What to plan before driving abroad: fuel and charging costs, tolls and vignettes, route planning, accommodation, parking, food, insurance, car checks and unexpected expenses.
Planning a road trip before departure can save money, reduce stress and prevent expensive surprises along the way. Before you start driving, check the full cost of the journey—not just fuel or charging. Your preparation should cover the route, fuel or charging stops, tolls, accommodation, parking, food, payment methods, insurance and possible emergency costs.
1. Plan the route and the total travel budget
Start by planning the complete route before you leave. Check the countries you will pass through, the planned stops, traffic conditions, construction work, toll roads, vignettes, environmental zones and possible ferry crossings. ADAC route planning can be used to check routes, traffic information, tolls, vignettes, fuel prices and charging stations.
Instead of calculating only the fuel cost, create a complete road-trip budget that includes fuel or electricity, motorway tolls, vignettes, tunnels, bridges, ferries, parking, accommodation, food, payment fees and an emergency reserve. Comparing the total cost of different routes can be more useful than simply choosing the shortest route. techniques that inspire creativity in every project.
2. Check fuel prices before departure
If you are travelling with a petrol or diesel car, check fuel prices along your planned route before leaving. Prices can vary considerably between countries, so it can be worthwhile to decide in advance where you will refuel. ADAC fuel-price information for Europe provides current comparisons for European countries.
It is also worth planning to refuel away from motorway service stations whenever practical. According to the latest ADAC comparison, motorway petrol stations were significantly more expensive than stations away from the motorway in its 2026 survey. ADAC motorway fuel-price comparison
Before departure, also check your vehicle’s expected fuel consumption, the tank capacity and the type of fuel it requires. This gives you a more realistic estimate of the fuel budget for the entire journey.
3. Prepare your EV charging plan
Combi3. Prepare your EV charging plan
If you are travelling with an electric car, charging should be part of the route plan before departure. Check the available charging stations along the route and at your destination, including their charging power, payment methods and availability. ADAC’s European charging-station guide provides information about charging infrastructure, payment options and charging stations in European travel destinations.
Don’t plan your trip around the assumption that the nearest charger will always be available. Leave a reasonable range of reserve and identify alternative charging points in case a station is occupied or unavailable. ADAC recommends planning charging stops in advance and allowing a remaining battery capacity of around 10–20% when planning the next charging stop.
Also check which charging cards or apps work at the stations you intend to use. Payment options can differ between countries and providers, so having a suitable charging card or app—and an alternative payment method—can prevent problems during the journey.
If possible, choose accommodation with charging facilities. This can be particularly useful in destinations where public charging infrastructure is less developed.visually stunning compositions.
