National Parks
Krka National Park
Stunning travertine waterfalls and emerald pools along the Krka River in Dalmatia.
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Road trip route · Croatia · BA
Zagreb to Dubrovnik drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 7 hr 8 min
- Distance
- 606 km
- Fuel (est.)
- €33
- Tolls (est.)
- €16
The Zagreb to Dubrovnik drive
The drive from Zagreb to Dubrovnik covers 377 miles (606 km) and takes about 7 hr 8 min without stops. That's a long haul for one day, most drivers split it over two days, stopping overnight near Krka Waterfalls, which turns a slog into a proper road trip.
Expect fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) to cost around €33 one-way plus roughly €16 in motorway tolls. Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
At 377 miles this is longer than 89% 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 3.6 hours behind the wheel each day, which leaves most of the daylight for the places in between.
Best stops between Zagreb and Dubrovnik
Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.
Waterfalls
Krka Waterfalls
A series of stunning travertine waterfalls along the Krka River where swimming is permitted in the emerald pools below.
Landmarks
Počitelj
A stunning medieval and Ottoman fortified village cascading down a hillside above the Neretva River with a distinctive silo-shaped tower.
Beaches
Makarska
A lively coastal resort town set beneath the dramatic Biokovo mountain backdrop with a beautiful horseshoe-shaped harbor and pebble beaches.
Cathedrals & Temples
Cathedral of St. James, Šibenik
A UNESCO-listed Renaissance cathedral built entirely of stone and marble without any wood or brick, an extraordinary feat of 15th-century engineering.
National Parks
Paklenica National Park
Dramatic Velebit canyons and big-wall climbing crags rise straight from the coast near the Maslenica bridge.
Landmarks
Walls of Ston
The 'European Great Wall': 5km of medieval defensive ramparts above salt pans and famed oyster beds.
Famous Roads
Biokovo Road to Sveti Jure
Croatia's highest paved road corkscrews from the Makarska Riviera to the 1,762 m summit of Sveti Jure, with a glass Skywalk and views across the Adriatic to Italy on clear days.
Photo Spots
Rastoke
A watermill hamlet at Slunj where the Slunjčica river splits into dozens of travertine cascades tumbling between wooden houses: a miniature Plitvice most tourists drive straight past on the way to the lakes.
What you need for this drive
Rules for each country on the route, in the order you meet them.
Croatia
- Motorway
- 130 km/h · 50 in town
- Tolls
- Cestarina (HAC - Hrvatske autoceste)
- Must carry
- warning triangle, hi-vis vest, first-aid kit, spare bulbs
- Winter tyres
- 15 November - 15 April
Checked against national road authorities and the ECB reference rates. Rules change — confirm before you travel.
Zagreb to Dubrovnik FAQs
How long is the drive from Zagreb to Dubrovnik?
Driving from Zagreb to Dubrovnik takes about 7 hr 8 min nonstop, covering 377 miles (606 km). Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from Zagreb to Dubrovnik?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly €33 one-way. Expect around €16 in motorway tolls. Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from Zagreb to Dubrovnik in one day?
It's possible but long: 7 hr 8 min of driving. Most people split it over two days, with an overnight stop near Krka Waterfalls, 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 3 other drives in the same country. Browse them all on the routes index.
What are the best stops between Zagreb and Dubrovnik?
Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include Krka National Park, Krka Waterfalls, Počitelj: see the full list of 9 stops on this page.
More drives from Zagreb & Dubrovnik
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free Croatia road trip planner, browse every destination we cover or the BA planner, take it with you on the road, or read the driving in BA guide.