For all the romantic depictions of overseas road trips, driving abroad can be one of the most stressful things you’ll ever do. Amidst differing road rules and drivers with entirely different styles, it’s all too easy to become one of the two-thirds of Brits who have experienced driving difficulty overseas.
The potential for issues is so large that you may have avoided driving overseas throughout your travels, instead opting for overnight buses, taxi cabs, and even ferries to get you from A to B.
Sometimes, though, your budget and your travel timeline may be crying out for a private ride. Luckily, whether you’re hiring a top-notch Mercedes in your destination, or intend to take your trusty used Hyundai Tucson along for the ride, there are some destinations where the driving experience could be far more relaxing than you’ve imagined. Keep on reading to find out what they are.
# 1 – Norway
Norway is widely considered the safest country in the world, and its roads are no exception. Norway has the lowest road death rate per million in Europe, in large part thanks to a highway speed limit of 50mph, which is around 9.6mph slower than more dangerous averages. Admittedly, you will still be driving on the right side of the road here, but other laws are pretty similar to those in the UK, including mandatory seat belts, prohibited cell phone use, and a legal blood alcohol limit of 0.02%. It is worth noting, however, that careful drivers and low-speed limits can see each journey taking longer. Simply leave a little earlier, and enjoy driving on famed Norway roads such as the iconic Trollstigen (Trolls Road).
# 2 – Spain
Forget driving pain in Spain, where the roads are famously great for people looking to drive abroad. Spain has the ninth lowest number of road accidents, as well as incredibly affordable hire cars. As if all that weren’t enough, Spanish road infrastructure is a major country-wide focus, and Spanish roads enjoy a famously high quality that’ll mean a smooth driving experience even on the right side of the road. If you’re nervous, however, it is worth noting that you might want to avoid the roads leading up to Spanish mountain towns like Frigiliana, where steep drops and tight turns are most definitely best handled by expert bus drivers.
# 3 – Malta
Malta is a great place for anyone experiencing travel anxiety about hitting an overseas road. For one thing, Malta joins the UK as one of only four European countries that practise left-side driving. Malta is also the world’s tenth-smallest country, at a mere 316 km², and it takes just an hour to drive from one side of the country to the other. Maltese speed limits also don’t exceed 80 kilometres (less than 50mph). Admittedly, Maltese drivers are famously feisty, and as anyone who’s spent time on the island will tell you, horn honking is a standard practice here, but you’re sure to get used to that after a few days.
Dive into driving abroad with any of these great starter countries.
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