Long Drives in Morocco: Comfort Tips, Motion Sickness and the Best Stops

Morocco is a country of beautiful distances. Marrakech to Essaouira is almost three hours, to Aït Ben Haddou nearly four, to Fes six or more, and to the dunes of Merzouga around nine. These journeys are part of the adventure — mountains, valleys, oases and villages unfold through the window — but they can be tiring if you're not prepared. Here are our drivers' best tips for arriving fresh and happy.

Choose the right vehicle

Comfort starts with space. A crowded car makes three hours feel like six. For long journeys:

• Allow one seat per person plus space for bags — never squeeze an extra passenger.
• For families and groups, a comfort van or minibus gives everyone room to stretch.
• For long tours, a Ford Tourneo Custom or minibus with reclining seats makes a big difference.

Compare options in choosing between a van and a minibus.

Plan realistic days

The golden rule: no more than 5 to 6 hours of driving per day if you want to enjoy the trip. Beyond that, the landscapes blur and everyone gets grumpy. On long routes like Marrakech–Merzouga or Marrakech–Fes via the Middle Atlas, split the journey with a night on the way. See Marrakech to Fes: three routes compared.

Stop every two hours

Regular breaks keep everyone comfortable and alert — including the driver. Moroccan motorways have service areas every 40–60 km with cafés and restrooms; on mountain roads, your driver knows the best cafés with views and clean facilities. A 15-minute stop to stretch, drink a mint tea and take photos makes the next two hours much easier.

Preventing motion sickness

Mountain roads like the Tizi n'Tichka, the road to Imlil or the Dades Gorge are winding. If you or your children are sensitive:

• Sit at the front or in the first rows, facing forward, with a view of the road.
• Look at the horizon, not at your phone or a book, on winding sections. Reading is fine on straight motorways for most people, but not on hairpin bends.
• Keep the air fresh: ask for cooler air conditioning or a slightly open window.
• Eat lightly before departure — avoid heavy, greasy meals.
• Take medication recommended by your pharmacist before leaving if you're prone to sickness.
• Ginger sweets or tea help some travellers.
• Tell your driver: a professional slows down on bends and stops when needed. Read more about calm, safe driving in road safety in Morocco.

Stay hydrated and protected

Morocco's climate is dry and the sun strong, even through windows. Drink regularly — there's always bottled water in our vehicles — and keep sunglasses and sunscreen handy for stops. In summer, air conditioning is essential; in winter, mountain passes can be cold, so keep a warm layer in the vehicle.

What to keep at hand

Keep a small bag at your seat with:

• water and snacks (nuts, fruit, biscuits),
• phone, charger and headphones (our vans have USB ports),
• sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen,
• a scarf or light jacket,
• wet wipes and tissues,
• motion-sickness remedies if needed,
• cash for cafés and restrooms.

Large luggage stays in the boot; you won't have access to it until the next stop. See our luggage guide.

Travelling with children

• Plan departures around nap times.
• Bring downloaded films, audiobooks and games.
• Use child seats — they're free in our vehicles.
• Play spotting games: camels, storks' nests, kasbahs, goats in argan trees.
• Promise a reward at the next café stop!

Read more in family holidays in Morocco by private van.

Comfort for seniors

Older travellers often appreciate a few extra adjustments: a vehicle with a low step or sliding doors for easy boarding, a front or middle seat with more legroom, shorter driving days and stops with comfortable seating and accessible restrooms. Bring a small cushion for the lower back, take medication at regular times and don't hesitate to ask for a longer lunch break. Read our full guide to accessible travel in Morocco.

Make the journey part of the trip

The road is where you'll see the real Morocco: village markets, women carrying herbs, shepherds with their flocks, roadside potters. Ask your driver about the places you pass — the history of a kasbah, the crops in the fields, the meaning of a festival. Stop at a cooperative, buy fruit from a farmer, photograph a viewpoint. With a private driver, the journey becomes an excursion.

Our favourite stops on long routes

• Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou: the Tichka summit café and the viewpoints after the pass.
• Marrakech → Essaouira: an argan cooperative and the goats in the trees.
• Marrakech → Fes (Middle Atlas): the cedar forest of Azrou and the town of Ifrane.
• Ouarzazate → Merzouga: the Skoura palm grove, the Rose Valley and the Todra Gorge.

Long journeys are easier with the right vehicle and the right driver. Discover our van hire with driver and intercity transfers, or request a quote for your road trip.