Driving from Split to Dubrovnik is one of Croatia’s most scenic coastal road trips. The journey covers about 230 kilometres and takes roughly 3 hours in normal traffic. If you rent a car in Split, you can stop at viewpoints or towns along the way. You can choose the faster A1 motorway route or follow more of the D8 Adriatic coast. Our guide explains the routes, rental rules, driving times, parking, and return details for a smoother trip south.
Before you start the drive south, it helps to understand how your rental works from pick-up to return. A few checks before booking can make the journey smoother and help you avoid unexpected costs.
You can pick up your car in Split Downtown or at Split Airport. Airport pick-up is useful if you want to start driving soon after landing. Several car rental companies serve arriving passengers, with car pick-up areas nearby. City locations are convenient if you arrive by ferry or spend time in Split first. With Final Rentals, the airport fee is already included in the quoted rental amount. Airport pick-up is therefore a practical option before heading south.
A one-way car rental lets you pick up your car in Split and return it in Dubrovnik. Final Rentals permits this route, although an added charge applies. Check the fee shown for your booking before confirming the rental. You can plan your return location around Dubrovnik city or Dubrovnik Airport, depending on your onward trip.
If you already know your trip ends in Dubrovnik, book your car rental with Final Rentals and set your return location before you travel. One-way rentals between Split and Dubrovnik are available, and you also get a 1-hour return grace period if your journey takes a little longer than planned. Out-of-hours service is available, which can also help if your arrival or onward travel falls outside normal desk hours..
Final Rentals includes Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Waiver, and Third Party Liability in the rental amount. Unlimited mileage is also included, so extra kilometres do not incur a mileage charge.
An optional Super Collision Damage Waiver is available at the rental desk if you want a lower excess. Standard Collision Damage Waiver still has an excess based on your chosen car type. Taxes are also included in the rental amount.
Drivers must be between 21 and 70 years old under the supplied rental terms. Extra charges apply to drivers aged 21 to 24 and 66 to 70. You need a full, valid licence and at least 1 year of driving experience. An International Driving Licence is required when your home licence is not written in the Roman alphabet. Drivers from the US, Canada, and Australia do not need one.
Choose a small car or SUV based on your passengers, luggage, and planned route. A small car can make parking easier in towns and on narrow coastal roads, while an SUV gives you more luggage space when several people are travelling. The A1 is mainly motorway driving, while the D8 has tighter bends and slower coastal sections. Unlimited mileage also means you can make extra stops without worrying about additional mileage charges.
The best Split to Dubrovnik route depends on how quickly you want to arrive and how much of the coast you want to enjoy along the way.
The quicker route uses the A1 motorway south from Split. It then continues towards Ploče and the Pelješac Bridge, which is about 2.4 kilometres long. It connects the Croatian mainland with the Pelješac Peninsula and avoids the Neum border crossings. The bridge has no toll, although tolls on the A1 motorway still apply. Under normal conditions, the full drive usually takes about 3 to 4 hours.
The D8 coastal road runs south past Omiš, Brela, and the Makarska Riviera. You get frequent Adriatic views and more places to stop during the drive. Parts of the road are narrow and steep, especially around busy coastal towns. Drive slowly through built-up areas and watch for local buses, cyclists, and parked cars. Summer traffic can also reduce your average speed.
The open-road limit can reach 90 kilometres per hour on some sections. Many coastal sections require slower driving because of bends and local traffic. Plan about 4 to 5 hours when using more of the coast and making stops.
Before the Pelješac Bridge opened, the usual coastal journey passed through Neum in Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can still choose a route through Neum, but border checks apply. A rental trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina also requires approval under the rental agreement. Using the Pelješac Bridge keeps your journey south within Croatia. It also removes the two border checks linked with entering and leaving the Neum section.
The full road distance is about 230 kilometres, depending on your exact start and finish points. The quicker route is close to 3 hours without long stops. The coastal option generally takes longer because of bends, towns, and summer traffic. Summer traffic can be heavy on the D8, especially near popular coastal towns.
Roads become steeper and busier as you approach Dubrovnik. Plan where you will park before entering the central area, especially during the busy summer season.
Dubrovnik Old Town is car-free, so you cannot drive inside the historic centre. The surrounding area also has a special traffic zone with access controls. Follow road signs as you approach the centre. Avoid entering restricted areas without the required access. If your hotel is nearby, ask about the correct route before driving into central Dubrovnik.
Parking near the Old Town is limited and often paid by zone. Some spaces around the historic centre are reserved for eligible local users. Visitors can use public paid parking and garages where permitted. Parking prices vary by location and season. Illegal parking can lead to parking fines, which remain your responsibility under the rental agreement. Many hotels and apartments also offer private or arranged guest parking.
Your return location should match your next travel plans. Check the booked location, fuel level, return time, and office hours before your final drive.
A one-way booking can let you return the car at a different rental location. Final Rentals permits one-way travel between Split and Dubrovnik for an added fee. Returning to the airport can be practical when you have a flight after your road trip.
Return the car with the same fuel level provided at pick-up. Final Rentals has a 1-hour return grace period under the supplied terms. Returning later can lead to an additional day charge. Out-of-hours service is also available for an added fee. Follow the rental desk instructions for any return outside normal opening hours. Return the car in the agreed condition to avoid cleaning or damage charges.
Driving from Split to Dubrovnik is easier when you choose a route that fits your planned trip. The motorway keeps the journey direct, while the coast gives you more reasons to stop. Whichever road you take, keep your fuel level, return timing, and Dubrovnik parking plans in mind.
Rent a car in Split with Final Rentals to keep your route flexible with unlimited mileage and same-to-same fuel. If you want lower excess, the optional Super Collision Damage Waiver is available at the rental desk. Book and manage your car rental at any time. Download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
By road, Split to Dubrovnik is about 230 kilometres, roughly 142 miles. Under normal conditions, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to drive. Expect longer in summer or with stops.
The fastest is via the A1 motorway and the Pelješac Bridge, about a 3-hour drive. Alternatively, the coastal D8 route via Omiš and Makarska takes about 4 to 5 hours, is toll-free, and very scenic. Choose A1 for speed, or D8 for views.
Yes. You can rent a car in Split and return it in Dubrovnik, although an extra one-way fee applies. Drivers must be at least 21 and hold a valid licence for 2 years. Some non-EU licences may also require an International Driving Permit. Final Rentals rates include Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Waiver, and unlimited mileage. Check the one-way fee before confirming your booking.
