Why this road
The fastest way goes inland on the motorway. The coast road is slower and so much better: below Biokovo the road hangs above pebble beaches and pine trees with Brač and Hvar out at sea, then crosses the flat, green Neretva delta with its mandarin orchards. Since the Pelješac Bridge opened, you no longer need to cross the Bosnian border at Neum, and you get Ston, its oysters and its great walls on the way.
The route
- AMakarska
Start on the Makarska Riviera, with the bare wall of Biokovo right behind the town. Head south on the coast road.
- 1Gradac
The last village of the Makarska Riviera, with long beaches. After this the road climbs above the sea towards Ploče.
- 2Pelješac Bridge
Through the Neretva delta, then over the long bridge onto the Pelješac peninsula, with views of the sea on both sides.
- 3Ston
A small town with medieval walls that climb the hill to Mali Ston. Salt pans, oysters and a good lunch.
- 4Trsteno
Back on the coast road. Trsteno has a Renaissance garden with giant old plane trees, right by the road.
- BDubrovnik
Cross the bridge over the Dubrovnik inlet and head for the old town. Park outside and walk in.
Stops worth it
Walk a stretch of the walls (entry fee) and have oysters from Mali Ston Bay. Plan at least 45 minutes.
The old town walls glow in the evening light. Walk the walls early or late, when it is cooler and quieter.
Light and the best time
You drive south-east with the sea on your right. In the afternoon the sun moves over the sea: the water sparkles, the islands turn into silhouettes and the mountains on your left are front-lit. Leave Makarska around 2 pm and you reach Ston for a late lunch and Dubrovnik in the golden hour. In the morning the sun is in front of you and the light is flatter.
May, June, September and October are best: warm sea, less traffic and softer light. July and August bring heavy traffic, queues at Ston and crowds in Dubrovnik. Strong bura wind in winter can cause restrictions for high vehicles on exposed stretches and bridges. The road is open all year.
By vehicle
A long, sunny coast road that is made for the roof down. Bring sun protection, there is little shade.
Lots of curves along the coast, good tarmac and a sea view almost all the way. Watch out for slow traffic and tourists stopping suddenly.
Easy, if long. Many lay-bys for photo stops.
The D8 is used to campers, but parking near Dubrovnik's old town is very tight. Use a campsite and the bus.
Good to know
No toll on this route; only the motorway inland is tolled. The Pelješac Bridge is free and avoids the border crossing at Neum. Parking in Dubrovnik is limited and expensive, the old town is car-free. Fuel stations are frequent along the coast. In summer, avoid driving into Dubrovnik in the late afternoon rush.
Route checked against OpenStreetMap on 2 November 2026. Roads, closures and rules change: always check before you go and follow local signs.
Questions
How long is the drive from Makarska to Dubrovnik?
About 3 h 30 of driving on the coast road without stops, roughly half an hour more than the motorway. With Ston and a few photo stops, plan a full day.
Do I still need to go through Neum in Bosnia?
No. The Pelješac Bridge lets you drive from the Neretva delta to Dubrovnik without crossing the border.
Is the Dalmatian coast road toll-free?
Yes. Only the inland motorway is tolled.
What is there to see in Ston?
Medieval walls among the longest in Europe, salt pans still in use, and oysters from the bay of Mali Ston.