Stories · Itinerary · 11 min read
Croatia Road Trip Itinerary: 7, 10 and 14 Days from Zagreb to Dubrovnik
The classic Croatia road trip is Zagreb → Plitvice → Zadar → Split → Hvar → Dubrovnik. Here is how to do it in 7, 10 or 14 days without spending half the trip in a rental car.
By Marin Petrović · May 23, 2026
Pick up the rental car in Zagreb. Drop it off in Split or Dubrovnik. Pay the one-way fee (~€100). The drive is mostly the A1 motorway, smooth, well-signed, with tolls that total ~€40 Zagreb to Split, ~€55 Zagreb to Dubrovnik.
7-Day Itinerary: The Highlights
- Day 1–2: Zagreb. See our Zagreb weekend guide.
- Day 3: Drive to Plitvice (2h). Late afternoon arrival, walk the lower loop before sunset.
- Day 4: Full day Plitvice upper lakes, drive to Zadar (1h 30min) for the evening, sea organ at sunset.
- Day 5: Drive to Split (1h 30min). Diocletian's palace walking tour.
- Day 6: Day trip: Trogir (40min) or Krka waterfalls (1h). Return to Split.
- Day 7: Drive or fly to Dubrovnik (3h 30min by car). Walk the walls at dawn.
10-Day Itinerary: Add an Island
Run days 1–6 as above, then:
- Day 7: Drop the car in Split. Catamaran to Hvar (1h, see the ferry guide).
- Day 8: Day on the Pakleni Islands.
- Day 9: Catamaran or ferry to Dubrovnik (4h 30min) or fly Split–Dubrovnik (45min).
- Day 10: Dubrovnik old town and walls.
14-Day Itinerary: Add Istria & Vis
Prepend two days of Istria (Rovinj, Pula, Motovun, truffles and olive oil, see Rovinj guide) before flying down to Zagreb, and add 2 nights on Vis between Hvar and Dubrovnik. This is the version we send to friends who say ‘I might not be back for ten years.’
Croatia's coast looks short on the map. It is not. The drive is slow, scenic, and full of villages you'll want to stop in. Always add 30% to the Google Maps time.
Practical Driving Notes
- Toll roads (A1) take cards. Don't bother with ENC unless you're staying months.
- Petrol ~€1.55/L. Diesel ~€1.45/L.
- Speed limit 130 km/h motorway, 90 km/h secondary, 50 km/h towns. Police enforce strictly.
- Parking in old towns is impossible. Drop bags, park in the marked long-stay lot outside.
Where to Stay (Sample)
- Zagreb: Esplanade or Hotel Jägerhorn
- Plitvice: Hotel Plitvice or guesthouses in Mukinje
- Split: Murum Heritage Hotel or apartments in Veli Varoš
- Hvar: Adriana for splash-out, Apolon for value
- Dubrovnik: Hotel Stari Grad inside the walls, or Excelsior just outside
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- How many days do you need in Croatia?
- Minimum 7, ideally 10–14 to enjoy at least one island properly.
- Is driving in Croatia easy?
- Yes on motorways. Old towns are car-free.
- Should I drive Zagreb to Dubrovnik?
- Only if you can break it across 3–4 stops. The full drive in one day is 6h 30min of highway.
