Regensburg to Plzen Road Trip: A Complete Guide

The A3 motorway from Regensburg to Plzen traces a route that once carried salt and amber from the Baltic to the Alps. Today, it’s a modern E53/E55 corridor cutting through the Upper Palatinate Forest and Bohemian Forest.

At exactly 145.2 km, this drive takes 1 hour and 40 minutes without stops. But the best stops between Regensburg and Plzen transform it into a day-long cultural feast. The question is it worth driving Regensburg to Plzen is answered by the attractions on either side of the border.

We have crafted this guide following how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities to ensure every kilometer counts.

The A93 from Regensburg merges onto the A3/E53 at the Dreieck Schierling junction. You’ll pass under the medieval Falkenstein castle ruins before reaching the Cham exit.

Fuel in Germany is cheaper by about 15 cents per liter compared to Czech roads. Fill up at the Aral station near Wörth an der Donau (exit 105) for the best price. Czech vignettes are required: buy online at edalnice.cz or at the border shop for 310 CZK (10 days).

Road quality is excellent until the border; after crossing, the surface becomes slightly coarser but still safe. Expect more fog in the Bohemian Forest section, especially autumn mornings.

• A3 exit 105: Wörth an der Donau – last cheap fuel before Czechia.
• Border crossing at Rozvadov: open 24/7, no customs checks.
• Plzen entry via highway D5, exit 90 (Plzen-centrum).

The A3 is well-lit and fenced, but deer crossings are frequent between Furth im Wald and the border. Speed cameras are posted at the German-Czech border zone on the Czech side.

Rest stops: the Raststätte Oberpfälzer Wald (km 125) has a playground, clean toilets, and a Bäckerei. For a proper meal, exit at Schorndorf (exit 111) to Gasthof Schorndorf with traditional Bavarian cuisine.

Fatigue management: the drive is short, but if you’re coming from farther, rest at the Nürnberger Land service area (km 150) before starting this leg. On the Czech side, the Motorest Sázava (km 82) has coffee and a small zoo.

Pet-friendly: Most rest stops allow dogs on leads. The Raststätte offers a designated dog walking area. In Plzen, many restaurants have water bowls outside.

The Upper Palatinate Forest (Oberpfälzer Wald) is a hilly, wooded region dotted with granite outcrops. Near the border, the terrain becomes the Bohemian Forest (Šumava), a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Don’t miss the lookout tower at the Bavarian Forest National Park visitor center (Ludwigsthal, 10 min detour). It offers a panoramic view over the treetops to the Alps on clear days.

Local commerce thrives in the forest: honey from the Waldhonig project, crystal glass from Bohemian workshops, and traditional wooden toys. At the town of Domažlice (20 min south of Plzen), you’ll find the Chodsko folk embroidery.

Things to do between Regensburg and Plzen include visiting the glass museum in Cham, the Furth im Wald Dragon Museum, and the free-spanning bridge at Chain Bridge of St. Peter (off Route 22).