What makes road trips in the UK so enjoyable is the country’s excellent connectivity. Roads link cities with even the most remote rural spots, and along the way, you’ll find plenty of fuel stations and electric charging points. That makes the UK ideal for weekend drives, whether you’re travelling solo or with family.
With a car hire, the trip is yours to shape. With endless options, explore castles and heritage sites, follow literary trails, or enjoy fresh sea air on a coastal drive. Here are some of the top themed road trips you can go for with your car rental:
1. Historical Road Trip
Route: London → Bath → Stonehenge → Salisbury → Southampton
Driving time: Around 4 hours and 30 minutes
This trip is a journey through time. Begin in London with its Roman roots at the Billingsgate Roman House and Bath, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the ancient City Walls. From there, drive to Bath to admire Georgian architecture and the famous Roman baths.
Next, head to Stonehenge, the prehistoric wonder still shrouded in mystery, before continuing to Salisbury to see the Gothic Salisbury Cathedral that houses a copy of Magna Carta. The route ends in Southampton, where you can conveniently return your Dollar car hire using the one-way hire option.
2. Countryside & Nature Road Trip
Route: Manchester → Peak District → Lake District → Carlisle → Glasgow
Driving time: Around 6 hours
Pick up a Dollar car rental in Manchester and set off through some of England’s most scenic routes. Start with the Peak District, known for its rolling hills and walking trails, stopping at spots like Etherow Country Park and Cave Dale before reaching the National Park itself.
From there, continue to the Lake District, where dramatic fells meet mirror-like lakes, with a stop at Lancaster Castle along the way. Drive on to Carlisle to see its castle and cathedral, then cross into Scotland. In just an hour, you’ll reach Glasgow, with detours to Moffat Community Nature Reserve, Chatelherault Country Park, and the Glasgow Botanic Gardens; a rewarding trip for outdoor lovers who enjoy fresh air and winding lanes.
3. Literary Heritage Road Trip
Route: Oxford → Stratford-upon-Avon → Haworth → York → Leeds
Driving time: Around 6 hours
This road trip is a dream for book lovers. Begin in Oxford, once home to Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, before driving to Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, with a stop at the Banbury Museum along the way.
From Stratford, head to Haworth to explore the Brontë Parsonage Museum, where the sisters wrote their classics. Continue on to York, a medieval city of cobbled streets and gothic charm, with stops at Shibden Hall and the ancient City Walls.
The journey ties together literature and landscapes that shaped great writers. End in Leeds, where you can return your Dollar car hire with the ease of a one-way rental.
4. Scottish Highlands Adventure
Route: Edinburgh → Glencoe → Fort William → Isle of Skye → Inverness
Driving time: Around 8-9 hours
This long road trip is perfect for those chasing rugged, cinematic views. Start at the Dollar car rental in Edinburgh and head down the A82, passing sweeping countryside and stops like the Beheading Stone and Flanders Moss National Reserve before reaching the wild beauty of Glencoe.
Continue towards Fort William, where you can explore Vertical Descents and the West Highland Museum, then drive on to the Isle of Skye. Here, dramatic landscapes reveal Castle Moil, Ashaig Beach, and the famous Fairy Pools.
Finish in Inverness, taking in the dramatic lochs, castles, and endless horizons along the way.
You can stay for a night at Inverness and then drive back to Edinburgh.
5. Coastal Heritage Road Trip
Route: Brighton → Seven Sisters → Hastings → Rye → back to Brighton
Driving time: Around 10 hours
For a long coastal adventure, start in Brighton and drive towards the chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, one of Britain’s most iconic seaside views. On the way, you can stop at Rottingdean Beach, the Seaford Museum, and the Meridian Museum.
From the cliffs, continue to Hastings to explore its medieval Old Town, learn about the Battle of Hastings, or simply relax on the beach. Next, take a short drive to Rye, a beautifully preserved town with cobbled streets and Tudor houses.
End your journey back in Brighton, where you can return your Dollar car rental at a local agency.
The UK is layered with history and culture, and few things match the thrill of discovering it all on the open road. Each route tells a story, giving you a chance to see how the country has evolved over time. A road trip lets you not just visit these places, but experience the journey that connects them.
With Dollar car rental, that journey becomes simpler and more enjoyable. The one-way hire option means you don’t need to circle back to where you started, giving you the freedom to design your trip exactly as you like. Whether it’s a long weekend exploring castles, coastal towns, or national parks, you can end your trip wherever it feels right.
