u/heyitsmespaget

Should I cut the Chefchaouen detour from my 23-night Morocco road trip? (self-drive, Fes to Marrakech)

Planning a 23-night self-drive trip (Sept 11 – Oct 4), renting a car in Fes and dropping off in Marrakech. Route so far:

Fes (3n) → Chefchaouen (3n) → Ifrane (1n) → Merzouga (2n) → Dadès/Todra Gorges (2n) → Skoura (day stop) → Aït Benhaddou (2n) → Imlil (3n) → Marrakech (3n) → Essaouira (4n, by bus)

The issue: Chefchaouen is a genuine detour north from Fes, and getting back on route toward Ifrane/the desert means partially retracing the same road. It adds real driving time and I'm wondering if it's worth it given everything else on the itinerary (desert, gorges, kasbahs, Atlas mountains, coast).

Trying to decide if it's a highlight or just a "blue photos" detour that eats driving time I could use elsewhere. Appreciate any real experience :)

Should I cut the Chefchaouen detour from my 23-night Morocco road trip in september? (self-drive, Fes to Marrakech)

Planning a 23-night self-drive trip (Sept 11 – Oct 4), renting a car in Fes and dropping off in Marrakech.

Route so far:

Fes (3n) → Chefchaouen (3n) → Ifrane (1n) → Merzouga (2n) → Dadès/Todra Gorges (2n) → Skoura (day stop) → Aït Benhaddou (2n) → Imlil (3n) → Marrakech (3n) → Essaouira (4n, by bus)

The issue: Chefchaouen is a genuine detour north from Fes, and getting back on route toward Ifrane/the desert means partially retracing the same road. It adds real driving time and I'm wondering if it's worth it given everything else on the itinerary (desert, gorges, kasbahs, Atlas mountains, coast).

Trying to decide if it's a highlight or just a "blue photos" detour that eats driving time I could use elsewhere. Would really appreciate any real experience :)