The short answer
We advise against it outside the cities. Unlit mopeds, livestock wandering onto the road, speed bumps that appear from nowhere and plain tiredness make night driving the biggest single hazard for visitors. Plan every intercity leg to finish before sunset, and treat that as a hard rule on the mountain and desert roads.
In more detail
City driving after dark is manageable, with street lights and slower traffic. The problem is the open road: national routes in the Atlas and the south are narrow, often unlit, and shared with people, animals and slow vehicles.
On the long legs this shapes the whole plan. Marrakech to Merzouga is 560 km and about 8 hours 30 minutes of driving, which is why we split it across two days with a night on the way.
If your flight lands at night and you are heading straight out of Marrakech, stay the first night in the city and leave in the morning. The road will be better and so will the views.
Winter days are short, so on the mountain and desert legs that means early starts. East of Ouarzazate, fill the tank whenever it drops below half, so you are never searching for fuel late in the day.
Good to know
- Check sunset time and work back from it when planning a driving day.
- In winter, days are short; leave early.
- Book a first-night stay near the airport for late arrivals.