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Morocco Routes & Driving Times
Realistic door-to-door driving times between Morocco's main stops, and how we plan a private route so no day feels like a transfer.
The short answer
- Our vehicles are driven by licensed, salaried drivers who know each route; you never drive yourself.
- We plan for a maximum of five to six hours on the road on most days, including photo and lunch stops.
- Mountain roads over the Tizi n'Tichka and through the Middle Atlas are slower than the kilometres suggest.
Distances in Morocco look short on a map, but mountain passes, villages and photo stops make journeys longer. As a rule, allow one hour for every 60 to 70 km on the main routes and more on the High Atlas passes.
Main legs
| From | To | Distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casablanca | Rabat | 90 km | 1 h 15 |
| Rabat | Chefchaouen | 250 km | 4 h |
| Tangier | Chefchaouen | 115 km | 2 h |
| Chefchaouen | Fes | 200 km | 4 h |
| Fes | Merzouga | 470 km | 8 h with stops |
| Merzouga | Dades Valley | 300 km | 5 h |
| Dades Valley | Skoura | 75 km | 1 h 30 |
| Skoura | Marrakech | 240 km | 5 h over the Tizi n'Tichka |
| Marrakech | Essaouira | 190 km | 3 h |
| Marrakech | Imlil (High Atlas) | 65 km | 1 h 30 |
How we break up the long days
The longest legs are always the ones into and out of the Sahara. We break them with a lunch stop in Midelt or the Ziz Valley, a walk in the Todra Gorge, or an extra night in Skoura instead of driving straight to Marrakech.
The vehicle
Journeys use a Mercedes Vito or V-Class for up to six travellers, or a 4x4 where the route needs it. Water, Wi-Fi and child seats are provided on request.
