1

The first section out of Casablanca is commercial/industrial so I'd hop onto the motorway down to El Jadida. From there take the R301 and stop for lunch at Oualidia which is in a wonderful location on a meandering river estuary with just a narrow exit to the sea. Overall distance is the best part of 400km, so I'd allow seven or eight hours including lunch stop. This might seem slow, but I'm factoring in that (a) driving in Morocco is slower than North America/Europe, (b) you are new to Morocco and (c) it's a scenic route in many places.

Counting your days, your schedule is tight as you should allow a minimum of three days, preferably four days, for the drive from Marrakech to Fez via the Dades if you are going to see the sights on the way.

2

Don´t search after fast road (except this commercial/industrial as Tim say). Morocco is beautiful and worth to enjoy it. I drive max 300km per day when I go from place to place. I would recommend to take 4 days trip between Marrakech and Fes because on the way is so much to see and worth visiting.

3

Hello,

The CTM buses complete this journey in six hours on the direct coast road, including two stops at El Jadida and Safi, for food, toilet, stretch legs etc..........this on a modern coach fitted with an electronic speed limiter set at 100Kph.

So if you have a car with no speed restriction, you should be able to beat this record !

Watch out for Gendarmerie static speed traps almost everywhere, this year they appear to be very hungry for revenue generated by the spot fines.

Miguel.

4

Tim, Khamlia, Miguel...thanks for advice & tips. Sure wish we had more time, but we'll look for the scenic opportunities as we circle in the south. Given 13 day 'blanca-to-'blanca time constraint, any suggestions for absolute must-sees and can-pass-up in order to see the must-sees? Bob

5

Hello Tucsonbob,

I've heard from Moroccan tourists that the coastal towns of El Jadida and especially Safi are their favourites, en route from Casablanca to Essaouira, but never having alighted from the bus, I can't confirm these opinions myself.

I've spent a lot of time in Essaouira over the years, and it's one of my favourite places, the town is very relaxed with minimal presence of hustlers. the ancient medina and fishing port with its Portuguese ramparts are a big tourist attraction, especially with French tourists.

The beach to the north of the town is another of my favourites, clean, deserted, except for the occasional fisherman, the beach to the south is also interesting, after negotiating the tourist traps of quad bike hires, camel rides and horse rentals.

I hope you know about Ramadan this year..20th July 'til 19th August, approximately, the annual muslim world's holy fast, which in real terms means that all the bars are closed for five weeks, so no possibility of a cold beer.... Shock Horror !

I was in Essaouira over Easter this year and took some photos on my walkabouts between the town and village of Diabat two kilometres south ........

https://picasaweb.google.com/103270946334113945372#

Help me out on this one Bob, I assume you're from Tucson, Arizona, USA, I'm something of a student of languages and their roots....I know you pronounce Tucson as, phonetically, " toosong".....this pronunciation is exactly the same word in French " toussant" which translates as " coughing"....were early American settlers of French origin and found the Arizona dust not to their liking ?....I've spoken to many Americans about this but have never been able to find a definitive answer, if YOU can you're the main man of the day....

Enjoy Morocco, and forgive my ramblings..

Miguel.

6

If I understand right, did you changed your itinerary? In your first post you mentioned trip "Marrakech & then head east to Dades Gorge & up to Fez for a few days",
But now you talk about south and what is worth to visit there? So Taroudannt, Tafraoute - scenic, on the coast around Sidi Ifni. Which time of the year you go?

7

So how was the trip and drive? I'm planning a simular trip Sept 30 to Oct 3. Casablanca 2 days, then train to Marrakesh, 4 days, then Ess 2 days then train to FEz. Any suggestions

8

Thanks for your suggestions, Miguel. As for pronounciation of Tucson, for Americans it is Toosan. But in Mexico, it is pronounced Tuksan. So when we travel from Arizona across the border south, we say we're from Tuksan when asked.

9

We plan to go in springtime. Intent is still to arrive-depart Casablanca, first heading south down the coast to Essaouria and East to Marrakech and on thru High Atlas to Fez before departure. Always welcome 'moderate' (30-70 euro) accomodation recommendations. Thanks.

10

Well, looks like I'm ahead of you arriving Sept 20, 2012. I will start a blog with pictures and info on travel, hotels and life. Leaving California to NYC then to CAS. Cheers