Cornwall road trip inspiration
Best Scenic Drives in Cornwall: 7 Beautiful Routes to Explore by Car
There's a good reason why Cornwall consistently ranks among Britain's favourite road trip destinations.
Nowhere else in England combines dramatic Atlantic cliffs, winding coastal roads, traditional fishing villages, open moorland and sheltered estuaries within such a compact area.
One moment you're driving beside crashing waves, the next you're crossing quiet granite landscapes before descending into colourful harbours that seem almost untouched by time.
Unlike many destinations, Cornwall doesn't have one famous scenic road. Instead, it offers a collection of unforgettable driving routes, each with its own character and scenery. Some follow the rugged north coast, others explore peaceful estuaries or Britain's most southerly peninsula, while quieter inland roads reveal a completely different side of the county.
If you're searching for a Cornwall coast tour or comparing different driving tours in Cornwall, understanding these scenic routes is the perfect place to start. Together they showcase the county's most spectacular landscapes while helping you decide which areas you'd most like to explore.
Whether you're planning a long weekend or a two-week holiday, these are some of the finest scenic drives in Cornwall.
If you're looking for one carefully planned journey that links these routes together, our Complete Cornwall Coastal Road Trip Guide includes a clear route map, suggested overnight stops and practical local advice to help you experience the very best of Cornwall by car.
The driving experience
Why Cornwall Is Perfect for Scenic Driving
Cornwall rewards people who enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.
Rather than racing between famous attractions, the county encourages you to slow down, pull into viewpoints, stop in villages and take the occasional unexpected detour.
Within a single day you can experience:
- rugged Atlantic coastline
- sweeping sandy beaches
- traditional fishing villages
- peaceful estuaries
- rolling countryside
- granite tors
- hidden coves
- spectacular sea views
Each driving route offers something completely different, whether you're planning a relaxed coastal escape, a scenic self-drive holiday or one of the many popular driving tours around Cornwall.
If you're still deciding how to organise your holiday, our guide to How to Plan a Cornwall Road Trip explains how Cornwall's different touring regions fit together.
The routes
7 of the best scenic drives in Cornwall
The Atlantic Highway
Best for first-time visitors
The Atlantic Highway is Cornwall's best-known touring route and one of Britain's great coastal drives.
Although much of the route follows the A39, it feels nothing like an ordinary main road. Frequent detours lead to dramatic cliff-top viewpoints, wide surfing beaches and picturesque fishing villages, making it the perfect introduction to Cornwall.
This is a route where you'll rarely want to drive straight through. Every few miles another harbour, castle, beach or viewpoint encourages you to stop and explore.
Don't miss
- Bude
- Boscastle
- Tintagel
- Port Isaac
- Padstow
- Trebarwith Strand
- Widemouth Bay
Driving experience
The main road is generally straightforward, while the smaller coastal roads become narrower and slower. Allow much longer than your sat nav suggests because you'll almost certainly stop more often than planned.
The Penwith Peninsula
Best for dramatic Atlantic scenery
West Cornwall has a completely different feel from the rest of the county.
Roads weave through ancient mining landscapes, rugged granite headlands and some of Britain's most dramatic coastal scenery before reaching England's westernmost landscapes.
Many visitors simply drive to Land's End before turning around, but the real beauty lies in exploring the quieter roads that connect small villages and hidden coves across the peninsula.
The scenery feels wonderfully wild and the Atlantic is rarely out of sight.
Don't miss
- Cape Cornwall
- St Just
- Porthgwarra
- Penberth
- Sennen
- Land's End
Driving experience
Expect winding country roads, spectacular sea views and plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs.
Some lanes become narrow approaching smaller villages, so patience is more important than speed.
The Roseland Peninsula
Best for peaceful touring
If you're looking for a quieter side of Cornwall, few places compare with the Roseland Peninsula.
Sheltered estuaries replace dramatic Atlantic cliffs, while attractive villages and gentle countryside create one of Cornwall's most relaxing driving experiences.
The roads are quieter than many of Cornwall's better-known routes, making this an excellent choice during the busier summer months.
Don't miss
- St Mawes
- Portscatho
- St Anthony Head
- Carne Beach
- Porthcurnick Beach
Driving experience
Gentle, relaxed driving with beautiful estuary views and regular opportunities to stop for short coastal walks.
The Lizard Peninsula
Best for spectacular coastal scenery
The Lizard Peninsula combines some of Cornwall's most beautiful beaches with dramatic cliffs and peaceful fishing villages.
The roads themselves are part of the attraction, winding through open countryside before suddenly revealing breathtaking coastal views.
Unlike some of Cornwall's busier destinations, much of the Lizard still feels wonderfully unhurried.
Don't miss
- Kynance Cove
- Lizard Point
- Mullion
- Cadgwith
- Coverack
Driving experience
Quiet country roads with regular coastal viewpoints.
The combination of beaches, cliffs and attractive villages makes this one of Cornwall's most rewarding day drives.
Bodmin Moor
Best for open landscapes
Many visitors never venture beyond Cornwall's coastline.
That's a shame, because Bodmin Moor reveals an entirely different landscape.
Wide open views, granite tors, prehistoric monuments and quiet country roads make this one of the county's most underrated driving regions.
It's also a welcome contrast after several days exploring Cornwall's coast.
Don't miss
- Brown Willy
- Rough Tor
- Jamaica Inn
- Minions
- Cheesewring
- The Hurlers
Driving experience
Open roads, lighter traffic and a very different pace from Cornwall's coastal routes.
Perfect for anyone wanting to escape the busiest tourist areas.
The Fal Estuary
Best for waterside scenery
The roads surrounding the beautiful Fal Estuary offer one of Cornwall's most relaxing driving experiences.
Instead of rugged Atlantic cliffs, you'll discover wooded creeks, sheltered waters, historic harbours and attractive sailing villages. The scenery changes constantly as the road follows the estuary before climbing into peaceful countryside and dropping back towards the coast.
This is a drive that rewards taking your time, stopping for lunch beside the water and exploring some of Cornwall's quieter corners.
Don't miss
- Falmouth
- Truro
- Mylor Bridge
- Restronguet
- St Mawes
Driving experience
Easy driving with beautiful waterside scenery and plenty of opportunities for short walks, cafés and harbour stops.
South Cornwall Harbour Drive
Best for traditional fishing villages
Cornwall's south coast has a very different character from the Atlantic-facing north.
Instead of towering cliffs and surfing beaches, you'll discover colourful fishing harbours, sheltered coves and historic ports linked together by winding coastal roads.
It's a wonderfully relaxed drive that's ideal for anyone who enjoys exploring villages as much as scenic viewpoints.
Don't miss
- Charlestown
- Mevagissey
- Fowey
- Polperro
- Looe
Driving experience
Expect slower roads, plenty of places to stop and some of Cornwall's prettiest harbour scenery.
Choose your route
Which Scenic Drive Should You Choose?
For your first Cornwall road trip
Choose the Atlantic Highway.
It combines spectacular coastline, famous landmarks and many of Cornwall's classic road trip experiences into one unforgettable drive.
For quieter roads
The Roseland Peninsula and Bodmin Moor are perfect if you prefer peaceful scenery away from the busiest tourist hotspots.
For dramatic Atlantic scenery
Explore the Penwith Peninsula, where rugged headlands, hidden coves and historic mining landscapes create one of Britain's finest coastal drives.
For beaches and villages
The Lizard Peninsula combines beautiful beaches, attractive fishing villages and enjoyable driving, while the south coast offers a more relaxed touring experience through historic harbours and sheltered coves.
Want to connect the regions?
If you're wondering how these areas connect to create a complete Cornwall coast tour or one of the most enjoyable driving tours in Cornwall, our guide to Cornwall Driving Routes explains how the county's five main touring regions fit together.
Before you set off
Tips for Enjoying Cornwall's Scenic Roads
A few simple tips will make your drive much more enjoyable.
- Allow more time than your sat nav suggests.
- Start early during the busiest summer months.
- Don't be afraid to take scenic detours.
- Carry water and snacks on longer drives.
- Keep your fuel topped up when exploring remote areas.
- Stop regularly rather than trying to drive straight through.
Many of Cornwall's best memories come from places you hadn't planned to visit.
For more practical advice about narrow lanes, parking, motorhomes and seasonal traffic, read our guide to Driving in Cornwall before you travel.
Build a longer journey
Bringing Cornwall's Scenic Drives Together
Each of these scenic drives offers something completely different.
The Atlantic Highway introduces Cornwall's dramatic north coast.
The Penwith Peninsula showcases rugged Atlantic landscapes and historic mining country.
The Lizard Peninsula combines beautiful beaches with quiet villages.
The Roseland Peninsula and Fal Estuary offer peaceful waterside scenery.
Finally, Bodmin Moor reveals Cornwall's wild granite interior.
Together they create one of Britain's finest self-drive destinations.
Many visitors try to join these routes together themselves but quickly discover that journey times, overnight stops and route planning become surprisingly complicated.
Our Complete Cornwall Coastal Road Trip Guide links these driving regions into one carefully planned self-drive holiday, complete with a clear route map, suggested overnight stops and practical local advice, so you can simply enjoy the journey rather than spending hours planning it.
Frequently asked questions
Cornwall scenic drives FAQs
What is the most scenic drive in Cornwall?
The Atlantic Highway is widely regarded as Cornwall's best scenic drive, but the Penwith Peninsula, Lizard Peninsula and Roseland Peninsula all offer outstanding driving experiences.
What is the best Cornwall coast tour by car?
Many visitors start with the Atlantic Highway, but a more complete Cornwall coast tour combines the north coast, the Penwith Peninsula, the Lizard Peninsula, the Fal Estuary and Bodmin Moor. Together they showcase the incredible variety of Cornwall's landscapes.
Is Cornwall good for driving tours?
Yes. Cornwall is one of Britain's best destinations for driving tours, combining spectacular coastal roads, traditional fishing villages, sandy beaches, open moorland and scenic viewpoints within relatively short distances.
Can you drive all around the Cornwall coast?
There isn't one continuous coastal road, but several scenic driving routes combine to create an unforgettable Cornwall road trip.
Are Cornwall's roads difficult?
Most roads are straightforward to drive. Some rural lanes are narrow with passing places, but driving at a relaxed pace makes them easy to enjoy. For more practical advice, see our guide to Driving in Cornwall .
How many days should you allow?
Five to seven days gives enough time to experience several of Cornwall's scenic drives without rushing, while longer trips allow you to explore quieter corners of the county.
Keep planning
Continue Planning Your Cornwall Road Trip
If you're planning a longer holiday, these guides will help you explore more of Cornwall and make the most of your time on the road.
Explore more of Cornwall
Complete Cornwall Coastal Road Trip Guide Cornwall Driving Routes Driving in Cornwall Cornwall Hidden Gems Best Villages in Cornwall How to Plan a Cornwall Road TripMore UK scenic driving inspiration
Britain's Great Coastal & Atlantic Drives Top 10 UK Scenic Drives UK's Named Road Trips Best UK Road Trips Road Trip Inspiration HubPlan your next adventure
How to Plan a Road Trip in the UK Route Planner Tips Find a Vehicle for Your Road Trip Hire a Campervan Hire a Car What to Pack for a Road TripPlanning note: this inspiration page covers a wider range of Cornwall places and drive ideas. Not every place mentioned is necessarily included in the paid road trip guide, so please check the full guide listing to make sure it suits your journey.