Lake District declared the very best road trip in whole UK

One of the most beautiful and beguiling parts of the country, the Lake District is where happy driving memories are made, according to the latest study.

As part of the research carried out by fuel brand JET, drivers were also asked what their top driving/road trip emotions were, and the Lake District appeared to appeal to motorists' innermost desire in every way.

Morning everyone hope you are well. Not only am I blessed to live in the Lake District. The Yorkshire Dales is only a short drive. And who doesn't love a red phone box. Swaledale. Have a great day. #yorkshiredales @yorkshire_dales pic.twitter.com/tfPi7SyK6F

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) July 12, 2023

33% of UK drivers cited the National Park as their happiest road trip. 

They were also asked what it was they loved most about driving with ‘deep & meaningfuls’, ‘Carpool Karaoke’ and being a ‘passenger princess’ ranking among the top 10.

The UK’s Top 10 Happiest Road Trips:

1. Lake District (33%)
2. Devon to Cornwall (25%)
3. Peak) District (18%)
4. Stone Henge / Cotswolds (14%)
5. North Yorkshire Moors / Road to Whitby (12%)
6. Scottish Borders between Northumberland and Edinburgh (12%)
7. Norfolk Coast (10%)
8. Waterloo Bridge, Central London (10%)
9. Cotswolds Roads (10%)
10. Snowdonia to Anglesey (9%)

Morning everyone from an anxious Lake District as we try to understand what "drive to a destination" means. Will we get swamped from Wednesday😬. From my library a rare view looking back over Loughrigg Fell to Fairfield & Langdales @keswickbootco @FeatureCumbria @CumbriaViews pic.twitter.com/9Iva0ACiCe

— Rod Hutchinson (@lakesrhino) May 11, 2020

The Top 10 Things People Love About Driving:

1. Taking in beautiful scenery (56%)
2. The feeling of freedom (you could drive anywhere) (44%)
3. Listening to your favourite road trip playlist (37%)
4. Me-time / getting away from it all on your own (30%)
5. Having a deep and meaningful chat with your partner, family, and friends with no interruptions (28%)
6. Singing like nobody is watching (Carpool Karaoke) (27%)
7. Tuning into your favourite radio show, podcast or audiobook (18%)
8. Being a “passenger princess” (17%)
9. Imagining you’re in a road trip movie (11%)
10. Role-playing your own Dessert Island Discs (7%)

Stunning morning for the Lake District guys! Back from a very rewarding drive to Blea Tarn. It's great to see the September sunshine. #sunshine #LakeDistrict #mountains @keswickbootco @TheLakesGuide pic.twitter.com/25tW0PQZdS

— Jasonchambers (@JasonChambersPh) September 17, 2020

The UK’s Top 10 Driving Emotions:

1. Happy/joyful (52%)
2. Calm and content (45%)
3. A sense of adventure (44%)
4. Excited             (42%)
5. Love (26%)
6. Optimistic (24%)
7. Mental clarity (23%)
8. Nostalgic (22%)
9. Imaginative / inspired (21%)
10. Empowered (18%)

Conducted online in June 2023, 2000 UK drivers were asked to take a trip down memory lane and vote for the road trips they have the happiest memories of.

They were also asked to define what it is about those trips that make them happy and how driving makes them feel.