Cornwall lands in Britain’s top three road trip spots this autumn

Ask Britain where it wants to take the car this autumn and Cornwall comes back third. Only the Scottish Highlands and North Wales were searched for more.

New research from holiday provider Away Resorts ranks the most in-demand road trip regions and routes across the UK and Ireland, based on Britain’s search data. Cornwall is third among the regions. And the Atlantic Highway, the A39 run from Barnstaple down to Newquay, comes eighth among the named routes.

The figures come as more people plan their autumn travel closer to home.

Staycations edge ahead of trips abroad

Planning an autumn break around British weather is a gamble. But Away Resorts’ survey found that 46% of Brits would pick a UK staycation as their ideal trip, against 45% who would choose a holiday overseas.

Road trips are a big part of that shift. TikTok searches for “road trips” rose by 222% in August alone. The research puts that down to people wanting to explore at a slower pace, keep plans flexible, take in dramatic coastal drives and keep costs down.

A road trip also gets around the rain problem. You don’t have to commit to one place and hope for beach weather. You can plan a flexible break around scenic drives, cosy villages and countryside walks.

📷The most in-demand UK road trip regions. Credit: Away Resorts

The ten most in-demand road trip regions

1. Scottish Highlands
2. North Wales
3. Cornwall
4. Lake District
5. Northumberland
6. Peak District
7. South Wales
8. Cotswolds
9. Snowdonia
10. Devon

The Scottish Highlands took the top spot for its rugged landscapes, winding routes and vast forests in their seasonal colours. North Wales came next for its mountain scenery and quiet towns. The Lake District, Peak District and Cotswolds made the list for their autumn woodland, countryside and picturesque villages.

Devon came in at number ten, so the Tamar’s neighbours both made the top ten.

📷The most in-demand UK and Irish road trip routes. Credit: Away Resorts

The A39 and the routes people are searching for

Named driving routes are popular too, because they hand travellers a ready-made itinerary.

1. Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland)
2. Jurassic Coast (Dorset and Devon)
3. North Coast 500 (Scottish Highlands)
4. Cambrian Way (Wales)
5. Northumberland 250
6. Cheddar Gorge (Somerset)
7. Pembrokeshire Coast
8. Atlantic Highway (Devon and Cornwall)
9. Snake Pass (Peak District)

According to the research, the Atlantic Highway usually starts in Barnstaple and finishes in Newquay, often carrying on to Land’s End. The Barnstaple to Newquay stretch is about 110 miles and takes three and a half to four and a half hours to drive.

At the top of the list is the Wild Atlantic Way, which runs for about 2,600km (1,600 miles) along Ireland’s rugged western shoreline from Kinsale in County Cork to Malin Head in County Donegal. It takes in the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara National Park, Galway and the Donegal coastline. Driving the whole route takes 35 to 40 hours, so it suits people with plenty of time and a good playlist.

Scotland’s North Coast 500 came third. It’s an 830km circular route through the Highlands, starting and ending in Inverness. The research also picks out Cheddar Gorge as an autumn drive, with winding roads and woodland and fewer crowds at this time of year.

The most photographed drives

A lot of road trip appeal is the drive itself, and plenty of people take pictures on the way. Instagram data puts the Wild Atlantic Way well ahead, with 2 million posts.

The Atlantic Highway doesn’t appear in the Instagram ranking.

Why road trips are catching on

Kate Watts, spokesperson for Away Resorts, said: “Road trips offer something that a traditional holiday abroad can’t: the freedom to explore at your own pace and discover multiple destinations all in one trip. From stunning coastlines and quaint villages to countryside escapes, the UK and Ireland have an incredible variety of landscapes to explore by car.

“As more Brits look closer to home for their next getaway, road trips provide an easy way to enjoy a change of scenery without having to travel overseas. The popularity of routes such as the Wild Atlantic Way, Jurassic Coast, and North Coast 500 also shows that travellers are seeking out experiences rather than simply a place to stay.”

The full rankings are on the Away Resorts guide to the best road trips in the UK and Ireland.

“A road trip allows you to build a holiday around the journey, stopping at lesser-known spots along the way and seeing much more of what the UK and Ireland have to offer.”

📷Widemouth Bay, near Bude, north Cornwall