Kortrijk to Ulm: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The drive from Kortrijk to Ulm covers roughly 600 kilometers via the A1, A4, and A8 autobahns, passing through Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. This route traces parts of the ancient Via Belgica, a Roman road linking the Rhine to the North Sea.

Historic milestones: the Battle of the Bulge sites in the Ardennes, the Roman city of Trier, and the birthplace of Einstein in Ulm. The trip takes about 6 hours without stops, but plan 2-3 extra days to explore.

From Kortrijk, take the E17/E42 to the A1 south through Belgium. At the Luxembourg border, the A1 becomes the A4, continuing as the German A8 near Saarbrücken. The entire route is toll-free except for a section of the A1 in Belgium where a vignette is required.

• Estimated fuel cost: €65-€80 for a petrol car (approx. 55L consumed at €1.20/L average).
• Fuel efficiency tips: maintain 110 km/h on German autobahns for best consumption; use cruise control on flat sections.
• Fuel stations: well-spaced, with rest stops every 30-50 km. Prices in Luxembourg are typically 10-15% lower.
• Road quality: excellent on German highways; Belgian sections can be uneven near Liège.

For tips on finding the best stops, check out this guide: how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Night illumination: German autobahns have no continuous lighting; use high beams on unlit sections. The Belgian A1 is well-lit near cities.

• Family-friendly: the Dinant Citadel (20 min detour near Liège) and the Technik Museum Sinsheim (near Heidelberg) are big hits.
• Pet-friendly: most German rest stops have designated dog areas; the Raststätte Spessart Süd has a fenced dog run.
• Fatigue management: take a nap at the parking lot at Raststätte Remsfeld (A7) which has covered rest cabins.

Hidden off-route spots: the abandoned village of Doel near Antwerp (30 min north of Kortrijk) is a surreal ghost town. Near Trier, visit the Roman Villa Borg (5 min exit 4).

Culinary infrastructure: try the Luxembourgish restaurant Au Vieux Marché in Schengen (exit 6), or a traditional Gasthaus in the Swabian Jura, like Gasthof zur Linde in Grabenstetten.

The route shifts from flat Belgian farmland to the forested Ardennes hills, then to the Rhine valley and finally the Swabian Jura. Stop at the Our Valley near Luxembourg for dramatic river views.

• UNESCO sites: Trier (Roman monuments) lies 15 km off the A1 near the German border; also the old town of Luxembourg City.
• Climatic conditions: expect fog in the Ardennes from November to February; summer thunderstorms common near Frankfurt.
• Best sunset spot: the parking area at Burg Landstuhl (exit 10 on A6) overlooks the Palatinate forest.

Local commerce: buy Luxembourg cheese (Gromperekichelcher) at roadside stalls near Echternach, or Frankfurter sausages at the Rastplatz Taunusblick.