Morocco Road Trip: Marrakech to Merzouga
This guide is for driving yourself from Marrakech to Merzouga. Distances and times come from operator listings and map-based sources that disagree, so treat them as ranges, and check your navigation app before you leave. For the village itself, see the Merzouga guide, and for rules, tolls and fuel see the general road trip guide.
How far is it
Listings put the one-way drive at about 550 to 560 km and 9 to 12 hours without long stops. A return version is quoted at roughly 1,200 km. The road is National Road 9 over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Ouarzazate, then eastwards. Plan 3 to 4 days if you want to see things on the way, because the driving is slow on mountain roads.
Stops on the way
- Tizi n’Tichka pass: the road climbs into the High Atlas with sharp bends. The pass is usually open all year, but snow can close it from November to March until it is cleared. Press reports describe closures on 3 and 20 January 2026, and the road normally reopens within a day. Sources give the height as 2,212 m or 2,260 m, so we do not give a precise figure.
- Ait Ben Haddou: an earthen ksar, UNESCO listed in 1987. Sources give 185 to 210 km from Marrakech and 3.5 to 4 hours, and about 30 minutes from Ouarzazate. Allow 2 to 3 hours inside. Reports of the entry fee range from 5 to 30 MAD, with about 10 MAD common, so check on site.
- Ouarzazate: a practical stop for lunch, fuel or the first night. Official WMO figures show a January range of 1.8 to 17.3 C and a July range of 22.7 to 38.8 C.
- Dades Valley and Gorge: about 103 km from Ouarzazate to Boumalne Dades (2 hours), per one map-based source. A good first or second night.
- Todra Gorge: about 50 km from Boumalne Dades to Tinghir and about 25 km from Tinghir to the gorge. Ouarzazate to Todra is about 160 km in total.
- Merzouga: the dunes of Erg Chebbi at the end of the road.
These distances are approximate, from secondary sources.
3-day itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech, Tizi n’Tichka, Ait Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Dades Valley (night). Listings label this a 7-hour drive.
Day 2: Dades, Todra Gorge, then Merzouga and a camp for the night. Listings label this about 5 hours of driving.
Day 3: Sunrise, then the long drive back. Doing the whole way in one day is tiring, so many people add a night.
4-day itinerary
Day 1: Marrakech to Ouarzazate, with Ait Ben Haddou.
Day 2: Ouarzazate to the Dades Valley.
Day 3: Todra Gorge, then Merzouga and a camp.
Day 4: Start back, or stop for a night on the way.
This gives easier days, but the return still needs planning.
The legs, in one table
Figures come from the operator listings and map-based sources quoted above, so treat them as ranges.
| Leg | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou | 185 to 210 km | 3.5 to 4 hours |
| Ait Ben Haddou to Ouarzazate | not given | about 30 minutes |
| Ouarzazate to Boumalne Dades | about 103 km | about 2 hours |
| Boumalne Dades to Tinghir | about 50 km | not given |
| Tinghir to Todra Gorge | about 25 km | not given |
| Whole one-way trip | 550 to 560 km | 9 to 12 hours without long stops |
A return trip is quoted at about 1,200 km. Fuel was around 15 to 16 MAD a litre in October 2026, so every 10 litres costs about 150 to 160 MAD. We have no official consumption figure for your car, so work out the total from your own rental car.
Drive or book a tour
A shared 3-day tour from Marrakech is listed at roughly 99 to 300 USD per adult on marketplaces, so a car split between passengers can cost less, but you carry the driving, fuel and the risk. Fuel was around 15 to 16 MAD a litre in October 2026. Without a car, Supratours runs one overnight coach to Merzouga (14:35 to 06:00, 450 MAD), and CTM runs four coaches to Ouarzazate (115 MAD). See the Merzouga guide for the full list.
Driving rules and safety
UK drivers need the 1968 International Driving Permit with their licence, per gov.uk, though another gov.uk page is less strict, so check before you go. You also need a green card for insurance. Gov.uk warns that poor lighting makes night driving dangerous and that mountain roads can be hazardous in bad weather. Official Canadian advice is to use only 4WD for off-road desert driving and to carry drinking water. Ask your rental company whether the contract allows a one-way return or unpaved tracks.
Before you drive: a checklist
- Driving licence, plus the 1968 International Driving Permit if you hold a UK licence (gov.uk; another gov.uk page is less strict, so check).
- A green card for insurance.
- Enough drinking water, as official Canadian advice says to carry it for desert driving.
- 4WD only for off-road desert tracks, per the same Canadian advice.
- A rental contract that allows a one-way return or unpaved tracks, if you need either.
- Daylight arrival in the mountains: gov.uk warns that poor lighting makes night driving dangerous.
- A look at the Tizi n’Tichka status if you travel from November to March, because snow can close the pass until it is cleared.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the easiest for temperatures. Winter can bring snow on the pass, and summer is very hot in the south (Errachidia, the nearest table to Merzouga, averages a July high of 39.5 C).
The downside: it is a lot of driving for one night in the dunes, so build in a second night at Dades or Merzouga.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?
Listings give 550 to 560 km and 9 to 12 hours without long stops, over the Tizi n’Tichka pass and Ouarzazate.
How many days do I need?
Three to four days if you want to see Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley and Todra Gorge on the way.
Is the Tizi n’Tichka pass open in winter?
Usually, but snow can close it from November to March until it is cleared. Press reports describe closures on 3 and 20 January 2026, with reopening normally within a day.
Can I go without a car?
Supratours runs one overnight coach to Merzouga (14:35 to 06:00, 450 MAD), and CTM runs four coaches to Ouarzazate (115 MAD).
Do I need a 4×4?
Only for off-road desert driving, according to official Canadian advice. The main road to Merzouga is paved.
When is the best time to go?
Spring and autumn are the easiest for temperatures. Errachidia averages a July high of 39.5 C (WMO).
Sources checked
Checked on 27 October 2026.
- gov.uk Morocco travel advice (driving licence, IDP, night driving)
- Government of Canada travel advice for Morocco (4WD, water)
- WMO World Weather Information Service (Ouarzazate and Errachidia averages)
- UNESCO World Heritage List (Ait Ben Haddou, 1987)
- Supratours and CTM timetables and fares; marketplace tour listings
- Distances are from operator listings and map-based sources that disagree, so treat them as ranges
