Nijmegen to Plzen: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The drive from Nijmegen, Netherlands' oldest city, to Plzeň, the birthplace of Pilsner lager, spans roughly 680 km (423 miles) across four countries. The most efficient route takes you along the A73 south to the German border, then onto the A61, A3, and A6 toward Nuremberg, before cutting east on the A93 into the Czech Republic via the A6 (D5). Expect a pure driving time of about 6.5 to 7 hours without stops. This corridor is steeped in history: the path roughly follows the ancient Amber Road trade route that once connected the Baltic to the Adriatic. A little-known fact: near the Czech border, the town of Waidhaus marks the former Iron Curtain divide—a stark contrast to today's seamless Schengen travel. For a deeper dive into uncovering offbeat attractions between cities, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Road quality is excellent on the German Autobahn and Czech motorways. Watch for construction zones, especially around Nuremberg (A3/A6 interchange) and near the Czech border where the D5 is undergoing widening. Toll vignette enforcement is strict in Czech Republic; failure to display one results in a fine of up to 5000 CZK (€200). Night illumination is good on main highways, but rural sections near the border have long dark stretches—high beams recommended.

• Safety tip: On German Autobahn, always check rear mirror before overtaking; high-speed differentials common.
• Emergency numbers: 112 (EU wide). In Czech, also 158 (police).
• Rest areas: well-equipped every 50 km. Top recommendations: “Raststätte Steinatal” (A3 near Würzburg) with a playground; “Odpočívka Písařova” (D5 near Stříbro) with a picnic area.

Family suitability: The “Kinderland” at the Raststätte Wörth (A3 near Frankfurt) has a large indoor play area. For a longer break, the “Bavaria Filmstadt” in Munich is too far, but the “Escape Game” at the rest stop “Odpočívka Svatá Kateřina” (D5) keeps older kids engaged. Pet-friendly: Most German rest stops have designated pet toilets; the “Tiergarten” rest area near Cheb is excellent for dog walking. In Plzeň, the Belgian pub “Café Bar Pet” explicitly welcomes dogs.

• Fatigue management: The “B9” rest area near Hranice (Czech border) has safe, quiet parking for a 20-minute nap.
• Hidden spot: The abandoned railway viaduct near Týniště (5 min from D5 exit 168) offers a short nature walk.
• Local cuisine: At the “Raststätte Franconia” (A9 near Bayreuth), try the Franconian bratwurst with sauerkraut. In Czech, stop at “Motorest Švarcava” (D5 exit 128) for authentic svíčková (beef in cream sauce).

The landscape transitions from the flat Rhine basin to the rolling hills of the Haßberge region, then to the forested ridges of the Upper Palatinate Forest, and finally into the Bohemian basin. Along the way, you cross three major watersheds: Rhine, Elbe, and Danube (indirectly). Look for the Franconian Switzerland near Nuremberg—a karst region with bizarre rock formations and deep valleys, perfect for a short hike at the Tüchersfeld rock formation (just off the A9, a 15-minute detour).

• Geographical shift: From 10m elevation in Nijmegen to 310m in Plzeň.
• Notable natural stop: The nature reserve at Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz (near A3 rest stop “Oberpfälzer Jura”).
• Scenic viewpoint: The “Berg” rest area on the A93 near Marktredwitz offers panoramic views of the Fichtelgebirge mountains.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Two major ones are easily visited with a short detour. The Old Town of Regensburg (UNESCO) is a 20-minute detour from the A3 at the Regensburg exit. Another is the Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth (UNESCO), 30 minutes from the A9 near Bayreuth. For a more offbeat cultural stop, visit the abandoned Czech border village of Býčkovice (5 minutes from D5 exit 163) – a ghost hamlet left after WWII.

• Regensburg: pedestrian zone, historic stone bridge (Steinerne Brücke), and the world's oldest sausage kitchen (Historische Wurstküche).
• Local craft: In the Upper Palatinate, stop at a “Bauernladen” (farm shop) for smoked pork and handmade lace.
• Pilsner culture: Once in Plzeň, tour the Pilsner Urquell brewery (pre-booked).

The optimal route is a mix of German Autobahn and Czech motorway. From Nijmegen, take the A73 south to the A61 near Venlo. Continue on the A61 to the A3 interchange at Kaiserberg (Duisburg), then follow the A3 east past Frankfurt to the A6 junction near Würzburg. Stay on the A6 until Nuremberg, then switch to the A93 toward Hof. At the border crossing near Waidhaus, the German A93 becomes the Czech D5, which leads directly to Plzeň. Total distance: 680 km. Tolls: Germany has no tolls for cars, but the Czech D5 requires a vignette (electronic toll sticker)—buy online or at border gas stations for about 310 CZK (€13) for 10 days.

• Driving time: 6.5 to 7 hours without stops.
• Fuel: Estimated cost at €1.80/L gasoline: about €95 (55 L tank).
• Speed limits: Germany no general limit on Autobahn (but often 120 km/h advised); Czech D5 max 130 km/h.
• Navigation: GPS coordinates for border crossing: 49.6325° N, 12.4789° E.

Fuel station density is high in Germany (every 30-40 km), but in the Czech Republic, especially after the border, stations are less frequent—fill up before crossing. The best fuel economy on this route is achieved by maintaining 110-120 km/h on German sections, as speeds over 130 km/h drastically increase consumption.