Eguisheim to Landshut: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The road from Eguisheim (France) to Landshut (Germany) traverses 580 km via the A5 and A8 highways, crossing the Rhine valley and the Black Forest before entering the Bavarian plains. This route connects two historic towns, each a gem of Alsatian and Germanic architecture.

Drivers pass the exact point of the German-French border at km 78 on the A5, marked by a former customs house now serving as a rest stop.

Key details: 6 hours driving time (without stops), average fuel cost €75 for a standard sedan (at €1.80/L), and two toll sections in France (€12 total).

Road safety is excellent, but watch for crosswinds near Stuttgart (wind-prone around Wendlingen). Illumination is consistent on German autobahns; French sections have fewer lights after 10 PM.

• Night driving: Use high beams cautiously on rural stretches of the A8 near Augsburg.
• Emergency phones: Every 2 km on German autobahns; French toll roads have orange SOS boxes.

Family-friendly stops:

• Legoland Deutschland (Günzburg) – exit A8 66, 15 min from the highway. Interactive museum and rides for children aged 2-12.
• Burg Trausnitz in Landshut – castle with knight shows and medieval playground.
• Jardin des Deux Rives (Strasbourg/Kehl) – free park with playground and ferry across the Rhine.

Pet-friendly spots:

• Raststätte Bruchsal (A5 northbound) – designated dog park and pet store inside.
• Dogs allowed at Ulm Minster (on leash).
• Cafe Zeitsprung in Landshut – dog bowls and treats offered.

Hidden off-route spots (5 min detour):

• Abandoned chapel in the forest near Rastatt (A5 exit 45) – ruins with overgrown frescoes.
• Small village of Meßstetten (A8 exit 54) – traditional half-timbered houses that are rarely visited.

Fatigue management rest zones:

• Rest area Wörth am Rhein (A5) – shaded parking with benches, 20 min from Strasbourg.
• Raststätte Illertiss (A8) – 24-hour rest with small hotel rooms for naps (€15 for 2 hours).
• Safe parking: Use reviewed rest stops like Autohof Zusmarshausen (security cameras and patrols).

The route transitions from the Alsatian vineyards (Eguisheim) to the Black Forest foothills near Freudenstadt, then onto the Swabian Jura and finally the Bavarian plains. This diversity creates a scenic drive with changing light conditions.

• Tunnel of the A8 near Ulm: 5.2 km long, drivers should dim lights immediately.
• Best sunset viewpoint: Rest area “Albaufstieg” at km 410 on the A8, overlooking the Swabian Jura.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the route:

• Strasbourg’s Grande Île (1.5 km east of A35 exit 4).
• Ulm’s Minster (short detour of 3 km from A8 exit 57).
• Landshut Trausnitz Castle and the medieval Altstadt (both part of the Historic Centers of Bavarian Towns tentative list).

Local cultural stops: Village markets in Rottenburg am Neckar (exit A8 46) sell Schwäbisch Spätzle and lentils. Roadside stalls near Pforzheim offer Black Forest honey and cuckoo clocks.

• Alsace side: Buy kougelhopf cake at boulangeries in Colmar.
• Bavarian side: Fresh Weißwurst at butcheries in Moosburg.

The journey begins on the D417 from Eguisheim to Colmar, then connects to the A35 and A5. After crossing the border near Kehl, the A5 runs north to Karlsruhe, then the A8 eastbound.

• Road quality: Excellent, with well-lit sections on German autobahns; French sections have occasional toll plazas.
• Fuel stations: Found every 20-30 km on the A5 and A8; expect 24/7 service at major rest areas like Raststätte Bruchsal.
• Fuel economy: The flat Rhine plain aids efficiency, but the slight climb near Stuttgart (300 m elevation) increases consumption by ~5%.

For an optimized stop strategy, refer to this guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, which helps pinpoint lesser-known attractions.

• Average speed: 120 km/h on German autobahns (no speed limit on some stretches), 110 km/h on French toll roads.
• Toll costs: France €12 (A35 toll from Colmar to Strasbourg), Germany toll-free.
• Parking: Landshut has well-signposted parking garages (€1.50/h) near the Altstadt.