Quick summary: Comparative analysis of fuel prices across 41 European nations reveals a stark pricing gap of one euro and five cents per litre, with Denmark ranking as the most expensive destination and Malta emerging as the cheapest for a summer road trip. Choosing budget-friendly routes through affordable regions like the Balkans or Central Europe can significantly lower overall holiday expenditures, enabling travellers to redirect their limited financial resources towards enriching cultural experiences and local attractions. For public policy and public health, promoting these economical travel alternatives helps mitigate the severe financial stress and anxiety frequently associated with rising seasonal living costs, ultimately supporting family well-being and equitable access to restorative holiday environments.
A new study by experts from Czechvignette.cz has identified the most affordable and expensive European countries for a summer road trip this year. The research compared average prices for 95-octane unleaded petrol across 41 European countries, with data collected as of 15th June 2026, to help drivers plan the most budget-friendly routes.
The study revealed a stark price gap of €1.05 per litre across the continent. For a car with a 50-litre tank, a full fill-up in Denmark, the most expensive country, costs around €52 more than the exact same fill-up in Malta, which ranks as the cheapest destination.
The 10 most affordable road trip destinations
- Rank 1: Malta (€1.34 per litre) As one of Europe’s smallest countries, it is easy to travel the entire nation by car. Highlights include the capital city of Valletta, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fortified medieval city of Mdina, and the Dingli Cliffs in the southwest. Visitors can also experience the temples of Ħaġar Qim, which are older than the Egyptian pyramids.
- Rank 2: North Macedonia (€1.38 per litre) This country is home to Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO and one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes. The lakeshore town features medieval churches and a 9th-century monastery. Travellers can also experience hiking in Matka Canyon, the mountain scenery of Mavrovo National Park, or the capital city of Skopje, which houses many museums and monuments.
- Rank 3: Poland (€1.40 per litre) Poland’s road network efficiently links its major cities to scenic beaches and mountains. A standard itinerary can include the historic city of Krakow, hiking in the nearby Tatra Mountains, exploring the coastal city of Gdańsk, visiting the capital city of Warsaw, and touring Białowieża National Park, which stands as one of Europe’s last and largest remaining primeval forests.
- Rank 4: Moldova (€1.44 per litre) Drivers can tour the Cricova Winery, which features one of the largest wine cellars in the world, or visit Mileștii Mici, the world’s largest wine gallery. History enthusiasts can explore the cave monasteries at the Orheiul Vechi archaeological site, while general road-trippers can explore the parks, museums, and cathedrals of the capital, Chișinău.
- Rank 5: San Marino (€1.47 per litre) In this tiny nation, one of the smallest in the world, the historic centre sits high on Monte Titano. The mountain is a UNESCO where visitors can view three famous medieval fortresses.
- Rank 6: Bosnia and Herzegovina (€1.51 per litre) This destination combines low fuel costs with iconic spots like the city of Mostar, famous for its UNESCO-listed Old Bridge spanning the Neretva River. The capital, Sarajevo, offers deep heritage for tourists interested in Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Yugoslav history. Other notable stops include the cascading Kravica Waterfall, the medieval town of Počitelj, and Sutjeska National Park.
- Rank 7: Spain (€1.52 per litre) Spain offers diverse routes ranging from alpine heights to Mediterranean beaches. Popular stops include Barcelona, famous for the architecture of Antoni Gaudí, and Madrid, home to leading art museums. In the south, travellers can explore the beaches, whitewashed towns, and Alhambra landmark of Andalusia. Other scenic options include the Pyrenees, the rugged Atlantic coastline of Galicia, and the pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela.
- Rank 8 (tie): Bulgaria (€1.53 per litre) Travellers can easily explore the Black Sea coast and the popular seaside resort of Sunny Beach. Inland options include Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, which features a Roman theatre and a colourful Old Town. The Rila Mountains host the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, while Pirin National Park offers glacial lakes and hiking trails.
- Rank 8 (tie): Iceland (€1.53 per litre) Despite its remote geographic location, Iceland ranks among the cheapest options for petrol. The famous Ring Road circles the entire island, connecting major attractions such as the Golden Circle, the black sand beaches of Vik, the southern waterfalls, and the southeastern glacial lagoons. Other popular stops include Reykjavík, Jökulsárlón, and Vatnajökull National Park, home to Europe’s largest glacier.
- Rank 9: Andorra (€1.57 per litre) Another of Europe’s smallest nations, its capital, Andorra la Vella, is known for shopping and mountain views. The surrounding valleys provide direct access to ski resorts, hiking trails, and scenic mountain roads, including Grandvalira, one of the largest ski areas in the Pyrenees, and the UNESCO-listed Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley.
The 10 most expensive road trip destinations
- Rank 1: Denmark (€2.39 per litre) The least affordable country in the study offers driving routes that connect Copenhagen, Aarhus, and the coastal beaches of Jutland.
- Rank 2: Netherlands (€2.26 per litre) Drivers can easily navigate between major urban hubs like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, alongside the country’s iconic traditional windmill landscapes.
- Rank 3: Finland (€2.18 per litre) Finland is best known for its vast abundance of lakes, protected national parks, and extensive driving routes stretching through Lapland.
- Rank 4: Switzerland (€2.05 per litre) Switzerland offers drivers access to alpine destinations such as Interlaken, Lucerne, and various mountain resorts across the Alps.
- Rank 5: Liechtenstein (€2.04 per litre) This small alpine neighbor features scenic drives through the Rhine Valley and the capital city of Vaduz.
- Rank 6 (tie): France (€2.01 per litre) Popular road trip regions across France include Paris, the historic Loire Valley, Provence, and the scenic French Riviera.
- Rank 6 (tie): Greece (€2.01 per litre) Greece offers driving routes connecting historic Athens, Delphi, the clifftop monasteries of Meteora, and various coastal regions across the Peloponnese.
- Rank 7: Norway (€1.95 per litre) Norway features dramatic routes through world-famous fjord landscapes, including both Geirangerfjord and Sognefjord.
- Rank 8 (tie): Germany (€1.94 per litre) Germany’s highway network connects major cities like Berlin and Munich to natural landmarks like the Black Forest and Bavaria’s historic castle region.
- Rank 8 (tie): Monaco (€1.94 per litre) As the second-smallest country in the world, Monaco serves as a popular coastal stop for journeys along the French Riviera between Nice and the Italian border.
Impact on summer travel budgets
Freek Jurg, COO of Czechvignette.cz, commented on how these pricing structures influence seasonal holiday planning: “Petrol is one of the biggest expenses on a driving holiday, particularly for travellers covering long distances over several days. Where you choose to road trip can have a significant impact on your overall budget, with drivers paying more than €1 extra per litre in some countries compared to others.”
“Many of the European countries with the lowest fuel prices are also home to some of Europe’s most remarkable attractions. Malta offers everything from UNESCO-listed cities to prehistoric temples that predate the Egyptian pyramids, while countries such as North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Moldova combine lower driving costs with destinations that can be overlooked by international tourists. Another advantage of travelling through Europe by car is that many of the lower-fuel-cost destinations are located in regions where travellers can easily continue into neighbouring countries with similarly affordable driving costs, particularly across parts of the Balkans and Central Europe.”
“For travellers planning a summer road trip, fuel prices are worth considering alongside accommodation and food costs. Choosing a country with lower petrol prices can leave more room in the budget for experiences, whether that’s exploring historic cities, visiting national parks, or spending extra time on the road visiting other places that might otherwise be missed.”