For South Africans planning a road trip with their four-legged companions, one of the country’s best-known scenic drives has earned an international spot on a new dog-friendly travel ranking.
It comes after the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga has been named the 10th most dog-friendly road trip in the world, according to research by automotive marketplace AutoTrader, which assessed the availability of places where dogs can take a break along popular routes.
The ranking puts the South African route alongside some of the world’s better-known road-trip destinations, including Florida’s Overseas Highway, Spain’s Costa Brava and Australia’s Great Ocean Road.
The Panorama Route, which follows the R532 and R36, covers approximately 100 miles (161km) in the study and recorded one dog-friendly stop for every five miles.
AutoTrader’s research counted six service stations and 17 outdoor areas along the route. No designated dog parks were recorded in the study.
That places the Panorama Route at number 10 on a list of 45 popular driving routes assessed across the UK and abroad.
What makes a road trip dog-friendly?
The ranking was based on the number of places available for motorists to stop with their dogs rather than on the attractions themselves.
AutoTrader used Google Maps data to identify service stations, outdoor spaces and dog parks along routes measuring at least 100 miles.
The number of available stops was then calculated against each route’s distance to determine the average number of dog-friendly stops per five miles. The research was conducted in July 2026.
At the top of the global ranking was Florida’s Overseas Highway (US-1), which runs for about 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West. It recorded 43 service stations, 19 outdoor areas and seven dog parks, giving it three dog stops per five miles.
Spain’s Costa Brava C-31 also recorded three stops per five miles to take second place, while Australia’s Great Ocean Road came third with two.
For dog owners, the availability of regular stopping points is more than a convenience, particularly on longer drives.
Tom Roberts, who is a car leasing expert at AutoTrader, said drivers should consider their pets when planning a journey and make sure there are enough opportunities for them to take breaks.
‘We know that for many people, four-legged friends are an integral part of their daily lives, which is why so many of us want to take them with us wherever we go,’ Roberts highlighted.
He recommended researching routes before setting off and ensuring dogs are properly restrained during journeys.
Roberts also warned that dogs can become distracted by activity outside the vehicle, potentially distracting the driver.
‘It’s vital that drivers find appropriate harnesses and pet guards, whatever restraint their dog responds best to – and use them for every journey, no matter how far they are travelling,’ he said.
The world’s top 10
The Panorama Route is the only South African entry in AutoTrader’s top 10.
Picture: Tripadvisor
Check the full ranking below:
| Rank | Route | Country/region | Dog stops per 5 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Overseas Highway (US-1) | USA | 3 |
| 2 | Costa Brava (C-31) | Spain | 3 |
| 3 | Great Ocean Road | Australia | 2 |
| 4 | Causeway Coastal Route | Northern Ireland | 2 |
| 5 | Cotswolds Way (A44) | England | 2 |
| 6 | Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) | USA | 2 |
| 7 | Pembrokeshire Coast Road | Wales | 1 |
| 8 | Romantic Road | Germany | 1 |
| 9 | Great Alpine Road | Australia | 1 |
| 10 | Panorama Route (R532/R36) | South Africa | 1 |
The Pacific Coast Highway in California stands out for the sheer number of recorded facilities, with 121 service stations, 47 outdoor areas and 30 dog parks across its approximately 656-mile route.
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Picture: Getty Images
