The 7 Best Road Trips in Wales

Wales, or Cymru as it is known in Welsh, borders England’s west coast, stretching from Bristol in the south to Cheshire in the north – and is one of the most popular destinations for Brits to take a staycation in the UK. The Welsh people are known to be proud of their heritage and history, and incredibly friendly to tourists who visit their wonderful country.

So if you’re looking to go on a road trip this year, why not choose Wales as your next destination? Filled with glorious valleys, never-ending beaches, magnificent castles, rugged coastlines and incredible mountains, exploring Wales by road is undoubtedly the best way to see what this fantastic country has to offer tourists. And we can guarantee one thing – you’ll definitely be back to visit again.

Wales' Best Road Trips

1. Cardiff to Llandudno

For those wanting to explore the cultural differences between the more Anglicised south of Wales to the more rural, Welsh-speaking north, then this road trip from Cardiff to Llandudno is perfect.

Starting in the Welsh capital, you will simply need to follow the A470 all the way to the north. This 300km journey will take around 4 and a half hours non-stop, although we highly recommend stopping off at a few places on the way, not just for a break from driving, but to fully experience the beauty that Wales is renowned for.

You can also expect to see the world-famous snow-capped Mount Snowdon as you pass through the stunning scenery of Snowdonia National Park. There’s a multitude of wildlife, including Wales’ national bird – the red kite – as you saunter through the Brecon Beacons.

We would highly recommend stopping at one of the many traditional village pubs on the way for a hearty meal or setting up camp beneath the stars for an overnight stay.

Distance: 300km

Route highlights: Mount Snowdon, Brecon Beacons, Welsh wildlife

When to do it: Spring or summer to avoid snow and ice on the roads in the later months.

2. St David’s to Aberdaron

Known as ‘The Coastal Way’ by locals, the 4 hours 40-minute drive from St David’s in south-west Wales to Aberdaron in the north-west of the country is a fantastic way to see the rugged coastlines of western Wales.

This drive explores the almost untouched western coastline of Wales, and offers a fantastic glimpse into life in the ‘quieter side’ of Wales – that is, the side less visited by tourists. 

Make sure to head to some of the many beaches along the route and dip your toes in the waters, or enjoy stretching your legs with a walk along the beach with a nice hot flask of tea along the way.

Because these beaches are often so quiet, you can hear the lap of the waves onto the rocks and cliffs as you meander along the coastline.

Distance: 290km

Route highlights: St David’s Cathedral, wild marine life including dolphins, seals and puffins, stunning beaches

When to do it: Year-round, although a winter drive along the coast makes for a memorable experience – particularly as the pink sun rises over the Irish Sea early in the morning.

3. Anglesey Circuit

For something slightly different, how about a circuit of Anglesey? Anglesey is Wales’ largest island and is found off the north-west coast of the mainland. A circuit of the island takes around two hours, so it’s easily doable in the morning or the afternoon, even with a few stop-offs.

A road trip around Anglesey is perfect for those who want to see the best of both worlds – that is, coastline and island life in general. There are many quaint little independent shops where you can stop for a coffee and a slice of homemade cake, or local pubs where you can enjoy a warming meal and a pint of locally brewed beer in front of a roaring log fire.

This route is also perfect for those who don’t want to spend too long driving, as the journey itself means you’ll only be spending about two hours in the car, so it; 's a good choice for those with young children, too.

Distance: 120km

Route highlights: Rhoscolyn sea arches, Cemlyn Beach Nature Reserve, Anglesey Sea Zoo

When to do it: Autumn is the best time to avoid crowds of tourists in the spring and summer, meaning the roads are quieter.

4. Chepstow to Wrexham

From north-west Wales to south-east Wales, this route from Chepstow to Wrexham makes for a fantastic Welsh road trip. 

Similar to the aforementioned St David’s to Aberdaron route, instead of driving up the western coast of Wales, this time you’ll be hugging the English border. You’ll come across numerous border towns and villages that have a rich history on either side of the Wales–England border.

For purposes of keeping this road trip list strictly Welsh, you’ll be staying on roads on the inside of the Welsh border, starting from Chepstow – just over the Bristol Channel – in the south and making your way up to Wrexham in the north.

This route is not for the faint-hearted, though. You’ll be navigating through lots of small roads and villages in an attempt to stick purely to the Welsh side of the border, and the total driving time will take over 5 hours.

While it’s a lot of driving, it’s also a great excuse to stop and see some of the beautiful sights that eastern Wales has to offer – especially the stunning views as you pass through the Wye Valley, and the numerous castles that you’ll also see along the way, such as Powis Castle in Welshpool.

Distance: 275km

Route highlights: Tintern Abbey, Wye Valley views, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

When to do it: Year-round.

5. Abergavenny to Hay-on-Wye

For those wanting a shorter but spectacular road trip in Wales, then the route from Abergavenny to Hay-on-Wye is a must-drive. 

For one, you’ll be driving on Wales’ highest road – the Gospel Pass – which runs for an incredible 35km through the Brecon Beacons on the way from Abergavenny to Hay-on-Wye.

Along with the beautiful scenery that you’ll see along the Gospel Pass, Hay-on-Wye is also the perfect destination for book lovers. It is commonly referred to by locals as the ‘Town of Books’ thanks to its many independent bookshops, many of which sell second-hand books at very generous prices.

So why not get in your car, take some stunning photos across the Gospel Pass, and end your day in Hay-on-Wye with a good book and an even better glass of wine?

Distance: 40km

Route highlights: Gospel Pass, Tretower Castle, Usk Valley views

When to do it: Summer is the best time to do this route, as the Gospel Pass can be treacherous in winter conditions. Plus, you can see some of the most wonderful sunsets in Wales during the summer months on this road trip.

6. Holyhead to Broughton

If you wish to explore the northern coast of Wales, then we have the perfect Welsh road trip for you – Holyhead to Broughton.

Starting at Holyhead in north-west Wales, you’ll traverse your way across the ancient trading route, right to the English border, arriving in Broughton in Flintshire, just a stone’s throw from the English city of Chester.

The drive will take just less than an hour and a half, so while it is not the longest road trip in the world, you will nevertheless be subjected to some fascinating sights that northern Wales is so famed for.

Some of King Edward I’s great Welsh castles are found along the route north, such as Conwy and Beaumaris Castle, and you can even take a short diversion to see the magnificent medieval fortress of Caernarfon Castle, too.

For culture nuts and foodies alike this road trip is perfect. There are more Welsh speakers in northern Wales compared to the Anglicised cousins in the south, so you can expect to pick up on some local Welsh lingo along this route, too. Make a pit stop for a snack of some traditional Welsh delicacies, such as mussels (fresh from the sea the very same morning), or an oggie (a traditional Welsh meat pasty).

Distance: 125km

Route highlights: Conwy Castle, small fishing villages, local Welsh dialects being spoken in villages and small towns

When to do it: Year-round.

7. Snowdon Circuit

Similar to the tour of Anglesey, except this is for those who do not wish to leave the Welsh mainland, a tour of Mount Snowdon via road makes for an excellent road trip.

Starting and ending in Bangor, this road trip will take you through Snowdonia National Park, and past other towns and villages, all while completing a round trip around Wales’ highest mountain.

You will end up driving past the Pen-y-Pas car park, which can make for a good starting point, and is where most people begin their descent of Mount Snowdon. The journey itself can be completed in a couple of hours if you’re taking it at a leisurely pace – and believe us, you won’t want to miss any of the scenery around here.

Snowdon and its surrounding areas are so beautiful, you forget they’re just hours away from major UK cities, and they almost make you feel like you’re in a different world. What’s not to love about that?

Distance: 80km

Route highlights: Caernarfon Castle, Mount Snowdon, valley views.

When to do it: Spring or summer makes for the safest road conditions, as well as the safest conditions if you do plan on conquering Mount Snowdon after your car journey.