If you love cars, your perfect vacation would ideally include driving cars, looking at cars, or maybe even viewing car art. It’s not the type of vacation everyone can understand, but at Guessing Headlights, we totally get it — and want to encourage it.
We’ve put together some of the most exciting car-themed vacations for you to enjoy this summer, allowing you to experience thrills with your own car, rent some jaw-dropping vehicles, or escape reality with talking cars. No matter what type of car you drive, here are the most epic vacations we could think of.
Life Could Be a Dream
Sometimes we want to get away from the monotony of driving to and from work every day and picture our car on an iconic track — or maybe dump our commuter for an iconic car we never thought we’d experience. From renting JDMs in Japan to checking out Route 66 artwork in Texas, our goal was to provide you with a wide range of vacation ideas, no matter what your idea of an escape is.
Not only did I look at a few (incomplete) lists of car-related vacation ideas, but I turned to Reddit and other forums to see what car people were recommending to other drivers looking for a unique car vacation. The result is a collection of exciting drives, heart-pounding experiences, and beautiful visuals that are sure to rejuvenate your love of cars.
Bonneville Salt Flats
Once a year, the fastest land vehicles make their way to Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats to break land speed records over 500 miles per hour. However, every other time of the year (as long as the area is dry), you’re allowed to bring your vehicle and try out this one-of-a-kind driving experience for yourself. Grab yourself whatever you need in Salt Lake City (Utah warns visitors that there’s nothing to eat around the Flats) and then head to this historical spot to push your car to its limits.
So what exactly are the Flats? A dried-up body of water left behind a crust of salt that stretches over 30,000 acres. The area is so flat that you can see the curvature of Earth, and it can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. However, this strange and barren landscape has the perfect conditions for racing cars very, very fast, so it’s a great road trip destination for adrenaline junkies.
Miataland
This is personally one of my bucket list vacation spots, a blend of beautiful landscapes and adorable sports cars. Miataland is a five-star resort located in a quiet and picturesque town called Umbria in the province of Perugia, Italy. The romantic suites have stunning views of the Italian countryside, but what you really come for is the largest collection of Mazda MX-5s in the world.
There are 49 Miatas located at Miataland, and you drive one through idealic villages, gorgeous wineries, and winding country roads in a guided tour. This is a special experience for anyone who loves cruising in sporty little cars with pop-up headlights through gorgeous landscapes.
Cadillac Ranch
Located in Texas, this is an art installation that any car guy would find breathtaking. Located along Route 66 west of Amarillo, Texas, there are 10 classic Cadillacs that have been buried in the dirt, their tail fins facing the sky. Although they are covered in heavy paint, you can see iconic Cadillac silhouettes from 1949 to 1964.
San Francisco-based Ant Farm artists’ collective created this car shrine in 1974, using Caddies from junkyards. The Cadillacs were unburied and moved in the late 1990s to preserve Amarillo’s natural horizon. This is where the Cadillac Ranch art installation has been ever since, an iconic stop along Route 66 that you can walk around any time of day.
Nethercutt Museum
I’ve been to plenty of car museums, but the Nethercutt Museum has always stood out as a distinctly unique experience. Located inside a stunning mansion-like building is the Nethercutt Collection, with vehicles from the 1910s to the 1930s on display amidst marble columns, crystal chandeliers, and painted ceilings in the Grand Salon Showroom. There’s also a museum, a train to walk through, and more.
The cars found inside the Nethercutt Collection are some of the rarest, most prestigious, and influential vehicles from the early years of automotive history, such as the only 1911 Olds Limousine in the world or the last-remaining 1918 Pierce-Arrow 66 prototype. Even more surprising is that every vehicle in the Nethercutt Museum is routinely driven, ensuring they are all mobile despite their age.
AMG Experience
If you’ve ever wanted to drive any of Mercedes’ performance vehicles on a track, coached by a professional, this is your chance. From the AMG GT 63 Pro to the CLA 45 S Coupe, these sporty cars are available to drive on iconic race tracks, challenging, winding roads, or even snowy mountain trails. There are various skill levels available as well, all offering multiple days of training from expert drivers.
The AMG Experience has dates throughout the year, including a lot of summer adventures, but spots are taken quickly. This is the perfect opportunity for thrill junkies to add some know-how to their crazy antics while getting behind the wheel of some exciting vehicles.
Cars Land
Disneyland’s California Adventure Park in Anaheim has one area that’s very special to fans of the Cars Pixar franchise. Cars Land brings a ton of iconic details from Radiator Springs to life, allowing you to feel immersed in a world that made many young kids fall in love with cars back in the early 2000s.
Cars Land feels a bit like a nostalgic oasis, bringing Route 66 vibes to the Happiest Place on Earth. Radiator Spring Racers is a blast of a ride (if you can stand the 2-hour wait), and many of the buildings are almost exact copies of the ones you saw when Lightning McQueen first got lost along Route 66. The stars of the film, including McQueen himself, also make appearances, and my boyfriend didn’t miss the chance to ask him to rev his engine as he drove by (he didn’t). If you can stand the crowds, Cars Land is a whimsical place to go with your car-obsessed kids — or to fulfill your own fantasy.
Goodwood Festival of Speed
From July 10 – 13th, the UK hosts an exhilarating festival featuring performance vehicles from the past, present, and future on an extravagant English estate. The hill climb is one of the highlights, with all types of cars speeding up a hill to break time records. You can also meet the drivers and pit crew from competing Formula 1 teams at the Ballroom Paddock, view skillful air shows, and watch supercars from all over the world show off their top speeds.
Despite its prestigious vibes, the Festival of Speed is very affordable to attend — although you can pay extra for access to certain areas and experiences.
Nürburgring Nordschleife
Featured in games like Gran Turismo and Forza, Nürburgring Nordschleife is a famous 13-mile course with 150 turns that has become a destination for car enthusiasts who want to test their skills (and their car). While you can also rent a car once you arrive in Germany, you can also ship your own car over for an unforgettable memory on a track like no other.
However, keep in mind that Nürburgring Nordschleife isn’t for beginners. It’s a pretty technical track so you may want to take advantage of one of the available guides who can ride along in your car. If you are intimidated, there are also ride-alongs available so you can still experience the track.
Fun2Drive
Fun2Drive is a JDM sports car experience near Mount Fuji, Japan, allowing you to get behind the wheel of the JDM car of your dreams. From spirited mountain drives to casual cruising, Fun2Drive has tours for all car enthusiasts. The fleet includes classics like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, Fairlady Z Nismo, and the Honda NSX.
Riding these glorious JDM cars with mountains, coastlines, and other beautiful scenery around Hakone is a breathtaking experience that has made Fun2Drive a must for anyone who wants to experience a Japanese classic in a picture-perfect setting.
Isle of Man
Getting around this small island is only 87 miles round-trip, bringing you through some of the most stunning views, from historic lighthouses to breathtaking nature to tranquil beaches.
The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown dependency in the Irish Sea that largely has no posted speed limits on most roads. While this doesn’t mean you should speed recklessly through the island, it does feel quite appealing for anyone who wants to do some uninterrupted spirited driving up in the mountains.
If I Could Take You Up in Paradise Up Above
Already started fantasizing about your summer getaway? Us too. We also have a curated collection of the best car shows to check out throughout the year, as well as roads you have to try driving on. This summer is sure to be glorious for car lovers, whether you want to take your car overseas for a wild adventure or jump into a Pixar car in Radiator Springs.