Morocco is a big place—much bigger than it may first seem. While there are ample buses and taxis to help you travel from one end of the country to another, travelers with only a few days in the country may be best served by renting a car. A car eliminates many of the hassles usually associated with Moroccan travel, from long (and sometimes unknown) wait times to spotty service. Some planned routes may indeed only be feasible with a self-hired car, and renting is, for many, preferable to hiring a taxi and driver for a few days.
If you do consider renting a car for your journey, there are certainly a few things to keep in mind, both in terms of logistics and local law.
Bring a Good Map – While most highway signs are marked in both Arabic and French, knowing either language will do you no good if there is no sign to read. Outside major cities and along more trafficked roads this is no concern, but inside city centers there are few, if any, signs to direct you. The same can be said for rural areas, where signage may be ambiguous, if it is there at all. There are a number of excellent maps available, however, that should keep you moving in the right direction.
Carry Supplies – If you run out of gas or blow a tire, be prepared. While it will be a true feat to find yourself in trouble without any hope of a passing vehicle, your salvation may still take its time in arriving. Always carry water and some basic foodstuffs, as well as a spare tire and a little bit of fuel.
Don’t Even Try to Estimate – Again, this is where trusting the road signs can hurt you. While your destination may be 100 km down the road, you have no way of knowing just how winding it may be. It’s very common for vehicles to only travel 20-30 km an hour on mountain or isolated roads. Plan to take your time as you travel.
Night Driving – While it can certainly be done, driving at night is never advisable. Short of the major highways between cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakesh, you’ll rarely, if ever, be granted a shoulder. You will also encounter many pedestrians and bicyclists on the road, particularly in the first hours after nightfall. It should also be noted that Moroccan drivers rarely switch off their high beams for passing cars, which can temporarily blind as you pass by.
Defensive Driving – Finally, while Morocco has some of the more (statistically) dangerous roads you can be on, the accidents occur mostly with overcrowded buses and speeding taxis—just the situation you’ll be avoiding in renting a car. But these taxis are still on the road, and you’ll see more than your fair share blaze past you on a blind curve. Take your time, be courteous and stay aware.
Written by Margaret Jackson.
Photo by Szagi.
