The Wales Coast Path has officially been crowned the UK’s second favourite road trip destination for 2025, cementing its reputation as one of the UK’s must-dos this summer.

The study by Car Finance 247, the UK’s leading online car finance platform, assessed each route on key factors like TripAdvisor ratings, petrol costs, EV charger availability, accommodation options, and search popularity to uncover the best experience for road trippers this summer.

For Welsh travellers, the Wales Coast Path needs little introduction. Besides its renowned status of being the first in the world to follow the entire length of a country’s coastline (870 miles), the Wales Coast Path takes its visitors on a journey through coastal landscapes, including dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches and abundant wildlife. But in this latest study, it also impressed with practical credentials that matter to today’s visitors.

According to the data, the Wales Coast Path secured 5,289 five-star TripAdvisor reviews for the route’s major sights – the second highest in the ranking, reflecting impressions by its visitors. But where the Wales Coast Path ranks first is the number of affordable accommodation options (479), making it a perfect destination for a weekend escape. With the number of EV charging points being the second highest of the routes analysed (112), this is a perfect destination for those embracing greener ways to travel.

The UK’s top 10 road trip destinations for 2025

Route Number of 5-star TripAdvisor reviews Avg monthly searches Cost of petrol for the route Number of EV charging points Number of affordable accommodation options 1 Jurassic Coast 3,842 26,000 £16.15 73 24 2 Wales Coast Path 5,289 900 £147.90 112 479 3 North Coast 500 2,255 19,000 £87.72 65 152 4 North Yorkshire Moors Linear 21,665 50 £30.77 18 19 5 Hadrians Wall 752 16,000 £14.28 22 65 6 South West 660 662 100 £112.20 317 29 7 Norfolk Coastal Path 4,052 250 £14.28 13 138 8 Northumberland Coast Path 1,190 400 £10.54 23 73 9 The Cumbrian Coast 1,530 150 £34.00 23 107 10 Kintyre 66 50 170 £11.22 67 24

Petrol cost was calculated based on the length of each route, offering a fair per-mile cost comparison. With a diverse mix of short, medium, and long-distance options, the ranking caters to all kinds of road trippers from spontaneous weekenders to multi-day explorers.

A new era for UK road trips

The study also revealed that 2025 travellers are placing growing importance on practical considerations like fuel costs, charging access and budget accommodation – alongside the traditional appeal of spectacular views. With EV ownership on the rise, Wales’ investment in rural charging infrastructure is already paying dividends, making routes like the Wales Coast Path even more accessible for sustainable tourism.

Louis Rix, Co-Founder & COO at Car Finance 247 added, “As a company committed to helping people get on the road with confidence, we know that value matters, not just when choosing a car, but also when planning where it takes you. This research shows that whether you’re heading out for a short weekend drive or a longer escape, there are incredible UK road trips to suit every budget and lifestyle.” 

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