Atlas Mountains and Desert Adventure: Morocco Self-Drive Itineraries from/to Marrakesh

When is the best time of year for a road trip adventure in Morocco?

Based on our experience (and confirmed by local expats we’ve spoken to), mid-October to mid-April is the best time to embark on a road trip around the south-east of Morocco. The climate is pleasant – any earlier or later, and it gets too hot in the desert. That said, winter nights can get very cold, and there might be snow at higher altitudes, so make sure to bring layers to keep you warm and toasty.

Check the climate and average weather year-round in Morocco.

How long should you set aside for a road trip in Morocco?

The longer the better, of course. We provide sample itineraries for 7 nights/8 days, 10 nights/11 days and 14 nights/15 days below. These itineraries focus on the region east and south of Marrakesh – including the Atlas mountains and desert beyond – not the whole country.

If you want to cover the whole country, we recommend to set aside at least two weeks and book a tour that includes a driver/guide. Why? Because you don’t want to drive in big cities like Marrakesh or Fes (trust us), and you’ll want to enjoy the sights along the way rather than having to concentrate for long hours of driving every day. Having a driver/guide who speaks English (as well as Arabic and Amazigh) will also benefit your ability to connect and communicate with the locals you meet on your trip.

Here are our recommendations for road trips including a driver/guide:

What should you know before embarking on a road trip in Morocco (in winter)?

First and foremost, driving in Morocco is on the right side of the road. Good news if you’re from Mainland Europe or North America. If you’re used to left-hand driving, give yourself a bit of extra time (and attention) to adjust.

Thanks to massive infrastructure investments in recent years, we found the road quality to be (mostly) excellent – at least along the routes in our sample itineraries. That said, beware of sudden obstacles at any time:

• from camels (or more precisely, dromedars), other animals and pedestrians crossing the road,
• to oncoming vehicles (of all sizes) and randomly parked vehicles appearing in your lane.

Police checks and speed traps are common:

• Always come to a full stop at police checks. Even if they wave you through – STOP FIRST (we had to pay MAD150 / USD14.94 for not coming to a complete stop AFTER being waved through, so learn from our mistake).
• Strictly adhere to speed limits as indicated by road signs. We often found the speed limit signs to be much lower than the general speed limits in Morocco. Err on the side of caution if it’s unclear.

Road closures are possible during the winter months (December-February), especially atop mountain passes. While these closures usually only last a few hours, if you travel in the depth of winter, check the weather forecast regularly and prepare for (minor) delays.

Parking in areas marked with red and white lines is prohibited. Where parking is allowed, you’ll often find parking attendants – who will guide you/watch your vehicle but also charge a fee. If you need to park your car overnight, check with your accommodation host what the usual parking fee is. You may be able to negotiate the fee (especially if it seems extortionate), but do keep in mind if it’s worth the hassle (and risk of them damaging your car out of spite).

Marrakesh’s traffic is crazy (like in any big Moroccan city). For your own sanity’s sake, avoid driving in/through the city centre and instead pick up/drop off your rental vehicle at Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK).

Mobile phone coverage is surprisingly good and stable (we even had coverage at our desert camp near Mhamid).

Always carry toilet paper (as most public toilets have none), hand sanitiser (public bathrooms don’t always have water or soap) and tissues (as most restaurants don’t provide serviettes).

Last (but not least), make sure to frequently stop (where it’s safe to do so): the landscapes you’ll be travelling through are truly out of this world.

How much to budget for a self-drive road trip in Morocco?

On our 10-day road trip, we spent on average MAD831.50 / USD82.82 per day as follows:

Ready to explore Morocco beyond your road trip? Check out our detailed guide on Morocco Travel Costs for a comprehensive breakdown of additional expenses. From accommodation and food to transportation and activities, discover all the costs you need to budget for a complete Moroccan adventure.

Where to hire a vehicle (and what to get)?

The standard pick-up/drop-off point is the parking lot in front of Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK).

If you have the option, go for a diesel vehicle as diesel (called gazole or gasoil at petrol stations in Morocco) is cheaper than petrol (called essence). Hiring a four-wheel drive vehicle is not required for our sample itineraries.

Morocco self-drive itineraries from/to Marrakesh – for 7, 10 and 14 nights

Here are our tried and tested road trip options for your to consider:

Map of Accommodation, Points of Interest, Eateries and Transport

Below is a map of the recommended accommodations, points of interest, eateries, and transport terminals or stops mentioned in this article.

Why do we recommend a road trip in Morocco?

The landscapes of the Atlas mountains and desert beyond are absolutely breathtaking. No wonder they’ve featured in so many movies. Yet, being located several hundred kilometres to the east and south of Marrakesh, these areas are too far to cover (in any meaninful way) on a day trip from the Red City.

We prefer using public transportation (trains and buses) wherever we go, and we know many of you do too. But in this instance, we recommend hiring a vehicle: with limited time in the country, exploring with your own set of wheels just gives you more flexibility. That said, if you have the time and don’t mind the odd squeeze into an overcrowded vehicle, you could do the journey by (mini)bus and (occasional) taxi as well.

Want to buy souvenirs?

Along the roads, you will encounter people selling all sorts of things – from home-made honey and pottery to crystals (which are often fake, aka died quartz geodes or worse) and fossils (especially as you travel along the N9).

Don’t show any interest in what is on display unless

• you want to buy what they sell, don’t mind having to haggle and still pay more than what’s “normal” – for something that might not actually be what you’re told it is, and
• you don’t mind being harassed if you end up walking away.

If you want to buy

• locally-made crafts: go to the actual workshops where they are made, for example Rue Ibn Khaldoun (between Masjid Tareeq Muhammad and Rue Laghrissi) in Essaouira for woven blankets;
• amlou (a spread of argan oil, almonds and honey) or (cosmetic-grade) argan oil without haggling (and the assurance that what you get is actually what you wanted): go to Carrefour Carré Eden in Marrakesh; and
• crystals/fossils – do your research first (including how to identify fakes).

Where to stay in Marrakesh before/after your road trip?

Unless you have been to Marrakesh before and just want to jump straight into the car upon arrival at the airport (and straight back onto the plane upon your return), we can recommend to stay at least one night at either end of your road trip – the more the better as there is a lot to see and do in this eclectic city.

To be within walking distance to most of the worthwhile sights and activities in Marrakesh, we would recommend booking accommodation in (or near) the oldest parts of town – that is, the Kasbah, Medina or Mellah areas. These are also the areas where you can find beautifully restored courtyard houses (Riads). Here is our selection for you:

Do be aware though that traditional Riads, as romantic as they are, can be a bit noisy as all rooms face the courtyard, and sound travels easily (even over multiple levels). So if you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs, just in case you share your Riad with noisy travellers.

What to see and do in Marrakesh before/after your road trip?

We spent a total of 12 nights in Marrakesh. Here are our favourite things to see and do in Marrakesh:

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