Nowadays it is easy to reach Split by car taking several road directions. Since the new highway A1 has been built it will take you less then four hours from Zagreb to the coast. Croatia roads digital map.
With this modern 375,5 km long highway you can arrive only to Split as the part to Dubrovnik has been postponed for lack of financial support.
Nobody in Croatia can say when this long-awaited highway will reach Dubrovnik, but we’re all hoping it will be soon.
A1 motorway currently terminates at Vrgorac (marked B), approximately 20 km northwest of Ploce (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and from there you have to shift to snaky Adriatic Road.
Remember that driving in direction of Dubrovnik, you have to prepare your passport or identity card IF crossing border between Croatia/Bosnia and Herzegovina. Drive carefully on this long and winding road.
If you arriving from northern Italy by car you can proceed via Ljubljana to Zagreb and from there take A1 highway to Dugopolje (marked with D on the map). In case you prefer to drive following the coastal road (Jadranska Magistrala) take direction to Rijeka,via Zadar and Sibenik.
This zigzag road will take you much more time but you can benefit visiting old Zadar town or some islands in Kvarner region like Rab or Krk. Visit Croatia map for better orientation.
Getting to Split by car via Plitvice Lakes
The most picturesque way to get to Split is taking route from Zagreb via Plitvice lakes National Park. It is about 406 km.
From Plitvice Lakes to Split there are 275 km and it will take you about three hours drive. If you want to see the lower lakes and falls spend at least 3 hours or so.
Car ferry connections
One of the most expensive options is to embark your car on one of many ferries. If you are coming from Italy by car probably you will use one of the International Ferries to Split like Ancona to Split or Ancona to Zadar.
Another picturesque way of arriving in Split is to take the coastal car ferry that runs twice a week in the summer from Rijeka to Split, Hvar, Korcula, Mljet and Dubrovnik. The coastal ferry is large and comfortable but prices for the car are higher than for the local ferries.
Croatia Traffic Info
When traveling to Split by car, national automobile club in Croatia (HAK) has prepared useful Croatia traffic info app, the most desirable travel information, a driver needs. HAK website!
This free app is available to download for three platforms, iOS, Android and Windows Phone. The app provides drivers with essential information about road conditions, border crossings, ferry terminals, toll calculator for Croatian motorways and many more.
APP is available in four languages, Croatian, English, German and Italian. For more app, visit Split mobile page!
The first time I start using this app, I find particularly useful some information like:
Where’s my car?
For those traveling to Split by car this app gives you possibility to identify where you parked your car. Just simply save your parking location when you park and on the way back you will easily find your parking place with pedestrian navigation (Google Maps).
Other two apps are Roadside Assistance and Emergency help & delivery at sea.
Besides this traffic information you have at your disposal a huge database consisting of airports, camping sites, banks, ATMs, hospitals, hotels, post offices, post boxes, kiosks, pharmacies, national parks, nature parks, stores and retail chains, tourist boards, police, wellness, etc.
Don’t miss this app!
Distances from Split to other Croatian cities
| Destination |
Driving Time (h) |
Distance (km/mi) |
| Split-Dubrovnik |
3,5 |
224/139 |
| Split-Zagreb |
3,5 |
376/234 |
| Split-Zadar |
2,5 |
169/105 |
| Split-Rijeka |
4,5 |
413/257 |
| Split-Trogir |
30min |
24/15 |
| Split-Plitvice Lakes |
3 |
275/170 |
| Split-Makarska |
1 |
80/50 |
