Delft to Spa Road Trip: Ultimate Guide to Scenic Stops

Just after leaving Delft, the A13 merges onto the A12 near The Hague, a stretch where cyclists still outnumber cars on sunny weekends. This 270-kilometer drive to Spa, Belgium, typically takes 2 hours and 45 minutes via the E40/A3, but the journey holds a quirk: you'll cross three linguistic borders—Dutch, French, and German—within two countries.

Unlike a straight highway dash, the route offers a mix of flat Dutch polders, rolling Belgian hills, and the forested Ardennes. Knowing how long to drive Delft to Spa helps plan breaks, but the real reward lies in the stops between Delft and Spa that reveal history, nature, and local character.

North of Antwerp, the landscape is pancake-flat: drained polders dotted with wind turbines and cow pastures. Just past Antwerp, near Lier, the terrain subtly rises as you enter the Kempen region, a sandy plateau with heathlands and pine forests.

The true transformation happens east of Liège: the N62 climbs into the Ardennes, a massif of ancient folding. Dense beech and oak forests cloak steep hills, and the famous ‘Côte de la Redoute’ is a hairpin-laced climb cyclists will recognize from Liège–Bastogne–Liège.

For local commerce, rural markets in Theux (Tuesdays) sell Vin de Pays de la Meuse and fromage de Herve. In Spa itself, the Place Royale hosts a weekend antique market. The region also produces ‘Spa water’—still and sparkling—which you can buy at the source for €0.50 a liter.

The primary artery is the A12/E19 to Antwerp, then the E40/A3 east toward Liège, finishing on the A27/N62. Toll roads? Only the Liefkenshoek tunnel near Antwerp charges a fee (€4.50), but you can avoid it by sticking to the E19/E40.

• Fuel stations: Frequent along E40, especially near Breda, Antwerp, and Hasselt. Prices drop about 10% once you cross into Belgium.
• Rest areas: ‘Raststätte’ every 20 km; notable: Grobbendonk (E34) and Hognoul (E40) with showers and playgrounds.
• Navigation: GPS is reliable, but note that speed cameras are dense in Wallonia—especially on the N62 descent into Spa.

For those wondering is it worth driving Delft to Spa, consider that the A40 through the Ardennes offers sweeping valley views that make the detour from train routes worthwhile.

The E40 is wide and well-lit, but the N62 to Spa is narrow with sharp bends; fog is common in autumn, reducing visibility below 100 m. Michelin-starred rest stops like the ‘Restaurant de la Gare’ at Francorchamps (just 5 km from Spa) offer a safe off-road haven with secure parking and cameras.

For families, a top stop is ‘Pairi Daiza’ zoo near Mons, only 15 minutes off the E19. Alternatively, the ‘Plopsa Coo’ theme park near Spa (3 km from the track) is ideal for children. Both have diaper-changing stations and stroller rentals.

Pet owners will find designated dog zones at ‘Aire de Battice’ (E40) with waste bags and fenced runs. Many Belgian hotels along the route, like Hotel L'Esprit Sain in Spa, accept pets for a €10 fee.

To combat fatigue, plan a break every 90 minutes. The ‘Raststätte Hognoul’ has a rest cabin with recliners. A detailed method for finding such spots is described in how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.