These Coastal Roads Will Make You Rethink The Art Of The Road Trip

Gas is cheap these days, which is just one more reason to hit the open road, crank up the music and enjoy some vacation time. Certain roads are spectacularly diverse, offering even more stunning views. You'll enjoy thrilling landscapes with mountains, valleys, coasts, forests, and lakes, to name a few, along the way. Turn a simple road trip into a one-of-a-kind thrilling experience.

This is one of the most famous roads in the world because of the danger it poses. The unique stretch takes you right out to the ocean's edge. In 2005, the road was voted Norway's "Engineering Feat of the Century," according to Visit Norway. The bridge connects Averøy with the mainland via a series of small islands spanned by a total of eight bridges over 27,000 feet.

The rocky stretch of California's central coast between Carmel and San Simeon is a stunning place to visit. Make it a part of a once in a lifetime road trip if you have an extra day. The Bixby Bridge, completed in 1932, is a favorite spot for photos. Artists and writers often go there for inspiration. Explore the gorgeous rugged California coastline for an opportunity to camp among redwoods, relax in hot springs and taste some of the country's finest wine.

This popular holiday destination is known for its pristine beaches, misty forests and laid-back vibe. The drive separates the Pacific Ocean from the Hauraki Gulf and the Firth of Thames. Recreational activities and attractions are abundant and range from fishing and diving to hiking and cycling.

This is one of the most well-known highways in all of Europe. It's also one of the so called French balcony roads. It runs as a single track road along the mountainside for some distance with nowhere to pass another vehicle, according to Dangerous Roads. You have to hope that nobody is coming towards you until the road widens in several miles.

This is definitely one of the most scenic roads in the entire country. If you want to go beach hopping, this is the road trip for you. The Pacific Coast Highway will take you to some remarkable beach towns, some can even be great for surfing, eventually leading to the famous Big Sur. The Bixby Bridge is a favorite spot for photos. Another one is McWay Falls, a cascade that falls about 70 feet into a remote beach.

With 363 miles of outdoor adventures and excitement, there are many opportunities to explore the Oregon Coast. Follow Highway 101 down toward Cannon Beach, a place you'd want to visit even in a sweatshirt. You'll drive by stunning evergreen forests and marvel at places such as Cape Sebastian and the renowned Haystack Rock.

U.S. 1 runs between the beach and Interstate 95 along Florida's east coast. You won't get any closer to the coast. Start with Fort Lauderdale, drive by North Miami and enjoy a few beaches, some of which are more secluded than others, then continue to South Beach, following the signs to Key West for more adventures. Enjoy the 120-mile-long island chain of Florida's Keys. You will find yourself in beach bar and water sport heaven.

The Single Track Coast Road at Slea Head has just about everything that makes Ireland an amazingly charming and famous travel destination. Anywhere you look you will see picturesque green fields dipping into the ocean.

The Hana Highway is Hawaii's most famous and treasured road. Don't miss a chance to see the almost 65 miles of pure beauty and thrill. You'll drive by steep sea-cliffs and see flourishing mango trees. Stop along the way to soak in views that look like they are from the Jurassic Park movies –breathtaking waterfalls and lots of swimming holes. If you go all the way, you'll make more than 600 turns and drive through shorelines, bridges and hills.

Chapman's Peak Drive in Cape Town takes drivers on a 5.5-mile winding route from Hout Bay to Noordhoek, according to South Africa Tourism. It is commonly referred to as one of the most scenic stretches of road on the planet. Some of the vantage points are up to 1,945 feet above sea level. You can often see whales and dolphins dancing in the ocean below.

The Cabot Trail was featured in USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice for Best Motorcycle Trip in 2014, according to Tourism Nova Scotia. The Cabot Trail's vivid coastal views and scenery are a source of inspiration for many. Experienced cyclists will love the challenging opportunity to bike around the Cabot Trail and tackle the terrain with delight on self-guided adventures.

This is by far one of the world's most scenic drives. You will see the mighty-looking towering 12 Apostles and get very close to native wildlife. Go on a surf break and catch some great waves, but after you've had a chance to take a walk in the lavish rainforest and see its hazy waterfalls. Visitors enjoy the outdoors by bushwalking, going on mountain biking expeditions or taking the cultural route through galleries, museums and heritage attractions.

You want to drive slowly along this coastal Adriatic Highway. It will take you from one iconic destination in Croatia to another –from Split to Dubrovnik. The trip is an absolutely unforgettable journey. Whether weaving its way round deeply indented bays or skirting scree-covered mountains, there's scarcely a single boring stretch in its 400 miles, according to TimeOut Croatia. Be prepared for the many twists and turns.

The well-known Amalfi Coast route follows the shoreline from Sorrento south to Salerno in Italy. This is one of the best coastal drives in the entire country. After all, the stunning Amalfi offers nothing but beautiful scenery all around. The road is famous for its hairpin bends, zigzags, and the narrowness in some parts, according to Dangerous Roads. Built at a very steep angle, it winds along the cliffs.

This twisty and mostly two-lane road travels from the state capital to Washington's western shores, along the south shore of the lake Crescent, one of the most gorgeous lakes in country, according to Experience WA. The highway is a striking backdrop for an epic road-trip adventure. The entire Olympic Peninsula Loop is 330 miles and will take about eight hours.