Davos to Koblenz Road Trip: Scenic Alpine Drive

The route from Davos (1,560 m) to Koblenz (65 m) drops over 1,400 meters in elevation, winding through the Swiss Alps and Jura before reaching the Rhine. One curious fact: In 1873, the narrow-gauge Landquart–Davos railway opened, but the road connection via the Wolfgang Pass remained treacherous until the A13 motorway was completed in 1970.

The drive covers roughly 220 km on the A13/E43 and A3/E35, taking about 2.5 hours without stops. This guide helps answer: is it worth driving Davos to Koblenz? The answer, with its alpine panoramas and cultural contrasts, is a resounding yes.

Key Route Stats

Fuel costs on this route average CHF 1.80/L for petrol. The mountain passes increase consumption by 15-20%, so budget around CHF 40-50 for the trip. Fuel stations are plentiful along the A13 and A3, but scarce in the mountains—fill up in Landquart or Chur before the climb to Davos.

• Toll: Swiss motorway vignette required (CHF 40, annual). No additional tolls for the A13 or A3.
• Road quality: Excellent asphalt on motorways, but the Landquart–Davos stretch (H28) is winding and narrow in places. Watch for livestock on rural roads.
• Night driving: Well-lit tunnels on the A13, but unlit sections on the H28. Use high beams cautiously.

For a deeper dive into how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, we recommend planning detours with local tip apps.

Safety tips: The A13 has long gradients—use engine braking on descents. Several tunnels (e.g., Kerenzerberg) have camera-enforced speed limits. For children, the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne (40 min detour) or the Sauriergarten (dinosaur park) in Zizers are perfect. Pet-friendly framework: Most rest stops along the A13 have grass patches for dog walks; the Raststätte Knonau (A4) even has a dedicated dog run.

• Family-friendly: Knies Kinderzoo in Basel (near Koblenz), Rapperswil Zoo (on Lake Zurich).
• Dog stops: Rest area Wiese (A2) near Egerkingen has shaded paths and waste bags.

Fatigue management: Safe napping spots include the A13 rest area at Trimmis (exit 16) with quiet parking away from traffic, or the A3 motorway service station at Murg (exit 27) with a view of the Walensee. Hidden off-route spots: The abandoned railway station at Solothurn-Allmend (5 min from A1) now hosts a flea market on Saturdays. For culture, the small village of Schaffhausen (30 min detour) features the magical old town and the Rhine Falls illuminations.

Geography shifts from alpine tundra near Davos to the Rhine Valley's vineyards by Koblenz. The A13 cuts through the Swiss National Park's southeastern edge, though the park itself is east of the route. For a quick detour, exit at Reichenau (exit 21) to see the confluence of the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein rivers.

• UNESCO sites: The route passes near the Rhaetian Railway (Albula/Bernina line, UNESCO 2008). Detour 10 minutes to Thusis to see the Landwasser Viaduct.
• Best scenic stop: At the Cholplatz viewpoint near Chur (exit 14), overlooking the Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon).
• Seasonal splendor: In autumn, the Lichtenstein region (near Sargans) offers spectacular foliage. Winter brings potential snowfall on the Wolfgang Pass, averse drivers should use chains.

Local commerce along the route: buy Bündner Nusstorte (nut pastry) in Chur at Konditorei Rüesch, or pick up Alpkäse at the farm shop in Trin. For artists, the village of Malans (20 min detour) sells hand-painted ceramics.