Night changes the road

Morocco is a country best explored by car, and a late flight, a long dinner in Marrakech or a big day on the road can easily keep you driving after dark. The road does not become dangerous, but it asks for a different kind of attention: visibility drops, distances feel longer and surprises appear later in your headlights.

Motorway or national road?

For a night trip between major cities, the motorway is usually the most comfortable choice: wide lanes, separated carriageways, rest areas and lighting around the toll stations. Secondary roads are often unlit. You may meet pedestrians, cyclists, carts or livestock, sometimes with no lights at all. If your route crosses mountains or countryside, keep those stretches for daytime.

Prepare before you set off

  • Download an offline map of your route: mobile coverage can weaken in rural areas.
  • Fill up before nightfall, as not every station stays open late away from the main roads.
  • Let someone know your expected arrival time.
  • Adjust seats, mirrors and air conditioning while parked, not while driving.

Behind the wheel

Drive below the posted limits as soon as visibility worsens and leave a much larger gap to the car ahead. Dip your headlights whenever a vehicle approaches: glare is the main discomfort at night. Watch for speed bumps at village entrances, which are often hard to see. And listen to your tiredness: a twenty-minute break beats an hour gained half asleep.

The right car for long evenings

An SUV with a high driving position helps you see further. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport (from 2000 MAD/day depending on length of rental) and the Porsche Macan (from 1400 MAD/day for 30 days or more) both come with an automatic gearbox that makes long distances easier. Our whole fleet includes unlimited mileage, which leaves room if you decide to split a journey in two. The minimum rental period for these models is 3 days.

If something goes wrong

If the car has a problem, pull over as far from the carriageway as you can, switch on your hazard lights and contact the rental company on the number given with your booking.

In an accident or any danger, the Moroccan emergency numbers are 19 (police in towns), 177 (Royal Gendarmerie, outside built-up areas) and 15 (civil protection: fire brigade and ambulances).

Further reading

Loccor guide: driving at night in Morocco

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