The Safest Countries for Road Trips

In some countries, particularly ones known for their stunning natural scenery, the best way to explore is by hitting the open road. But when you do so, it’s important to consider road trip safety. Countries differ greatly in the quality of their road infrastructure, traffic laws, and incidence of fatal traffic accidents, which makes some places a safer bet than others for a road trip. Car subscription service FINN studied these factors to determine which countries have the safest roads. Check out the 10 safest countries for road trips below. 

10. Japan

Japan scored 6.71 out of 10 for overall road safety in the report, which considered the following factors: number of road deaths per 100,000 people, road quality score, traffic levels, percentage of drivers wearing seat belts, percentage of road deaths attributed to alcohol, and maximum speed limits in towns and on motorways. Notably, Japan had the lowest score in the top 10 for percentage of deaths attributed to alcohol. And while there’s plenty to see on a road trip in the “Land of the Rising Sun,” it’s just as easy to explore the country by high-speed train or in one of its many pedestrian-friendly cities. 

9. Germany

Next on the list of countries with the safest roads is Germany, which may come as a surprise considering the country is home to the famous Autobahn, known for large stretches with no posted speed limit. However, Germany earned top marks for safety in several other categories, particularly the 98% seat belt usage rate. Germany is also home to one of the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any country, so renting a car is a great way to check many of them off your list.

8. Iceland

With its dramatic glaciers, waterfalls, volcanoes, and black sand beaches, the so-called “Land of Fire and Ice” was seemingly made for road trips. It’s fortunate, then, that Iceland is one of the world’s safest countries for drivers. Though it scored lower than other countries for the quality of its roads, Iceland makes up for it with its low incidence of road trip deaths — just 2.05 per 100,000 people, the lowest rate on this list. 

6. Finland (tie)

Finland is consistently rated the world’s happiest country, and it also happens to be a happy place to drive. Not only are Finnish roads among the safest in the world, but visitors will find plenty to do and see along the route — from peaceful lakeshore cabins and rural retreats to opportunities to see the spectacular northern lights and experience the country’s unique sauna culture. 

6. United Kingdom (tie)

Tied with Finland in the report is the United Kingdom, which also scored 7.09 out of 10 for overall road safety. That’s good news for road trippers, as the U.K. is home to over 6,000 villages and small communities spread throughout England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Renting a car is a great way to see many of them during your trip, while also enjoying the famous scenery of areas such as England’s Lake District or the Scottish Highlands. 

5. Spain

Spain ranks as the fifth-safest country in the world for road trips. Covering nearly 200,000 square miles, the European nation is almost as big as the state of Texas, so there are countless routes waiting to be explored. But once you’re done driving, consider turning in the rental car and spending some time wandering Spain’s charming cities on foot. Madrid is ranked one of the friendliest cities in the world, while Barcelona is transforming its cityscape with pedestrian-friendly “superblocks.” 

3. Estonia (tie)

Compared with Spain, Estonia is downright tiny, covering less than 18,000 square miles. But with fewer crowds than its bigger neighbors, this lesser-known nation is a hidden gem, with many charming seaside villages along the Baltic to get lost in. The good news is that you probably won’t get stuck in much traffic, as Estonia has some of the lowest traffic levels on the list.

3. Sweden (tie)

Located just across the Baltic Sea from Estonia, Sweden tied its neighbor for road safety with a score of 7.42 out of 10. This Scandinavian country isn’t just a safe bet for road trippers — it’s also one of the most eco-friendly travel destinations on the planet. Sweden has a robust infrastructure for electric vehicles, and the country is even planning to build the world’s first road that charges them as they drive. 

2. Norway

Norway is the land of fjords — there are about 1,700 of them — and a road trip is a great way to explore these glacier-carved sea inlets framed by steep cliffs. Fortunately, Norway has some of the safest roads on the planet, with just 2.12 traffic deaths per 100,000 people and low speed limits that encourage safer driving. If you find yourself in the northern Lofoten archipelago, be sure to stop by the small village that’s famous for its short name. In fact, it’s just a single letter — Å — pronounced like the “o” in “born.”

1. The Netherlands

The country with the safest roads is the Netherlands, and there are several good reasons for that. The Netherlands scored top marks for road quality — higher than any other country on this list — and it has a high proportion of seat belt users and low traffic levels. The lack of congestion is helped by the fact that the Netherlands is one of the most bicycle-friendly nations in the world, with an average of 1.74 bikes per person in this country of 17.6 million. And the Netherlands’ biggest city, Amsterdam, is not only a major draw for tourists, but also one of the best-planned cities in the world.