Trier to Krems an der Donau Road Trip Guide

The A1 motorway from Trier to Krems an der Donau spans approximately 630 kilometers, connecting Germany's oldest city to Austria's Wachau Valley. This route passes through the Hunsrück, Upper Middle Rhine Valley, and the Bavarian Forest before descending into the Danube river basin.

Driving time without stops is roughly 6.5 hours, but the journey rewards detours. The road itself is a curiosity: near the Moselle, the A1 tunnels under the Roman aqueduct remains, while in Austria, the S33 autobahn hugs the Danube.

For those asking how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, this route is a case study. The transition from Roman heritage to Baroque monasteries makes every kilometer count.

The drive crosses three major regions: the Moselle Valley vineyards, the Rhine Gorge UNESCO area, and the Danube's Wachau Valley. Each offers distinct geology and culture.

• UNESCO Sites: Porta Nigra (Trier), Upper Middle Rhine Valley (Lorelei), Old Town of Regensburg, Wachau Cultural Landscape
• Natural Attractions: Hunsrück National Park (detour to Erbeskopf), Rhine Falls near Bingen (optional), Bavarian Forest (Arber)

Local commerce thrives on wine: Moselle riesling, Rheingau spatburgunder, and Wachau grüner veltliner. Farm shops sell directly.

German autobahns have no speed limit on some sections, but expect 130 km/h advised. Austrian motorways have a 130 km/h limit. Road quality is excellent, but construction zones are frequent.

• Family Stops: Serengeti Park Hodenhagen (detour near Hannover), Legoland Deutschland (Günzburg), Danube Park (Linz)
• Pet-Friendly: Most rest stops allow dogs; gas stations sell water bowls. Hotels in Krems often welcome pets.
• Rest Zones: Raststätte Moseltal (A1) with playground, Raststätte Donau (A3) with panoramic views

Fatigue Management: Break every 2 hours. Good spots include Bacharach (Rhine) and Passau's old town.

The recommended route is A1 south from Trier to the A60 junction, then A61 toward Koblenz, followed by the A3 east to Würzburg, then A7 south to Ulm, and finally A8/A9 through Passau into Austria on the A3. From Linz, take the S33 to Krems.

• Toll roads: Austrian sections require a vignette (€9.90 for 10 days)
• Fuel stations: Shell and Aral are common; expect prices ~€1.80/L on motorways
• Rest stops: Every 30-50 km; Raststätte with clean toilets and snacks

Fuel and Route Economics: Diesel is more efficient for long stretches. The worst traffic occurs around Cologne (avoid A61 rush), but the route via A7 through the Bavarian Forest is quieter.