Nîmes to Ulm: Epic Road Trip Guide Through France, Switzerland & Germany

The direct distance between the two cities is 680 km, but the actual driving route via the A9, A36, and A8 stretches to 780 km, taking approximately 8 hours of pure driving without stops. The route crosses three distinct countries – France, Switzerland, and Germany – and offers a dramatic shift from Mediterranean garrigue to Alpine foothills and the Swabian Jura.

One striking fact: the route passes within 10 km of the Pont du Gard, a 1st-century Roman aqueduct bridge that is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in the world. Many drivers speed past without realizing it's a mere 5-minute detour from the A9 near Remoulins.

To make the most of this journey, knowing how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities is key – our guide here offers a framework for discovering overlooked treasures.

Road quality is excellent on the entire route, with well-maintained asphalt and marked shoulders. Night illumination is present on 90% of the French and German sections; Swiss stretches are dimmer. Watch for speed cameras: France's automated radars are frequent, and Switzerland uses mobile units.

Family-friendly stops:

• Europapark Rust (near exit 50 on A5) – full day required
• Rodalben Adventure Park (A62 exit 7) – climbing and treetop trails
• Ulm's Blautopf spring – a deep blue karst spring with a walking path

Pet-friendly framework: Most French rest stops allow dogs on leash; explicitly pet-friendly are Aire de Canaples (A9) and Aire de la Valserine (A40). In Germany, Raststätte Ulm-Elchingen (A8) has a dedicated dog walking area.

Fatigue management & rest zones:

1. Aire de la Lône (A9, km 150) – shaded parking, picnic tables, public toilets
2. Aire de la Haute-Chaîne (A36, km 30) – quiet, with forest walking path
3. Raststätte Geislingen (A8, km 120) – large rest area with 24h convenience store

Safety tip: Expect fog in the Jura passes (A40 near Mâcon) from November to March. Keep low beams on. In summer, the Swiss A8 can have wildlife crossings (deer and boar) at dusk.

The geography shifts dramatically. Starting in the limestone garrigue of Provence, you climb through the Rhône valley's vineyards, then the Jura mountains near the Swiss border, and finally the Swabian Jura of southern Germany. Expect rolling hills, dense forests, and, near Ulm, the Danube valley.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the route include:

• Pont du Gard (detour 5 min from A9)
• Historic Centre of Avignon (15-min detour south of A9)
• Arles Roman monuments (30-min detour)
• Basel's Jewish heritage sites (on route)

For local commerce, stop at the Arles market (Wed & Sat mornings) for olive oil, lavender honey, and tapenade. Near Basel, the Lörrach market (Sat) offers Black Forest smoked ham and cherry schnapps. In Ulm, try Maultaschen (Swabian ravioli) at a traditional brewery.

Hidden off-route spots: The abandoned railway viaduct of Crêt d'Eau near La Cluse (A40, exit 10) is a photogenic ruin. Also, the Romanshorn ferry port on Lake Constance (A8, exit 4) offers a quick panorama of the Alps.

The majority of the route uses toll highways in France (A9, A7, A36), which cost around €45 for a standard car. Once crossing into Switzerland, a motorway vignette (CHF 40 for a year) is mandatory – even for a single transit. The German segment (A8, A7) is toll-free for cars, though a few tunnels have small fees.

• Fuel costs: Approx. €0.18/km for a petrol car, totalling ~€140 for the whole trip. Diesel is 10-15% cheaper.
• Fuel station density: excellent in France (every 20-30 km on highways); in Switzerland and Germany, stations are slightly farther apart (every 40 km) on the A8.
• Fuel efficiency tip: maintain 110 km/h on French highways to save up to 20% fuel compared to 130 km/h.

Parking: Both Nîmes and Ulm have central Park & Ride facilities. In Ulm, the Blaubeurer Tor garage (€1.50/hour) is closest to the Minster.