Romania's Road System
Although Romania is an extremely important link between Central and Southern Europe, the road network still largely does not meet EU standards. There are weight restrictions on certain sections of road. Potholes and cracked concrete are also a problem, for example, as are traffic jams and aggressive drivers. This leads to costly detours, especially for vehicles responsible for transporting goods, as these tend to exceed the permitted weight.
In addition to the roads, drivers also display a driving style that is not quite comparable to what we are used to and is considerably more unpredictable.
Since the condition of Romanian roads is particularly important for tourists and holidaymakers to enjoy their vacation safely and stress-free, we have summarized the most important facts for you in this article.
General overview of the road network
In Romania, a distinction is made between five different types of roads:
Motorways
National roads
Expressways
County roads
Municipal roads
Vignette requirement and special toll routes
It's important to know that you need a vignette for motorways and national roads. Like many other European countries, Romania charges toll fees to finance the maintenance and expansion of its road infrastructure. You can purchase the so-called "Rovinieta" from us. The vignette, which is now only available digitally, is controlled by the CNADNR, which belongs to the Ministry of Infrastructure and is specifically responsible for motorways and national roads. For more information on the vehicle classes subject to the vignette requirement, please see our guide.
In addition to the motorways and national roads, there is also a special toll that must be paid at certain locations. This special toll applies to all Danube crossings:
Danube Bridge: Ruse (BG) – Giurgiu (RO)
Danube Bridge 2: Vidin (BG) – Calafat (RO)
Bridge: Cernavodă (RO) – Fetești (RO)
Bridge: Giurgeni (RO) – Vadu Oii (RO)
However, urgent action is needed regarding the transport infrastructure so that traveling from one place to another doesn't feel like a rollercoaster ride, as Romania has one of the worst transport infrastructures in the European Union.
The Romanian motorway system
The Romanian motorway network covers approximately 928 km (as of 2022) and covers the most important transport routes in Romania. The A1 motorway, which runs from the capital Bucharest through the country to the border with Ukraine, is particularly important. Unlike in Germany, motorways in Romania are marked with a green sign. Compared to many other roads in the country, motorways are largely well developed and have separate lanes as well as numerous on- and off-ramps.
Despite this, Romania has one of the smallest motorway networks in Europe. Only a little more than 20 percent of the entire road network consists of motorways and national roads, which is why traffic jams are not uncommon.
Special roads
The Snake Road
The Transfăgărășan (DN7C) is one of the most famous high-mountain roads in Europe. With spectacular hairpin bends, waterfalls, and views of the Făgăraș Mountains, it is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
The Transalpina
At up to 2,145 meters above sea level, the Transalpina (DN67C) is one of the highest roads in Romania. The approximately 148 km long route offers impressive views, charming villages, and a unique driving experience.
The Wine Road
The Wine Road between Ploiești and Buzău runs through the well-known Dealu Mare wine region. Numerous wineries along the route invite you to taste and get to know Romanian wine culture.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey
Despite the sometimes adventurous roads and reckless drivers, Romania is a fantastic choice for a road trip. The picturesque views and authentic landscapes quickly make you forget about uneven roads and stressful traffic situations. If everything goes according to plan, the road network will be further expanded by 2027, increasingly approaching the standards known in Germany.
We wish you a pleasant trip to Romania and lots of fun on your road trip. For more information on tolls in Romania, please see our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and see the appropriate toll products displayed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by email at any time.
