Best Road Trips in Morocco You Can Do by Car
Discover the most spectacular road trips in Morocco — from the Atlantic coast to the Sahara, through imperial cities and Berber mountain villages.
Few countries offer the diversity of landscapes that Morocco does within such compact distances. In a single week, you can drive from ocean to desert, from medieval medinas to Berber villages perched above the clouds. Here are the best road trips to do with a rental car.
Road Trip 1: The Imperial Cities Loop (7 days)
Route: Casablanca → Rabat → Meknes → Volubilis → Fes → Ifrane → Azrou → Casablanca
Total distance: approx. 900 km
This classic loop takes you through four of Morocco’s five imperial cities and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. Highlights:
- The Roman ruins of Volubilis — Morocco’s most important archaeological site.
- The tanneries and madrasas of Fes el-Bali.
- Ifrane, Morocco’s « Little Switzerland, » with its Swiss-style architecture and mountain air.
- Barbary macaques in the cedar forest near Azrou.
Road Trip 2: Desert & Kasbahs (5–7 days)
Route: Marrakech → Ouarzazate → Draa Valley → Zagora → Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Dades Gorge → Marrakech
Total distance: approx. 1,200 km
The most dramatic road trip in Morocco. The Draa Valley — 200 km of palm groves and ancient kasbahs — leads to the dunes of the Sahara. A 4×4 SUV is strongly recommended for the tracks around Merzouga.
Must-stops on the desert route:
- Aït Benhaddou: UNESCO-listed ksar and filming location for Game of Thrones.
- Todra Gorge: 300m pink limestone cliffs — one of the most photogenic spots in Africa.
- Erg Chebbi dunes: Take a sunset camel ride, then sleep in a desert camp.
Road Trip 3: The Atlantic Coast (4–5 days)
Route: Casablanca → El Jadida → Safi → Essaouira → Agadir → Tiznit → Sidi Ifni
Total distance: approx. 800 km
Morocco’s Atlantic coastline is wild and dramatic. The N1 national road hugs cliffs, passes working fishing ports, and leads through argan forest to the surfers’ paradise of Taghazout.
Road Trip 4: The Rif & North (3–4 days)
Route: Tangier → Chefchaouen → Ouezzane → Fes
Total distance: approx. 350 km
The Rif Mountains are among Morocco’s most beautiful and least-visited regions. The road to Chefchaouen winds through forest and terraced fields before arriving at the famous blue city.
Practical Tips for Moroccan Road Trips
- Download offline maps before you leave — mobile coverage is unreliable in mountain areas.
- Fill up whenever you see a petrol station in remote regions.
- Book accommodation in advance for popular destinations (Merzouga, Chefchaouen).
- Budget 30–40 MAD for each motorway toll section.
- Keep the 24h assistance number from your rental agency saved on your phone.
Morocco’s roads are an invitation to adventure. Pack light, drive carefully, and let the country surprise you at every turn.