Planning a road trip in Morocco? Want to have a route which brings you to both the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, as well as places like Dadès Gorges and Aït Benhaddou? Then you'll be happy to know that we did a Moroccan road trip which ticks all those boxes!

In this post, we've given you the key details of our trip and experience, alongside insider knowledge, to help you plan your own. You'll find our route, itinerary recommendations and cost breakdown, as well as useful tips to know before you set out on your own Moroccan road trip.

Road Trip at a Glance

Day One / Pick up rental car in Marrakech - Drive to Aït Benhaddou

Day Two / Explore Aït Benhaddou, Ourzazate & Fint Oasis - Stay in Aït Benhaddou

Day Three / Drive to Dades Gorge & Spend the Night

Day Four / Drive to Merzouga - Spend Night at Desert Camp

Day Five / Morning at Desert Camp - Drive to Todra Gorge & Spend the Night

Day Six / Drive to Bin El Ouidane & Spend the Night

Day Seven / Drive to Cascades d'Ouzuoud - Return to Marrakech - Fly Home

Our Morocco Road Trip Route

Over six nights / seven days, we set off from Marrakech and drove our little rental car through winding mountain passes, dusty and potholed back country roads, hectic cities, lush African plains, a hidden oasis, a bewildering array of hairpin bends and on an arrow-straight road to the Sahara Desert.

It. Was. Fantastic.

And, because of the size of Morocco, it's something we highly recommend to people who want to see and experience a lot of the country in a relatively short space of time, whilst also having a sense of adventure. Although the popular three day / two night tours (like this one) to the Sahara from Marrakech do cover some of the route we drove, we both know that we prefer independent travel and all the challenges and opportunities it brings. Further, although it's certainly possible to reach the Sahara desert and a few of the destinations on our road trip by public transport, the network is patchy and its schedule will mean you lose a lot of days of your Moroccan adventure to sitting in a bus seat.

We've outlined our Morocco Road Trip route and itinerary in the interactive map below - the A-J marks off the route itself, whilst the red stars indicate our recommended 'sights' and the green houses indicate where we stayed each evening.

We did a lot of research and our route was chopped and changed more than a few times. However, our main recommendation is to start off by leaving Marrakech and heading towards Ouarzazate (point D) on the map. This direction of travel means that you will see a number of Morocco's 'must sees' with time and enthusiasm on your side at the start of the road trip and before you reach the desert. As with every road trip we've taken, time always slips away from you at the end and you often have to chase miles and sacrifice stops on the last couple of days; our route means you won't have to miss out on some of the highlights.

If you’re planning on renting a car, make sure you check out two other guides we’ve written:

· 9 Things To Know Before Renting A Car in Morocco

· 21 Things to Know Before your Moroccan Road Trip

Day One | Marrakech to Aït Benhaddou

After a few days exploring Marrakech, we rented a car via Auto Europe and picked it up at from Marrakech Menara airport.

Our goal that day was to drive the spectacular Tizi n' Tichka mountain road, before taking the road less travelled via Telouet Kasbah in order to reach our accommodation just outside Ait Ben Haddou.

A later than anticipated departure from the car rental and underestimating some road conditions meant that we had to navigate the last hour or so of winding deserted mountain roads in pitch black - in hindsight a very fun experience but not really what we wanted to do!

Drive | Approximately 200 km. This should take around 4 - 5 hours, accounting for slower progress on poor and mountain roads.

Know | The road to reach Telouet Kasbah is very easy to miss and is a slow-going road of gravel, dust and sand - it's definitely worthwhile but just be aware that it will be slow-going for a couple of hours and we would not recommend anyone trying it at night or if you're behind schedule.

Stops Along the Way | · Tizi n’ Tichka Pass, one of the most incredible mountain roads we’ve ever driven. There are various photo stops along the way and street vendors selling local crafts and snacks at the summit.

· Telouet Kasbah, the ruins of the Pasha’s former palace. Unfortunately the interior remains closed since the 2023 earthquake (it’s currently being restored) but it’s still impressive from the outside.

· The Berber villages and agricultural terraces of the Ounila Valley remain unchanged for centuries and are worth slowing down for photos.

Stay | We decided to spend a couple of nights in this area as it contains a number of gems, some of which we wouldn't have been able to reach without the car. Although nearby Ouarzazate (15 minutes drive away) is a popular base, we recommend staying nearby to Aït Benhaddou - it's a beautiful area and also means you'll be closer for sunrise and/or sunset at this popular attraction.

Accommodation-wise, we chose to stay in Auberge le Defat, a pleasant hotel with pool, restaurant, extremely helpful staff, parking on-site and free breakfast. The rooms were basic but adequate and reasonably priced.

If we retunred however, we’d probably opt for the lovely (and incredibly popular) Kasbah Tebi. Within the walls of a 400-year old kasbah, it’s a little more luxurious, has a fantastic terrace, beautiful rooms and has a fantastic location.

Other great alternatives include Kasbah El Hajja, Riad Caravane and Tigmi Hamid.

Plan | Renting A Car In Morocco | Essential Things You Need To Know

Useful Tips // · Start early (especially in winter) to beat any fog at high elevations.

· Use offline GPS as mobile signal usually drops above ~2,200 m.

· Reserve dinner at your accommodation in advance

· Dress in layers as temperatures can plunge after sunset in the high Atlas

Day Two | Ouarzazate - Fint Oasis - Back to Aït Benhaddou

If we had a pound for every post or guide we've heard referring to Ouarzazate as the 'Hollywood of Morocco', we'd have enough for our flights back to the country.

We'll put it up front and centre and say that, if you lower your expectations for Ouarzazate, you might actually really enjoy your time there. CLA film studios were slightly bizarre and underwhelming (dusty props and costumes), but a visit to the empty medieval castle set used in Kingdom of Heaven and Game of Thrones made up for it - purely on that basis we'd suggest visiting it rather than Atlas Studios just down the road. Be aware that the castle is a couple of minute's drive away from the CLA studios, but you need to purchase your ticket (50dh per person) at the main site before heading over there.

That afternoon, unconvinced that Ouarzazate had much more to interest us, we instead chose to take the car off-road towards Fint Oasis. An hour or so later, bodies shaken to the bone, we arrived at the most idyllic spot - palm trees and fresh water hidden deep in a valley, where there’s little to do but walk across stepping-stone creek paths, get led by a local to hidden viewpoints, and enjoy a mint tea under in the shade.

We'd recommend heading up to Terrase des Delices for a rooftop drink with views to die for. If you have a couple of spare days, there would be worse places to spend them than in this delightful, isolated B&B.

Top Tip // The roads are not good, and unless you have a four-wheel drive, heading off down tiny tracks and across the river to park at Terrase des Delices is probably not advisable. Most visitors park in the village entrance and walk the rest. If a local offers to watch your car, make sure they don’t charge upfront or insist on reserved spots helps avoid scams. We parked within view, offered ~10 dh on return, and had no issues. Others have reported encountering aggressive requests and even damage if they refused so discretion is key.

After this, we knew there was only one place to go - Aït Benhaddou at sunset.

...After this, we knew there was only one place to go: Aït Ben Haddou, the imposing clay-built ksar feels frozen in time, its towering ramparts and winding alleys as evocative in person as they are on screen (Game of Thrones fans, you'll know it from Yunkai). Huddling among its rooftops with mint tea in hand, you’ll swear you’ve stepped into a living set built centuries ago.

Best enjoyed during golden hour, we knew there was only one place we wanted to head for sunset.

There are various vantage points to enjoy this moment - some will prefer to look at Aït from a distance, whilst others will prefer to be within the famous kasbah (where both Game of Thrones and Gladiator have been filmed) enjoying a mint tea. As we hoped to have both sunset and sunrise here, we opted to enjoy a panoramic view this evening, and visit the kasbah in the morning.

Drive | The total driving distance today is around 100 km, but with relatively poor road conditions on the way to the Fint Oasis means you should factor in plenty of time.

Stay | As above

Plan | The Top Things to Do in Ouarzazate

Useful Tips // · To get the best deal for your own Moroccan road trip dates, we also recommend searching via Rentalcars.com. It includes local and international companies, and often has a cheaper rate than going direct.

· Fuel up in Ouarzazate as there are fewer petrol stations beyond that

· Bring a headlamp if heading to Aït Benhaddou at sunset to find way back to accommodation

· Finding your perfect vantage spot in Ait Ben Haddou takes time, so unlike us, make sure you set off from Fint Oasis with plenty of time so that you're not scrambling through the kasbah as the sun is setting!

· Much of today will be spent exploring in the open air under a hot sun, so dress accordingly (whilst also being respectable).

Day Three | Aït Benhaddou to Dadès Gorges

A chance encounter meant that we woke at 6 am to return to Ait to experience the sunrise.

We were there before a single shop owner or tour bus had arrived and it was certainly worth it. If you’re really keen on witnessing the sunrise but don’t feel like setting off through the narrow lanes by yourself in the dark, consider staying in one of the several accommodations actually in the kasbah.

Packing up the car, we hit the road and via a few diversions through small villages and spontaneous right turns to see what we'd find, we made it to Dadès Gorges in plenty time. This is a wonderful piece of road to navigate, through picturesque villages and bizarre rock formations (Monkey Fingers since you ask) and leading up to Tisderine Bends (maps). Perhaps the craziest stretch of tarmac you'll ever see, it’s often mistaken for Tizi n' Tichka.

Once you've reached the top, you'll find a parking lot on the left hand-side, and a rather impressive restaurant called 'Timzzillite Chez Mohamed' - the best views are from inside here, although you should buy a drink or food before trying to take a photo. We can’t find it on Google Maps, but it’s near the spot marked ‘iconic panoramic viewpoint’.

They also have an adorable cat and dog in residence!

It is possible to continue further up this road (we understand there are waterfalls) but we wanted to have a bit of time to chill out and enjoy the beautiful setting before darkness fell, so we found an affordable hotel and somewhere with a terrace overlooking the valley that could make us a tip-top veggie tagine.

A perfect day's driving.

Drive | Approximately 120 km total from Aït Ben Haddou to Dadès Gorges, including the odd detour. Expect a driving time of around ~2¼ hours, allowing time for village wanderings and stops.

Stay | Unfortunately it appear that the lovely accommodation we stayed at (Le Bleu Ciel) has now shut down but a reader highly recommends Labyrinth Kasbah Dades . A few other great alternatives include La Porte du Dades, Auberge oued dades, La Kasbah De Dades (for its incredible rooftop pool overlooking the gorge) and La Perle Du Dades.

Plan | 21 Things To Know Before A Moroccan Road Trip

Useful Tips // There are some excellent hiking opportunities in and around Dadès Gorges, so if that's your thing it may be worth spending an extra night here.

· Bring decent shoes - even a brief climb near cliffs from Timzzillite or the Monkey Fingers trail needs solid turf-traction.

· Most places around here are cash only so hold 100–200 dh for food, parking tips, or small local purchases.

· Some of the more budget-friendly accommodations only have cold showers - be sure to check if you can’t do without hot water.

Day Four | Dadès Gorges to Merzouga

We had a big day of driving ahead of us in order to reach the Sahara in time for a sunset camel ride. There are a couple of ways to head from Dadès Gorges to Merzouga, the gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes. You can take the 'northern' route via Tinejdad or the 'southern' route via Alnif.

With distance and road conditions being our main consideration at this stage, we opted for the latter.

And we were rewarded by spectacular, diverse landscapes, unlike any other we had seen on the road trip - it was a true highlight. We can't say it is better than the other way, but we definitely didn't regret our decision!

Driving into Merzouga, you need to have an advance reservation at a desert camp due to their popularity and so that the owners can meet you in town and drive you out to the dunes. If you're doing this, make sure to bring all valuables (including car documentation) with you.

Drive | It’s around a 280 km drive from Dadès Gorges to Merzouga via Alnif. This should take around 4.5 to 5 hours in normal conditions, including a few short stops.

Stops Along the Way | · The quiet desert town of Alnif is often overlooked, but home to fossils, local spice shops, and a genuine glimpse into rural life. Worth a 10-15 minute stretch if you’re curious.

· About halfway between Alnif and Merzouga, the road opens into vast empty desert making it ideal for pulling over and taking in the silence (you may even spot a few camels!)

Stay | Of all the amazing experiences we had planned for this Morocco trip, it was the Sahara Desert for which we had the highest expectations - unsurprisingly then, picking the perfect desert experience for us, and our budget, took some time. Ali and Sara's Desert Palace was worth all the research! For lots more info, and some wonderful photos, see our review here.

For alternative accommodation or camps in Merzouga, click here. Just note, and we say this as people who often travel on a budget, that spending more on a desert camp experience is always worth it as the facilities, hospitality and service make all the difference.

We’d also highly recommend booking your accommodation in as soon as you know your dates - popular places fill up fast.

Travel Tips // · There is actually a petrol station just outside Merzouga, but we would recommend filling up before making your way there - you wouldn't want to run out in the middle of nowhere!

· Bring valuables and documentation with you when you head to the dunes - your car stays behind, and camps generally don’t offer secure vehicle storage.

Day Five | Merzouga to Todra Gorge

We eeked out every moment we could in the desert, with both of us wanting nothing more than to spend another night - if you have the time, then absolutely do.

Yet, with several hundred kilometres ahead of us, it was with heavy hearts that we departed Merzouga in the early afternoon, with the hope of making it to Todra Gorge before dark.

Turns out, the desert had one last thing to say before we left Merzouga, as a train of 40 camels emerged out of a crazy, sweeping, whirling sandstorm and crossed the road right in front of us.

It's a moment that neither of us will ever forget.

Despite limiting our stops for photos (this is more difficult than it sounds - this part of Morocco is simply breathtaking), we didn't quite manage to make it to Todra Gorge for sunset, instead opting for a much-needed cup of coffee in Tinghir and the opportunity to find accommodation nearby before the sun set.

Stay | La Belle Etoile. As with at least 50% of places on this road trip, we picked this spot because it was a good location (a couple of kilometres away from the gorge) and relatively well priced. It's not going to win any fancy awards, and you may have to check a couple of rooms to find a bed that doesn't sink but it's secure, the staff are friendly and they have a good breakfast (their wifi's also pretty good, which we've discovered is a rarity in these parts!).

If you're looking for something a little more fancy but still budget-sensitive, consider Hotel Tomboctou which has a pool, lovely roof terrace and very comfortable rooms.

Useful Tips // If you happen to pass through Tinghir on a Friday, be sure to check out the weekly berber market. It's huge, not terribly touristy and you'll be sure to pick up some excellent value souvenirs. Also, keep an eye out for how the clothing of most women here is different to elsewhere on your Moroccan road trip.

Day Six | Todra Gorge to Ouaouizerth

An early morning drive through Todra Gorge (a little over-rated if you ask us, but you have no choice but to pass through), and then it was on to.... well, quite frankly, as far as we could make it! And if you take a look at the map above, you can see that we got pretty far.

This was the most stressful day of our road trip due to variety of elements conspiring against us all at once.

We dilly-dallied a little too much, stopping to take photos and enjoy the scenery, when we should have been picking up time; we underestimated the distance we'd have to cover; we got stuck behind a variety of slow-moving trucks on single-track roads; we got slightly stuck in a flooded road; we discovered that the road to and from Imichil in this section is just as challenging as the TizI n' Tiki and in much poorer condition; we found out that a large stretch of the route was undergoing re-paving and works which meant that it was a mess of loose gravel where we couldn't go quicker than 20km/h, and just at that moment, it of course started to rain for the first time since we'd left Marrakech.

By around 5pm, we finally made it off the road which was under development and had to make a decision. We had lost a lot of time that day and we were nowhere near our intended overnight stop - we could either continue on our pre-planned route via another back mountain road in rainy conditions, or make an abrupt change and hit the highway nearby to bring us towards Beni-Mellal where we would rejoin our intended route back to Marrakech.

We went for the latter and, after a day of hard driving avoiding potholes, donkeys and generally falling off the edge of a cliff, it was a relief to eat up some distance on smooth asphalt - even if it did mean driving through a pretty large city at night (not good for the stress levels considering Moroccan driving habits and the propensity of pedestrians to use the main road like a pavement).

We had hoped to spend the night in Bin El Ouidane (a beautiful lake) but dead phones and darkness meant we couldn't find an affordable hotel, so ended up in a nearby town, in a hotel that was most definitely not on everyone's bucket-list! The silver lining however? The best harina soup in all of Morocco was served just next door for only 3dh each!

Now, this description may make it sound like it was the worst day of the entire road trip; that couldn't be further from the truth. It was stressful and tiring but this day's driving took us into parts of Morocco which were extremely remote and very unused to tourists. They had isolated, impoverished communities and some people were living an existence which looked like it belonged in another century.

We've travelled all over Latin America and are used to seeing indigenous and poor rural poverty, however it doesn't make it any easier.

Drive | It’s approximately 220 km from Todra Gorge area to Ouaouizerth / Bin El Ouidane, which should theoretically take around 4.5 hours but, as mentioned, time in the car was much, much longer for us today!

Stay | Yeah, we're not going to recommend that place. However, we will recommend staying on the lake - it's beautiful, as is the top accommodation in the area. It's not cheap, but it doesn't come much better than the Widiane Suite and Spa

Alternative | A reader got in touch to let us know an easier alternative she took from Merzouga to Bin El Ouidane. This had better road conditions and was much shorter than the route we took over Day Five and Six. We wanted to share it with you here so that you can decide the best route for your own time in Morocco.

1. Leave Merzouga early
2. Five hour drive to Azrou via Gorges du Ziz (a stunning section of route)
3. Continue from Azrou to Bin El Ouidane (drive of 4.5 hours)
4. Stay the night there, and then continue to Marrakech the next day.

For this route, it's necessary to see Todra Gorge on your way to the Sahara, which the reader accomplished with a 7.30am departure from Dades.

The reader also mentioned that it was a "day she'll never forget", with the drive to Azrou being "absolutely beautiful". Her suggested accommodation for the night in Bin El Ouidane is Tigmi Dar Samy. Whichever route you follow on this final stretch, please do share updates on your experience in the comments to help future Morocco road trippers!

Useful Tips // We're pretty happy to change plans last-minute, stay in hotels others may reject on sight and generally fly by the seat of our pants, but we understand that not everybody can, or wants to travel like this. In this case, you may find it much better to book ahead.

Day Seven | Bin el Ouidane To Marrakech

For the final leg of our Moroccan road trip, we had a deadline of 4pm in mind - partly decided upon to ensure we weren't rushing to return the rental car / make our flight. Thankfully, it did mean that our last day was pretty stress free (or as stress free as driving a rental in Morocco can be!)

We set off quite early and, after checking out the stunning lake in Bin El Ouidane, our only other intended stop was the Cascades d'Ouzuoud (the Ouzuoud Waterfall), one of several popular day trips from Marrakech. We'd heard from a number of people that the falls were a must-do when in the area; unfortunately for us however, these same people probably hadn't visited on a Sunday.

Carparks teeming with visitors and local tourists everywhere meant that all hope of a peaceful nature-based experience disappeared fast! However, coming out this way meant we got to enjoy one last breakfast and fresh orange juice under the Moroccan sun and chanced upon the local Sunday market - a curiously wonderful event to behold and observe.

Re-entering Marrakech in good time, we stopped for a coffee in a quiet part of town, before arriving at the airport to drop off our little warrior of a rental.

We had made it!

Drive | The distance between Bin El Ouidane and Marakech is around 190 km, and takes around 2.5 hours. If you wish to include Ouzoud Falls like we did, factor in at least five hours (which includes an hour at the waterfall).

Useful Tips // You can literally not park anywhere in Ouzoud without an angry Moroccan man chasing after you for a fee - even if you eat at a restaurant and park in their carpark... This may have been worse for us given the hordes of tourists there on a Sunday but they're pretty persistent and can get a little aggressive if they think you're not paying your way.

If in doubt, pay.

As we mention in our ‘Morocco Car Rental Guide’, it’s not uncommon for the hire company to try and find faults with the vehicle when you return it - read this guide to reduce the chances of being scammed.

And, if you're looking for some ideas on how to spend your time in Marrakech, then read this post.

So, that's our own experience

Are you ready for yours? It's going to be epic! Just remember that, as with much in life, it's the journey that's most important, rather than any single attraction, and no matter which route you end up taking, you'll undoubtedly make Moroccan memories that will last a lifetime.

Be sure to check out our '21 Things to Know Before a Moroccan Road Trip' and '9 Great Pieces of Advice for Renting a Car in Morocco' - trust us, it'll help!