Interlaken to Blois Road Trip: Ultimate Guide

Did you know that the 570-mile (920 km) route from Interlaken to Blois passes through three distinct geological regions? You start in the Jungfrau region's glacial valleys, cross the Swiss Plateau, traverse the Jura Mountains, and descend into the Paris Basin's limestone plains. This road trip is not merely a drive; it is a journey through centuries of European history.

Your path roughly follows the A1/E25 south of Basel, then picks up the A36/E60 through France's Franche-Comté region before merging onto the A10/E05 towards Orléans and Blois. Expect around 8–9 hours of pure driving time, but you will want to stretch that to two or three days. Why? Because the how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities guide explains exactly how to unearth local wonders.

Below is a table of key statistics to help you plan.

The first hour from Interlaken reveals a stunning panorama of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Eiger north face looming in the rearview mirror. After Bern, the terrain mellows into rolling farmland dotted with wooden farmhouses. Cross the border near Basel into France, and the landscape shifts to the forested hills of the Jura Mountains.

Things to do between Interlaken and Blois include a stop at the UNESCO-listed medieval city of Besançon (citadel and Vauban fortifications) or the Arbois wine region – a perfect lunch break. Further west, the Burgundy vineyards stretch around Beaune, where you can sample Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Near Auxerre, the Chablis region offers another wine detour.

• Natural Landscape Highlight: The Combe de Besançon, a limestone gorge carved by the Doubs River.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites near the route: Old City of Bern (Switzerland), Fortifications of Vauban (Besançon), Climats of Burgundy (Route de vins).
• Local commerce: Stop at a marché (farmers market) in Lons-le-Saunier or Montbard for artisan cheeses, charcuterie, and honey.

Swiss highways are impeccably maintained, with excellent lighting in tunnels and frequent emergency phones. French autoroutes are also high quality, but beware of sudden speed limit changes near construction zones. Use cruise control on flat stretches to maintain a safe speed.

For families, best stops Interlaken to Blois include Besançon's Citadel (ideal for kids – it houses a zoo and museum), the Spiez Castle playground near Lake Thun, and the O'Parc indoor play area in Dijon. Pet-friendly? yes, but note that dogs require a pet passport and must be leashed in all service areas. Several rest stops have designated dog-walking zones with waste bags.

Fatigue management is critical on this long route. Schedule a 15-minute break every 2 hours. The aire de Verdun-sur-le-Doubs has a large grassy area for a power nap. Alternatively, the aire de Pouilly-en-Auxois offers a panoramic viewpoint over the Burgundy Canal – perfect to refresh your eyes.

• Rest stop recommendations: Aire de la Saudrière (Jura, free Wi-Fi), Aire de Montbarrey (playground for children).
• Hidden off-route spots: The Lac de Vouglans near Moirans-en-Montagne (turquoise reservoir with swimming beaches) and the medieval village of Château-Chalon (20 min detour from Dijon).
• Infrastructure safety: All Swiss motorway tunnels have emergency telephones every 150 m. French autoroutes have orange emergency boxes every 2 km.

Navigating from Interlaken to Blois requires understanding a mixed system of tolled and free highways. In Switzerland, the A1 demands a motorway vignette (40 CHF) which is valid for the calendar year. From Basel onward, French autoroutes are tolled (péage) – you can pay by credit card or cash at booths.

Fuel prices differ noticeably: in France you can find diesel (gazole) for €1.70–1.80 per litre, while in Switzerland prices hover around CHF 1.60–1.70 per litre (€1.65–1.75). For petrol (SP95/E10), budget about €0.10 more per litre. Plan your refuelling accordingly – filling up just before crossing the border can save a few euros.

How long to drive Interlaken to Blois? Without breaks, the journey takes about 8–9 hours. But is it worth driving Interlaken to Blois without stops? Absolutely not – the landscapes, culinary stops, and historical sites along the way make detours essential. At minimum, allocate a full day with at least three breaks: one near Bern or Basel for coffee, one in the Jura foothills for lunch, and one near Dijon or Auxerre for a stretch.

• Check vignette validity before departure – Swiss vignettes expire on 31 January.
• French speed limits: 130 km/h (80 mph) on autoroutes in dry conditions, 110 km/h (68 mph) when raining.
• Rest areas (aires) appear every 30–40 km on French highways; many have free toilets and picnic tables.