Casablanca to Agadir Road Trip Guide: Driving the N1 Coastal Route in Morocco

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I’ll be honest: planning my first Casablanca to Agadir road trip felt overwhelming. Everyone told me the N1 coastal route was “easy” and “scenic.” What they didn’t mention was the reality of navigating Casablanca’s morning traffic with surfboards on the roof, or finding parking in Oualidia’s tiny streets.

After three surf trips down this coast, I’ve learned the hard way what works and what doesn’t. The Casablanca to Agadir road trip isn’t just about beautiful beaches. It’s about knowing which exits to take in Safi, where to actually park in Taghazout, and why you should never trust Google Maps near Tafedna.

This isn’t another generic “ultimate guide.” This is what actually happened when I drove 600 kilometers of Atlantic coastline with a rented Dacia Duster, two surfboards, and questionable French skills.

Why This Route Exists (And Who It’s Actually For)

Most tourists fly into Marrakech and head straight to Essaouira. That’s fine. But if you’re landing in Casablanca—or if you’re chasing surf spots that don’t appear in Instagram reels—the N1 coastal route from Casablanca to Agadir is different.

This route connects fishing villages, empty beaches, and surf breaks that locals actually use. You’ll see industrial Safi, surreal Oualidia lagoon, and the endless point breaks near Imsouane. The drive takes about 8-9 hours non-stop, but nobody does it non-stop. That’s the whole point.

I initially planned 3 days. I ended up taking 6. Not because the roads are bad (they’re mostly fine), but because stopping in random places became the actual trip.

Escaping Casablanca: The First Real Challenge

Let’s talk about leaving Casablanca. If you’re picking up a car rental with roof racks at Mohammed V Airport (CMN), schedule your departure before 7:30 AM or after 10:00 AM. The morning rush into Casa is brutal, and you’ll be going against it—which sounds good until you hit the exit roundabouts.

From the airport, follow signs for “El Jadida” via the A3 autoroute. This is straightforward until you reach the Bouskoura interchange. Here’s where people mess up: they follow “El Jadida Centre” instead of “El Jadida / Oualidia.” You want the coastal road (N1), not the city bypass.

Pro tip I learned too late: Fill up gas at the Total station right after the airport exit. The next reliable station with clean bathrooms isn’t until Azemmour, about 70 kilometers later.

El Jadida’s Portuguese Cistern: Parking Reality

El Jadida’s Cité Portugaise is worth seeing—the underground cistern is genuinely impressive. But driving into the old medina is a mistake. The streets were built for donkeys, not Dacia Dusters with boards on top.

Park at the lot near Bab Marrakech (the main gate). It costs 10-20 dirhams for a few hours. Walk from there. I tried driving closer and ended up doing a 15-point turn in an alley while a café owner watched with obvious entertainment.

Read More: Oualidia Lagoon Logistics →

Oualidia is where the trip starts feeling different. The lagoon is famous for oysters and kitesurfing, but parking near the water is limited. Most spots along the lagoon road are private or reserved for restaurant customers.

If you’re just stopping for photos and fresh seafood, park in the “ville haute” (upper town) near the main road and walk down. It’s about 400 meters. If you have heavy gear or plan to launch a kite, you’ll need to negotiate with one of the beachfront restaurants for parking—usually 50 dirhams plus buying lunch.

I parked at Restaurant L’Araignée Gourmande. The oysters were excellent, parking was included, and I avoided the stress of squeezing into tight spots near the lagoon.

From Oualidia, the coast opens up. The next 80 kilometers to Safi are some of the emptiest you’ll experience. You’ll see flamingos, salt flats, and almost no other cars. This is the Morocco most tourists never see.

After Oualidia, the landscape shifts. You’re entering the wilder coastal stretch where surf spots outnumber towns.

The Technical Coastline: Cap Beddouza to Safi

This section surprised me. I expected perfect tarmac and ocean views. What I got was driving the N1 Morocco coast in its raw form—sand drifts across the road, occasional potholes, and that constant Atlantic wind pushing the car sideways.

Cap Beddouza is marked on maps but barely exists in reality. There’s a lighthouse, a few houses, and a dirt track leading to surf breaks that only locals know about. I pulled over to check the waves and immediately understood why you need good ground clearance here. The “parking area” was just hardened sand.

Souiria Kdima: The Ghost Village

Souiria Kdima feels post-apocalyptic. There’s an abandoned Portuguese fort, a small fishing port, and almost no infrastructure. The road down to the port is steep and rough. Unless you’re determined to surf here (the waves can be good but inconsistent), just keep driving.

I stopped because I thought I needed gas. The single station there had no attendant and no working pump. Lesson learned: always fill up in major towns, not “marked on the map” places.

Read More: Navigating Safi's Industrial Chaos →

Safi is unavoidable. It’s a major phosphate port and sardine processing center. The smell hits you before you see the city. If you’re heading straight to Essaouira or the southern surf spots, you need to navigate Safi’s roundabouts correctly or you’ll end up in the industrial zone.

From the north, follow signs for “Essaouira / Marrakech” at the first major roundabout. Do NOT follow “Centre Ville” unless you actually want to visit Safi’s medina (which is interesting, but adds 45 minutes).

The key roundabout is near the Grand Mosque. Stay in the right lane and follow “Essaouira” signs. If you miss this exit, you’ll loop through downtown Safi’s market area during rush hour. I did this. It took 30 minutes to get back on track.

For surfers: Sidi Bouzid beach (north of Safi) is accessible via a separate exit before you reach the main city. The surf here is average but the beach is clean. Parking is informal—just pull off near the cafés.

Once you clear Safi, the road improves dramatically. The next 90 kilometers to Essaouira are smooth, scenic, and relatively straight.

Essaouira and the Wild South: Where Surf Logistics Get Real

Essaouira is a perfect midpoint stop. But here’s the critical logistics issue: you cannot drive into the medina. The entire old city is car-free. Your options are the port parking lot (Parking du Port) or the official lot near Bab Doukkala.

I recommend Bab Doukkala parking. It’s 20 dirhams for 24 hours, guarded, and only a 5-minute walk to the medina entrance. The port parking is cheaper (10 dirhams) but exposed to salt spray—not great if you have boards on the roof.

For more details on Essaouira logistics, check the Morocco road trip logistics guide.

Driving to Sidi Kaouki: The Wind Corridor

Sidi Kaouki is 25 kilometers south of Essaouira. The road is excellent, but the wind is relentless. If you have anything on your roof—boards, bikes, luggage—you’ll feel the car pulling sideways. This is normal. Just reduce speed to 80 km/h and keep both hands on the wheel.

I saw a rental car pulled over with a completely detached roof box. The straps had failed. Lesson: check your roof racks at every stop. Wind stress accumulates.

Read More: Tafedna Village Descent →

Tafedna is a tiny fishing village about 50 kilometers south of Essaouira. It doesn’t appear on most tourist maps, but surfers know it for consistent beach breaks and zero crowds.

The problem is getting there. The turnoff from the N1 is easy to miss—look for a faded blue sign that says “Tafedna 8 km.” The paved road lasts about 4 kilometers, then becomes graded dirt, then becomes a steep descent into the village.

Use engine braking on the way down. I relied on brakes too much and they started smoking. A local fisherman laughed and made a downward hand gesture—universal language for “use lower gear.”

Parking in Tafedna is informal. Just find a flat spot near the mosque or ask someone. I paid a kid 20 dirhams to “watch” my car, which seemed to be the local system.

The surf was worth it. Empty lefts, clear water, and total silence except for waves and seagulls.

From Tafedna, the road back to the N1 feels long. But once you rejoin the highway, it’s a straight shot to Tamri and the start of the Taghazout corridor.

The Surf Capital: Imsouane to Agadir

This final stretch contains Morocco’s most famous surf spots. It also contains Morocco’s most complicated parking situations in Taghazout and Imsouane.

Imsouane’s “Magic Bay” Parking Problem

Imsouane is legendary for its long right-hand point break. What’s less legendary is finding a parking spot within reasonable walking distance of the wave.

There are essentially three zones:

  • Down by the bay: About 10 spots total, always full by 9 AM. Locals park here overnight.
  • Mid-village: Along the main road, informal parking. You’ll block someone eventually.
  • Upper parking lot: Official lot near the entrance to the village, 500 meters from the beach. This is where you’ll actually park unless you arrive at dawn.

I spent 20 minutes circling before giving up and using the upper lot. The walk down isn’t bad, but carrying boards back uphill after a session is exhausting. Some people pay kids 20-30 dirhams to watch boards near the beach. This works if you’re staying multiple days.

Read More: Tamri Wildlife & The Taghazout Corridor →

Tamri is 40 kilometers north of Agadir, known for banana plantations and wild goats. Seriously—goats are everywhere. They cross the N1 without warning, often in groups. I had three near-misses in a 10-kilometer stretch.

Slow down through Tamri. The speed limit is 60 km/h but feels optimistic given the goat situation.

The Taghazout corridor (Taghazout, Tamraght, Aourir) is where things get chaotic. This area has exploded with surf camps, hostels, and construction. Traffic between Taghazout and Tamraght moves slowly, especially during peak season (October-March).

Parking for famous surf spots like Anchor Point or Killer Point is a mess. There’s no official lot. People just pull off the highway onto dirt areas. I saw a Renault Clio stuck in soft sand, wheels spinning uselessly. Stick to hardened spots or use a surf camp’s parking if you’re staying nearby.

For more on driving conditions in Morocco, the main guide covers what to expect.

By the time you reach Agadir, you’ve driven through industrial ports, empty coastlines, wind-battered villages, and Morocco’s surf epicenter. The final 30 kilometers into Agadir are smooth highway.

Practical Survival Guide for Surf Drivers

After doing this route three times, here’s what actually matters:

Car Rental with Roof Racks

Not all agencies at Casablanca airport offer roof racks. I called six agencies before finding one (Locationauto) that had them available. Book at least 10 days in advance. Expect to pay 50-80 dirhams extra per day for racks.

Alternatives: some travelers bring soft racks. These work but require careful tightening. I saw someone lose a board on the highway near Oualidia. Not worth the risk for a 600-kilometer drive.

For full details on rentals, check the Morocco car rental guide.

Police Checks and Boards

Police checkpoints are common on the N1. They’re mostly looking for proper documentation: license, registration, insurance.

I was stopped twice. Both times, the officer looked at my boards, asked if I was a surfer, and waved me through with a smile. No issues. Just make sure boards are properly secured—loose straps will attract attention.

Internet and Navigation

Google Maps works well for the main N1 route but struggles with side roads to surf spots. I downloaded Maps.me offline maps before leaving Casablanca. This saved me multiple times when cell signal dropped.

For mobile data, buy a SIM card at the airport. I used Maroc Telecom (50 dirhams for 10 GB). Coverage is good on the N1 but spotty in villages like Tafedna or Souiria Kdima.

Common Questions About This Route

How long does the Casablanca to Agadir drive actually take?

Google says 6 hours 30 minutes. In reality, budget 8-9 hours minimum if you’re stopping for photos, food, and fuel. I took 3 days and felt rushed. 5-6 days is ideal if you’re surfing along the way.

Is the N1 road safe?

Yes, mostly. The road is well-maintained except for short sections near Cap Beddouza and Souiria Kdima. Watch for sand drifts, goats (especially near Tamri), and aggressive truck drivers. I never felt unsafe, just needed to stay alert.

Can I do this in a small car?

Technically yes. I saw Renault Clios and Fiat Pandas on the N1. But ground clearance helps for side trips to surf spots. If you’re staying strictly on paved roads, a small car is fine. If you’re exploring, rent at least a Dacia Duster or similar.

What’s the best time of year for this drive?

September to November for surf and weather. March to May for fewer crowds. Avoid July-August—too hot, too crowded, and wind is inconsistent for surfing. Winter (December-February) works but bring layers; mornings are cold.

Do I need to speak French or Arabic?

French helps enormously. Basic Arabic phrases are appreciated but not essential. In surf towns like Taghazout and Imsouane, English is common. Everywhere else, expect French to be the default. I managed with terrible French and Google Translate. It was awkward but functional.

Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?

Yes. Completely. But not for the reasons I expected.

I thought this trip would be about hitting famous surf spots and taking scenic photos. It ended up being about navigating Safi’s roundabouts at dusk, eating fresh grilled fish in villages with no names, and learning that “parking” in Morocco is more negotiation than rule.

The Casablanca to Agadir road trip isn’t difficult logistically. It’s just different. You need flexibility, patience, and a willingness to pull over when something looks interesting. The best moments happened when I ignored the plan.

If you’re considering this route, just do it. Rent a car with decent clearance, bring offline maps, and leave Casablanca early. The Atlantic coast isn’t crowded, isn’t polished, and isn’t trying to impress tourists. That’s exactly why it’s worth driving.

For more route options and planning details, explore the Morocco road trip routes section.

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