Day 1-2: Casablanca to El Jadida (The Choice of Roads)

The journey from Casablanca to El Jadida is your first real decision point: speed or scenery? Both routes work, but they offer completely different experiences.

The A1 Highway: Efficiency First

The A1 toll highway is the fastest route, covering the 100 kilometers to El Jadida in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. This is modern Moroccan infrastructure at its best — smooth asphalt, clear lane markings, and minimal traffic outside rush hours.

The highway uses a ticket system. You collect a ticket when you enter and pay when you exit based on distance traveled. The toll from Casablanca to El Jadida is around 15-20 MAD. Payment is cash-only at most toll booths, though some now accept the Tag Jawaz electronic system (only useful if you’re a resident or frequent traveler).

Keep small bills handy — 20 MAD and 50 MAD notes. Toll booth attendants sometimes claim they don’t have change for 200 MAD bills, which may or may not be true. Don’t get into arguments; just have the right denominations ready.

The A1 is your choice if you’re starting late in the day and want to reach El Jadida before dark, or if you’re eager to skip the buildup and get straight to the coast.

The R301 Coastal Road: The Scenic Alternative

The R301 coastal road is slower (around 2 hours) but infinitely more interesting. This route hugs the Atlantic, passing through small fishing villages, agricultural lands, and occasional stretches where the road runs right along the waterfront.

Road conditions on the R301 vary. The main stretches are well-paved, but you’ll encounter rough patches, especially near village entrances where heavy truck traffic has degraded the asphalt. Speed bumps appear without warning — locals call them “sleeping policemen” — so stay alert.

Traffic on the R301 is lighter than the highway but more unpredictable. You’ll share the road with farm tractors, horse-drawn carts, and motorcycles carrying improbable loads. Passing is frequent but requires patience. Locals drive aggressively; don’t feel pressured to match their speed.

The R301 coastal road between Casablanca and El Jadida offers Atlantic views and authentic village life, though slower speeds and occasional rough patches require patient driving.

Logistics: Timing Your Route Choice

Use the A1 if you’re leaving Casablanca airport in the late afternoon or evening. Driving unfamiliar coastal roads in fading light is needlessly stressful, and you’ll miss the views anyway.

Choose the R301 if you have morning or early afternoon departure time. The light is better for photography, villages are more active, and you’ll arrive in El Jadida with time to explore the Portuguese cistern and medina before dinner.

Hybrid option: Take the A1 southbound (fast escape from Casa), explore El Jadida, then use coastal roads for the rest of the journey where you have more time.

Drive time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, but budget 2 hours to account for slow-moving traffic and inevitable photo stops. The landscape is flat coastal plains with views of the Atlantic appearing intermittently on your right.

Watch for farm tractors pulling trailers of produce. They travel at 30-40 km/h and don’t always pull over to let faster traffic pass. Patience is essential. Honking is ineffective and considered rude — just wait for a safe passing opportunity.

Parking in Oualidia: The Lagoon Challenge

Oualidia is built around its stunning lagoon, which means parking logistics require understanding the town’s layout. There are three main parking areas:

1. Near the oyster shacks (southern end): This is where most restaurants are located. Parking is informal, along the roadside. You’ll immediately be approached by unofficial parking attendants in yellow vests or improvised “guardian” badges. They’ll offer to “watch” your car.

The going rate is 5-10 MAD depending on how long you’re staying. This isn’t optional in the social sense — these guardians provide a real service (deterring break-ins, helping with directions) and the fee is customary. Pay when you return to your car, not upfront.

2. Near the royal villa (northern end): More formal parking area with designated spaces. Quieter, but farther from restaurants. Same guardian system applies.

3. Hotel parking: If you’re staying overnight at one of the beachfront hotels, use their secure parking. Some hotels allow non-guests to park for a fee (20-30 MAD) if you’re dining at their restaurant.

Never leave valuables visible in your car. The guardians do their best, but opportunistic theft happens. Put everything in the trunk before you park.

Your main objective is reaching Colline des Potiers (Pottery Hill) without getting stuck in the industrial port traffic. Here’s the smart route:

Coming from the north (Oualidia), follow signs for “Centre Ville” rather than “Port.” This keeps you on the main coastal road until you can turn inland toward the pottery quarter. Use GPS but cross-reference with physical signs — sometimes GPS routes you through congested areas unnecessarily.

The pottery workshops are clustered on a hill overlooking the city. There’s a large parking area at the base of the hill (free, with guardians expecting 5-10 MAD tip). From there, you can walk up to the workshops or drive if you want to visit specific studios at the top.

Traffic is worst during morning and late afternoon when workers are commuting. Mid-morning (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM) and mid-afternoon (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM) are calmer windows for exploring.

The Scenic Cliffs: South of Safi

Once you leave Safi heading south toward Essaouira, the landscape transforms. The road climbs onto dramatic cliffs with the Atlantic crashing below. This is some of the most photogenic coastline in Morocco, but it comes with a caveat: wind.

The Atlantic trade winds funnel through this section relentlessly, especially in spring and summer. Strong gusts can push your car, particularly if you’re driving a high-profile vehicle like an SUV or van. Keep both hands on the wheel and reduce speed when you feel crosswinds.

There are several unofficial viewpoints where you can pull over safely. Don’t stop on blind curves or narrow shoulders. If there’s no proper pullout, keep driving until you find one — the views continue for kilometers.

Safi’s Pottery Hill offers free parking at the base with traditional ceramic workshops climbing the hillside, requiring navigation around industrial port traffic to reach.

This means you need to park outside the medina and either walk with your bags or use one of the traditional luggage transport systems. If you’re staying in a riad inside the medina, plan accordingly.

Logistics of Luggage: The Blue Carts

Essaouira has a unique solution: blue hand carts (charrettes) operated by licensed porters. These porters wait near the main parking areas and the medina gates. They’ll transport your luggage from your car to your accommodation for a fee.

Standard rate is around 20-30 MAD per cart, depending on the distance into the medina and the amount of luggage. Riads deep in the medina cost more because the porters have to navigate narrow alleys. Negotiate the price before they load your bags.

Alternatively, if you’re staying in one of the modern hotels outside the medina (along the beach road), you can drive right up to the entrance and use their parking, eliminating this logistical step entirely.

Long-term Parking: Where and How Much

If you’re staying multiple nights in Essaouira, you need secure parking. There are several options:

1. Parking near the port: Large paved lot just outside Bab Marrakech. Guarded 24/7. Cost: approximately 10 MAD per 24 hours. Close to medina entrance, but fills up quickly in high season.

2. Parking Bab Doukkala: On the north side of the medina. Similar pricing and security. Slightly farther walk but less crowded.

3. Private parking lots: Several entrepreneurs run small private lots near the medina. Prices range from 15-30 MAD per day. Ask to see the facility first and confirm it’s locked at night.

4. Hotel parking: Some hotels outside the medina allow non-guests to park for 30-50 MAD per day. This is the most secure option if budget allows.

Never park on random streets hoping it’s free. You’ll either get ticketed, towed, or return to find your car has been “guarded” by someone demanding payment you didn’t agree to.

Essaouira’s car-free medina requires using traditional blue carts operated by licensed porters to transport luggage from parking areas to riads inside the walled city.

Total distance: approximately 350 kilometers. Driving time: 4 hours and 30 minutes with normal traffic. Budget 5 hours to account for toll stops and a rest break.

This route is almost entirely on smooth, modern highways with minimal stress. Tolls will total around 60-80 MAD for the complete journey back to Casablanca airport. Have cash ready.

The alternative coastal route back through Oualidia and El Jadida is scenic but adds 2-3 hours to your journey. Only choose this if you have a late afternoon flight or you’re staying another night in Casablanca.

Gas Station Strategy: Final Details

This is crucial: fill up your rental car at a station near the airport, not at the airport itself. There are no gas stations inside the airport complex. The nearest stations are on the highway approaches, about 2-3 kilometers before the airport exits.

If you return your car without a full tank, the rental agency will charge you their inflated rate plus a service fee. This can easily cost 50-100 MAD more than filling up yourself.

Signs for “Aéroport Mohammed V” appear well in advance. Watch for “Naftal” or “Afriquia” gas stations along the highway before you take the airport exit. Pull in, fill up completely, and keep the receipt (in case of disputes).

Allow at least 90 minutes before your flight to return the car and get through check-in and security. More if it’s peak travel hours or if you’re flying international.