Morocco Road Trip: 3 Routes and Practical Tips

Morocco is made for road trips. In a single week you can cross a 2,000-meter mountain pass, drive through palm oases and earthen kasbahs, and arrive at the Sahara dunes. The distances are bigger than they look on the map, though, so the secret is to choose one or two regions and give them time.

Below are the three routes we recommend most, with realistic timings, the stops worth making and advice on whether to drive yourself or travel with a private driver.

Route 1: Marrakech to the Sahara

This is Morocco’s classic road trip, and our favorite. Allow at least four days to reach the desert and come back, and ideally five or six.

• The High Atlas and Tizi n’Tichka: the road climbs out of Marrakech through Berber villages to the Tizi n’Tichka pass, at about 2,260 meters. The views are spectacular, and there are plenty of places to stop for photos and mint tea.
• Ait Ben Haddou: the most famous kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO-listed village of earthen towers that has starred in films such as Gladiator. Plan an hour or two to walk up to the top.
• Skoura and the Valley of Roses: east of Ouarzazate, the road follows a chain of palm oases. The Valley of Roses around Kelaat M’Gouna is especially pretty in late April and May, when the roses are harvested.
• The Dades Valley and Todra Gorge: spend a night in the Dades Valley, then walk into Todra Gorge, where cliffs about 300 meters high close in around a small river.
• Merzouga and Erg Chebbi: arrive in time for a camel ride at sunset and a night in a desert camp.

We suggest two nights in the desert area, one in a camp and one in a hotel nearby, so you have time for sunrise and a 4×4 excursion without rushing. From Merzouga, you can drive north to Fes in a day instead of returning to Marrakech. Our 9-day private tour from Marrakech follows exactly this route, and our desert tours from Marrakech include shorter options.

Route 2: The Atlantic coast

For a slower trip with seafood lunches and ocean views, follow the coast from Casablanca south through El Jadida, Oualidia and Safi to Essaouira, with Agadir as an optional extension. Allow about a week. Not every stretch runs along the water, but the towns are relaxed and very different from the inland cities. Read our guides to Essaouira and the best beaches in Morocco.

Route 3: Northern Morocco

Start in Tangier, visit Tetouan’s white medina and spend two nights in Chefchaouen before continuing to Fes. Five to seven days suits this route well. The Rif Mountains are green and much less visited than the south. See our Chefchaouen guide and our tours from Tangier.

How much time do you need?

• 5 days: one region, such as Marrakech to the Sahara and back.
• 8 to 10 days: the Sahara route plus Fes, or the north plus the imperial cities.
• 12 days or more: combine the Sahara, Fes, Chefchaouen and a few days on the coast.

Self-drive or private driver?

Driving yourself is possible. Main roads are generally good, and fuel is easy to find on main routes. But mountain roads are slow and winding, city driving and medina parking are stressful, and police checkpoints are common. With a private driver, you can enjoy the views, stop wherever you like and leave the logistics to someone who knows the roads.

If you do self-drive, confirm insurance and roadside assistance with your rental company in writing, avoid driving after dark, and fill up before long empty stretches.

Practical tips

• Best seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). The High Atlas pass can close briefly after snow in winter.
• Pack layers: it can be cold in the mountains and hot in the desert on the same day.
• Carry cash: small villages, cafés and fuel stations in remote areas may not take cards.
• Be respectful in villages: ask before photographing people, and dress modestly.
• Don’t over-plan: leave room for the unplanned stops. They are often the best part of the trip.

Plan your road trip

Tell us which region interests you most and how many hours you are happy to travel each day, and we’ll build a private route with a driver, hand-picked stays and licensed guides in the cities. Request your private tour quote, or browse our Morocco tours.