Endless views to the horizon, the smell of salt spray in the air and asphalt that twists and turns with the coastline. There’s nothing quite like an ocean drive. Here are ten of Detour’s favourite seaside sojourns.

From cross-country Cannonball runs to back-country drives, from drive-ins and diners to motels there is nothing quite as American as a road trip. Except maybe apple pie.

It was only a matter of minutes outside in this vast, desolate oven before we were pining for the car’s ice cold a/c.

California’s Thermal Club is a country club for petrolheads with money to burn, discovers Detour’s James Mills

As if the incredible ocean views and the pure romance of California’s Route 1 weren’t enough reason to take a Sunday drive north up the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles, then brunch at Duke’s of Malibu will clinch it.

This is a voyage of discovery, a voyage that’s been immortalised in many a road movie. A journey of hope, of anticipation. A journey that millions undertake every year, hoping to get rich quick.

Wish they could all be Californian: the BMW & Mini West Coast Performance Centre is one of the world’s best destinations for a thrilling driving experience

Locals call it The Snake, and, if all the crash videos on YouTube are anything to go by, then this road certainly can bite.

Palm Springs is a glamorous oasis in the desert and the Parker is the place to stay, finds James Mills. Especially for a roadtrip on the nearby Palms to Pines Scenic Byway.

California 33 is a throwback to the 1950s. A time when roads had no guard rails. When the route flowed with the land rather than being blasted through it.

Mrs Orcutt's 4.1-mile driveway was used as an illegal test track by car magazines and drag racers throughout the 1970s and 80s

It’s a rock-crawling, axle-twisting grind through the High Sierras