Wow Brașov

Driving to Brașov

The roads in from Bucharest, Transylvania and the west, when to avoid them, and the vignette, tyre and speed rules you need to know before you set off.

By Diana Published 10 min read
A driver's hands on the steering wheel of a car on a road lined with a stone wall Photo: Unsplash
On this page
  1. From Bucharest on the DN1
  2. Weekend traffic: when not to drive
  3. The alternative: DN1A via Cheia
  4. From Sibiu, Sighișoara and Cluj
  5. From Hungary and the west
  6. The road vignette (rovinietă)
  7. Winter driving
  8. Speed limits, cameras and other rules
  9. Fuel
  10. Renting a car
  11. Arriving and parking
  12. FAQ
  13. Sources

From Bucharest, Brașov is about 180 km and 2 h 30 to 3 hours by car on a quiet weekday: the A3 motorway to Ploiești, then the DN1 through the Prahova Valley past Sinaia, Bușteni and Predeal. There is no motorway over the mountains, and on Friday afternoons (northbound) and Sunday afternoons (southbound) the DN1 queues can add hours; the DN1A via Cheia is the usual way round. You need a road vignette (rovinietă), from 30 lei for 10 days for a Euro 6 car since 1 October 2026, and in winter the law requires winter tyres whenever the road is covered with snow or ice.

FromRouteDistanceTime without traffic
Bucharest (centre)A3 to Ploiești, then DN1 via Sinaia and Predealabout 180 km2 h 30 – 3 h
Otopeni airport (OTP)DN1about 155 km2 h 30 – 3 h
Bucharest, avoiding the Prahova Valleyto Ploiești, then DN1A via Vălenii de Munte and Cheia, into Brașov through Săceleabout 185–200 km3 h or more
SibiuDN1 (E68) via Avrig and Făgărașabout 143 kmabout 2 h 30
SighișoaraDN13 (E60) via Rupeaabout 120 kmabout 2 h
Târgu MureșDN13 (E60) via Sighișoaraabout 170 kmabout 3 h
Cluj-Napocavia Târgu Mureș and Sighișoaraabout 275 kmabout 4 h 30
Hungarian border at NădlacA1 to Sibiu, then DN1about 495 kmabout 6 h 30

Distances and times are from OpenStreetMap routing, checked on 10 October 2026; the Bucharest figures match our Bucharest to Brașov guide, which also covers the train, often the better choice from Bucharest.

This guide is part of Plan your trip to Brașov.

From Bucharest on the DN1

Leave Bucharest on the A3 motorway to Ploiești (or the DN1 if you start from Otopeni), then follow the DN1 north. After Ploiești it runs through Câmpina, Comarnic, Sinaia, Bușteni, Azuga and Predeal before dropping into Brașov, and you arrive in the city on Calea București.

  • One lane each way for long stretches. Through the mountain towns the DN1 narrows to a single lane in each direction, with 50 km/h limits in every town. That, not the distance, is why the trip takes so long.
  • There is still no motorway across the Carpathians. The A3 Ploiești–Brașov is at feasibility-study stage: field investigations restarted in May 2026, and CNIR, the state infrastructure company, aims to finish the design in 2027 (BizBrasov, 8 May 2026). No construction contract or date has been set.
  • Worth stopping: Sinaia for Peleș Castle, about 50 km before Brașov, and Bușteni for the view of the Bucegi cliffs.

Weekend traffic: when not to drive

The pattern is predictable:

  • Friday afternoon and evening, towards Brașov: Bucharest leaves for the mountains.
  • Sunday afternoon and evening, towards Bucharest: everyone comes back at once.
  • Worst of all: ski weekends from January to March, and long weekends around public holidays such as 1 May, 1 June, 15 August, 30 November–1 December, Christmas and New Year.

If you can, leave early in the morning or travel midweek. On busy days the police regularly advise drivers to switch to the DN1A. Before you set off, check the Poliția Română traffic page (Info Trafic) or a live map app.

The alternative: DN1A via Cheia

The DN1A leaves Ploiești for Vălenii de Munte, climbs through Cheia and over the Bratocea pass, and enters Brașov from the south-east through Săcele. It’s a slower mountain road and a little longer, about 185–200 km from Bucharest, but it avoids the towns of the Prahova Valley, so on a jammed Friday it can be the quicker option. In winter, the pass can have snow when the valley roads are clear: check the forecast before you choose it.

From Sibiu, Sighișoara and Cluj

  • From Sibiu: the DN1 (E68) east via Avrig, Făgăraș and Codlea, about 143 km and 2 h 30. Most of it is one lane each way through villages. The A13 Sibiu–Făgăraș motorway is under construction on all four sections; completion is planned for 2028. Our Brașov–Sibiu guide covers the train and bus too.
  • From Sighișoara: the DN13 (E60) south-east via Rupea and Feldioara, about 120 km and 2 hours, past several Saxon villages with fortified churches.
  • From Cluj-Napoca and Târgu Mureș: to Târgu Mureș, then the DN13 via Sighișoara. Allow about 4 h 30 from Cluj.

From Hungary and the west

The A1 motorway runs from the Hungarian border at Nădlac past Arad, Timișoara, Lugoj, Deva and Sebeș to Sibiu, where you join the DN1 for the last 143 km. There is one gap left, a 9 km section between Margina and Holdea east of Lugoj, where you use the old road; the government expects it to open in the first half of 2027. From the border, allow about 6 h 30 to Brașov without long stops.

The road vignette (rovinietă)

You need a rovinietă to drive on Romania’s national roads and motorways, which includes the DN1, the DN1A and the DN13. It’s electronic: there’s no sticker, it’s linked to your number plate and checked by cameras.

Since 1 October 2026 the price depends on the car’s Euro emissions class (Order MTI 888/2026). For cars and vans with up to 9 seats, in lei (HotNews):

ValidityEuro 6Euro 4–5Euro 3 and older
1 day22 lei26 lei29 lei
10 days30 lei35 lei39 lei
30 days48 lei55 lei62 lei
60 days76 lei87 lei99 lei
12 months254 lei292 lei330 lei

Electric cars pay no more than the Euro 6 rate. A rovinietă bought before 1 October stays valid until it expires.

  • Where to buy: on CNAIR’s official site, erovinieta.ro, from authorised distributors such as petrol stations, or at the border. In May 2026 CNAIR warned about unofficial websites that add a “registration fee” of about 30% (Agerpres, 19 May 2026).
  • Rental cars normally come with a valid rovinietă; ask at the desk.
  • For a weekend from Bucharest, the 1-day vignette won’t cover the return, so the 10-day one is the usual choice.

Winter driving

  • Winter tyres: compulsory whenever the road is covered with snow, ice or slush, whatever the date; there’s no fixed season. Tyres marked M+S, M.S. or M&S count. In 2022 the Romanian Automobile Register (RAR) gave the fine as 1,305–2,900 lei, and the police can keep the car’s registration certificate until you comply (Antena 3, quoting RAR).
  • Snow chains are worth carrying in deep winter if you’re heading up to Poiana Brașov or over the Bratocea pass on the DN1A.
  • Rental cars: ask for winter tyres if you’re coming between November and March.
  • The weather: most winter nights in Brașov freeze. The weather and seasons guide has the monthly figures, and the skiing guide covers the drive and buses to Poiana.

Speed limits, cameras and other rules

  • Speed limits for cars: 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h outside towns, 100 km/h on European roads such as the DN1 (E60) and the DN13 (E60), 130 km/h on motorways. Signs can set lower limits, and through the Prahova Valley towns you’re at 50 most of the time.
  • Speed cameras on the DN1: the new speed display boards at town entrances and along the DN1 in Prahova, installed in 2026, only show your speed: CNAIR says they don’t collect data and can’t be used for fines (Observatorul Prahovean, 2 September 2026). The national network of fixed speed cameras (e-SIGUR) is still being procured. Police patrols with radar do stop and fine drivers on the DN1.
  • Dipped headlights must be on outside built-up areas, day and night.
  • Alcohol: Romania has no permitted limit for drivers; any alcohol is an offence.

Fuel

On 10 October 2026 the national average was 10.14 lei a litre for petrol, 10.90 lei for diesel and 4.71 lei for LPG (pretcarburant.ro). At 7 litres per 100 km, Bucharest to Brașov uses about 130 lei (€24) of petrol each way. There are plenty of stations along the DN1 and at the city entrances.

Renting a car

  • At Bucharest Otopeni airport (OTP): the widest choice, and you’re already on the DN1. It makes sense if you’re touring Romania, or landing late when trains have stopped.
  • At Brașov-Ghimbav airport (GHV): rental companies partner with the airport, and their opening hours follow the flight schedule (Brașov airport). The terminal is 15–25 minutes from the city by car. See our Brașov airport guide.
  • Fly into Bucharest, rent in Brașov: if you only need a car for day trips around Brașov, taking the train from Bucharest and renting in Brașov keeps you out of the Prahova Valley queues.
  • Check: that the rovinietă is included, winter tyres from November to March, and the fee if you return the car somewhere else.

Arriving and parking

Most of the Old Town is pedestrianised. Parking around it is Zona 0, 3 lei an hour, paid Monday to Saturday 08:00–20:00; evenings and Sundays are free under the current rules. Pay at the machine, in the TPark app or by SMS to 7420. City Hall has proposed raising the central rate to 5 lei on weekdays and 10 lei at weekends, payable every day until 22:00; it hadn’t been voted on 10 October 2026. Zones, car parks and how to pay are in our parking guide.

Once the car is parked, buses cost 5 lei and are free on Fridays: see getting around Brașov.

FAQ

How long does it take to drive from Bucharest to Brașov?

About 2 h 30 to 3 hours for roughly 180 km on a quiet weekday. On Friday and Sunday afternoons, ski weekends and long weekends, queues on the DN1 through the Prahova Valley can add hours.

Is there a motorway from Bucharest to Brașov?

Only as far as Ploiești (the A3). From there you’re on the DN1. The A3 Ploiești–Brașov is still at feasibility-study stage in 2026, with no construction date.

Do I need a vignette to drive to Brașov?

Yes. The DN1 and the other national roads require a rovinietă. For a Euro 6 car it costs 22 lei for one day or 30 lei for 10 days since 1 October 2026. Buy it on erovinieta.ro or from an authorised distributor.

When is traffic worst between Bucharest and Brașov?

Friday afternoon and evening towards Brașov and Sunday afternoon and evening towards Bucharest, especially in the ski season and on long weekends.

Is the DN1A faster than the DN1?

On a quiet day, no: it’s a slower mountain road. When the DN1 is jammed, it often is, and the police recommend it as the alternative.

Do I need winter tyres in Romania?

Yes, whenever the road is covered with snow, ice or slush, regardless of the date. Tyres marked M+S count.

Are there speed cameras on the DN1?

The new speed display boards on the DN1 don’t issue fines, according to CNAIR. Fixed enforcement cameras aren’t running yet, but police radar patrols do fine drivers.

Should I rent a car in Bucharest or in Brașov?

Rent at Otopeni if you’re touring the country or landing late. If you only need the car for day trips from Brașov, take the train and rent at Brașov-Ghimbav airport to avoid the Prahova Valley.

Sources

Checked on 10 October 2026:

Plan your trip to Brașov →

Parking in Brașov

What the zones cost, when you have to pay, how to pay without a Romanian SIM, and where to leave the car near the Old Town, in Poiana Brașov and at the airport.

Updated