From the Baltic Sea to Southern Germany

I know, I know. The infamous German autobahn can sound intimidating to anyone getting a rental car. However, I promise that driving in Germany is a perfectly normal (yet slightly faster) experience. 

While train travel throughout Europe is great, sometimes you just want a good old-fashioned road trip–and Germany is the place to do it. From views of the Bavarian Alps to the Baltic Sea, a road trip in Germany can take you anywhere. 

To help you plan your Germany itinerary, we’ve put together a list of the top ten best road trips in Germany. Fasten your seatbelt, and let’s ride!

TL;DR

The Ultimate Germany Road Trip Itinerary

It’s time to hop in your car rental and cruise. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious spa town or getting your feet dirty on some hiking trails, these ten road trip routes are sure to please every traveler’s interests.

1. The Romantic Road (Romantische Strasse)

When you think of “road trips in Germany,” the Romantic Road, called Romantische Strasse in German, comes to most folk’s mind first. And with good reason!

If you only have time for one road trip in Germany, this is the one you should choose. You can begin or end the route in Würzburg and Füssen (about an hour’s drive from the Zugspitze).

This 250+ mile route takes wide-eyed travelers through some of Bavaria’s most fairytale-like landscapes. Of course, the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle is even a stop on this road trip. Additionally, you’ll be treated to epic views of southern Germany, including the Bavarian Alps, quaint medieval towns, and seemingly endless beer hops fields.

My personal favorite stop on the route is Rothenburg ob der Tauber. If you didn’t know better, you’d feel like you had stepped back into medieval times within this double-walled UNESCO World Heritage site. It may seem like a sleepy town, but it’s absolutely worth staying the night and exploring what goes on within the city walls.

If you’re staying in Würzburg and not quite up to driving yourself, book the Romantic Road & Rothenburg ob der Tauber Tour. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy the sites from the comfort of the passenger seat.

2. The Castle Route (Burgenstraße)

For a country…