Arles to Nijmegen Road Trip: Full Guide

The A9 highway just north of Arles passes the intact Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, built in the 1st century AD—a perfect pre-departure landmark. This 1,100 km drive follows the A7/E15 up the Rhône valley, then the A6/E15 through Burgundy, and finally the A1/E19 across Belgium into the Netherlands. Total driving time is roughly 10–11 hours without breaks, but you should plan at least 13 hours with rest stops.

Is it worth driving Arles to Nijmegen? Absolutely—you cross three countries and experience dramatic shifts from Mediterranean olive groves to Dutch flatlands. The route also passes four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic center of Lyon and the Canal du Midi. For a detailed method on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, check our guide.

French autoroutes have rest areas (aires) every 40 km with playgrounds and picnic tables. Recommended family stop: Aire de l'Yonne-Morvan has a mini-farm with goats. For pet breaks, many aires allow dogs on leash.

• Traffic safety: watch for speed cameras (radars) every 10–15 km; most are announced by signs.
• Emergency numbers: 112 across Europe; breakdown service on autoroute via orange SOS phones.

Fatigue management: plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours. Ideal stops include Parc naturel régional du Haut-Jura or the Meuse river walk in Dinant. For longer rests, book a hotel in Dijon or Maastricht. Hidden off-route spot: the hilltop village of Grignan offers lavender fields and a Renaissance castle.

All major highways on this route require tolls in France; expect to pay around €40–€50 for a car. Belgium uses vignettes for some highways, but the E19 is free. Dutch roads are toll-free except for tunnels.

• Fuel costs: about €150–€200 for the trip (diesel cheaper than petrol). Stations every 20–30 km on French autoroutes.
• Best time to drive: early morning to avoid Lyon and Brussels rush hours.

Credit cards widely accepted but keep some cash for small tolls or village markets. Speed limits: 130 km/h on French highways (110 in rain), 120 in Belgium, 100–130 in Netherlands.

As you leave Arles, the Camargue rice fields and salt flats transition to the limestone cliffs of the Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. The Rhône valley is flanked by vineyards—Côtes du Rhône produces 800 million bottles annually. Stop at a cooperative cellar like Cave de Tain for tastings.

Further north, Burgundy's rolling hills are dotted with medieval villages. The Clos de Vougeot vineyard is a UNESCO candidate. In Champagne, the region around Reims offers underground cellars dug into chalk. Entering Belgium, the landscape flattens into the Campine region, known for heathlands and the Maas river valley.

• Key market towns: Vaison-la-Romaine (Roman ruins), Tournus (Abbey of Saint-Philibert), Épernay (Avenue de Champagne).
• Local commerce: buy olive oil from Arles, Burgundy mustard, Belgian chocolate, and Dutch stroopwafels.