Lots of people love a good road trip. For many holidaymakers, it's one of the easiest ways to explore a destination, free from rigid itineraries and crowded group tours.
You can drive and stop when you feel like it, at any place along the way. That freedom is exactly why road trips have become so popular in recent years.
A recent study by eCarsTrade looked at global Instagram travel trends to see which road trips people post about the most and which ones are the most "Insta-worthy". The research revealed that seven of the top 10 road trips are coastal routes, highlighting just how much travellers are drawn to ocean holidays.
The B2B car company analysed hashtag data from 37 scenic driving routes across six continents. It also included different versions of route names, along with hashtags associated with well-known stops and landmarks along the way.
Hashtag counts were used to measure how popular and visually appealing each route is.
The Lofoten Scenic Route in Norway, with around 2.5 million Instagram posts, made it to the top of the list. Norway may be known for the Northern Lights, but this Arctic coastal drive is just as impressive. It's filled with steep mountains, deep fjords and small fishing villages.
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In the second place is the United States' Route 66, with about 2.3 million hashtags. You've probably heard of it before, it's one of America's most iconic highways.
Stretching from Chicago (Illinois) all the way to Santa Monica (California), the road rolls through desert highways, quaint towns, retro diners and you'll occassionally stumble upon faded roadside signs.
Interestingly, Route 66 is also deeply rooted in the "cowboy country" culture. As it crosses the American West, from Oklahama to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, you are surrounded by sweeping plains and small towns shaped by rodeos and a long tradition of ranch life.
Coming in third is Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way, with over two million posts. This long coastal drive runs about 2,500km along the west of Ireland. Among the highlights here are dramatic cliffs like the Cliffs of Moher, winding roads and endless ocean views that – we think – will have you stopping every few minutes for a photo.
Fourth on the list is Australia's Great Ocean Road, famous for its rugged seaside cliffs and the Twelve Apostles rock formations. It's also a popular campervan route, with plenty of campsites along the way, so you don't have to stress too much about finding accommodation.
Among other scenic routes on the list are Carretera Austral in Chile and Ruta 40 in Argentina.
