Route 66 Named Most Instagram-Worthy Road Trip In The World

Route 66 has been named as the most Instagram-worthy road trip in the world, according to Brits.

The study, which polled 2,000 adults, found the top three routes are all located in the US – specifically through the Grand Canyon National Park and along the Pacific Highway Coast.

The drive through the Grand Canyon parks, typically following the South Rim to the North Rim and famed for its exquisite views of the stunning natural wonder was second.

‘PCH’, also known as Route 101, came third. The route takes you on a coastal, cliff-hugging drive from San Francisco to San Diego, passing by San Jose, Big Sur and Monterey.

Fifty-six per cent of those took part named the US as the road trip capital of the world.

Commissioned by Hertz, the research also identified key ingredients for a successful road trip – including wide-open roads, driving past famous attractions and spotting wildlife along the way.

Discovering views and taking in the scenery were highlighted as the main reasons for adults going on a road trip.

Temerity Vinson, senior director of international marketing, Hertz – which is ‘always dedicated to finding new ways to help our customers plan their dream trip’ apparently – explained the results.

She said, ‘The survey results clearly show how much adventurers love the USA for a road trip.’

Vinson added:

The influence of social media has had a huge impact on destinations of choice, bringing increased awareness of less well-known areas, as well as ensuring that gems such as the Route 66 are still as popular as ever.

While views and scenery were important for older travellers, millennials are more focused on having a ‘new experience’.

More than two thirds of millennials admitted the places they see on Instagram affect their choice of location, compared to just 13 percent of adults over 38s.

In fact, 30 per cent said they are unlikely to visit somewhere if they’ve never seen photos of it on Instagram.

Hashtags and location tags have become a new way to research the next travel destination and four in 10 millennials use the platform to discover new points of interest and places to visit.

The survey, conducted via OnePoll in December 2018, also found an average of 12 photos a day are taken on a holiday or a trip.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they were most likely to take a photo of a landscape or cityscape while on a trip.

Double the number of millennials compared to the over 38s are likely to take a photo of their food.

It seems that photographs make memories, with 36 per cent of millennials saying that they would struggle to remember their trip if they didn’t post a photo of it, compared to 19 per cent of over 38s.

Furthermore, one in 10 admitted to visiting somewhere purely because they want to share it on Instagram. When it comes to planning, Brits take an average of six months to arrange an adventure of a lifetime.

Twenty per cent of respondents would like to combine creating their own route with a structured drive.

Following the research, Hertz has launched three new routes to its USA Road Trip Planner: Canyons of Arizona and Nevada, California Surfing and Totally Texas, providing inspiration for routes to experience iconic and off-the-beaten track scenic drives and pit-stops.

Vinson added: 

Our USA Road Trip Planner can help our customers experience a different culture, discover new cuisines or visit famous landmarks.

A free online resource, the Hertz Road Trip Planner also features the legendary Route 66, along with 30 other bespoke routes across the USA.

For road trip inspiration, travellers are welcome to check out the Hertz Road Trip Planner and the new Hertz Road Trip Instagram channel.

Hertz is also inviting road trippers to share their road trip experiences by tagging @HertzUK on Facebook and Twitter.

If you have an adventure story you want to tell, share it with UNILAD via stories@unilad.co.uk.