New Zealand named the easiest country to navigate by car

A recent survey by DiscoverCars.com has identified New Zealand as the easiest country for drivers to navigate.

The comprehensive survey, which reached nearly 6,000 of the company's customers, asked participants to rate various countries on a scale of 1 to 10 based on navigability while driving. The findings placed New Zealand in the top position, achieving an impressive average rating of 9.08. It was the only country to receive a score exceeding 9. DiscoverCars.com attributes New Zealand's high ranking to its quieter rural roads, although these can also be narrow and winding.

Cyprus followed as the second easiest country to navigate, earning a score of 8.83. This high placement is partly credited to road signs on the island that often feature English translations, benefiting drivers who may not speak Greek or Turkish.

Australia came in third place with an average rating of 8.77. While its roads are well signposted, facilitating easy navigation between cities and towns, DiscoverCars.com advises drivers heading into the outback to carry a physical map for additional security.

Spain secured fourth place with a score of 8.73, thanks to its extensive network of free highways, or autovías, which simplify the task of reaching one's destination. DiscoverCars.com pointed out, however, that the best scenic routes often lie on smaller, less-travelled roads connecting quaint towns.

Germany, boasting an 8.67 score, rounded out the top five. Its Autobahn is noted as one of the earliest freeway systems globally, featuring a well-coordinated signage system. Drivers, however, are cautioned that German road signs do not indicate compass directions, but rather names of cities.

Poland ranked sixth with a score of 8.63, followed by Portugal at 8.58. France was rated with an 8.55, while Turkey and Greece completed the top ten with scores of 8.5 and 8.48 respectively.

In a separate assessment of U.S. states, Hawaii emerged as the easiest to navigate with a notable score of 9.4. Arizona followed with 9.1, trailed by California with 8.89. Nevada and Florida rounded off the top five U.S. states with scores of 8.82 and 8.67 respectively.

Aleksandrs Buraks, Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com, shared his perspectives on the findings: "It was really interesting to see which destinations around the world our customers found easiest to navigate. If somewhere you would like to visit one day ranked lower than you were expecting it to, don't be discouraged! There are plenty of ways you can help make your journey easier – here are my tips."

He added, "Plan your journey in advance, so that you feel in control of where you're going. This also helps you pick nice places to stop along the way. While smartphones have built-in GPS, a dedicated GPS device has a number of advantages. Its ability to track your position and suggest a route is likely to be more precise and reliable, and its maps won't need to rely on an internet connection to load."