Driving in Morocco: 15 unexpected things nobody tells you

Morocco is one of the most exciting countries to explore by road. Endless landscapes, tiny villages, mountain passes, markets spilling onto the highway and the Atlantic coast that seems to go on forever.

But driving here is… different.

After two months of traveling Morocco in a campervan, we quickly realized that many things you read online don’t quite prepare you for what the roads are actually like.

Here are a few things nobody really tells you about driving in Morocco.

1. Police checkpoints are everywhere

You’ll see them constantly. At city entrances, on highways, near villages, sometimes in the middle of nowhere.

But surprisingly, we were never stopped once. The police usually just watch traffic and wave people through.

2. If you do something wrong, the fine is usually small

The only time we got a fine was in a city where we parked on the wrong side of the street – facing the opposite direction of traffic.

The fine? 150 MAD (about €15).

3. Parking in cities often comes with “assistants”

In many Moroccan cities, whenever you try to park, someone appears almost immediately.

They guide you into the spot and then expect a small payment.

It often feels like every street is divided into little territories of unofficial parking assistants.

4. Markets sometimes happen right next to the road

You might be driving on a normal road and suddenly find yourself passing a full market.

Vegetables, fruit, carpets, chickens, people walking around… all just meters from the traffic.

Sometimes you simply slow down and stop when you see something interesting.

5. Chickens are often sold… alive

Roadside markets sometimes sell chicken in a way many travelers aren’t used to.

The seller grabs a live chicken from a cage only when someone buys one.

6. Animals on the road are normal

Expect to see:

• goats

• donkeys

• dogs

• carts pulled by animals

Sometimes they cross the road very slowly and nobody seems surprised.

7. Driving through small villages can feel like driving through a living room

People sit, walk, chat and shop directly next to the road.

Traffic simply adapts to the rhythm of daily life.

8. Fuel is easier to find than you might expect

Even in smaller towns we had no trouble finding gas stations.

Still, we always carried a full spare fuel can just in case.

9. Wild camping is possible in many places

Morocco is surprisingly good for vanlife.

We spent many nights wild camping – beaches, mountains, empty landscapes.

One night we parked on a cliff above the ocean.

Late at night someone knocked on the van. We stayed quiet and didn’t open the door.

Eventually a police car drove away and everything was calm again.

10. The roads themselves are often very good

Many travelers expect rough roads everywhere.

But large parts of Morocco actually have very good asphalt roads.

11. Driving is more about flow than rules

People overtake in places where Europeans might hesitate, scooters appear from everywhere, and sometimes three different speeds share the same road.

It works because drivers adapt constantly.

12. People are incredibly curious where you’re from

Whenever a conversation starts, one of the first questions is always:

“Where are you from?”

Moroccans are very curious and friendly toward travelers.

13. Attention toward women can be noticeable

In bigger cities like Rabat or Casablanca it feels quite normal.

But in smaller towns or villages, women in shorts or mini skirts can attract attention – whistles, comments from passing cars, curious looks.

14. Driving slowly is part of the experience

You rarely rush in Morocco. Roads are too interesting.

Markets, views, animals, villages – the journey becomes part of the adventure.

15. Morocco is one of the most memorable road trip countries

Despite all the little surprises, Morocco is actually a fantastic place for a road trip.

Beautiful landscapes, friendly people, endless roadside discoveries and a feeling that every day on the road will show you something new.

And that’s exactly what makes driving here unforgettable.

When planning your trip, check out our detailed cost breakdown to see how much we spent on fuel.