I imagined winding through Tuscany in a convertible with the top down, a scarf around windblown hair, past hill towns, vineyards, and down lanes lined by tall cypress trees.  Reality was that my first driving abroad did wind through the Tuscan hills but in a Ford Escort wearing a hoodie with my nervous and reluctant parents in the back seat.

It was still great!  Having a car let our family explore the countryside with freedom and see places on country roads that a train could never reach. And we felt more a part of the life of the community and countryside.

When I began to take trips on my own, driving alone seemed out of reach. It took a while to build my confidence to set out in my own wheels – but when I did it was spectacular.  This isn’t about the technical how-to of driving but about how you can feel confident and enjoy a solo driving trip if you like the idea.

I started in Iceland which was surprisingly ideal. For one, it seemed to be a necessity.  There isn’t a train system and many of the sites are not within towns or cities. It’s an easy start to driving on your own – the traffic is light and for my itinerary, it was mainly rural driving and…all on the right side of the road.   

My plane landed in the early morning at Keflavik. I rented my car and loaded my bag…and realized it was incredibly windy and dark. It’s ok to take a minute so I decided going right back inside for a bit of breakfast was a good plan. As the sun rose, I took off for my hotel at the Blue Lagoon, near the airport.

The highlight of the Icelandic driving trip for me was waking before dawn (which wasn’t challenging in November) and driving through the starlit morning to see the sun rise over the glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón.

What about that confidence? Before I set off, I considered those worries and faced them head on. I knew that here the actual driving was much like home. The car and the roads were familiar but what was the concern?  The evening before, I had a long talk with the hotel staff. Was it safe to be on the road before dawn (well, yes, most working people are in winter), what should I do if I had a breakdown? Were the gas stations manned? I got good and reassuring information, an offer of breakfast box, and set my alarm.

At Jökulsárlón, I pulled into the small lot just before the sun broke the horizon at about 10 a.m.  I was there with a hearty group of fellow travelers and watched the light hit the blue ice for the first time that day and walked along the volcanic black sand in the morning mist.  Many of us decamped to a travel center/gas station and had the best waffles in the world.

Driving back to the hotel, I had a surge of joy in being on the road in such a beautiful landscape and feeling that I was a confident citizen of the world.  And glad I was at ease with a stick shift.

Since then, I’ve built my confidence to drive in Scotland, Ireland, Mallorca, and again in Italy. There are great car rental places abroad, some with names you know. Do read up on how the insurance works. Your credit card may provide insurance if you follow their guidelines. Know that the same rental chain or credit card may have different rules depending on the country you visit.  It just takes a little online reading and research.  Here are a few tips that work for me.

What I Learned

Where to start is important. If your trip begins in a major city, enjoy the public transportation then take a train or subway to a rental office outside the urban area to rent your car and start your drive.  For example, leave Dublin on the DART train and rent in Dun Laoghaire.  It’s a calmer start and easier return.

Rent the smallest car you can. You may be graciously offered an “upgrade” to a larger car.  Insist if you can on the car you chose – easier to park, navigate narrow country lanes, and keep fuel costs lower.

Watch some of the online videos about driving in your area. It’s oddly useful to watch a video from behind the wheel.

Print out your map and directions even though you’ll likely depend on GPS.  I use my phone now just like I do when I’m home but sometimes your connection can cause a little delay, or you may lose your connection.  It’s good backup!

Learn the street and highway signs before you go even if you know the language of the area. Some are just icons and shapes and colors.  Seriously do this homework and you’ll feel like a pro.

Always fill up or top off your tank when you see a station. Why not? It’s an easy stress relief.

Breathe. Pack snacks. If you love to drive, the freedom of your own wheels is exhilerating.