Ghent to Tournai Road Trip Guide: Best Stops & Hidden Gems

The drive from Ghent to Tournai along the E17 and N60 covers roughly 75 kilometers and takes about 55 minutes without stops. But this road traces a historic axis: the old Roman road linking the Scheldt and the Escaut rivers. You’ll pass through medieval towns, along canals, and near UNESCO-listed belfries. It’s a short route, but packing it with worthwhile distractions transforms it into a rich cultural excursion.

The E17 is a modern motorway with good lighting and emergency phones. The N60 is a secondary road with roundabouts and crosswalks; drive attentively, especially near school zones. Speed limits: 120 km/h on E17, 90 km/h on N60, 50 km/h in towns. Fatigue: Consider a break at the ‘Vlaamse Ardennen’ rest area near Kruishoutem (has picnic tables and a children’s playground).

• Rest area: ‘De Nuchten’ (E17, exit 12) – clean toilets, café
• Family stop: ‘Avonturenpark’ in De Pinte (playground, mini-golf)
• Pet-friendly: ‘Domein De Gavers’ allows dogs on leash; water bowls at café

For children, the ‘Beklim de Gavers’ climbing park in Ghent is a hit. In Tournai, the ‘Musée d’Histoire Naturelle’ has dinosaur skeletons. Pets: Most rest stops allow dogs, but keep them in the car at motorway services. The ‘Fimi’ area near Kortrijk has a designated pet walking zone. For fatigue management, schedule a stop every 45 minutes; the route is short but winding in parts.

Fuel up in Ghent’s suburbs (Drongen area) where prices are lower than at motorway stations. Along the E17, you’ll find Total and Shell stations near De Pinte and Waregem. The N60 from Kortrijk to Tournai has fewer services; plan a stop in Kortrijk or at the A19 junction for cheaper diesel. Tolls: none on this route. Pack a snack because roadside dining is sparse between Kortrijk and Tournai.

• Best fuel stop: Q8 in De Pinte (exit 9 on E17)
• Worst fuel stop: Motorway stations near Harelbeke (premium prices)
• EV charging: Fastned at Kortrijk Oost (E17)

Road quality is excellent on the E17; the N60 after Kortrijk has some older sections with cobblestone remnants in villages. Watch for sudden speed camera zones near Zwevegem and Avelgem. The route is well-signposted in French and Dutch. For detailed tips on finding hidden gems, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Leaving Ghent, the flat polder landscape quickly gives way to the rolling hills of the Flemish Ardennes. Near Waregem, you’ll see hop fields (brewery country). The Scheldt river valley near Oudenaarde offers scenic detours. Further south, the landscape becomes more wooded, especially around Mont de l'Enclus, a protected natural area with hiking trails. The Escaut river meanders past Tournai, creating riverside parks.

• Natural highlight: Provincial Domain de Gavers (Ghent) – lake and forest
• Scenic detour: N8 from Oudenaarde to Ronse (through hills)
• Hidden viewpoint: Koppenberg (cobbled climb near Melden)

Local commerce thrives along the route. In Kortrijk, the weekly market (Saturdays) sells regional cheese and bread. Tournai’s Grand-Place hosts artisans selling lace and pottery. Between, you’ll find farm shops selling local beers (e.g., Brouwerij De Ranke in Dottignies). For a true taste, stop at a friterie in Avelgem for a ‘smos’ with stoofvlees.