Where can you drive to find hidden gems in the US and Canada?

Why rent a car for off-the-beaten-path travel?

Because there's often no other way to get there. Buses and trains rarely reach small desert towns or remote parks, and rideshares are hard to find. A rental car lets you go at your own pace and stop wherever the view is best.

Marfa, Texas

A small desert town in West Texas known for its contemporary art scene and the mysterious Marfa Lights. Big Bend National Park is a few hours south. The nearest major airports are El Paso and Midland, both several hours' drive, so plan a long first day.

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

The world's largest gypsum dune field, bright white and otherworldly. Drive the Dunes Drive, then walk or sled on the dunes. The park road can close at times for missile tests at the nearby range, so check the park's alerts. El Paso is the closest big airport.

Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico

Strange rock formations, hoodoos and petrified wood with no marked trails and very few people. The access roads are gravel and dirt, which can be impassable after rain. Check your rental agreement first, carry plenty of water and use offline maps. Farmington is the nearest town.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

One of the least-visited national parks, with Lehman Caves, ancient bristlecone pines and some of the darkest night skies in the country. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive climbs to about 10,000 feet. Its upper section closes in winter. It's a long drive from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City, so stay nearby.

Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia, Canada

A loop of about 300 kilometers around Cape Breton Island, with ocean cliffs, highlands and Acadian and Gaelic villages. It's at its best from summer to early fall. Fly into Halifax and allow a long day to drive up to the island. If you're renting in Canada with a US license, check the company's rules. See renting in Canada and the US.

What should you check before renting for a remote trip?

• Book early. Small airports have small fleets.
• Pick the right class. An SUV gives clearance for rough paved roads, but it doesn't make off-road driving allowed.
• Read the rules on unpaved roads. Most agreements exclude off-road driving, and damage there may not be covered.
• Plan fuel and water. Fill up at every chance.
• Know who to call. Note the roadside assistance number before you lose signal. See breakdowns.

How OneCall helps with remote trips

Your agent checks which nearby airports have cars, compares totals, and reads the rules on gravel roads and cross-border travel for your booking. If you break down in the middle of nowhere, call us when you have signal and we'll work with the rental company to get you moving. Advice is free, and if anything costs money, you hear the price first.

Questions people ask

Can I drive a rental car on gravel roads?

Many agreements don't allow it, or don't cover damage there. Check yours before you go.

Do I need an SUV for national parks?

Not for most main park roads, which are paved. For gravel access roads, an SUV helps, but check what your agreement allows.

Related help

• What's the best rental car for a road trip?
• Renting a car in the USA from Canada
• Breakdown or accident in a rental car
• What you need to rent a car

Written and checked by the OneCall Rental team on 1 November 2026. Our team includes people who've worked car-rental reservation calls. Rules differ by company and location, so check your own rental agreement too.

OneCall Rental is an independent service and is not affiliated with any rental company or travel site.