Munich to Goslar Road Trip: A Complete Guide

The A9 from Munich to the Berliner Ring (A10) then north on the A7 and east on the A395 to Goslar covers about 580 km. Unlike the flat monotony of the A2, this route transects the Franconian Jura, the Thuringian Forest, and the Harz Mountains. A little-known fact: the A9 was the first autobahn completed in the 1930s, meaning some bridges near Munich are 80+ years old.

Driving duration is roughly 5.5 hours without stops, but plan for 8–10 hours with breaks. The best stops Munich to Goslar include Nuremberg, Bamberg, and the Harz National Park. Is it worth driving Munich to Goslar? Absolutely—the Thuringian Forest alone justifies the wheel time.

For tips on finding spontaneous detours, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

German autobahns are among the safest in Europe. Speed limits are posted—often 130 km/h near cities and 100 km/h on construction zones. On unregulated sections, use caution. The A9 has many forests near roads; wildlife crossings are marked. Drive slower at dawn/dusk for deer.

• Family-friendly stops: Erlebnis-Zoo in Görlitz? No—closer: Thüringer Wald Freizeitpark in Suhl. Indoor play areas at Rasthof Frankenwald.
• Pet-friendly: Hotels like the Harz Resort accept dogs. Rest stops have grassy areas.
• Fatigue management: plan rest every 2 hours. Recommended: Hermsdorfer Kreuz (large Raststätte with showers).

Infrastructure safety: emergency phones every 2 km on autobahns. Green cross signs for first aid. Winter tires mandatory from October to Easter.

Hidden off-route spots: the village of Tettau near the Thuringian border—a former kingdom of glassblowers. Another: the Teufelsmauer (Devil's Wall) near Blankenburg, a rock formation just off the A395.

The first major natural feature is the Altmühltal Nature Park, visible just north of Munich. Rolling hills, limestone quarries, and the Danube. Further north, the Thuringian Forest rises—dense with spruce and hiking trails. The Harz Mountains, a UNESCO Global Geopark, offer granite tors and deep valleys.

Things to do between Munich and Goslar include visiting the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg, the Alte Hofhaltung in Bamberg (UNESCO World Heritage), and the Wartburg Castle near Eisenach. Stop at a Bauernhof for local cheese and smoked meats.

• Nuremberg: historic old town, Hauptmarkt, Albrecht Dürer House.
• Bamberg: UNESCO-listed old town, breweries, Bamberg Cathedral.
• Erfurt: Krämerbrücke, Erfurt Cathedral, Ega Park.

Local commerce thrives in these medieval towns. Shop for Franconian wine, Thuringian sausages, and Harz cheese (Harzer Käse). Weekly markets in market squares.

The backbone highway is the A9 from Munich to the Schönefeld junction near Berlin, then the A7 north and A395 east. Fuel prices in Germany vary; fill up before the A9 at discounters like Aral or Shell. Expect diesel around €1.60/L. Toll roads are none—German autobahns are free, but some tunnels may have tolls.

• How long to drive Munich to Goslar: 5.5–6 hours pure driving, 8 with breaks.
• Key rest stops: Fränkische Schweiz (km 120), Hermsdorfer Kreuz (km 350), Harz (km 500).
• Charging stations for EVs approx every 60 km on A9.

Is it worth driving Munich to Goslar? Yes, especially if you break the journey in Bamberg or Erfurt. The route offers diverse landscapes and well-maintained roads. Beware of construction zones near the Thuringian Forest.