Landmarks
Chapel of Bones
A haunting chapel in Evora with walls and pillars constructed entirely from the bones and skulls of over 5,000 monks.
← All routes
Road trip route · Spain · Portugal
Madrid to Lisbon drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 6 hr 50 min
- Distance
- 629 km
- Fuel (est.)
- €74
- Tolls (est.)
- €27
The Madrid to Lisbon drive
The drive from Madrid to Lisbon covers 391 miles (629 km) and takes about 6 hr 50 min without stops. That's a long haul for one day, most drivers split it over two days, stopping overnight near Roman Theatre of Merida, which turns a slog into a proper road trip.
Expect fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) to cost around €74 one-way plus roughly €27 in motorway tolls. Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
At 391 miles this is longer than 90% of the 144 routes covered here, so it is worth treating as a trip in itself rather than a transfer. Split across 2 days it works out at about 3.4 hours behind the wheel each day, which leaves most of the daylight for the places in between.
Best stops between Madrid and Lisbon
Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.
Ancient Ruins
Roman Temple of Evora
A remarkably preserved 1st-century Roman temple standing in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Alentejo capital.
Ancient Ruins
Roman Theatre of Merida
One of the most magnificent Roman theaters still standing, built in 15 BC in the former capital of Lusitania, still hosting performances in its 6,000-seat auditorium.
National Parks
Monfragüe & Salto del Gitano
Roadside viewpoint on the EX-208 facing the Peña Falcón crag, where dozens of griffon vultures, black storks and eagles ride the thermals above the Tagus. The signature stop of Monfragüe National Park, Spain's raptor capital.
Castles & Palaces
Monserrate Palace
Sintra's most exotic and least crowded palace: a Moorish-Gothic-Indian fantasy villa rebuilt in 1858 for Francis Cook, wrapped in botanical gardens with lawns, ferns, and Mexican and Japanese terraces. Byron praised the earlier ruin in Childe Harold.
Natural Wonders
Boca do Inferno
A churning sea chasm near Cascais where Atlantic swells explode through a collapsed cliff arch.
Coastal Drives
Estrada de Escarpa (N379-1), Serra da Arrábida
A cliff-hugging corniche through Arrábida Natural Park south of Lisbon, curling high above turquoise coves like Portinho da Arrábida with Mediterranean-style scrub and sea views.
Coastal Drives
Serra da Arrábida
A coastal limestone range south of Lisbon where the N379-1 runs high above turquoise coves and beaches.
Landmarks
Aqueduto da Amoreira, Elvas
A 16th-century aqueduct running 7km into the fortified border town of Elvas, visible from the road on approach.
What you need for this drive
Rules for each country on the route, in the order you meet them.
Spain
- Motorway
- 120 km/h · 50 in town
- Tolls
- Autopistas de peaje (AP roads)
- Must carry
- warning triangle, hi-vis vest
Low-emission zones: ZBE (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones) - national rollout.
Portugal
- Motorway
- 120 km/h · 50 in town
- Tolls
- Portagens
- Must carry
- warning triangle, hi-vis vest
Low-emission zones: Lisbon ZER (Zona de Emissoes Reduzidas).
Checked against national road authorities and the ECB reference rates. Rules change — confirm before you travel.
Madrid to Lisbon FAQs
How long is the drive from Madrid to Lisbon?
Driving from Madrid to Lisbon takes about 6 hr 50 min nonstop, covering 391 miles (629 km). Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from Madrid to Lisbon?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly €74 one-way. Expect around €27 in motorway tolls. Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from Madrid to Lisbon in one day?
It's possible but long: 6 hr 50 min of driving. Most people split it over two days, with an overnight stop near Roman Theatre of Merida, which turns the drive into a proper road trip.
What other drives can I plan on Plan Your Road Trips?
We publish drive times, distances and fuel estimates for 144 routes across Europe and beyond, including 16 other drives in the same country. Browse them all on the routes index.
What are the best stops between Madrid and Lisbon?
Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include Chapel of Bones, Roman Temple of Evora, Roman Theatre of Merida: see the full list of 9 stops on this page.
More drives from Madrid & Lisbon
Lisbon → FaroLisbon → PortoLisbon → SevilleMadrid → BarcelonaMadrid → BilbaoMadrid → GranadaMadrid → MalagaMadrid → SevilleMadrid → Valencia
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free Spain road trip planner, browse every destination we cover or the Portugal planner, take it with you on the road, or read the driving in Portugal guide.