New research from Isuzu UK has identified some of the UK’s most breathtaking driving routes, proving that world-class scenery can be found right at home. The study highlights the nation’s love for the open road, featuring routes from the Lake District to the wild coasts of Wales and the Scottish highlands.
The drive from Kendal to Keswick topped the list, receiving 30% of the votes, followed closely by Loch Lomond to Glencoe at 29%. Kendal to Keswick offers stunning views of the Lakeland fells, while the Loch Lomond route showcases Argyll Forest Park and Loch Tulla.
Other notable routes include the Coastal Way in Wales (23%), Cheddar Gorge (21%), and the New Forest (20%). The quieter Western Loop in the Lake District (18%), Llanberis Pass in Snowdonia (15%), Dartmoor National Park (12%), and the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland (10%) also made the list.
A significant 92% believe the UK has some of the best road trips in the world, with 60% stating that domestic trips can be just as enjoyable as those abroad. On average, Brits take seven road trips per year, covering 93 miles each. However, 88% wish to take more trips but feel constrained by time (44%), fuel costs (42%), and preferences for traveling abroad (21%).
George Wallis, Head of Marketing at Isuzu UK, commented on the appreciation for the incredible UK scenery, emphasizing how the reliable 4×4 Isuzu D-Max is designed to help drivers explore these stunning routes with ease.
Research indicates that a road trip isn’t complete without key items like water (60 percent), charged mobile phones (60 percent), crisps (46 percent), homemade sandwiches (44 percent), travel sweets (39 percent), and a flask of tea or coffee (39 percent).
Forty percent of travelers believe planning regular service station stops is essential, while 38 percent won’t travel without a driving playlist. Other popular essentials include chocolate (36 percent), blankets (35 percent), wet wipes (32 percent), pillows (29 percent), jelly sweets (29 percent), and fruit (27 percent).
THE 20 BEST DRIVES IN BRITAIN
- Kendal to Keswick in the Lake District, Cumbria – 30%
- Loch Lomond to Glencoe, Scottish Highlands – 29%
- The Coastal Way in Wales – 23%
- Cheddar Gorge in Somerset – 21%
- The New Forest in Hampshire – 20%
- The Lake District Western Loop in Cumbria – 18%
- Snake Pass in the Pennines in Derbyshire – 18%
- Yorkshire Dales Circular in North Yorkshire – 18%
- The Cotswolds Romantic Road across Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire – 15%
- Llanberis Pass in Snowdonia, Wales – 15%
- North Coast 500 in Scotland – 14%
- Dartmoor National Park in Devon – 12%
- The Atlantic Highway (A39) from Devon to Cornwall – 12%
- The South Downs Way in Sussex – 10%
- The Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland – 10%
- Isle of Skye Loop in Scotland – 9%
- Black Mountain Pass (A4069) in Wales – 8%
- The Hebridean Way in Scotland – 8%
- Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass in the Lake District, Cumbria – 8%
- Glen Etive to Steall Falls in Scotland – 8%
This research of 2,000 Brits was commissioned by Isuzu UK and conducted by Perspectus Global in March 2025.
