The North Coast 500 (NC500) has once again topped a list of the UK’s most popular road trips and even been named third in Europe. New data has revealed Scotland’s answer to Route 66 continues to garner popularity with Staycationers and visiting tourists alike.
The research by car parts specialist Euro Car Parts to find the best road trips across Europe has revealed the best UK entries on the list. The NC500 was joined by the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland and the Atlantic Way in England.
A spokesperson for the firm said: “With many Brits looking to get away this summer, and foreign travel chaos causing issues for those wanting to go abroad, people could turn to the UK for closer-to-home holidays.
“Based on factors like route length, average petrol cost in each region, popularity on social media and Google, as well as the weather forecast for this time of year, the data has revealed the North Coast 500 route in Scotland to be the best in the UK, and third in all of Europe.”
On the top five Europe-wide list, the NC500 was only pipped by the 1600 mile Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, which runs from Donegal in the north to Cork in the south, and Transfargasan in Romania, which is 56 miles from Cartisoara in the north to Bascov in the south.
Speaking about the 516 mile road trip route, they added: “The first entry on the list is Scotland’s answer to Route 66. Starting and ending in Inverness, you’ll see the country’s stunning coastal scenery along the spectacular loop.
“The North Coast 500 is one of the most popular routes in Europe when it comes to Google searches, amassing a massive 40,500 searches on average each month – suggesting the trip is grabbing the attention of many potential explorers.
“Those that have visited the route are also quick to share their journey with the trip’s hashtag being used over 41,000,000 times across Instagram and TikTok.”
Speaking on the findings, Corporate Communications Director of Euro Car Parts, Helen Robinson, said: “Having access to these stunning roads across the UK makes the prospect of travelling around in your car all the more exciting. With so much choice, we hope our research makes it a little easier for people to choose their next destination.
”Once the choice has been made it’s also vital to ensure your car is in good working condition before you set off so that you can fully enjoy the experience without worrying about car troubles.”
