Colmar-sur-Mer to Kinderdijk: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

Colmar-sur-Mer, despite its name, sits inland along the Canal de Colmar, a man-made waterway dug in 1846 to connect the wine regions to the Rhine. The first kilometer of your journey northward on the A35 passes over the original Roman road that once carried salt from the Alps to the North Sea.

This trip covers roughly 650 kilometers, with a driving time of about 6.5 hours without stops. The optimal route follows the A35 to Strasbourg (E25), then the A4 to Saarbrücken (E50), the A61 to Koblenz (E31), the A3 to Arnhem (E35), and finally the N3 to Kinderdijk. Expect tolls totaling around €45 for the entire trip.

For a curated approach to finding the best stops along the way, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The A35 through Alsace is well-maintained but often busy on Friday evenings. Fuel stations are abundant every 20 km, with prices ranging from €1.80/L in France to €1.95/L in Germany near the border. Consider filling up in France before crossing into Germany.

• Toll booths accept credit cards and cash; keep small change for automated machines.
• Rest areas (Aire de repos) occur every 30 km on the A4 and A61, with clean toilets and picnic tables.

Driving from Colmar-sur-Mer to Kinderdijk is worth the distance because of the variety of landscapes in a single day. The question is not just how long to drive, but where to pause. Use the route's rest stops strategically—the Rastplatz Propstei near Trier (A1) offers a panoramic view of the Moselle Valley.

From the Alsatian vineyards to the Dutch polders, the route crosses three major natural regions. The Vosges foothills give way to the hilly Palatinate Forest, then the Rhine Gorge, and finally the flat wetlands of the Netherlands.

• Vosges foothills: Vineyards of Alsace (Route des Vins) offer tastings at Domaines like Hugel & Fils, open 10:00-18:00.
• Palatinate Forest: Detour to Trifels Castle (this must not appear bolded in final output) for medieval views.
• Rhine Gorge: UNESCO World Heritage site—boat tours at Loreley Rock (10€/adult).
• Dutch polders: Kinderdijk’s 19 windmills are a UNESCO site; entry fee 9€ for the museum.

Local commerce thrives along the route. Farmers' markets occur weekly in Saarbrücken (Tuesdays and Fridays) and in Arnhem (Saturdays). Try local specialties like flammkuchen in Alsace, Pfälzer Saumagen in Palatinate, and stroopwafels near Kinderdijk.

Highway sections in Germany (A4, A61, A3) have no speed limit in many areas, but construction zones are common, with fines up to €200 for speeding. The Dutch N3 is a two-lane road with roundabouts; keep speed to 80 km/h.

• Emergency phones every 2 km on German autobahns; call 112 for help.
• Rest zones: Rasthof Siegburg (A3) has a playground and family restrooms; Rasthof Rheinböllen (A61) has a dog walking area.
• Fatigue management: Plan stops at least every 2 hours—use the 100 km rule of thumb.

Family suitability: The entire route is child-friendly with many playgrounds at rest stops. For pet owners, the A4 allows dogs in rest areas, but only service animals in dining halls. The best stops between Colmar-sur-Mer and Kinderdijk include the Tierpark in Neunkirchen (off A4), a zoo with over 500 animals, and the Openluchtmuseum in Arnhem (Dutch outdoor living history).