The case for taking the side road
Most travel happens on the main route. A coastline has its highway, a mountain region its valley road, a desert its sealed track. Take the side turning and the volume drops by a factor of a hundred.
What you find at the end of side roads is often disproportionate to the effort. A perfect cove with no one on it. A church older than anything in the guidebook. A village where you'll be the first foreigner that week.
How to find good side roads
Paper maps reveal them more readily than digital. The thin lines that diverge from the main route and dead-end at a place name you've never heard of.
Ask at the cafe. Locals know where the worthwhile side roads go.
Read travel journals and older guidebooks. Both tend to mention places that the current marketing skips.
Examples that have rewarded me
The side roads off the coast road in western Crete, leading to coves accessible only on foot from a small parking area.
The valleys off the Sognefjord road in Norway, with single-lane drives ending at a quiet farm with a guestroom.
The roads off the Karakoram Highway in northern Pakistan, leading into the Hunza Valley side villages.
Many roads off the Pacific Coast Highway, especially in northern California, leading to small redwood groves and quiet beaches.
Driving etiquette on side roads
Drive slowly. Side roads are often single-lane with pullouts.
Don't block farm access.
Park considerately. If a village is small, your car can easily fill the only space.
Greet people. You're a guest in a quiet place.
Travel tips
- → Carry a paper map for spotting side roads
- → Ask at cafes for local tips
- → Drive slowly on single-lane routes
- → Greet people in small villages
Best season
Year-round depending on region. Mountain side roads are often closed in winter.
How to get there
Drive the main route and look for the turnings. Build in time to explore them.
What to expect
Quiet stretches, occasional rewards, sometimes dead ends. All worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Are side roads usually paved?
Variable. Many are, some aren't. Check route conditions if you have a regular rental car.
Is it safe to take a road without a clear destination?
Usually yes in populated regions. Less so in genuinely remote country.
Can I camp at the end of side roads?
Often yes, with the landowner's permission. Always ask.
