One of South Africa’s most iconic drives has just been ranked number one in the world, putting it ahead of some of the planet’s most famous routes.

Garden Route, South Africa (04 April 2026) – You don’t need a passport stamp to experience one of the greatest road trips on Earth. You just need a good playlist, a sense of adventure and a stretch of road that South Africans have been bragging about for years.

And now, the rest of the world knows about it too.

In a new global study by Autotrader, in partnership with senior meteorologist Jim R N Dale, South Africa’s Garden Route has officially been ranked the best road trip in the world for driving conditions.

The research set out to understand what really makes a road trip feel effortless and enjoyable behind the wheel. Dale pointed out that visibility is the most important factor when it comes to ideal driving conditions, and from there, the study looked at five key elements: road surface conditions, clear days, wind speed, ground temperature and humidity comfort. All of these were combined into a “Perfect Driving Weather” score.

The Garden Route didn’t just perform well across those categories. It delivered a near-perfect score of 90.6 out of 100, placing it firmly at the top of the global rankings.

Running roughly 300 kilometres from Mossel Bay to Storms River, this iconic stretch offers more than just scenery. It’s a drive where everything seems to align. Clear skies that open up the horizon, gentle winds that don’t interrupt the journey and temperatures that make you want to keep going just a little bit further. Along the way, the Indian Ocean glimmers beside you, forests close in with that deep green calm, and mountain passes add just enough drama to keep things interesting.

Trailing just behind South Africa are some of the world’s most famous routes. Route 66 in the United States takes second place, followed by the Pacific Coast Highway. Both are known for their long, open stretches and reliable sunshine, while destinations like Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Spain’s Costa Brava and Australia’s Great Ocean Road also feature in the top ten.

1. Garden Route – South Africa
2. Route 66 – United States
3. Pacific Coast Highway – United States
4. Amalfi Coast Road – Italy
5. Costa Brava Coastal Roads – Spain
6. Great Ocean Road – Australia
7. Icefields Parkway – Canada
8. Loire Valley Drives – France
9. Kahekili Highway – United States
10. Norwegian Atlantic Road – Norway

But even among those globally celebrated drives, the Garden Route was number 1 for a reason.

Erin Baker from Autotrader captured the magic of it perfectly, “Every driver knows the feeling: windows down, the road stretching out under a clear sky, conditions so perfect you could stay behind the wheel all day.”

“We wanted to find out which of the world’s great roads most often deliver this experience and were pleasantly surprised by just how many countries across the globe have roads that scored highly in our Perfect Driving Weather index.”

“Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip along the Garden Route or a weekend loop somewhere closer to home, the right conditions and the right car can turn a good drive into an unforgettable one.”

But South Africans knew this already. This isn’t a hidden gem or a place you need to discover. It’s a route that families have travelled for generations, where friends have made memories on long weekends and where solo trips have turned into something meaningful along the way.

So the next time you find yourself on that road, windows open, music playing, taking in the coastline and everything that comes with it, remember this: you’re not just on a good drive… you’re on the best one in the world.

Sources: Autotrader 

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Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post The World’s Best Road Trip Is Right Here in South Africa! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Over 295,000 travellers weighed in, and their verdict is clear: South Africa deserves a spot in the top 10 places you absolutely must visit.

South Africa (25 November 2025) – South Africans woke up to a bit of lekker global news today… the kind that makes you smile into your morning coffee. CEOWORLD magazine’s massive travel ranking has resurfaced online and guess who cracked the top 10?

Us.

Sitting pretty at number 6.

The article, first published in May this year, is trending again thanks to the “Statistics of the World” Twitter account. Their post has reignited global attention and sparked thousands of shares from travel lovers who can’t stop talking about the destinations worth seeing at least once in your life.

And right in the middle of some of the world’s most iconic travel spots… is South Africa.

CEOWORLD magazine’s list is no small feature. It’s based on feedback from over 295,000 readers, the highest level of participation in the publication’s history. That’s a massive group of travellers weighing in on the ultimate bucket-list destinations.

“Who doesn’t love the idea of exploring new places and meeting new people? I’m sure everyone does! Your choice of destination may depend on your preferences, such as whether you prefer the beach or the mountains, or whether you’re interested in shopping or experiencing different cultures. To help you decide on your next vacation spot… the rankings are based on feedback from over 295,000 readers, making it the highest level of participation in the magazine’s history.”

Here’s the full Top 10 Best Countries to Visit in Your Lifetime:

1. Thailand
2. Greece
3. Indonesia
4. Portugal
5. Sri Lanka
6. South Africa
7. Peru
8. Italy
9. India
10. UAE

Not too shabby for our little spot at the southern tip of Africa.

The magazine didn’t hold back their praise, in fact, they captured exactly why so many travellers fall in love with Mzansi:

“The country with three capital cities offers stunning landscapes, including old and huge mountains, subtropical forests, long deserts, grasslands, wetlands, and bushes. Its capital city, Cape Town, is well-renowned for its picturesque beauty. The Cape Peninsula provides an epic backdrop for your Instagram profile. You can enjoy exemplary shopping, serene beaches, whale-watching, delicious food and wine, and wild nightlife. If you’re interested in learning about fossils, you must visit its Karoo region, which houses top-quality fossils of early dinosaurs, tortoises, and mammals.”

It’s basically a love letter to everything we already know: South Africa isn’t just one destination. It’s many. A mix of landscapes, cultures, flavours, adventures and stories, all bundled together in a way only this country can pull off.

And yes, it’s flattering. Yes, it boosts national pride. But this kind of global recognition actually goes a whole lot deeper.

It supports the tourism industry

Tourism is one of South Africa’s biggest job creators. Global lists like this attract new travellers, fill guesthouses, keep guides employed, and help small businesses thrive.

It reminds the world who we are

From wildlife to wine farms, mountains to markets… South Africa stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the most iconic destinations on Earth.

It sparks local travel too

Often, we need an outsider to remind us how incredible our own home is. Rankings like this encourage South Africans to explore their own backyard.

It fuels hope

Good news carries power, especially when people around the world recognise our beauty, our resilience and our uniqueness.

South Africa, you beauty. The world sees us… and we’re smiling right along with them.

Source: CEOWORLD magazine 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes and hear their incredible stories:

Or catch an episode of Good Things with Brent Lindeque or our Weekly Top 5 below. The videos here are always changing, updated with the latest episodes from these two shows. Both are part of Good Things TV, created to bring South Africans balance at a time when the news can feel overwhelmingly negative. Our goal is simple: to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in our country – and to leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post South Africa Ranks 6th “Best Country to Visit in Your Lifetime” appeared first on Good Things Guy.