What if the best road trip destination wasn’t where everyone else is going?

What if the most unforgettable drive was across the vast, wild steppes of Mongolië?

If you’ve ever dreamed of rolling down endless dirt tracks with nothing but wild sky above and total freedom ahead, Mongolia might just be the destination you didn’t know you were looking for. While most travelers immediately think of Iceland’s waterfalls, Patagonia’s glaciers, or the red rocks of the American Southwest when planning an epic road trip, few realize that Mongolia offers something even rarer: complete, unfiltered wilderness with no fences, no crowds, and no itinerary—just you, the road, and the rhythm of nomadic life.

But how does it really compare to the world’s most iconic road trip routes? 

In this post, we’re putting a Mongolia road trip side-by-side with 12 of the best road trip destinations on the planet, from the Arctic fjords of Norway to the dusty deserts of Namibia, and breaking down how each stacks up. Spoiler alert: Mongolia holds its own, and then some.

By the end, you’ll see why more and more adventurous travelers are swapping pricey campervan loops and over-regulated national parks for something far more authentic. So buckle up. Let’s venture off the beaten path and find out if Mongolia deserves the spot of best road trip destination in the world.

1. Mongolia vs The Garden Route, South Africa

De Garden Route in South Africa is renowned for its lush coastal scenery, whale-watching lookouts, and stops in stylish towns like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. It’s a polished, family-friendly road trip where wildlife safaris meet wine tasting.

Meanwhile, a Mongolia road trip swaps luxury safari lodges for wild camping, forests for open grasslands, and curated game drives for spontaneous wildlife encounters. While the Garden Route is stunning, it’s also busy and highly developed. 

Why Mongolia might be better:
If you’re seeking solitude, unfiltered landscapes, and a true sense of discovery, Mongolia offers it in spades. Instead of coastal towns, you’ll visit ancient monasteries and nomadic ger camps. Instead of paved highways, you’ll carve your own path through the steppe. It’s less comfort, more connection.

2. Mongolia vs Iceland

Iceland’s Ring Road delivers dramatic beauty on a silver platter: waterfalls tumbling from cliffs, steaming hot springs, and black sand beaches all within a few hours’ drive of Reykjavik.

Like Mongolia, Iceland is raw and wild, but it’s also incredibly popular, which means traffic, tour buses, and expensive accommodations.

Why Mongolia might be better:
While Iceland feels like an Instagram playground, Mongolia still feels like a secret. You can drive for hours without seeing another soul. You’ll need to navigate unmarked dirt roads, camp beside alpine lakes, and maybe fix your tire in the middle of nowhere, but that’s all part of the magic.

If you want Echt adventure, not just photo ops, Mongolia is the best road trip destination for true explorers.

3. Mongolia vs Pakistan’s Mountain Roads

Pakistan’s mountain roads, particularly the Karakoram Highway, are among the most jaw-dropping drives on the planet. The towering peaks of the Hindu Kush and Hunza Valley are the stuff of legends.

However, these roads can be treacherous, and the country’s political instability necessitates military escorts in certain areas. Logistics are often complex, and travel can feel intense, especially for women or for those who do not wish to navigate the pitfalls of a deeply religious culture. 

Why Mongolia might be better:
Mongolia’s mountains, especially the Altai in the west, may not be as tall, but they’re surrounded by freedom. There are no checkpoints, and your only traffic might be a herd of yaks. You’ll still get towering peaks, glacial lakes, and alpine air, but with far fewer restrictions and a deeper cultural immersion with local herders.

4. Mongolia vs East Africa

East Africa is road trip heaven for safari lovers. Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda offer classic routes through national parks like the Serengeti and Maasai Mara.

But these trips are often expensive, fenced-in, and driven on strict timetables. Wildlife is abundant, but so are tour operators and tourists. 

Why Mongolia might be better:
In Mongolia, your “safari” might mean wild Przewalski horses galloping across the plains, or golden eagles circling above mountain passes. You’re not limited to a jeep on a designated path; you’re the driver, the guide, and the storyteller. There are FAR fewer people, it’s more affordable, and more varied in landscapes.  

A Mongolia road trip delivers just as much wonder, but with far more freedom and a connection to a nomadic lifestyle that’s nearly vanished everywhere else.

5. Mongolia vs Namibia

Namibia is an adventurer’s dream: towering dunes, salt pans, and eerie shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast. The roads are well-kept, and self-driving is common.

Mongolia’s Gobi Desert offers similar solitude and surreal beauty, but instead of luxury lodges, you’ll find ger camps and locals offering fermented mare’s milk. You’ll cross high mountain passes, canyons, and sand dunes, all in one trip.

Why Mongolia might be better:
Mongolia’s landscapes are more varied, and the cultural immersion is deeper. In Namibia, you see nature. In Mongolia, you live in it, with the people who’ve survived there for centuries.

6. Mongolia vs The American Southwest

The American Southwest is a postcard come to life: Monument Valley, Arches National Park, and the Grand Canyon. Smooth highways and lots of RV parks make it easy to travel.

But Mongolia is the anti-RV experience.
You trade polished itineraries for unpredictable roads. You give up convenience for true remoteness. Many of the attractions in Mongolia, such as the White Stupa, the Flaming Cliffs, Yolyn Am, and the sand dunes of the Gobi, bear a resemblance to iconic American Southwest attractions like Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, Arches, and others. All in all, it’s a very similar road trip experience.  

Why Mongolia might be better:
In the U.S., your route is shaped by signs, speed limits, and gas stations. In Mongolia, it’s shaped by your curiosity. You’re not visiting a national park—you’re in a country that feels like one giant, endless national park. And it’s all yours.

7. Mongolia vs Patagonia

Patagonia is one of the most remote and beautiful places on Earth. Jagged peaks, ice fields, and wind-blown plains dominate the southern edge of Argentina and Chile.

Both Mongolia and Patagonia offer isolation, but Mongolia offers more independence.
In Patagonia, much of your route is dictated by ferry schedules and limited roads. In Mongolia, you can change direction at any moment. Turn left and you’re in the desert. Turn right and you’re in the mountains.

Why Mongolia might be better:
Mongolia gives you the same sense of wonder with more cultural interaction. Instead of passing distant sheep farms, you’ll drink tea in a family’s ger, ride horses across the steppe, and camp anywhere you please.

8. Mongolia vs Ladakh, India

Ladakh offers a wild drive through the Himalayas, complete with high passes, dramatic valleys, and Tibetan monasteries. It’s a favorite for motorbikers and spiritual travelers.

But Ladakh is changing fast.
Tourism is booming, and many routes are crowded in peak season. 

Why Mongolia might be better:
Mongolia has the same spiritual roots, with Buddhist temples and mountain ceremonies, but without the crowds. The elevation is more forgiving, and the infrastructure, while basic, allows for more diverse routes through desert, steppe, forest, and mountain.

9. Mongolia vs the Canadian Yukon

The Yukon is raw and rugged, with boreal forests, glacial rivers, and the kind of quiet that makes your ears ring. Road trips like the Dempster Highway offer serious isolation.

But the Yukon is cold, seasonal, and light on culture.

Why Mongolia might be better:
Mongolia offers the same wilderness vibe, but with a unique human element. You’re not just driving through silence, you’re sharing tea with herders, watching golden eagles being trained, or visiting ancient temples. You can enjoy the same landscapes as the Yukon, with more. 

Plus, Mongolia is more accessible in summer, with warmer weather, longer travel seasons, and more dramatic terrain diversity.

10. Mongolia vs The Australian Outback

The Outback is famous for its red dirt roads, roadhouses, and sweltering heat. It’s vast, empty, and undeniably iconic.

But it’s also repetitive.
Drive for hours in the Outback, and the scenery rarely changes.

Why Mongolia might be better:
In Mongolia, no two days are the same. One morning, you’re in a pine forest, the next beside a glacier-fed lake, and the next camping under the stars in the Gobi. Additionally, the Outback can feel lifeless; Mongolia, on the other hand, pulses with culture, history, and daily life, even in the most remote areas.

11. Mongolia vs Alaska

Alaska’s road trips through Denali or the Dalton Highway offer huge landscapes and major wildlife. It’s raw, cold, and beautiful.

But it’s also tightly managed.
There are gates, schedules, and designated stops. This is America after all. 

Why Mongolia might be better:
In Mongolia, there are no schedules. No gates. No rules. Just the open road, wherever it leads. If you’re looking for true freedom, without the need to check in, reserve ahead, or follow a route, Mongolia is your frontier.

12. Mongolia vs Norway

Norway offers some of the most dramatic roads in Europe—fjordside highways, tunnels through mountains, and picture-perfect villages.

But it’s highly developed and pricey.
You’re never far from a hotel, gas station, or other travelers.

Why Mongolia might be better:
Mongolia is the antithesis of that. It’s wild, unfiltered, and beautifully inconvenient. You may have to dig your tires out of sand, filter your own water, or sleep with wolves howling nearby, but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

Why Mongolia Might Be the Best Road Trip Destination in the World

When you stack it up against the world’s greatest road trips, Mongolia holds its own—and then some.

It may not have paved highways, luxury rest stops, or clear GPS signals, but what it does offer is infinitely more valuable:

• Endless landscapes that change dramatically every day
  
• A deep connection to one of the last true nomadic cultures on Earth
  
• The freedom to roam, explore, and discover without barriers
  

If your idea of the perfect road trip is raw, real, and revelatory, then Mongolia might just be the best road trip destination in the world.

The Verdict: Mongolia Deserves a Spot on Your Road Trip Bucket List

If you crave freedom on the open road, unspoiled landscapes, and genuine cultural encounters, Mongolia stands in a league of its own. It combines the best parts of these renowned road trip destinations —vast wilderness, breathtaking scenery, and adventure —without the downsides of overcrowding, high costs, or complicated logistics. Mongolia is where you can camp under endless stars, drive dirt tracks that disappear into the horizon, and meet people who live a timeless, nomadic life.

Before committing to another crowded or expensive road trip, seriously consider Mongolia. Pack your bags, rent a 4×4 from AVIS, and prepare to discover a wild, beautiful country that offers the ultimate road trip experience.