Ghent to Zutphen Road Trip Guide – Scenic Drive Through Lowlands

The drive from Ghent to Zutphen stretches about 200 kilometers via the E17 and A1 highways, typically taking 2 to 2.5 hours. Yet this corridor through Belgium and the Netherlands harbors far more than asphalt – it traces the former Hanseatic League route along the IJssel River. The region once buzzed with cloth merchants and seafarers, and today the landscape is punctuated by bell towers, windmills, and polders.

Many travelers ask: how long to drive Ghent to Zutphen? The answer is short enough for a day trip, but long enough to justify several stops. If you wonder is it worth driving Ghent to Zutphen, the answer is a resounding yes – especially when you consider the medieval architecture, the UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the surprising culinary scenes. This guide will help you uncover the best stops Ghent to Zutphen, with detailed notes on where to eat, rest, and explore.

Beyond the motorway, the route passes through the Flemish Ardennes and the Dutch Betuwe region. The Flemish Ardennes offer rolling hills and dense forests near Ghent, while the Betuwe is a fruit-growing region known for apple and pear orchards. In spring, the blossoms create a pink-and-white carpet visible from the A1.

Things to do between Ghent and Zutphen include visiting the UNESCO World Heritage belfries of Ghent and Antwerp, and the historic fortifications of Willemstad. For a detour, drive through the Hoge Veluwe National Park near Arnhem – a serene landscape of heathlands and sand drifts, with free entry to the Kröller-Müller Museum.

Local commerce thrives along the route. Antwerp’s diamond district and fashion boutiques contrast with the artisan cheese farms near Gouda (accessible via a short detour). In Zutphen, the Saturday market on Houtmarkt sells organic produce, local honey, and handmade pottery. Expect to spend €5-€10 for a farmhouse cheese platter or €15 for a craft beer tasting.

• Best local product: Smoked eel from the IJssel River, available at Vischmarkt in Zutphen.
• Culinary infrastructure: Michelin-starred restaurants (e.g., De Kromme Watergang in Sluis) and cozy bruin cafés.

The E17, A1, and N348 are well-maintained, with good lighting and emergency phones every 2 km. Speed cameras are frequent; adhere to 120 km/h on Dutch motorways. For fatigue management & rest zones, plan stops every 90 minutes. Rest areas like De Knoop near Antwerp and De Meern near Utrecht offer clean toilets, fast food, and picnic tables.

• Family stops: Best for kids – Plopsa Indoor Coevorden (indoor theme park), DierenPark Amersfoort (zoo), or the Openluchtmuseum Arnhem (open-air museum with interactive exhibits).
• Pet-friendly framework: Most rest stops allow dogs on leads; De Witte Swaen near Breda has a dedicated pet area. Hotels in Zutphen: NH Hotel accepts pets (€15 extra).

For hidden off-route spots, consider the castle ruins of Batenburg (10 km south of Zutphen) or the vineyard at Bij Ons in Heukelum. The Waterloopbos model-boat park in Veere is a quirky detour. Always check opening hours; many sites close on Mondays.

The journey is straightforward: from Ghent, take the E17 toward Antwerp, then merge onto the A1/E19 near Antwerp heading north. After crossing the border into the Netherlands, the A1 continues past Breda and Eindhoven before turning east toward Arnhem. From Arnhem, the N348 (or local roads via Zutphenseweg) leads into Zutphen. Toll roads are absent, but fuel prices vary. Belgian stations are typically cheaper than Dutch ones; fill up in Ghent or near Antwerp.

• Fuel stops: Shell Gent at E17 exit 13 (Ghent), Esso Antwerp at A1 exit 4 (Antwerp), TotalEnergies Breda at A1 exit 15 (Breda).
• Average fuel cost: €1.70/L in Belgium, €1.90/L in the Netherlands.
• Parking in Zutphen: Parkeergarage Polsbroek (€2.50/hr) or free at Transferium Zutphen-Noord.