Japan’s appeal lies in its diversity — from open roads in Hokkaido to island routes in Okinawa and Kyushu, as well as scenic coastal journeys around Mount Fuji. Self-drive travellers are discovering destinations beyond major cities and exploring places that are less accessible by traditional transport.
Thailand offers a different style of road travel, with travellers drawn to northern routes that combine mountain landscapes with local culture. On Trip.Moments, users have shared road trip ideas that showcase Chiang Mai and practical tips for exploring the region by car.
Self-drive is also gaining momentum in Europe. Italy, Spain and Germany recorded the strongest booking growth, at 88%, 80% and 75% YoY respectively. Trip.Moments data shows drive-related content from Spain soared 662% YoY, while the UK and Italy jumped 371% and 211%, respectively.
Within Asia-Pacific, cross-border road trips connect multiple destinations in a single journey. Singapore-Malaysia routes combine city breaks with coastal drives, while Langkawi and Malacca bring together island scenery, heritage sites and local culture at a slower pace.
As self-drive travel becomes more mainstream, travellers are choosing vehicles that match different travel scenarios. According to Trip.com car rental data, sedans account for 52% of bookings, followed by SUVs at 29% and passenger vans at 17%, while other vehicle types make up the remaining share.
The popularity of practical vehicle options points to a broader shift in self-drive travel, moving beyond traditional road trips into wider travel scenarios. Travellers are choosing different vehicle types to suit urban exploration, regional journeys and longer holidays.
According to the data, travellers aged 25-44 account for the majority. Among family travellers, those with young children represent over half of road trip bookings.
