High mountain passes, alpine lakes and traditional villages linked by some of Europe’s most famous climbs

• Best time: Summer, when snow is less likely to close higher roads

• Watch for: Steep gradients, cyclists, seasonal closures

• Stay protected tip: If you’re not used to mountain driving, plan shorter days and check how roadside assistance works on high passes

 Atlantic Road and fjords drive: Norway 

•   Known for: Iconic bridges, open sea views and quiet fjord landscapes that reward unhurried driving

• Best time: Late spring to early autumn, when conditions are more stable

• Watch for: Exposed roads, wind, rain and the need to use ferries on some routes

• Stay protected tip: Keep your documents and assistance numbers easy to access, especially if your route includes ferries

 Amalfi Coast: Italy 

• Known for: Cliff-hugging roads, pastel towns and views that change with every bend

• Best time: Late spring or early autumn to avoid peak crowds

• Watch for: Narrow roads, scooters, limited parking and busy peak periods

• Stay protected tip: If you hire a car, make sure you understand the excess and damage terms before you drive

Stelvio Pass and the Dolomites: Italy 

• Known for: High-altitude driving, tight hairpins and dramatic mountain scenery

• Best time: Summer, when mountain passes are more likely to be open

•   Watch for: Tight bends, fog and sudden weather changes

• Stay protected tip: Check tyres and brakes before you go, and understand what recovery and onward travel mean under your breakdown cover

 Transfăgărășan Highway: Romania 

• Known for: A famous mountain road with sweeping views and switchbacks

• Best time: Summer. Closures are common outside peak season

• Watch for: Remote sections with limited services

• Stay protected tip: Check closure updates and confirm your breakdown cover supports longer recoveries in rural areas

 Romantic Road: Germany 

• Known for: A relaxed route linking medieval towns, castles and historic market squares

• Best time: Spring or early autumn, when towns are lively without peak crowds

• Watch for: Busy tourist areas and parking challenges

• Stay protected tip: Keep valuables out of sight. Travel insurance may help with theft, but limits and exclusions apply.

 Portugal’s N2: Chaves to Faro 

• Known for: One of Europe’s longest continuous roads, crossing the country from north to south through changing landscapes

• Best time: Spring or autumn for comfortable temperatures

• Watch for: Driver fatigue on long days behind the wheel

•   Stay protected tip: Build in rest stops and share driving where possible. Tiredness is a real road-trip risk. 

Most trips run smoothly. However, planning ahead makes problems easier to handle if they happen.

Common issues include breakdowns, punctures, minor collisions, illness or injury, lost documents, theft from vehicles, and delays from weather, ferry disruption or mountain pass closures. The aim isn’t to worry you. It’s to make sure you know what to do next and who to contact if plans change.

If you’ve done a few long drives, you’ll know that not all cover works the same way. Travel insurance, car insurance and breakdown cover each step in at different moments, and it helps to understand which one does what before you set off.

Travel insurance is mainly about you, not the car. Depending on the policy, it may help with emergency medical treatment, 24/7 assistance, repatriation where included, cancellations for insured reasons and personal possessions. Pre-existing conditions usually need declaring and exclusions can apply.

 Policy terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Always check your policy documents before you travel.

A GHIC or EHIC can help you access state healthcare in some European countries. It is not a replacement for travel insurance. It won’t cover repatriation, private treatment, cancellation or many travel-related costs.

 Car insurance is about the vehicle and your legal liability. Coverage abroad can differ by insurer and might be time-limited, country-limited, or a different level than you have in the UK. Check your territorial limits and what level of cover applies.

 Some insurers mention a Green Card as proof of motor insurance. Whether you need one depends on your destination and insurer, so check before you travel.

Breakdown cover focuses on getting the car moving again. It may include roadside assistance, recovery to a garage and, in some cases, onward travel if repairs take time. This matters more on remote routes where help can take longer.

If you’re hiring a car, pay close attention to the excess. This is the amount you may have to pay if the car is damaged or stolen. Excesses can be high. Standalone car hire excess insurance exists, and travel insurance doesn’t always include it as standard.

Save this list and tick it off before you leave: 

• Driving licence

• Passport/ID

• Vehicle documents

• UK identifier

• Insurance details and emergency numbers

• Breakdown provider contact details for overseas assistance

• Mandatory equipment

•   Low-emission zone requirements and any stickers/permits

•   Key local rules like speed limits, tolls, parking, what to do after an accident

 Double-check the rules for each country you’ll drive through, not just your final stop.

• Mountain passes: Check for seasonal closures, start early, and be ready for fast weather changes

• Coastal routes: Expect wind, rain, tight roads and congestion near popular spots

• Rural long-distance routes: Plan fuel stops, download offline maps, and expect gaps in mobile signal

 A little prep up front helps you avoid the most common road trip problems.

A great road trip combines a memorable route with solid preparation. Once you’ve chosen where to go, focus on your documents, breakdown planning and insurance checks so you understand what support you may have if plans change.

Check your travel and driving cover before you set off, so you know what help may be available. And for insurance that suits your trip, get in touch with our experts.

The car hire excess insurance policy is provided and administered by our partner insurance4carhire. Everywhen act as an introducer for Insurance4carhire. 

You can find out more about the insurance4carhire car excess insurance policy, or get a quote for car hire excess insurance on the insurance4carhire website. 

Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought. 

 insurance4carhire is a trading name of Atlanta Insurance Intermediaries Limited. Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 309599.