Road trip route · Slovenia · Croatia
Ljubljana to Zagreb drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 1 hr 40 min
- Distance
- 140 km
- Fuel (est.)
- €15
- Tolls (est.)
- €4
The Ljubljana to Zagreb drive
The drive from Ljubljana to Zagreb covers 87 miles (140 km) and takes about 1 hr 40 min without stops. That makes it a comfortable one-day drive. Leave in the morning and you'll arrive with the day ahead of you.
Most of it is one road: the A2 carries 74% of the distance. You pass Novo Mesto and Zaprešić on the way. The border from Slovenia into Croatia comes between Novo Mesto and Zaprešić, about 93 km in.
Expect gentle hills rather than climbs. The high point is around 412 m near Ljubljana.
Expect fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) to cost around €15 one-way plus roughly €4 in motorway tolls. Slovenia requires a motorway vignette (~€16 sticker (10-day/weekly)). Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
At 87 miles this is longer than 13% of the 144 routes covered here, short enough to fold into a bigger itinerary without losing a day. Even in a single day it crosses 2 countries, so keep documents where you can reach them.
The road, kilometre by kilometre
Towns within a few kilometres of the fastest route, with the time it takes to reach them without stopping, plus where you cross the border.
- StartLjubljana
- 67 kmNovo Mesto48 min in
- 93 kmInto Croatia
- 119 kmZaprešić1 h 25 min in
- 140 kmZagreb
How high it goes
Roads you'll be on
- A2104 km · 74%
- A313 km · 9%
What you need for this drive
Rules for each country on the route, in the order you meet them.
Slovenia
- Motorway
- 130 km/h · 50 in town
- Tolls
- E-vinjeta
- Must carry
- warning triangle, hi-vis vest, first-aid kit, spare bulbs
- Winter tyres
- 15 November - 15 March
Croatia
- Motorway
- 130 km/h · 50 in town
- Tolls
- Cestarina (HAC - Hrvatske autoceste)
- Must carry
- warning triangle, hi-vis vest, first-aid kit, spare bulbs
- Winter tyres
- 15 November - 15 April
Checked against national road authorities and the ECB reference rates. Rules change — confirm before you travel.
Ljubljana to Zagreb FAQs
How long is the drive from Ljubljana to Zagreb?
Driving from Ljubljana to Zagreb takes about 1 hr 40 min nonstop, covering 87 miles (140 km). Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from Ljubljana to Zagreb?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly €15 one-way. Expect around €4 in motorway tolls. Slovenia requires a motorway vignette (~€16 sticker (10-day/weekly)). Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from Ljubljana to Zagreb in one day?
Yes, at about 1 hr 40 min of driving, Ljubljana to Zagreb is a comfortable one-day drive with a couple of breaks.
Which roads do you take from Ljubljana to Zagreb?
The fastest route uses the A2 (about 104 km), the A3 (about 13 km). It passes Novo Mesto, Zaprešić.
What other drives can I plan on Plan Your Road Trips?
We publish drive times, distances and fuel estimates for 144 routes across Europe and beyond, including 1 other drive in the same country. Browse them all on the routes index.
More drives from Ljubljana & Zagreb
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free Slovenia road trip planner, browse every destination we cover or the Croatia planner, take it with you on the road, or read the driving in Croatia guide.