How do I drive from the southern coast to Germany or Central Europe?

Two routes work well. Via Romania you stay inside the EU and Schengen throughout — since 1 January 2025 there are no regular border checks at the land borders of Bulgaria and Romania, nor onward into Hungary. This is the first choice if you carry goods or travel with pets: no customs checks. Romania is scenic; with time to spare, plan two or three days in the Carpathians — the Transfăgărășan mountain road is worth it but is only passable roughly from early July to late October. Arad makes an affordable overnight stop, as prices in Hungary are higher. The second route runs through Serbia and is often the shortest in distance — thanks to a modern motorway (Corridor 10 / E75) and consistently good roads, usually the fastest too. The catch: Serbia is outside the EU. There are real border checks with two customs stops, and pets need extra papers (EU pet passport, valid rabies vaccination). If you travel without removal goods and without animals, Serbia is often the best choice for its speed and road quality; with goods or pets, Romania is more relaxed (inside the EU, no customs stops). In Serbia, Palić is worth a stop — an Art-Nouveau lakeside resort near the Hungarian border with two border crossings to choose from, handy because queues often build there. Destination countries such as Germany, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia and Poland are all in Schengen. Addresses and maps in the travel section.