Mulhouse to Krems an der Donau Road Trip Guide: Scenic Route via Germany & Austria

This road trip stretches 480 miles (772 km) from the industrial city of Mulhouse in Alsace to the wine town of Krems an der Donau in Lower Austria. Expect 7-8 hours of pure driving time via the A5, A8, and A1 autobahns through Germany and Austria. A little-known fact: the route crosses the former Iron Curtain near Passau, where the Danube once divided East and West.

The journey offers three distinct cultural zones: Alsatian France, German Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, and Austrian Wachau. For tips on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, our guide covers everything you need. Key questions answered: best stops Mulhouse to Krems an der Donau, how long to drive Mulhouse to Krems an der Donau, and is it worth driving Mulhouse to Krems an der Donau? Absolutely – the route offers medieval towns, vineyard terraces, and river panoramas.

The route passes three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Würzburg Residence (detour 30 min), the Old Town of Regensburg, and the Wachau Cultural Landscape (Krems area). Each offers unique architecture and wine culture. Black Forest scenery near Freiburg includes rolling hills and pine forests; the Danube Valley near Passau reveals dramatic gorges.

• Natural landscapes: Black Forest (Schwarzwald) – stop at Mummelsee for a lake hike; Bavarian Alpine foothills near Munich; Danube riverbanks from Passau to Krems.
• UNESCO sites: Regensburg's medieval patrician houses, St. Stephen's Cathedral; Wachau's terraced vineyards and baroque abbeys like Melk.

Local commerce: Christmas markets in December (Münchner Christkindlmarkt, Krems Advent). Summer brings wine festivals in Wachau. Buy regional products: Alsatian flammkuchen spices, Bavarian beer glasses, Austrian pumpkin seed oil.

Autobahns have no speed limits on some sections; a safe cruising speed is 130 km/h. In Austria, speed limit is 130 km/h on highways. Construction zones common on A8 between Ulm and Augsburg. Winter tires mandatory from November to April in Germany and Austria. Emergency call boxes every 2 km.

• Fatigue management: Stop every 2 hours. Recommended rest areas: Raststätte Ulm (A8) with playground, Raststätte Irschenberg (A8) with panoramic view, Raststation Pichling (A1) with dog park.
• Family stops: Legoland Germany (Günzburg, off A8) – 1-hour detour; Danube Swabian Museum in Ulm; zoo in Krems (Holzinger's Tierpark).

Pet-friendly: Many rest stops have designated dog areas. Hotels: Motel One Munich, Hotel Krems (pets allowed). Hidden off-route spots: Wutachschlucht gorge (near Freiburg), Schliersee lake (off A8 near Munich), and the town of Dürnstein (Danube) with its ruined castle.

Start on the A36 from Mulhouse, merging onto the A5 at the German border near Freiburg. The A5 runs through the Black Forest, then the A8 connects Stuttgart to Munich. From Munich, take the A92 to Deggendorf, then the B8 to Passau, finally the A1 to Krems. Tolls: Austrian motorway vignette required (10-day €9.90). Fuel costs: €1.50-1.70/liter for petrol; 600 km range covers whole trip.

• Fuel stops: Shell stations near Ulm (A8), at Allershausen (A9), and Raststätte Passau Sud (A3). Use app for real-time prices.
• Rest stops: Tank & Rast servces every 30-40 km on German autobahns. Austrian stops: Raststation Pichling (A1) with playgrounds.

Tolls: Austrian vignette can be bought online or at border gas stations. No vignette needed in Germany. Parking in Krems: Parkhaus Krems (€2/h).