Landmarks
Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)
Europe's oldest covered wooden bridge, built in 1333 across the Reuss River in Lucerne with 17th-century painted panels inside.
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Road trip route · Switzerland
Zurich to Interlaken drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 1 hr 41 min
- Distance
- 118 km
- Fuel (est.)
- €15
- Tolls (est.)
- None
The Zurich to Interlaken drive
The drive from Zurich to Interlaken covers 73 miles (118 km) and takes about 1 hr 41 min without stops. That makes it a comfortable one-day drive. Leave in the morning and you'll arrive with the day ahead of you.
Expect fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) to cost around €15 one-way with no significant motorway tolls on the way. Switzerland requires a motorway vignette (vignette required). Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
Best stops between Zurich and Interlaken
Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.
Landmarks
Lion Monument
Mark Twain called it the most mournful piece of stone in the world: a dying lion carved into a cliff face commemorating Swiss Guards killed in the French Revolution.
Natural Wonders
Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee)
A stunningly shaped lake surrounded by mountains where Switzerland was founded, with paddle steamers and the Rütli meadow.
Cafes & Pit Stops
Grimsel Passhöhe Restaurant
A mountain restaurant at the summit of the Grimsel Pass in the Bernese Alps, surrounded by reservoirs and granite landscapes on one of Switzerland's classic passes.
Cafes & Pit Stops
Hotel Steingletscher
A mountain inn beside the Susten Pass in Switzerland offering views of the Stein Glacier, a perfect rest stop on the classic Three Passes driving route.
Scenic Viewpoints
Grimsel Pass Viewpoint
A wild, barren pass at 2,164 metres with views of granite reservoirs and the start of the Rhone glacier landscape.
Scenic Viewpoints
Susten Pass Viewpoint
A pull-off on one of Switzerland's most beautiful passes with views of the Steingletscher glacier tumbling into a turquoise lake.
Famous Roads
Grimsel Pass
A dramatic Swiss mountain pass at 2,164 meters connecting the Bernese Oberland to the Valais past reservoirs and granite landscapes.
Famous Roads
Three Passes Road (Susten-Grimsel-Furka)
Switzerland's classic triple-pass loop combining the Susten, Grimsel, and Furka passes in a single epic Alpine circuit.
Zurich to Interlaken FAQs
How long is the drive from Zurich to Interlaken?
Driving from Zurich to Interlaken takes about 1 hr 41 min nonstop, covering 73 miles (118 km). Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from Zurich to Interlaken?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly €15 one-way. There are no significant motorway tolls on this route. Switzerland requires a motorway vignette (vignette required). Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from Zurich to Interlaken in one day?
Yes, at about 1 hr 41 min of driving, Zurich to Interlaken is a comfortable one-day drive with a couple of breaks.
What are the best stops between Zurich and Interlaken?
Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), Lion Monument, Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee): see the full list of 9 stops on this page.
More drives from Zurich & Interlaken
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free Switzerland road trip planner, or read the driving in Switzerland guide.