Strasbourg to Colmar Road Trip Guide: Hidden Gems

The drive from Strasbourg to Colmar along the A35 and D83 covers approximately 75 km, typically taking 50-60 minutes without stops. However, this route cuts through the heart of Alsace, a region where the Vosges mountains meet the Rhine plain, creating a microclimate that fosters some of France's best white wines.

Many travelers rush this stretch, unaware that the highway shadows ancient Roman roads and medieval trade routes. The A35, known locally as the 'Autoroute des Vosges,' offers glimpses of vine-covered hills that have been cultivated since the 9th century.

Route Overview

Fuel costs for a typical sedan (7.5 L/100km) total around €10-12 for the direct route. Diesel vehicles achieve better efficiency on the flat A35 sections, while gasoline engines may see a 5-10% increase on the D83 altitude changes.

Fuel stations are abundant along the A35 at Entzheim, Erstein, and Sélestat, typically offering prices 2-3% higher than supermarket stations in towns. For cost efficiency, fill up at Leclerc or Super U near Colmar (exit 23) before departing.

• Estimated fuel cost: €10-12 (one way)
• Speed limit: 130 km/h on A35, 110 km/h on D83, 90 km/h in villages
• Toll sections: A35 is toll-free except for the 1.5 km tunnel at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines (€2.10)

Tolls are only applicable if you take the A35 variant through the Sainte-Marie tunnel, which shortens the route by 3 km but adds a €2.10 fee. The D83/N83 alternative avoids all tolls and passes through charming villages like Obernai and Sélestat.

Road quality is excellent throughout: the A35 is a modern 2x3 lane highway with rest areas every 15 km. The D83 is narrower but well-maintained, with occasional cobblestone sections in village centers. Night illumination is present on the A35 but absent on parts of the D83, so drive with fog lights when crossing the Alsatian plains at dusk.

The A35 offers a sweeping vista of the Upper Rhine Graben, a rift valley formed 35 million years ago. To the west, the Vosges mountains rise abruptly, their forested peaks often capped with Alsatian fog. In clear weather, the Black Forest of Germany is visible to the east beyond the Rhine.

The geological transition occurs near the village of Châtenois, where the road cuts through a gap in the Vosges foothills. Here, vineyards of Riesling and Gewürztraminer blanket the slopes, alternated with fields of maize and hops. This area is part of the Alsace AOC wine region, producing 7 grape varieties.

• Key landscape shift: Flat Rhine plain (Km 25) to hill country (Km 50)
• Notable viewpoint: Belvédère du Mont Saint-Odile (access via D35), offers panoramic view of the Alsace plain
• Unique geography: The route crosses the fault line of the Vosges Massif, visible as a sudden rise in terrain near Kintzheim

Local commerce thrives along the wine route. Roadside stalls in Mittelbergheim and Ribeauvillé sell fresh tarte flambée ingredients, Alsatian cheeses like Munster, and pottery from Soufflenheim. The Maison du Pain in Epfig offers a free bread-making demo from June to September.

For authentic crafts, stop at the Poterie d'Alsace in Betschdorf, 10 minutes off the A35. They produce unique salt-glazed stoneware with blue floral patterns, a 500-year-old tradition. Alternatively, the market in Barr (Wednesdays and Saturdays) sells local artisans' wool goods and wooden toys.

The A35 is one of France's safest highways with rumble strips at lane edges and median barriers. However, the D83's open nature makes it prone to deer crossings, especially at dawn and dusk near forests. In 2022, 12 collisions were reported between Erstein and Sélestat involving wild boar or deer.

Night driving requires caution: only 40% of the D83 has continuous lighting. Use your fog lights during the misty months (October to January) when visibility drops below 200 meters. Safety cameras are frequent: 4 fixed speed cameras along the A35 between Exits 13 and 22.

• Road surface: A35 excellent; D83 good with occasional patched sections in villages
• Night illumination: A35 full, D83 partial (only at intersections)
• Wildlife warnings: Signs with deer/wild boar icons appear near Blienschwiller and Dambach-la-Ville

Family-friendly stops include the Volerie des Aigles (eagle castle) in Kintzheim (3 km off A35 at exit 17), featuring live bird-of-prey shows. The Cité de l'Automobile in Sélestat displays vintage cars from 1895 onwards. Both have playgrounds and picnic areas.

For pets, the Forêt d'Alsace rest area (between Obernai and Sélestat) has a designated off-leash zone among the treeline. Cafés like 'Le Canard Gourmand' in Gertwiller offer water bowls and dog treats. Rest areas along the A35 have fenced pet relief areas at Kilometre 43 and 55.

Fatigue management is aided by 3 recommended rest spots: Aire de la Léonardsau (Km 30) has a quiet zone with reclining chairs; Aire de Châtenois (Km 52) boasts scenic orchard views; the village green in Ribeauvillé offers shaded benches and a fountain to refill water bottles.