3 One-Tank Weekend Road Trips from Amsterdam
Looking to escape Amsterdam for a couple of days without burning through your wallet—or the planet? We’ve mapped three unforgettable weekend road trips that start and end in the Dutch capital and can each be done on a single tank of fuel. 🚗⛽
Whether you’re an expat, a local adventurer, or just craving fresh scenery, these one-tank wonders pack in castles, cobblestones, and forest air.
👉 Tip: Use the Fernweh app to download routes, get offline maps, and personalize stops based on your interests. Perfect for last-minute wanderlust.
1. Dutch Castles Trail (~150 km round trip)
🗺️ Route: Amsterdam → Muiden → Haarzuilens → Utrechtse Heuvelrug → Amsterdam
⛽ Fuel Needed: ~1/4 tank 🕰️ Duration: 2 days
Highlights:
- Step back in time at Muiderslot Castle
- Wander the fairy-tale towers of De Haar Castle near Utrecht
- Picnic in the lush Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park
- Dine in charming Breukelen or Vreeland
Perfect for: History buffs, couples, and photographers.
Download Dutch Castles Trail GPX
2. Flemish Town Hop: Into Belgium (~300 km round trip)
🗺️ Route: Amsterdam → Ghent → Bruges → Antwerp → Amsterdam
⛽ Fuel Needed: ~1 tank (small car) 🕰️ Duration: 2–3 days
Highlights:
- Canal walks and medieval vibes in Bruges
- Street art and hip cafés in Ghent
- Belgian waffles, chocolate, and beer everywhere you go
- Short detour: Pair with a coastal walk at Blankenberge
Perfect for: Foodies, architecture lovers, first-time Belgium explorers.
3. Nature Escape to Germany’s Eifel Region (~350 km round trip)
🗺️ Route: Amsterdam → Monschau → Eifel National Park → Bad Münstereifel → Amsterdam
⛽ Fuel Needed: ~1 tank 🕰️ Duration: 2–3 days
Highlights:
- Stroll timbered streets of Monschau
- Hike around Eifel’s crater lakes and dense woodlands
- Relax in thermal spas in Bad Münstereifel
- Pack binoculars—wildlife sightings possible!
Perfect for: Nature lovers, hikers, low-fuss weekenders.
Download German Nature Loop GPX
🧭 Ready to hit the road?
These road trips prove you don’t need to go far—or spend much—to discover something beautiful. All three routes were designed with sustainability and practicality in mind, with the help of the Fernweh travel app.
👉 Start planning now: Download Fernweh