Route Overview at a Glance

Day 1 takes you from Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate. Day 2 winds through the Valley of Roses and the stunning Todra Gorge. Day 3 brings you to the Sahara at Merzouga. Day 4 is your desert day — camel trek, sunrise, the works. Day 5 loops back through Erfoud and Errachidia. Day 6 crosses the Middle Atlas to Fes. And Day 7 returns you to Marrakech via the highway.

Is 7 days enough for a Morocco road trip? Honestly, it’s the minimum I’d recommend for this route. You could do it faster, but you’d miss the magic. And the magic is exactly why you’re renting a car instead of joining a tour bus.

Types of Roads You’ll Encounter

Morocco’s roads surprised me. The main highways (autoroutes) between major cities are excellent — smooth asphalt, clear signage, rest stops with decent coffee. The national roads (N-roads) connecting smaller towns vary from good to “hold your breath and hope.”

The mountain passes are a different story. The Tizi n’Tichka is fully paved but features more hairpin turns than you can count. No guardrails on many sections. Locals passing on blind corners. Beautiful and terrifying in equal measure.

Near the desert, you’ll hit some gravel sections. Nothing extreme — a standard SUV handles everything on this route without drama. Save the 4×4 rental money for a different trip.

The pass itself takes about 2 hours if you don’t stop. But you will stop. The views demand it. There’s a cafe at the summit with overpriced tea and a bathroom that costs 2 dirhams — worth every centime after those curves.

Descend toward Aït Benhaddou, the UNESCO ksar you’ve seen in every movie from Gladiator to Game of Thrones. Parking is across the river — pay the 20 dirhams for the guarded lot, not the “free” spots where locals will demand money anyway.

Spend a couple hours exploring, then continue 30 km to Ouarzazate. This town is your desert gateway, with proper hotels, ATMs, and the last big supermarket for days.

Where to park in Ouarzazate: Most hotels have secured parking. If you’re exploring the kasbah, use the paid lot near the cinema museum — 10 dirhams for the day.

Fuel up: Multiple stations on the main boulevard. Fill completely — tomorrow’s route has limited options.

Continue through Boumalne Dades. If you have extra time, the Dades Gorge side trip adds 60 km round-trip but features some of Morocco’s most dramatic canyon scenery. The famous “snake road” hairpins are Instagram gold.

The Todra Gorge appears suddenly — 300-meter walls closing in until you’re driving through a slot canyon barely wide enough for two cars. Your accommodation is probably inside the gorge; most guesthouses are clustered near the entrance.

Fuel situation: Last reliable station is in Tinghir, 15 km before the gorge. Fill up there — the gorge has nothing but overpriced guesthouses.

Parking: Hotels have their own lots. For the gorge walk, park at your hotel or the small lot at the narrowest point (expect to pay someone watching the cars).

Evening suggestion: Walk into the gorge at sunset when day-trippers have left. The changing light on the canyon walls is spectacular.

Critical fuel stop: Erfoud has the last stations before Merzouga. The village of Merzouga has fuel, but supply is inconsistent and prices are 15-20% higher. Top off in Erfoud without exception.

The final stretch to Merzouga runs straight toward the Erg Chebbi dunes. When you see them rising ahead, you understand why people make this drive. These aren’t small hills — they’re 150-meter sand mountains glowing orange in afternoon light.

Most desert camps and guesthouses are on the edge of Merzouga village, right against the dunes. Park your car here — you won’t need it for the next 36 hours.

Parking: Your accommodation provides secure parking. Never leave valuables visible in the car, even in guarded lots.

Tonight: Optional sunset camel trek into the dunes (book through your hotel, usually 200-400 dirhams per person). Sleep in the village or venture to a desert camp.

The rest of the day is yours. Options include sandboarding down the dunes, visiting nearby Berber villages, or doing absolutely nothing in a hammock while staring at the endless sand.

Some visitors book a night in a luxury desert camp. These aren’t roughing it — we’re talking proper beds, hot showers, and multi-course dinners under the stars. Prices range from 600 to 2000 dirhams per person depending on how fancy you want.

If camping isn’t your thing, the village guesthouses are comfortable and affordable. Many have rooftop terraces with dune views that rival any camp.

Don’t forget: Charge all devices today. Tomorrow’s drive is long, and you’ll want GPS running the whole way.

Erfoud and Errachidia are your fuel stops. Both have multiple stations, ATMs, and basic supplies. Errachidia is the larger town — grab lunch here at one of the restaurants near the central roundabout.

The road climbs steadily from Errachidia toward the Atlas. You’ll notice the temperature dropping and vegetation reappearing. By Midelt, you’re at 1,500 meters surrounded by apple orchards and pine forests.

Midelt isn’t a destination — it’s a strategic overnight stop. The town has basic hotels, good restaurants serving hearty mountain food, and not much else. Perfect after a long driving day.

Fuel in Midelt: Several stations on the main road through town. Fill up — tomorrow crosses a high pass with nothing for 100+ km.

Where to stay: Hotel Kasbah Asmaa or similar. Nothing fancy, but clean rooms and secure parking.

Stop in Azrou if you want to see Barbary macaques — Morocco’s famous monkeys hang out in the cedar forest just outside town. They’re aggressive about food, so keep snacks hidden.

Ifrane appears next, nicknamed “Little Switzerland” for its European architecture. It’s bizarre seeing Alpine-style chalets in Morocco, but the French colonial history explains the aesthetic.

Arriving in Fes, parking becomes your biggest challenge. The medina is car-free (and impossible to navigate anyway). Most hotels offer parking arrangements — confirm this when booking.

Where to park in Fes: If staying in the medina, park at Bab Boujloud lot (guarded, 50-70 dirhams per night) and walk or arrange pickup. New city hotels usually have their own lots.

Fuel: Multiple stations entering Fes from the south. You’re covered for the final day.

Evening: Get lost in the Fes medina. Seriously. It’s the world’s largest car-free urban zone and getting lost is part of the experience. Just remember your hotel’s neighborhood.

Toll costs: About 200 dirhams total for the Fes-Marrakech autoroute. Keep cash ready — most toll booths don’t accept cards.

Rest stops: Every 50-80 km with fuel, bathrooms, and basic food. Quality varies from decent to depressing.

Alternative route: If you have extra time, the N8 through Beni Mellal is slower (7+ hours) but more scenic, passing through olive groves and smaller towns. Only recommended if you’re extending your trip.

Return the car: Most agencies want vehicles back with the same fuel level as pickup. Fill up at the airport stations — they’re not overpriced like you’d expect.

Congratulations: You’ve just completed one of Africa’s most diverse road trips. Time for a hammam and a celebratory dinner.

Dangerous Sections to Watch

Tizi n’Tichka Pass: The 36 km of switchbacks have no guardrails in many sections. Locals pass on blind corners. Fog appears suddenly in afternoon. Don’t rush this stretch.

Todra Gorge Road: Narrow, with sheer walls on both sides. Tour buses squeeze through somehow. Pull into alcoves to let them pass.

Night driving anywhere: Don’t. Pedestrians wear dark clothing, donkeys have no reflectors, and trucks run with malfunctioning lights. Plan your days to arrive before sunset.

Gravel and Unpaved Sections

On this specific route, you’ll encounter minimal unpaved roads. The road to Merzouga is now fully paved. Some villages have gravel main streets, but nothing requiring special equipment.

If you detour to Erg Chigaga (the other major dune field), 4×4 is mandatory — that’s serious desert piste. Stick to Merzouga for this 7-day trip.

Weather Considerations

Summer (June-August): Desert sections reach 45°C+. Start driving before sunrise, stop by 2 PM. Air conditioning is essential, not optional.

Winter (December-February): Mountain passes may have snow. The Tizi n’Tichka can close briefly during storms. Desert nights drop near freezing.

Spring/Fall (March-May, September-November): Ideal driving conditions. This is when I recommend the trip.

Payment Options

Major stations (Afriquia, Shell, Total) accept cards. Rural stations often require cash only. Always carry at least 500 dirhams in cash for fuel emergencies.

Tip the pump attendant 5-10 dirhams — they provide full service and will check your oil and tires if asked.

Fuel Prices

Expect to pay around 13-15 dirhams per liter for diesel, slightly more for gasoline. Prices are regulated but vary slightly by region. Remote areas charge 10-20% premiums.

Stations on This Route

Police Checkpoints

You’ll encounter police checkpoints, especially near desert areas and when entering cities. They’re routine, not alarming.

Procedure: Stop when flagged. Keep hands visible. Have documents ready (passport, driver’s license, rental contract, insurance). Answer basic questions (where are you coming from, where going). Most checks take 2-3 minutes.

Stay calm and polite. Officers rarely speak English but are generally professional. “Bon voyage” is the typical dismissal.

Animals on Roads

Donkeys, sheep, goats, camels — they wander onto roads constantly. This is the main reason to avoid night driving. Even in daylight, scan ahead continuously in rural areas.

If you hit an animal, stop. This is both moral and legal. Local owners will appear quickly, and negotiation for damages follows. Your rental insurance may or may not cover animal collisions — check your policy.

Local Driving Behavior

Moroccan driving is… spirited. Expect:

• Passing on blind corners (standard practice)
• Tailgating at high speeds
• Motorcycles weaving through traffic
• Trucks moving slowly uphill, faster downhill
• Pedestrians crossing without looking

Drive defensively. Assume nobody else follows rules. Use your mirrors constantly. And remember — arriving late is better than not arriving.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Accident: Stay at the scene. Call police (190) and your rental company. Take photos. Get witness contacts. Don’t admit fault.

Breakdown: Call your rental company’s emergency line first. Pull completely off the road. Use hazard triangle (should be in the car). Most companies arrange towing within a few hours.

Medical emergency: Call 150 for ambulance. Major towns have hospitals; desert areas require evacuation to Errachidia or Ouarzazate.

Fuel Costs

Total distance: ~1,400 km
Average consumption: 8-10 L/100km for SUV
Fuel price: ~14 MAD/liter
Estimated fuel cost: 1,600-2,000 MAD (€145-€180)

Toll Roads

Fes-Marrakech autoroute: ~200 MAD
Other tolls minimal on this route
Estimated tolls: 200-250 MAD (€18-€23)

Parking

Daily parking: 10-50 MAD per stop
Overnight guarded parking: 30-70 MAD
Fes medina parking: 50-70 MAD/night
Estimated parking total: 200-350 MAD (€18-€32)

Total Transport Budget

For two people sharing, that’s roughly €185-€340 each for transportation. Compare that to organized tours at €100-€150 per day, and self-driving wins economically while offering infinitely more freedom.