There’s something special about a European road trip. One minute you’re wandering through a medieval town, the next you’re driving along a coastline or stopping at a tiny bakery that wasn’t even on your itinerary.
I’ve found that having a car completely changes the way you travel. You can explore at your own pace, discover places most tourists never see and take those spontaneous detours that often become the highlight of the holiday.
But I’ve also made a few mistakes along the way, and learned from plenty of near misses too.
Most of them weren’t disasters, but they were the sort of things that cost extra money, wasted time or added unnecessary stress. If you’re planning your first European road trip, these are the mistakes I’d try to avoid.
Trying to see too much
This is probably the biggest mistake people make.
Europe looks small on a map, so it’s tempting to think you can visit five countries in a week. Technically, you probably can, but you’ll spend so much time driving that you’ll barely experience any of them.
Instead of racing from one destination to the next, give yourself time to enjoy each place.
Some of my favourite memories have come from unplanned afternoons wandering around a market, finding a quiet beach or stopping at a village we’d never even heard of before.
Leave room for those moments.
Underestimating driving times
Google Maps might tell you a journey will take three hours.
In reality, it could easily become five.
You stop for photographs, discover a lovely café, get caught behind slow-moving traffic through villages or simply decide to take the scenic route instead.
Mountain roads and coastal routes can also be much slower than motorways.
When planning your itinerary, build in plenty of extra time. Holidays are far more enjoyable when you’re not constantly watching the clock.
Booking the wrong rental car
It can be tempting to hire the biggest, nicest-looking SUV available.
Then you arrive at your first medieval town and realise the streets were built hundreds of years before cars even existed.
A smaller car is often much easier to:
- Park
- Drive through narrow streets
- Manoeuvre in villages
- Fit into hotel car parks
- Use on country lanes
Unless you genuinely need the extra space, smaller is usually better.
Forgetting to book an automatic
If you’re used to driving an automatic, don’t assume that’s what you’ll get.
In many European countries, manual cars are still the standard.
Automatic hire cars are available, but they’re usually more expensive and often sell out first during busy travel periods.
If you don’t drive a manual confidently, book an automatic as early as possible.
Ignoring toll roads
This one catches a lot of people out.
You happily follow your sat nav, only to discover you’re heading onto a motorway with expensive tolls.
In countries like France, tolls can add up surprisingly quickly over a longer road trip.
That’s not to say you should always avoid them. Sometimes paying saves hours of driving.
Just make sure you’ve factored the cost into your budget rather than treating it as an unpleasant surprise.
Not checking parking before booking accommodation
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your hotel after a long drive only to discover there isn’t anywhere nearby to leave your car.
Historic town centres are particularly tricky.
Before booking, check:
- Is parking available?
- Is it free?
- Does it need reserving?
- Is it close to the hotel?
- Is there a height restriction?
Those five minutes of research can save a lot of frustration later.
Packing far too much
This sounds unrelated to driving, but hear me out.
Many European hire cars have much smaller boots than American visitors are used to.
Four huge suitcases may simply not fit.
If you’re collecting your car straight from the airport, check the luggage capacity before booking.
Travelling a little lighter also makes moving between hotels much easier.
Relying entirely on mobile signal
Most of the time, your navigation will work perfectly.
Until it doesn’t.
We’ve lost signal in rural France, mountainous areas and quiet countryside where mobile coverage simply wasn’t very good.
Download offline maps before you leave your accommodation each morning.
Hopefully you’ll never need them, but they’re reassuring to have.
Not carrying some cash
Cards are widely accepted across Europe, but not everywhere.
Smaller cafés, local markets, public toilets and some parking machines still prefer cash.
You don’t need to carry large amounts, but having a little local currency in your wallet can save a surprising amount of hassle.
Missing the best roads
Motorways are brilliant if your priority is getting somewhere quickly.
But they’re rarely memorable.
Some of our favourite drives have been on quieter roads through vineyards, mountain passes and coastal villages that we’d never have seen from the motorway.
If you’ve got time, occasionally tell your sat nav to avoid motorways and enjoy the journey itself.
You might add an extra hour, but you’ll often gain far better memories.
Forgetting supermarkets exist
It’s easy to spend a fortune buying drinks, snacks and lunches from tourist cafés every day.
Instead, stop at a supermarket every couple of days.
Fresh bread, cheese, fruit, pastries and drinks often cost a fraction of tourist prices, and they’re perfect for picnics or beach days.
It’s one of the simplest ways to keep your holiday budget under control without feeling like you’re missing out.
Driving straight through beautiful places
This might sound obvious, but it’s surprisingly common.
You’re so focused on reaching the next destination that you barely stop along the way.
Some of the best viewpoints, beaches, villages and cafés aren’t destinations in themselves.
They’re simply places you happen to pass.
If somewhere looks interesting, pull over safely and have a look.
You may never pass that way again.
Planning every minute
I love researching trips before we go.
But I’ve learned not to over-plan.
Some days you’ll discover somewhere wonderful completely by accident.
Other days you’ll decide you’re enjoying a town so much that you want to stay longer.
If your itinerary is packed from morning until night, you lose the flexibility that makes road trips so enjoyable.
Leave gaps.
Those unplanned hours often become the best stories.
Forgetting local driving rules
Driving laws vary between countries.
Depending on where you’re travelling, you may need:
- Reflective jackets
- Warning triangles
- Headlights in certain conditions
- Environmental permits
- Different motorway rules
Spend a little time checking the requirements for every country you’ll visit before setting off.
It only takes a few minutes and could save you from an unexpected fine.
Assuming every fuel station is open
In busy tourist areas you’ll rarely have a problem.
But in quieter rural regions, particularly on Sundays or late at night, petrol stations can be much less frequent than you expect.
Don’t wait until the fuel warning light comes on.
If you’re heading into the countryside or mountains, fill up before you need to.
Not slowing down
This is probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned.
It’s easy to become obsessed with ticking places off your list.
One more castle.
One more beach.
One more town.
Eventually you realise you’re spending more time travelling than actually experiencing the places you’ve come to see.
Some of my happiest travel memories have come from sitting outside a little café, watching the world go by, rather than rushing off to the next attraction.
Your road trip doesn’t have to be packed with activities every hour to be unforgettable.
Final thoughts
European road trips aren’t about perfection.
You’ll probably miss a turning, park further away than you’d hoped or spend a little more on tolls than expected.
It happens to almost everyone.
The important thing is not letting those little hiccups spoil the adventure.
Plan enough that you feel prepared, but leave enough flexibility to enjoy the unexpected. Those spontaneous moments are often the reason people fall in love with travelling through Europe and start planning their next road trip before they’ve even arrived home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the biggest mistake people make on a European road trip?
Trying to visit too many places in too little time. Slowing down and spending longer in fewer destinations usually leads to a much more enjoyable holiday.
Should I avoid toll roads?
Not necessarily. Toll roads can save a lot of time, especially on longer journeys. It’s simply worth budgeting for them before you travel.
Is a small rental car better?
For most European road trips, yes. Smaller cars are easier to park, fit more comfortably on narrow streets and are often cheaper to hire and fuel.
How many miles should I drive each day?
Many experienced road trippers recommend keeping driving to around two to four hours a day where possible. This leaves plenty of time to explore, stop for lunch and enjoy the journey rather than simply rushing from one destination to another.
Is a European road trip suitable for families?
Absolutely. In fact, having your own car often makes travelling with children much easier, as you can set your own schedule, pack what you need and stop whenever you want for breaks, snacks or sightseeing.