The overland travel is a captivating way to experience the diversity of the world, offering an unparalleled journey through landscapes, cultures, and historical paths that few other travel methods can provide. From Europe to Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australia, travelers can explore legendary routes and create new paths, merging adventure with deep cultural immersion.
Since the 1960s, iconic routes like the Hippie Trail have drawn adventurous spirits from Europe into Asia, navigating vibrant cities, remote villages, and breathtaking natural settings.
Overland travel routes of Slawek Muturi
The appeal of overlanding is not confined to just one part of the world. Each continent offers routes that cater to different interests and levels of adventure, from Europe’s historic cities to Africa’s vast savannas, South America’s cultural heartlands, and Australia’s rugged outback.
Whether traveling through the challenging mountains of Central Asia, experiencing the deserts of the Middle East, or driving along the lush, diverse landscapes of North America, these journeys create lifelong memories and unique personal stories. Here’s a glimpse into some of the most popular overlanding routes and regional highlights for the ultimate explorer.
EUROPE TO ASIA and within
One of the most popular routes, even since the 1960s, is Europe to Asia which sometimes involves looping around Central Asia and China, or perhaps taking a flight somewhere between Bangladesh and Thailand, given the complexity of getting through Myanmar. Parts of this route are also popular, such as Europe to Middle East or just overlanding in Central Asia, with the stans providing enough scope for a long journey on their own.
The Hippie Trail – popular overlanding route in the 1960-70s.
Among the best of the best within this range are…
Overlanding Europe from the South to Nordkapp in Norway
This route could start in Greece or the Balkans and take you north, either via Poland and the Baltics, or via Central Europe into Scandinavia. Alternatively, start in Portugal and head north via Spain and France. In both cases, this route would highlight the immense contrasts of the European continent, with multiple languages, cultures and food experiences along the way
A few ideas 🙂
Balkans
You can do up to 10 countries zig-zagging through a combination of highways and old mountain roads that lead almost nowhere. With a longer season of good weather, this route will offer traditional cultural experiences, great food and probably result in multiple friendships as well.
Balkan tour of our manager partner, Orest Zub, back in 2014
Middle East extravaganza
This one could involve a loop starting and ending in Turkey, and taking in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and a choice of other Gulf states or Oman. You could also head to Jordan but would probably have to then backtrack again through Saudi Arabia. This fantastic journey would take you to some of the most hospitable people of the planet, while at the same time allowing a long time surrounded by vast desert, probably accompanied by camping.
Two-year overlanding journey of Panda The Defender
Central Asia tour
The ‘stans’ are increasingly friendly and popular, and Kazakhstan alone, the world’s 9th largest country, offers immense opportunities for overlanding, with few tourists around. Doing the Pamir highway in Tajikistan and exploring the mountains of Kyrgyzstan are favourites that could easily become a popular itinerary.
Various sections of the historical Silk Route
Overlanding China …
… in one’s own vehicle is virtually impossible due to local laws unless one has a local with a vehicle. However, using a developing network of transport, a route from Kashgar all the way to Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong is totally viable by local transport and will bring the vast contrasts of China in terms of landscape to life, as well as highlight the richness of local cultures.
by chinadiscovery.com on pinterest
AFRICA
Another popular overlanding experience is to cross Africa (sometimes starting in Europe). Cairo to Cape Town is many people’s dream but currently, with Sudan out of bounds, at least some flying would be involved. The alternative is to try Morocco to South Africa which takes in almost 20 countries and is sure to be an amazing adventure.
Travel route of Roberto Helou
Some possible highlights on this enormous continent
– which is often perceived as smaller than it really is, are:
Overlanding just Western Africa, …
… from, say, Dakar to Benin, is a somewhat easier but no less worthy overlanding adventure for those who want to immerse themselves into Africa. This takes in some rather difficult countries, especially the patch from Guinea Bissau to Liberia, where roads are often little more than vague dirt-tracks and officials may not take so kindly to a large 4X4. However, this route will also take you through multiple language zones and give a real understanding of the differences between neighbouring countries that are often not understood until you are on the ground.
Eastern Africa safari focus – Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania
These are three English-speaking countries that are generally friendlier to the visitor and would be a great beginner’s Africa experience for someone who wants to get the real feel of the place without too much hardship. Lots to see, with some impressive national parks and fantastic beaches as well.
East Africa itinerary example by oasisoverland.co.uk
South Africa Garden route
One of the greatest classics in overlanding, this one can take a few days or a few weeks depending on the pace, but will also take a traveller to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
by millingtontravel.com
Central Africa
Good luck with that. For those with nerves of steel, why not try Benin to Angola via Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo? This would be adventure for hardened overlanders who have no issues with multiple problems. The rewards will, of course, be great as well.
The upper part shows who Slawek Muturi once cross Central Africa
NORTH TO SOUTH AMERICA
North to South America is an obvious great adventure, with Alaska to Chile a possible route though once again, the impenetrable Darien Gap means that at least a small part will have to be done without a vehicle at least, though perhaps a sea route can be explored. Overlanding only parts of the route, say from Colombia to Argentina or from Canada to Panama, is also a possibility.
Adventure overlanding map of David Cole
Among the highlights here could be:
South America Coast to Coast …
… can be a very rewarding route, starting somewhere in Brazil and crossing its incredible interior – don’t miss the colonial areas of Minas Gerais – before heading either south to Argentina and Chile or west to Bolivia and then Peru. In both variations, you could take months going through national and cultural sights that are among the best in the world.
something from reddit
Central American combo
Mexico to Panama is a workable stretch which is not all that long, but still takes you through very different countries; the likes of Nicaragua and Costa Rica may be next door, but they are totally different in character. This is a route that has something for everyone: beach lover, check; mountain lover, check; cute colonial town lover, check; friendly locals, check. The security situation may be so-so, however, so watching out for one’s vehicle would be essential.
6-week long Central American trip by looktheworldintheeye.com
North America offers a multitude of impressive overland drives
Route 66 is an obvious classic that takes in much of the southern and central area of the United States, offering a lot of variation. From Illinois down through Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma via Texas to New Mexico and Arizona, this is perhaps the easiest way to truly witness the diversity of the United States in all its aspects.
Route 66 by britannica.com
There is also a Pacific Overland route, …
… that can take you from San Diego north through to Washington state or even beyond into Canada. This one will offer desert, urban landscapes and increasingly green mountains as you head north; your choice whether to focus on the coastal side or try a route to the interior.
something from reddit
Trans-Canada overlanding …
… is one of the classics and takes in most provinces of Canada; you would start in Quebec or Ontario (or even in Nova Scotia) and head all the way west to British Columbia. On the way, discover the world’s 2nd largest country and feel the vastness of those central provinces.
Trans-Canada highway by wiki
AUSTRALIA
A country and a continent, this is a marvellous place to overland provided appropriate preparation is made to deal with the vast distances between uninhabited areas and the often very harsh climate. Driving around the continent is many travellers’ dream – including that of the author of this article!
Here are a couple of highlights in case you don’t want to drive the whole way:
The Canning Stock Route …
… is a 1,850 kilometre route through the heart of Western Australia. From Wiluna up to Hill’s Creek, it is claimed to be the longest historical stock route in the world and takes at least two weeks to complete in a four-wheel drive.
by wiki
Of course, an East Coast Australia route will be much easier
This could start in Melbourne and take in the Great Ocean Road before heading north to New South Wales, crossing into Queensland near Byron Bay and heading all the way up to Cairns. Friendly, organized and still exotic and diverse, this may be a good beginner route for the aspiring overlander.
by charlotteplansatrip.com on pinterest
These are just some suggestions; obviously there could be thousands of variations, and as the world becomes more open, new routes, never been done before, will doubtless become available and even popular as time goes by.
