12 Scenic Drives for Movie Buffs: Reel Adventures on the Open Road
For cinephiles, the magic of film doesn’t stop when the credits roll. Often, the most iconic moments in cinema history are defined by the dramatic landscapes in which they take place. Across the globe, breathtaking roads have set the stage for epic car chases, romantic departures, and profound journeys of self-discovery. Combining the thrill of the open road with the nostalgia of beloved films, here are 12 clever scenic drives that allow you to step directly into the scene.
1. The PCH (Highway 1), California – The Graduate & MoreStarting just north of Los Angeles, this route is a quintessential Hollywood road trip. While it has appeared in countless films, driving through Malibu recalls the iconic ending of The Graduate, where Ben and Elaine ride into an uncertain future. Further north, the dramatic curves of Big Sur have provided backdrops for everything from Basic Instinct to National Lampoon’s Vacation.
2. Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona – The Searchers & Forrest GumpFew places are as instantly recognizable as the towering sandstone buttes of Monument Valley, a favorite of director John Ford. Driving US-163, you are driving through the heart of classic Western cinema, including The Searchers. It is also, famously, where Forrest Gump finally decides to stop his cross-country run, telling his followers, “I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll go home now.”
3. The Ring of Kerry, Ireland – The Quiet Man & Ryan’s DaughterFor a dose of dramatic, verdant scenery, the Ring of Kerry offers a spectacular journey. The rolling hills and rugged coastline feel instantly familiar to lovers of classic cinema, serving as the backdrop for the scenic romance of Ryan’s Daughter. The quaint villages and sweeping green landscapes transport drivers directly into the romanticized Ireland of The Quiet Man.
4. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana – The ShiningAs summer approaches, this stunning route through Glacier National Park offers some of the best mountain scenery in America. It also serves as the opening aerial shot for the unsettling opening sequence of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, where the Torrance family drives to the remote Overlook Hotel, surrounded by overwhelming, desolate beauty.
5. The Scottish Highlands (A82), Scotland – Skyfall & Harry PotterDriving the A82 through Glen Coe provides an atmosphere that is moody, dramatic, and unmistakably cinematic. This road is famously featured in Skyfall, where Daniel Craig’s James Bond drives his Aston Martin toward his ancestral home. The surrounding rugged landscape, particularly the viaducts, will also look familiar to Harry Potter fans as the route of the Hogwarts Express.
6. Route 128, Moab, Utah – Thelma & LouiseWhile the final scene of Thelma & Louise was shot elsewhere, the journey that leads them through the spectacular red rock scenery of Utah is synonymous with this route. Driving along the Colorado River on Route 128 offers dramatic canyon views that perfectly capture the freedom and peril of the duo’s daring escape.
7. The Road to Hana, Hawaii – Jurassic ParkFor those seeking lush, untamed jungle scenery, the Road to Hana in Maui is a must. The verdant cliffs and winding roads look precisely like the backdrop of Jurassic Park. While the film was shot on several Hawaiian islands, this road captures the sheer tropical isolation and awe-inspiring nature of Isla Nublar.
8. Desert Road (SH1), New Zealand – Lord of the RingsDriving the Desert Road in the North Island of New Zealand offers breathtaking views of the Tongariro National Park volcanic peaks. These peaks, particularly Mount Ngauruhoe, served as the menacing Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is a stark, surreal drive that makes you feel as though you are entering another world entirely.
9. Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles – Mulholland DriveIt is impossible to discuss cinematic drives without including the road that inspired David Lynch’s masterpiece. Driving the winding path of Mulholland Drive at night offers glittering views of the Los Angeles basin, capturing the surreal, dreamlike, and sometimes dark allure of Hollywood itself.
10. The Dolomites (Great Dolomite Road), Italy – The Italian JobFor high-octane thrills, this road offers dramatic, mountainous scenery that was featured in the opening scene of the 1969 classic The Italian Job. The Miura sports car driving through the sharp hairpin turns of the Italian Alps is a defining cinematic car moment, surrounded by jagged limestone peaks.
11. Badlands Loop Road, South Dakota – North by NorthwestThe otherworldly landscape of the Badlands, with its dramatic geological formations, offers a stark, beautiful driving experience. The nearby Mount Rushmore was, of course, the site of the climatic chase in Hitchcock’s North by Northwest, but the surrounding Badlands perfectly capture the desolate, adventurous spirit of the film.
12. Atlantic Ocean Road, Norway – No Time to DieThis engineering marvel in Norway, which connects several small islands via dramatic bridges, is a modern cinematic icon. It was featured in a spectacular chase sequence in the James Bond film No Time to Die, offering breathtaking ocean views and an exhilarating, winding path that is truly unforgettable.
These scenic routes allow fans to do more than just watch their favorite movies—they allow them to inhabit the same atmosphere, perspective, and breathtaking scenery as the characters on screen. From the arid deserts of the American West to the dramatic highlands of Scotland, these drives are a perfect intersection of travel and cinema, proving that sometimes, the journey really is as captivating as the story itself.
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