16 Tips to Road Trip Morocco
In November 2022, we made a 16-day Road trip in Morocco going all around and driving over 2 500 km (in a Fiat 500! What an adventure).
Our trip started and ended in Fes, and we made a loop in order to visit this magnificent country. Our itinerary went through the main cities, the Sahara Desert, the seaside and the mountains of Morocco.
We personally rented a car at the airport and did the following: Fes, Chefchaouen, Rabat, Casablanca, Essaouira, Marrakesh, Imlil, Telouet, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Merzouga, Ifrane.
While we were organizing our trip to Morocco, we took a while to decide if we wanted to rent a car or use public transportation. But we quickly came to realize that without a car, it would be hard, almost impossible to do what we had plan.
Our family had previously done a vintage car road trip in Morocco, so in the end we opted to do the same. This way, we would be able to get the most of Morocco.
In this article, we will give you all the tips and everything we learn in our 2500km in Morocco. So, let’s dive in this Tips to Road Trip Morocco
Here is our complete video from this trip :
Table of Contents
Mapping the day
Get our full map
Why pin one by one when you can get them all at once? With this map, you get all our pins, destinations, things to see, where to eat and sleep, and so much more in one time.
Tips to Road Trip Morocco
Price of rental in Morocco
We rented a car for 14 days in Morocco. We used rentalcars.com and booked it a few weeks in advance. For safety, we opted for their insurance.
All together it costed 385€, so 27.5€ per day. The insurance was 82.5€ and the car hire charge 302.52€. So, without insurance it would have been 21.6€ per day.
Type of car
The type of car you chose will greatly impact the price you pay. We opted for a small car, fiat 500 or similar. In the end, we got the fiat 500.
With it we did 2500km. We went from huge cities to small villages, through the mountains, the desert, highways, dirt roads and so on…
And to be honest, it was pretty fine. We didn’t struggle at all.
We only travelled with backpacks, so we had enough space in the trunk for them. And the reason we chose such a car was not only for the price but also because it would be easier in the city, for parking…
Downside was for Tina, that wasn’t too comfortable taking over other cars or truck but I was fine.
Rental company
We opted for the offer from Budget from Fes Airport to Fes Airport. As there were only one agent at their rental booth, it took a while to get the car. But the agent there was super friendly and once it was our turn it went smooth.
When we got the car, it wasn’t super-duper clean but was alright.
At the end of our trip, we call them to ask if we could drop of the car the next morning at 5h instead of the previous evening at 21h. They quickly agreed as long as the car was fueled and clean.
Don’t be worried about a little damage!
Along the way, we scratch a bit the bumper. We are not 100% sure where but we think it might be in Rabat. When we stopped on the side of the road to check the map.
The pavement was super high, and our car super low.
In the end, as the agency agree to let us keep the car longer. We left a small tip in the car, 17dh which was all our coins.
We never hear anything from them about the damaged bumper.
Refueling the car
That’s the easiest part. There are tons of gas station everywhere. Prices varies a bit but a similar. All stations are quite alright.
You just need to get in the station, and someone will come to you. Tell you how much fuel you want or “le plein” if you want a full tank and they will do it for you.
Once done, you can either pay them with credit car or cash. And if you feel like it, leave a small tip. Our rule was 5dh for the refueling the car and 10 for refueling + cleaning the windshield.
Cleaning the car
The best cleaning, we have ever seen. Most of the gas station have a car washing area. A few have automatic one, but we only used the manual one where someone is cleaning the car.
Once again, you simply need to go there and ask for cleaning (lavage). It will take around 30min, but the car will be clean inside and outside in details.
It cost 30dh and we usually left 5dh tips.
Drive like locals
A good rule that applies anywhere you are, is to follow the local driving style. In Morocco, do as Moroccan and you will be fine.
Don’t respect the rule like you may in your country. For example, Moroccans don’t respect the lines and drive in the middle. A 3 lines road is often a two and half road as they are on the middle and its fine.
Strangely, they do not honk as much as we thought.
Roundabout
Morocco has a lot in common with France. As such, there are tons of roundabouts. The only difference is that you do not go around the roundabout but straight in it. For example, if you take the exist of the first quarter go to the right directly. If you want to go to the rest of the roundabout stay in the middle and do not loop around it.
Road Police
There are lots of police in Morocco, mostly at the entrance of cities, towns or even villages. On some occasion there are controlling the speed.
We got stopped once for over speeding. We didn’t notice and didn’t reduce our speed quick enough while entering a town and got controlled by the police. 71 instead of 60 km/h. The police officer stopped us, ask my documents (driver license, passport, and car ID). He then asked me to get out of the car and show me my speed.
I didn’t say anything just that I didn’t brake enough. He asked for 150 Mad, but I ask if he can do something. He then brought me behind his car. I gave him 100 and he said that it is fine. He took picture of my document and let me go.
The only other time we got stopped was in the middle of nowhere. There a police officer stops us just to ask us where we were going.
Watch out for everything!
Always watch out for something to happen. Especially in town. Obstacles com in all shapes, sizes and species.
In town, you can have people, children, animals crossing at any time. Around school, you can have lots of students and bikes going around and by the road.
On the countryside, you can often see donkeys on the road, or even goats. It is common to pass by groups of goats with a shepherd, they usually go out of the road as you come but be careful.
Pedestrian do not have priority
There are zebras in Morocco, but they don’t mean much. Cars have priority and it is pedestrians that must be careful. While passing a town, it is common to have people crossing anywhere and it is normal for you not to stop for it.
People will slowly move from one side to the other and even come close to your car but as long as you respect the speed limit, it will all work out.
No planning needed
You honestly don’t need to plan 100% of your trip in advance. It is nice to know where you will go but you can adjust the road last minute.
The only recommendation we have is that you get a sim card which is super easy and then you can use, google maps, waze… We used google map for most of it and it was super easy.
For the gas station, there are everywhere, so no stress here either. Only if you use one of our Atlas mountain variation from Tinghir to Merzouga, you will have to have enough fuel or refuel in Tinghir.
Driving in cities
Driving in a city can always be a bit more stressful. You have much more people, cars, roads… We drove in Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech… and it was quite alright actually.
Out of the rush hour, there really isn’t anything to it. During the rush hour in the morning and evening, it is a bit more complicated. Yet manageable. Follow the local driving style and you will be good.
Parking
As we were on a road trip, we always tried to opt for an accommodation with a parking. But that’s not always possible.
For example, in Chefchaouen we had to park on a street parking. It was easy and cost 10dh per night. The only thing is that, you don’t want to negotiate the price with them when you stay a few nights. Always pay per night what is asked. And if they ask more of you later, just leave. That happened to us as we negotiated price and we had to force a bit our way out
Roads In Morocco
There is all type of roads in Morocco. From highways to dirt roads. We went on all of them, and it was always Ok.
Some of the road we took were beautiful. The landscape was but the road was damaged. Yet drivable. Just take it slow and it will be alright.
ضرب الحديد ماحدو سخون Strike the iron while it’s still hot. (Take advantage of the opportunity before it passes you by)
Get our full map
Why pin one by one when you can get them all at once? With this map, you get all our pins, destinations, things to see, where to eat and sleep, and so much more in one time.
