Epic Road Trip from Beaune to Davos: A Complete Guide

The road from Beaune to Davos is a 550-kilometer drive that threads across the Jura Mountains and into the Swiss Alps, a route famously used by the Tour de France caravan in 2017. The most direct path follows the A31 to Dijon, then the A36 and A9 through Basel, and finally the A13 along the Rhine Valley toward Davos. Expect about 6.5 hours of driving, but plan for 8 hours with stops. This is a route where the landscape shifts from Burgundy's patchwork vineyards to the dramatic limestone folds of the Jura, culminating in the glacier-carved valleys of Graubünden.

• Total distance: 550 km (340 miles)
• Estimated driving time: 6.5 hours without stops
• Key highways: A31, A36, A35, A3, A13

Before setting off, consider reading how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities to enrich your journey. This guide covers everything from fuel costs to pet-friendly stops, ensuring you don't miss the unique character of each region.

The Beaune to Davos drive is well-served by modern highways, but tolls apply in France and a vignette is required for Swiss motorways. The French A36 and A35 are tolled sections, costing approximately €15 for the entire French leg. In Switzerland, an annual vignette (CHF 40) is mandatory and can be purchased at border crossings or gas stations. Fuel stations are plentiful along the A36 and near Basel, but become sparse in the Jura and Alpine stretches, particularly after Chur on the A13.

• Estimated fuel cost: €85-€100 for a standard petrol car, depending on driving style
• Fuel efficiency tip: Use cruise control on the relatively flat French sections; the Alpine climb from Chur to Davos consumes about 20% more fuel.
• Fuel station distribution: Every 30-40 km in France, every 50 km in Switzerland; plan to refuel at Basel or in Chur before ascending.

The route includes several toll booths, most automated with card payments. The Swiss motorways are free after the vignette, but the A13 has a few tunnels (e.g., San Bernardino) with separate ventilation fees. Night driving is safe, but fog can form in the Jura valleys; headlights must be on in Switzerland even during daytime in tunnels. Road surfaces are excellent overall, but watch for gravel on Alpine passes in early spring.

From the gentle, vine-covered slopes of Beaune to the rugged alpine peaks around Davos, the geographical shifts are dramatic. Near Dijon, the landscape is dominated by mustard fields and limestone escarpments. Crossing into Switzerland, the Jura Mountains offer dense forests and rolling pastures, with limestone pavements like those at Creux du Van (a 30-minute detour). The final stretch through Graubünden showcases the Rhine Gorge (Swiss Grand Canyon) and the Landwasser Valley, before climbing to the Davos plateau at 1,560 meters.

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces (near Lausanne) are a 2-hour detour from Basel. Within the route, no UNESCO sites lie directly on the path, but the old town of Bern is a 1-hour detour.
• Best stops Beaune to Davos: The medieval town of Gruyères (15 min off A12), the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen (20 min detour), and the village of Splügen (just off A13) with its historic pass road.
• Things to do between Beaune and Davos: Visit the mustard mill in Dijon, hike in the Jura at Les Rousses, or explore the Swiss National Park in Zernez.

Local Commerce & Culture

In Beaune, stock up on Burgundy wines (Pommard, Volnay) from local cellars. Along the A36, stop at roadside stalls selling Comté cheese (especially near Pontarlier). In Switzerland, look for Bündner Nusstorte (a nut pastry) at bakeries in Chur, and pick up hand-carved wood crafts in Davos. The weekly market in Davos (Wednesdays) offers local alpine cheeses and dried meats.

The route is safe year-round, but winter driving from November to March requires snow tires on the A13 up to Davos. The San Bernardino tunnel is a major artery but can have congestion in summer. For nighttime driving, the French sections are well-lit; Swiss highways have reflective markers but sections through the Jura can be dark. Speed cameras are common in Swiss towns—always obey limits (120 km/h on motorways, 80 km/h on open roads).

• Family and child suitability: The Swiss Science Center Technorama in Winterthur (30 min detour) is a hands-on museum. Along the route, the Gruyères castle and the Swiss Vapes Park in Lenzerheide are kid-friendly.
• Pet-friendly framework: Dogs are welcome at most rest stops in France and Switzerland. The Aire de la Jumenterie rest area (near Dijon) has a fenced dog run. In Switzerland, the rest area at Murg (A3) offers water bowls and waste bags.
• Fatigue management: Recommended rest zones include the Aire de Beaune-Tailly (km 20 on A31), the Raststätte Pratteln (Basel), and the Autobahnraststätte Chur-Nord. Park at designated areas; sleeping in parking lots is tolerated but not recommended on commercial truck stops.

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Just 5 minutes from the A36 near Montbéliard, the village of Audincourt houses a stunning Art Deco church with stained glass by Le Corbusier. In Switzerland, the abandoned stone quarry at Bösingen (near Delemont) offers a surreal landscape, accessible via a dirt road. Near Chur, the ruined tower of Alt-Süns is a 2-minute walk from the A13 rest area.

Culinary Infrastructure

For a true regional meal, try Le Comptoir des Vignes in Beaune for Burgundian snails. On the A36, the Relais de la Vallée at Jougne serves fondue with local cheese. In Switzerland, the Gasthaus zum Sternen in Klosters (near Davos) offers Bündnerfleisch and capuns. For a quick bite, the Resti at the Raststätte Pratteln has good rösti.