Trip Highlights
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Casablanca → Rabat → Fès
Take A1 motorway CMN→Rabat (55 MAD toll) then A2 Rabat→Fès (55 MAD). If short on time skip Rabat and drive straight to Fès (3h direct on motorway).
Fès — Full Day Medina Exploration
Park your car at the hotel and walk all day. Hire a local guide (200 MAD/half day) for the tannery — viewpoints require guide access. Medina is UNESCO listed and completely pedestrian.
Fès → Ifrane → Midelt → Merzouga
Long drive day — start before 7am. Ifrane stop 30 min, Midelt lunch 45 min. Arrive Merzouga at ~17h in time for sunset dune walk. Fill fuel at Midelt and Erfoud.
Merzouga → Todra Gorge → Ouarzazate
Wake at 5am for camel trek sunrise. Depart Merzouga 8am. Todra Gorge 1.5h stop. Arrive Ouarzazate ~16h. Cité du Cinéma open until 18h.
Ouarzazate → Ait Benhaddou → Marrakech
Ait Benhaddou 1.5h stop in the morning. Tizi n'Tichka summit photostop. Arrive Marrakech by afternoon.
Marrakech — Full Day Medina & Souks
Park the car — everything in Marrakech is walkable from the medina. Evening at Djemaa el-Fna is unmissable. Hire a guide (300 MAD/half day) to navigate the souks.
Marrakech → Essaouira (optional) or departure
Optional extension to Essaouira (2h45 each way). Or spend the morning in Marrakech and fly out from RAK airport in the afternoon.
Key Stops Along the Route
| Stop | Km from start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Casablanca | 0 km | Hassan II Mosque visit recommended (guided tour 120 MAD). CMN airport nearby. |
| Rabat | 90 km | Capital city. Kasbah, Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum. |
| Fès | 320 km | Imperial city. Largest medieval medina in the world. 2 nights recommended. |
| Ifrane | 490 km | Alpine-style village at 1665m. Cool climate year-round. |
| Midelt | 600 km | Apple capital of Morocco. Good lunch stop. Last fuel for 140km. |
| Merzouga | 770 km | Erg Chebbi dunes. Desert camps. 1 night minimum. |
| Todra Gorge | 920 km | Dramatic 300m canyon walls. Restaurant and walking paths. |
| Ouarzazate | 1000 km | Film city. Good accommodation range. Ait Benhaddou nearby. |
| Marrakech | 1200 km | UNESCO medina, Jemaa el-Fna, RAK airport. |
Fuel Strategy
Fill at Casablanca, Rabat, Fès, Midelt, Erfoud, Ouarzazate and Marrakech. Between Midelt and Merzouga is the longest gap (~140 km) — do not leave Midelt with less than half tank.
Safety Tips for This Route
- Keep photocopies of passport and driving licence
- Police checkpoints common on N routes — slow down well in advance
- Never exceed 120 km/h on motorways, 100 on expressways, 60 in towns
- Gendarmerie checkpoints at city entries — have registration and insurance ready
- Sandstorms around Merzouga — park facing away from wind
What to Pack
- Multiple cash (ATMs scarce in desert)
- Vehicle registration and rental contract
- Emergency roadside kit (mandatory in Morocco)
- Warm layers for Atlas/Sahara nights
- Water minimum 2L per person
- Offline maps: Morocco on Maps.me
- Moroccan SIM (Orange/Maroc Telecom)
- Solar power bank
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Casablanca to Marrakech?
The distance is approximately 1200 km. We recommend taking 7 days to enjoy the route with proper stops. Non-stop would take approximately 23 hours of driving.
What type of car do I need?
Recommended: SUV, compact, Duster. Difficulty is moderate. A standard rental car handles this route well.
When is the best time to do this trip?
Best: March, April, October, November. Avoid: July, August. Spring and autumn are generally ideal for this route.
What is the estimated budget?
Excluding car rental: 5,000 – 12,000 MAD per person (accommodation, food, entry fees). Add car rental from 150 MAD/day with Blue Mirage.