Davos to Speyer Road Trip: Alpine Passes to Rhine Valley

The drive from Davos (1,560 m above sea level) to Speyer (104 m) drops over 1,400 meters in elevation across roughly 370 kilometers. One specific fact: the route passes the highest church in Europe, the Bergkirche in Davos, before descending via the A13 through the Rhine Gorge — Switzerland's answer to the Grand Canyon. This highway, built in the 1960s, features several bridges that cross the young Rhine multiple times. The journey takes about 4.5 hours without stops, but we recommend a full day to savor the transitions.

To make the most of this trip, consult our guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. Below is a quick logistics table.

The route primarily uses the A13 (Swiss) and A81/A5 (German) autobahns. The Swiss section from Davos to the border at Kreuzlingen is mountainous with tunnels and sharp curves; the German autobahn is flat and often congested near Stuttgart. Estimated fuel costs: for a mid-size car (8 L/100 km, €1.60/L in Switzerland, €1.70/L in Germany), plan around €50-60 one-way. Fuel stations are frequent on both sides, but the Swiss section lacks stations between Davos and Chur (40 km).

• Fuel efficiency tip: Use engine braking on A13 descents to save fuel.
• Toll costs: Swiss vignette (€40) required; German autobahns are toll-free for cars.
• Best fuel stop: Aral at Singen (DE) for lower prices just after the border.

Parking in Speyer: Parkhaus Altstadt (€2/h) near the cathedral. The route is well-signposted; use Google Maps with offline downloads for the Swiss valley sections where cellular signal drops briefly.

The drive crosses three distinct landscapes: the Alpine valleys of Graubünden, the high plateau of the Hegau region, and the Upper Rhine Plain. In the Hegau, you'll see volcanic cones like Hohentwiel (686 m) near Singen. UNESCO World Heritage: the route passes near the Abbey of St. Gallen (70 km detour) and the Old Town of Regensburg (far detour), but no direct UNESCO site is within 5 km of the highway. However, the monastic island of Reichenau (Lake Constance) is a 10-min detour from the A81 at Konstanz.

• Must-see natural stop: Rhine Falls at Schaffhausen (20-min detour) — Europe's largest waterfall.
• Local commerce: In Singen, visit the Wochenmarkt (Sat mornings) for Alpkäse and Hegau honey.
• Roadside stalls: Near Radolfzell, farmers sell fresh apples and Zwiebelkuchen (onion tart) in autumn.

Culinary infrastructure: The Bergrestaurant in Davos (Höhenweg) serves Bündner Gerstensuppe (barley soup). In the Hegau, Gasthof Krone in Steisslingen offers homemade Maultaschen. Near Speyer, Domküche serves Saumagen (palatinate pork specialty). For pet-friendly cafes, Café Glück in Singen welcomes dogs with water bowls.

Road quality: Swiss A13 is narrow with tunnels (speed limit 80 km/h); German A81 is well-maintained but can be busy near Stuttgart. Night illumination is good on German sections, but on A13, use high beams in unlit tunnels. Safety tip: watch for deer crossing near the Hegau fields at dusk.

Family stops: Swiss Science Center Technorama in Winterthur (1 h detour) has 500 hands-on exhibits. In Singen, the Mac Museum Art & Chocolate offers chocolate making workshops. The Rhine Falls experience includes a boat ride to the rock in the middle. Pet-friendly: Hundestrand at Lake Constance (Konstanz) allows dogs on a leash.

Fatigue management: The first recommended rest zone is Rastplatz Linsen (A81, near Geisingen) with picnic tables and shade. A longer stop at Raststätte Hegau (A81, near Singen) offers a cafeteria and secure parking. For a quick nap, Autohof Pforzheim (A8) has quiet parking behind the building. Final stretch: from Speyer exit, turn into the industrial area for free 2-hour parking before exploring the cathedral.

Hidden off-route spots: The abandoned railway viaduct near Grüningen (5 min from A81, exit 25) is a Instagram-worthy ruin. Also, the Würmsee lakelet near Berg (A81 exit 22) is a tranquil swimming spot with no crowds. Both are within 5-minute drives from the main highway.