If you’re planning a road trip from Frankfurt, you’re in for more than just a city break — it’s the perfect launch point for discovering southern Germany by car. Whether you’re travelling with kids or just want the freedom to explore off-the-beaten-path towns, renting a car gives you the flexibility trains can’t.
That flexibility was exactly what we were looking for. We rented a car directly from Frankfurt Airport and spent the next ten days driving through cities and countryside, stopping wherever caught our interest — whether it was grabbing picnic lunches at rest areas or pulling into small towns like Ulm or Augsburg. We probably wouldn’t have included some of these stops if we’d taken the train — and honestly, that’s the magic of a road trip.
Whether you’re flying into Frankfurt or already in Germany, a car rental opens up some truly amazing stops — from castles and cathedrals to riverside drives and medieval towns. Here are ten places to visit on a road trip to Frankfurt.
Why Plan a Road Trip from Frankfurt?
Frankfurt isn’t just a financial hub — it’s one of the best starting points for a road trip in Germany. With major highways radiating out from the city, you can be in medieval towns, wine regions, or even the foothills of the Alps within just a few hours of picking up your car.
One of the biggest advantages of starting your road trip in Frankfurt is the convenience of picking up a rental car at the airport. It’s well-organised and connected to Germany’s autobahn network, which makes it easy to hit the road right after landing — no need to navigate city streets or train schedules first.
Travelling by car is especially ideal if you’re exploring with kids. You can stop when needed (or when the backseat gets restless), pack more snacks and gear, and take spontaneous detours. We ended up stopping in towns we’d never heard of before — some of which became unexpected highlights of the trip.
And of course, Germany is made for road trips. From wide, well-maintained highways to scenic routes through vineyards and forests, driving here is part of the experience. Whether you’re following a famous route like the Romantic Road or making up your own itinerary as you go, a road trip to Frankfurt puts you right in the middle of it all.
Tips for Renting a Car in Germany
If you’re thinking about renting a car for your road trip to Frankfurt, here are a few tips based on our experience — including what we’d definitely do again and what we’d watch out for next time.
Book with a Comparison Site
We booked our rental through Discover Cars, which compares major car rental companies to help you find the best rate.
It was easy to use, and we liked that we could filter by things like automatic transmission (not as common in Germany) and pick-up location.
If you’re arriving by air, we highly recommend choosing Frankfurt Airport as your pick-up and drop-off point — it’s much easier than navigating city centre traffic.
Know Where to Go at the Airport
Frankfurt is a huge airport, so give yourself a bit of time to find the rental area. Once you know which terminal to go to, follow the signs for “Car Rental” — and expect a bit of a line, especially during peak travel times. That said, the process was straightforward and efficient.
Bring Your Own Car Seats
If you’re travelling with kids, we highly recommend bringing your own car seats. We brought Mifold booster seats — they’re compact and easy to install. After seeing how some rental agencies store car seats, I’d much rather bring our own every time.
Fuel Up Without the Stress
Petrol stations in Germany can be a bit confusing if you’re not used to them. Make sure you know what type of fuel your rental takes — there’s usually a sticker inside the fuel door as a reminder. If in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask someone at the pump. Most locals are happy to help.
Watch for Speed Limits on the Autobahn
Driving on the autobahn is a bit of an adventure, especially if you’re not used to high speeds. At one point, I was cruising along at 150 km/h — which felt incredibly fast compared to what I’m used to at home — and still getting passed like I was standing still!
And while many sections of the autobahn have no speed limit, some do — especially near cities, junctions, or construction zones. I found out the hard way after a speed camera flashed, and a ticket showed up in the mail months later. Keep an eye out for signage, and don’t assume it’s all free driving.
Opt for a GPS
Having a GPS (or using offline maps on your phone) makes a huge difference. Ours helped not only with navigation but also with finding nearby rest areas, fuel stations, and last-minute detours when we wanted to stop somewhere unexpected.
10 Best Stops to Make on a Road Trip from Frankfurt
Whether you’re planning a full road trip loop or just want to explore beyond the city, these stops are perfect for a family road trip in Germany — all easy to reach from Frankfurt by car and offering way more variety than you’d get by sticking to the train lines. From riverside castles to medieval towns with plenty of space to wander, these are some of our favourite places to explore when you’ve got the flexibility of your own wheels.
1. Heidelberg
Heidelberg is one of Germany’s most iconic cities — and a perfect first stop on a road trip from Frankfurt. With its hilltop castle, cobbled Old Town, and riverside views, it’s compact, easy to explore on foot, and just far enough from the city to feel like you’ve arrived somewhere new.
Parking was easy — we stayed near the old centre and left the car at the hotel, but you can also park on the edge of town and walk in.
We visited during the Christmas market season, and loved climbing up to the castle for a view over the rooftops and river below. We skipped the funicular and walked up instead — even in the rain, the views were worth it.
Wandering the narrow streets, grabbing warm snacks, and watching the lights reflect off the wet cobblestones made it one of our favourite stops.
2. Stuttgart
Known for its car culture, Stuttgart is a must if you’ve got vehicle lovers in the family. The Mercedes-Benz Museum is surprisingly kid-friendly, with interactive exhibits and plenty of shiny cars to keep everyone entertained.
We first visited during the Christmas market season, and loved it so much that we made a point to stop by again in summer — it’s just as enjoyable without the snow, with parks, playgrounds, and family-focused museums throughout the city.
Even if you skip the museums, Stuttgart itself is worth a visit — it’s a green, hilly city with a walkable centre, plenty of cafés, and panoramic views from places like Karlshöhe or the TV tower.
3. Tübingen
Tübingen feels like a storybook town brought to life — colourful half-timbered houses, cobbled lanes, and punting boats drifting along the Neckar River. It’s a university town, with little bookshops, cafés, and market stalls tucked into its winding streets.
It’s a great stop on a road trip, especially if you’re looking for somewhere beautiful but less touristy than places like Rothenburg. You can park just outside the old centre and explore on foot, wandering up to the castle or along the river for postcard-perfect views.
4. Ulm
Ulm was a bit of a last-minute addition to our itinerary — the kind of place we might have skipped if we weren’t travelling by car. But it ended up being one of those unexpectedly great stops.
The city is home to the world’s tallest church steeple at Ulm Minster — you can even climb it if your legs (and kids) are up for it. The old town is easy to explore on foot and full of surprising finds, like the twisting Berblinger Tower and an astronomical clock that reminded us of Prague’s, only without the crowds.
If you’re planning a visit, we’ve rounded up a few of our favourite things to do in Ulm for families.
5. Augsburg
Augsburg is one of Germany’s oldest cities, with roots going back to Roman times — but it’s the Renaissance architecture, wide plazas, and quiet side streets that make it a joy to explore today.
We stopped in on our way back to Frankfurt and didn’t have as much time as we’d have liked, but still ended up spending a few hours just wandering the old town.
Parking was easy — we found a spot on a side street and walked right into the centre from there. It’s the kind of place where you can step out of the car and just start exploring — no plan needed.
It’s an easy town to dip into on a road trip, especially if you’re looking to break up the drive with somewhere beautiful and walkable.
6. Würzburg
Würzburg is the unofficial starting point of the Romantic Road and a great place to shift gears — from driving to strolling.
The city is best known for the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO-listed palace with one of the most stunning staircases you’ll ever see. But there’s more to enjoy: vineyard views, riverfront paths, and a compact old town that’s easy to explore in a few hours.
Parking was easy to figure out, especially near the city centre or just across the river by the Alte Mainbrücke, where you’ll get beautiful views back toward the town.
It’s a scenic and relaxed stop, and a great introduction to Bavaria’s mix of history and charm.
7. Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is straight out of a fairy tale — and one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Germany. While it’s definitely popular with tourists, it still feels magical, especially if you arrive early or stay overnight.
You can walk the old town walls, climb the clock tower for panoramic views, and wander through narrow lanes where kids will love peeking into hidden courtyards and exploring every twist and turn.
Parking is available just outside the old town walls, making it easy to leave the car and explore on foot.
It’s an ideal stop to break up your drive — small enough to explore in a few hours, but packed with details that make it worth slowing down for.
8. Speyer
Speyer is an easy and worthwhile stop on any road trip from Frankfurt — it’s close to the city, easy to reach by car, and packed with things to do, especially for families.
The town’s Romanesque cathedral is one of the largest in Europe, but the highlight for us was the Technik Museum Speyer. It’s one of the most impressive hands-on museums we’ve visited, with real planes, submarines, and even a space shuttle you can climb inside and explore.
Parking is easy and right next to the museum, and from there it’s just a short walk into the town centre for lunch or a break along the river. If you’re travelling with kids, this is the kind of stop that makes the whole road trip feel like an adventure.
9. Rhine River Valley
If you’ve got a bit of extra time, the stretch of the Rhine between Bingen and Koblenz is one of the most scenic drives in Germany — especially with a rental car.
Castles perch above the river, vineyards line the hillsides, and nearly every bend in the road reveals another postcard-worthy town.
You can stop for a short river cruise, explore ruined castles like Burg Rheinfels, or just pull over to take in the view. It’s a flexible detour you can tailor to your trip — ideal for a relaxed driving day.
It’s the kind of place that would be perfect for a fall road trip — I’d love to go back in autumn when the leaves turn golden and the whole valley lights up in colour.
10. Tauber Valley
Quieter than the Rhine but just as beautiful, the Tauber Valley is an ideal place to slow things down mid-road trip. Rolling hills, half-timbered towns, and vineyard views make it a peaceful detour — and the smaller roads here are a joy to drive.
You’ll find charming villages like Bad Mergentheim and Weikersheim, with plenty of spots to stop for a walk, a picnic, or just a photo.
It’s a great stretch if you want to get off the main highways and enjoy the kind of scenery that makes road trips so rewarding.
With your own car, it’s easy to explore at your own pace — no timetables, no crowds, just the open road and a valley full of possibilities.
Final Thoughts on a Frankfurt Road Trip
Renting a car in Frankfurt opens up a whole part of Germany that’s easy to miss if you’re relying on trains. Whether you’ve got a few days or a full itinerary mapped out, having your own wheels lets you explore at your own pace — stopping for roadside picnics, veering off the highway into tiny towns, or chasing castles and cathedrals across southern Germany.
With a rental car, it’s a stress-free way to see more — and make memories you wouldn’t find if you relied on the trains/stuck to the big cities.
