Top 10 Countries for Car Enthusiasts
If you’re passionate about cars, the country you drive in can make all the difference. Whether it’s about hitting high speeds on the highway, paying less at the pump, or enjoying smooth, well-maintained roads, the right country can enhance your driving experience.
Here’s a rundown of the top 10 countries for car enthusiasts based on a study by J&Y Law, which evaluated each country on six key criteria: highway speed limit, gas price, notable automotive events, insurance costs, maintenance costs, and road quality.
Plus, we’ve added the best drives you can experience in each country.
1. Canada
Canada tops the list with the best overall score of 10.0. Known for hosting the Canadian International AutoShow, it’s a great destination for car lovers, although gas and maintenance costs are higher.
- Highway Speed Limit:74 mph
- Gas Price: $5.41 per gallon
- Insurance Costs:$1,300 – $1,800 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $1,400 – $1,500 per year
- Road Quality Score:5.0
- Best Drive: Icefields Parkway (Alberta) – This stunning route through the Canadian Rockies offers breathtaking views of glaciers, turquoise lakes, and towering mountains.
2. Spain
Spain shines with an impressive road quality score of 5.7 and offers affordable insurance, making it a fantastic choice for those who love driving.
- Highway Speed Limit: 74 mph
- Gas Price: $6.96 per gallon
- Insurance Costs: $420 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $1,100 per year
- Road Quality Score: 5.7
- Best Drive: Costa Brava (Catalonia) – A scenic coastal drive that winds through charming villages, rugged cliffs, and crystal-clear waters.
3. Italy
Italy offers some of the highest speed limits at 80 mph, but be prepared for higher gas and maintenance costs.
- Highway Speed Limit: 80 mph
- Gas Price: $8.03 per gallon
- Insurance Costs: $400 – $680 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $2,500 per year
- Road Quality Score: 4.4
- Best Drive: Amalfi Coast (Campania) – Famous for its dramatic cliffs, stunning views, and picturesque towns, this drive is a must for any car enthusiast.
4. United States
With the lowest gas prices on the list (hard to believe, right?), the U.S. is perfect for long road trips, offering a great balance of cost and driving experience.
- Highway Speed Limit: 74 mph
- Gas Price: $3.82 per gallon
- Insurance Costs: $1,700 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $1,100 per year
- Road Quality Score: 5.1
- Best Drive: Pacific Coast Highway (California) – This iconic drive along California’s coast offers stunning ocean views, winding roads, and a memorable driving experience.
5. Australia
Australia’s high-speed limits are appealing, but the maintenance cost should be considered before hitting the road.
- Highway Speed Limit: 80 mph
- Gas Price: $4.32 per gallon
- Insurance Costs: $635 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $6,400 per year
- Road Quality Score: 4.9
- Best Drive: Great Ocean Road (Victoria) – One of the world’s most scenic drives, featuring stunning coastal views, rainforests, and iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles.
6. Belgium
Belgium offers a balanced driving experience, though gas costs are slightly higher than in other countries.
- Highway Speed Limit: 74 mph
- Gas Price: $7.46 per gallon
- Insurance Costs: $420 – $1,050 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $750 – $850 per year
- Road Quality Score: 4.4
- Best Drive: Ardennes Forest (Wallonia)– A picturesque drive through dense forests, rolling hills, and quaint villages, perfect for a leisurely road trip.
7. France
With its strong automotive heritage, France offers high-speed limits but comes with high maintenance costs.
- Highway Speed Limit: 80 mph
- Gas Price: $7.83 per gallon
- Insurance Costs: $640 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $5,300 – $10,500 per year
- Road Quality Score: 5.4
- Best Drive: Route Napoleon (Provence)– A historic route that offers breathtaking views of the Alps, lavender fields, and charming French villages.
8. Germany
Germany is renowned for its autobahns and offers the lowest maintenance costs on this list, making it an attractive option for car enthusiasts.
- Highway Speed Limit: 80 mph
- Gas Price: $7.69 per gallon
- Insurance Costs: $1,400 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $210 per year
- Road Quality Score: 5.3
- Best Drive: The Romantic Road (Bavaria)– This scenic route takes you through medieval towns, castles, and beautiful countryside, offering a taste of Germany’s rich history.
9. New Zealand
New Zealand offers breathtaking scenery, though with lower speed limits and average costs, it might not be ideal for speed demons.
- Highway Speed Limit: 68 mph
- Gas Price: $6.74 per gallon
- Insurance Costs: $1,200 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $1,000 per year
- Road Quality Score: 4.5
- Best Drive:Milford Road (Fiordland)– A spectacular drive through some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes, including fiords, mountains, and waterfalls.
10. Finland
Finland wraps up the list with excellent road quality but comes with higher gas and maintenance costs, making it a destination for those who value quality over cost.
- Highway Speed Limit: 74 mph
- Gas Price: $7.91 per gallon
- Insurance Costs: $720 per year
- Maintenance Costs: $2,850 – $3,500 per year
- Road Quality Score: 5.3
- Best Drive: Turku Archipelago (Southwest Finland) – A unique driving experience that involves a series of islands connected by bridges and ferries, offering stunning sea views.
