Plan a road trip that fits your days
A good road trip leaves time for the places between the drives. Build each day around the next overnight base, any stop you want to make and the final approach with your luggage. A mountain outing needs a different plan from an afternoon on the motorway.
Driving times and routes
A week through Sarajevo, Travnik and Jajce has different drives from a route south to Mostar. Look at each leg beyond the motorway, including the approach to the stay. A1 marked on the map does not mean a continuous motorway to every destination.
Navigate to the room’s vehicle entrance or a named car park. In an old quarter, the place to unload may be separate from the front door. The Sarajevo and Mostar parking guides help you plan that last leg before arriving with bags.
Check each road on your route
Match BIHAMK’s road report to the sections in your route. A1 Kakanj–Lašva, Sarajevo zapad–Lepenica and M5 Izačić–Bihać refer to particular stretches. Works, diversions or mountain conditions on one of them can change the day’s plan.
Its information centre publishes 1325, daily 06:00–20:00. Use the report near departure, then revisit it after a long stop if conditions are changing. Follow the temporary signs at the roadworks rather than a saved sat-nav route.
Tolls and fuel need a small amount of preparation
On the FBiH A1, the operator bases tolls on the stations used and vehicle category. In the closed system, take the entry ticket and hand it over at the exit. It lists cash, supported cards and euros, with change in KM.
The toll guide distinguishes the FBiH and Republika Srpska motorway networks; check the operator for the part of your route you will use. Keep payment accessible before joining the exit queue, with some KM cash as a backup. The fuel guide helps with service stops; confirm the car’s fuel type before filling. Use a proper service stop for a break; the emergency lane is for an emergency.
Documents and winter equipment
Carry your licence, any required permit, passport or ID, registration, insurance evidence and hire agreement. UK and US licence advice differs, and insurance evidence follows the vehicle’s registration. If stopped, pull over where directed and keep the documents ready. At collection, locate the warning triangle, reflective vest and first-aid kit, and ask about the spare wheel or repair kit. The document guide explains the driver and insurance requirements.
The winter regulation published by JP Ceste FBiH sets 1 November–1 April as the equipment period, regardless of the day’s weather. It gives three alternatives: winter tyres on all wheels; winter tyres on driven wheels with ready-to-fit chains or traction devices for at least two driven wheels; or summer tyres on all wheels with at least 4 mm tread and those devices.
At car-hire collection, have the agent identify the fitted tyres and equipment supplied. Snow-free Sarajevo streets say little about a mountain approach later that day. Read the winter-driving guide before adding that outing. Keep to paved routes and established stopping places; mine risk makes an improvised off-road shortcut a poor option.
Roadside assistance
BIHAMK publishes 1282 for roadside help and +387 33 282 100 for calls from outside Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the RS motorway network, Autoputevi RS directs breakdown callers to AMS RS on 1285. Cover and charges depend on your assistance or hire arrangement.
For an emergency, police are on 122 and ambulance on 124. Give the direction of travel and the nearest exit, road marker or recognisable location. Keep the registration and hire-company contact with your documents.
Choose the car or arrange the journey
For car hire, use the car-hire guide to define the dates, route, luggage and vehicle requirements, then prepare a car-hire request. Compare any rental provider’s offer against the full price, insurance, winter equipment and return location.
If you would rather keep the day for the places you visit, consider arranged transport or an enquiry through Visit BiH transfer planning. Describe the pickup, destination and any stop; a provider’s separate quote needs to cover waiting, bags and the return.
Road rules before the first drive
Keep your headlights on by day as well as at night. For an ordinary car, the general limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside them, 100 km/h on roads reserved for motor traffic and express roads, and 130 km/h on motorways. Follow posted limits and drive more slowly when conditions demand it. Wear seat belts, leave the phone alone while driving and agree any child-seat or access requirement before choosing the vehicle. Leave drinking out of the driving day. The road-rules guide covers the detailed rules and exceptions.