Bremerhaven to Davos: Epic Road Trip Guide Through Germany & Switzerland

Did you know that the A27 motorway from Bremerhaven to Bremen is built on an old railway embankment, offering a rare straight-line drive through flat marshlands? This route, stretching 900+ km from the North Sea to the Swiss Alps, takes you through Germany's industrial heartland and into the dramatic Alpine scenery. Average driving time is 9-10 hours without stops, but plan for a full day to enjoy the journey.

To make the most of your trip, learn how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities along this diverse corridor.

Germany's autobahn has no speed limits on many sections, but watch for construction zones and variable limits. In Switzerland, speed limits are strictly enforced (120 km/h on highways). Mountain roads near Davos have sharp curves and occasional ice, even in summer.

• Family stop: The Explora Museum near Lichtenfels (car museum with hands-on exhibits).
• Pet-friendly stop: Rest area Fichtelsee in the Bavarian Forest has a dog meadow and walking trails.
• Fatigue management: Rest area Hunsrück (A61) has quiet zones with recliners. For a power nap, use the parking lot at Sattel Hoch-Ybrig (Switzerland) with mountain views.

Your journey starts on the A27, then merges onto the A1 near Bremen. Continue south via the A7 through Hanover and Kassel. At Würzburg, switch to the A3/A6 towards Ulm and then the A96 to Lindau. Finally, take the E43 through Austria to Davos.

• Estimated fuel cost for a standard car: €90-120 (gasoline). Diesel is slightly cheaper.
• Toll roads: Germany has no tolls for cars, but Austria requires a vignette (9.90€ for 10 days) and Switzerland requires an annual vignette (40 CHF).
• Fuel stations are abundant every 30-50 km in Germany, but become sparser in the Alps. Fill up before crossing into Switzerland.

From the flat North Sea coast to the rolling hills of Hesse, then the Swabian Alps and finally the mighty Swiss Alps, the scenery changes dramatically. The stretch between Kassel and Würzburg features the fairy-tale Reinhardswald forest, while the area around Ulm offers views of the Danube valley.

• UNESCO sites along the route: The Old Town of Regensburg (short detour near Nuremberg) and the Abbey of St. Gallen (detour east of Zurich).
• Local commerce: In Bavaria, stop at roadside stalls for hands of cheese (obatzda) and beer. In Switzerland, look for woodcarvings and Alpine cheese.