Colmar to Dijon: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The A36 and A39 highways linking Colmar (48.0794° N, 7.3578° E) to Dijon (47.3206° N, 5.0394° E) trace a path that historically avoided the Vosges massif, instead skirting the southern foothills via Mulhouse. This 230-kilometer drive takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes in normal traffic. The route passes through the Belfort Gap, a strategic military corridor since Roman times, where the only significant altitude change is the climb to the Trouée de Belfort at 400 meters. how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Key statistics: 2 toll booths (Belfort and Montbéliard sections), average fuel cost €28 for a compact car (diesel), and an estimated 5% gradient on the A36 near the Fort du Mont Bart. Is it worth driving Colmar to Dijon? Yes—for the Burgundy wine landscapes and the sudden transition from Alsatian vineyards to limestone plateaus.

• Start: Colmar, Haut-Rhin (188 m elevation)
• End: Dijon, Côte-d'Or (245 m elevation)
• Main roads: A36 (80 km), A39 (130 km)

Road quality: The A36 is in excellent condition (asphalt replaced in 2021-2022), with wide shoulders and clear signage. The A39 has concrete sections that can be noisy; watch for sudden patches near Dijon exit 4 (road works until 2026). Night illumination: fully lit from Colmar to Montbéliard; thereafter, only rest areas have light poles. Safety tip: the A36 has a 50 km/h reduction at the Trouée de Belfort due to crosswinds; obey temporary signs.

Family and child suitability: The Musée du Jouet at Moirans-en-Montagne (exit 8, 10 min detour) is Europe's largest toy museum, with vintage dolls and train sets. Also, the Parc de la Préhistoire d'Ornans (exit 5) has life-size dinosaur models and a climbing park. For a quick break, Aire de la Loue has a playground and clean baby-changing facilities. Things to do between Colmar and Dijon: visit the Citadelle of Besançon (a star-shaped fortress with a zoo, 1 hour if you stop).

Pet-friendly framework: All motorway rest areas (Aires) allow dogs on leashes. Specifically, Aire de la Loue and Aire de la Combe Dondaine have dedicated dog-exercise areas (fenced). The Café des Chiens in Montbéliard (exit 2.2) serves dog treats. Note that Dijon's historic center has many pet-friendly terraces, but the indoor cathedral is not accessible to dogs.

Hidden off-route spots: The abandoned Château de Belvoir (near Vesoul, exit 6) is a 13th-century ruin with panoramic views, reachable by a 2 km gravel road. Alternatively, the Vanne d'Orain (an abandoned lock on the Canal du Rhône au Rhin) at km 50 near Mulhouse is a peaceful picnic spot. Fatigue management: The best rest point is Aire de la Loue (km 102 on A36) with a 24-hour snacks vending and dark, quiet parking spots for a 20-minute nap. If you feel drowsy, stop at the Aire de la Combe Dondaine (km 80 on A39), which has reclining seats in the rest room.

• Rest zones: Aire de la Loue (clean, quiet), Aire de Combe Dondaine (shaded), Aire de la Citadelle (directional, near Besançon)
• Cooldown spot: The Ognon riverbanks at exit 7 (park at Le Pont de la Voivre)
• Emergency: Dial 112 (free); nearest hospital at Montbéliard (15 km from A36 exit 4)

The landscape shifts dramatically: Alsatian vineyards (Auxerrois, Gewürztraminer) near Colmar give way to the Sundgau plateau with its half-timbered farms, then the Jura limestone cliffs visible from the A36 near Montbéliard. The Trouée de Belfort is a wind corridor; gusts up to 60 km/h are common in spring, which affect truck stability. In the section between Besançon and Dijon, the Ognon River valley offers a sudden green corridor—best viewed from the A36 at km 85 near Vesoul.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: This route itself does not pass a UNESCO site directly, but the Saline Royale d'Arc-et-Senans (great saltworks) is a 15-minute detour from Besançon (exit 3). This 18th-century industrial masterpiece by Claude-Nicolas Ledoux was inscribed in 1982. Also, Dijon's historic center is part of the Climats of Burgundy, a UNESCO cultural landscape since 2015 (the vineyards themselves are on a short detour to Marsannay-la-Côte, 10 min from Dijon).

Local commerce and culture: At the Aire de la Loue (km 102 on A36), a seasonal farmers' market sells Comté cheese, saucisses de Montbéliard, and Vin Jaune. Also, the village of Ornans (exit 5) is the birthplace of Gustave Courbet, with a museum dedicated to the realist painter. Best stops Colmar to Dijon include the weekly market in Montbéliard (Saturdays, Place du Marché).

• Regional goods: Moutarde de Dijon, Kirsch (cherry brandy), Nonettes (gingerbread)
• Roadside stalls: Often near exit 7 (Autrey-lès-Gray) for artisanal honey and bread
• Cultural stop: Château de Joux (detour 20 min) – a fortress that held Mirabeau prisoner

The most efficient route from Colmar to Dijon is A36 west to the A39 junction near Dole (47.1027° N, 5.4907° E). Tolls total €15.70 (2025 rates). Fuel Station distribution: the busiest station is Total Access at Aire de la Gare de Belfort (km 65), open 24/7, and a cheaper Station U at exit 3.1 (Montbéliard). How long to drive Colmar to Dijon? Average 2h20 without stops; add 45 minutes for recommended breaks.

Fuel efficiency tips: use cruise control at 110 km/h (speed limit for A39 segments with heavy trucks) to save 8-12% fuel. The topography is rolling hills with one sustained climb to 400 m at the Trouée de Belfort; engine braking downhill can recover some charge for hybrids. Avoid fill-up at motorway services; instead, leave at exit 2 for the Rue de la Gare station in Besançon (5 min detour).

• Average fuel cost: €1.80/L diesel; €2.00/L gasoline
• Recommended stops: Aire de la Loue (clean toilets, picnic tables)
• Toll payment: all major credit cards, toll tag (e.g., Liber-t)