Car museums are a great way to discover the history and future of the automobile industry, and see some of the most fascinating vehicles in the world. There are over 300 car museums in the world and in the US, Michigan, California, and North Carolina have the most car museums.
Exploring the world's largest car museums takes you from Los Angeles to Germany to Japan. Even if you wouldn't normally visit a car museum, visiting any of the museums on this list can be a fun experience and an opportunity to visit some of the largest car collections in the US and the world. Each museum has unique exhibits that describe the history of their automobiles. Many museums even have their own tracks, where visitors can test drive some of the cars.
To identify the most amazing car museums in the world, 24/7 consulted several car-concentrated sites as well as news stations. We also looked at reviews, commentary, and discussions around the varying car museums and determined what each museum contains to determine the largest collections. (Check Out The Most Iconic Cars in Movies.)
The Henry Ford Museum
- Location: Dearborn, Michigan, US
The Henry Ford Museum in Michigan is a must-see for any automobile fan or history buff. In the Driving America exhibit, you can explore the history of Ford and learn more about some of the most significant historical automobiles.
The Petersen Automotive Museum
- Location: Los Angeles, California, US
If you're looking for a wide selection of automobiles, you'll find it at The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California. The museum building is so big that it takes up an entire city block, and is home to many incredible vehicles like the DeLorean from the "Back to the Future" films and the 1989 Batmobile.
Louwman Museum
- Location: The Hague, Netherlands
The Louwman Museum is home to the largest vehicle collections in the Netherlands. At this museum, you can discover over 100 years of progress and view their collection of 275 vehicles. This museum has the oldest private collection of historic cars in the world, with vehicles from 16 different countries.
Mercedes-Benz Museum
- Location: Stuttgart, Germany
At the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, you can explore the history and evolution of Mercedes-Benz. The museum has nine levels with over 1,500 different exhibits, showcasing both vintage cars and futuristic vehicles.
The Porsche Museum
- Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Few brands are as iconic as Porsche, and at The Porsche Museum in Germany, you can experience the brand's legacy through a series of interactive exhibits. Established in 1976, the museum has significantly expanded and now features over 80 exhibits.
BMW Museum
- Location: Munich, Germany
The BMW Museum in Munich, Germany, attracts visitors from all across the globe. At this museum, you can experience all that BMW has to offer. Some of the permanent exhibits include the House of Design, House of Company, and the House of the Motorcycle.
The Ferrari Museum
- Location: Maranello, Italy
The Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, is home to a vast collection of Ferrari models, including vintage and modern vehicles. You'll find exhibits displaying the evolution of Ferrari over time as well as the development of their Formula 1 racing models.
Toyota Automobile Museum
At the Toyota Automobile Museum, you can not only see some of the best Toyota vehicles but there are also vehicles from other manufacturers on display. Highlights include the Cadillac Model Thirty from 1912 and the Ford Model T from 1909.
America's Car Museum
- Location: Tacoma, Washington, US
America's Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington is a 165,000 square foot facility with 12 different exhibits. This museum has been ranked as one of the top automotive museums by USA Today and local publications. The collection at America's Car Museum includes over 200 different automobiles.
Larz Anderson Auto Museum
- Location: Brookline, Massachusetts, US
The Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline claims to have the oldest car collection in America. This museum was started by Larz and Isabel Anderson, a wealthy American diplomat and his wife. The Larz Anderson Auto Museum is located in the former Anderson home, and the museum's collection includes the first vehicle the Andersons purchased in 1899.
National Motor Museum
- Location: Birdwood, Australia
Explore the Australian automotive culture at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood. Established in 1964 and now owned by the South Australian Government, the museum has a vast collection of vehicles, including antique, veteran, vintage cars, and motorcycles.
Gilmore Car Museum
- Location: Hickory Corners, Michigan, US
The Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan has one of the largest car collections in the US with over 400 vehicles. Since 1966, this museum has displayed a wide selection of cars. It's the largest automobile museum in the country with over 190,000 square feet of space stretched across 90 acres. They also have one of the largest collections of automotive mascots and hood ornaments.
Cité de l'Automobile
- Location: Mulhouse, France
The Cité de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, France is a collection worth seeing. Their automobile collection is considered the largest in the world, having over 500 vehicles from a variety of different time periods. The Cité de l'Automobile is located in a former factory and includes a private track where you can test drive some of the classic vehicles.