Morocco is a country made for road trips — a circular or point-to-point itinerary covering Marrakech, the High Atlas, Ouarzazate, the Sahara, and Fes makes far more geographic sense than backtracking to your starting city. One-way car rentals are the key to unlocking that kind of freedom. Here's everything you need to know.
Is One-Way Car Rental Allowed in Morocco?
Yes — but not universally.
Domestic one-way rentals (pick up in one Moroccan city, drop off in another) are offered by many agencies, but availability and fees vary. International one-way rentals — taking a Moroccan rental car into Spain, Algeria, or Mauritania — are not permitted.
The most common one-way routes are:
| Route | Distance | Drive Time | Notes | | ---------------------- | -------- | ---------- | ------------------------------- | | Marrakech → Fes | ~570 km | ~6 hours | Classic "imperial cities" route | | Marrakech → Casablanca | ~240 km | ~2.5 hours | Most popular one-way trip | | Casablanca → Agadir | ~380 km | ~4.5 hours | Via A7 motorway | | Tangier → Marrakech | ~560 km | ~5.5 hours | Full north-to-south trip | | Agadir → Marrakech | ~260 km | ~3 hours | Common for beach + city combos |
One-Way Fees: What to Expect
One-way fees are not standardised in Morocco — they depend on the agency and the route:
- Free: Some local agencies waive the fee entirely if they need to rebalance their fleet (e.g., they have too many cars in Fes and need one in Marrakech).
- One extra day's rental: The most common fee. If you're paying $20/day, expect ~$20 extra on top of your rental days.
- Fixed fee: Some agencies charge a fixed 200–500 MAD (~$20–50) regardless of route.
Always confirm in writing before you sign the contract. The one-way fee should be stated explicitly — if it's not, ask.
Which Agencies Offer One-Way Rentals?
Local Moroccan agencies listed on kara.ma are often the most flexible. Unlike international chains where policies are set globally, local agencies can negotiate:
- Drop-off points in cities where they have a partner or second office
- Flexible timing on returns
- Lower or waived fees for longer rentals (7+ days)
International chains (Hertz, Europcar, Avis) also offer one-way within Morocco but usually have fixed, non-negotiable fees and stricter policies.
The Classic One-Way Road Trip: Marrakech → Sahara → Fes
This is the most requested route — and for good reason. Here's a suggested 7–10 day itinerary:
- Pick up in Marrakech — explore the city (1–2 days)
- Drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) → Ouarzazate (3 hours)
- Continue to Dades Gorge and Todra Gorge (add 1–2 days)
- Arrive at Merzouga / Erg Chebbi (the Sahara dunes) — 2 nights
- Drive north via Midelt and Ifrane (Morocco's "Switzerland")
- Drop off in Fes — explore the medina before flying home
Total distance: ~1,000 km. A standard compact car handles the entire route — you only need a 4x4 for off-road dune excursions.
Tips for Booking a One-Way Rental in Morocco
- Book early. One-way availability is limited and fills up fast, especially in high season (July–August and March school holidays).
- Confirm drop-off location. Ask for the exact address of the drop-off office in the destination city — not all agencies have branches in every city.
- Check opening hours at drop-off. Some agencies have limited hours at secondary locations. Dropping off on a Friday afternoon or Sunday can be tricky.
- Document the car thoroughly at pick-up. With a one-way rental, a different staff member inspects the car on return. Your photos from pick-up are your best protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pick up in Marrakech and drop off at Casablanca Airport?
Yes — this is the most common one-way rental in Morocco. Most agencies support it and it's often free or low-fee because cars flow naturally toward CMN airport for outbound flights.
What's the cheapest one-way rental route?
The Marrakech–Casablanca route often has the lowest or no one-way fee because it's the most in-demand direction and agencies want the car repositioned anyway.
Can I rent a car in Morocco and drive to Spain?
No. Moroccan rental cars cannot cross into Spain (including Ceuta or Melilla). This is a strict policy across all agencies. If you need a car on both sides, rent separately.
How do I confirm one-way is allowed before booking?
When you contact an agency on kara.ma, mention your pick-up and drop-off cities in your booking request. The agency will confirm availability and any applicable fee before you commit.