You can make Zurich to St. Moritz in about 3 hours, but the people who love this drive never do it in one straight shot. At around 125 miles on A3, A13 and Julier Pass, it is short enough to start after breakfast and long enough to earn a night somewhere memorable close to the park gates.
Open this route in XCRSNLeaving Zurich
Aim to clear Zurich before the morning rush, or after it, never in it. Fill the tank on the edge of town where prices usually drop, set the playlist, and settle in for the first 77 miles to Chur.
The headline stop on this route is Walensee lakeshore. Leave real time for it; it sets the tone for the whole trip.
Chur
Chur sits about 77 miles in. It makes a good spot to stretch, eat something that is not from a gas station, and swap drivers.
Nearby, Davos is worth the short detour if the day is going well.
Davos, the last stretch
Davos sits about 96 miles in. It is the natural place to stop for the night: hotels are plentiful, rates beat the big-city ends of the route, and you wake up with the hardest miles already behind you.
Rolling into St. Moritz
The final 28 miles always go faster than you expect. Save a little energy for Julier Pass; it is a fitting finish.
By the end you will have seen Walensee lakeshore, Davos and Julier Pass, and you will understand why this corridor is a classic.
When to go and how to pace it
One night is the sweet spot. Davos or St. Moritz, Switzerland is where most people stay, so book ahead on summer weekends.
Check live gas prices along A3, A13 and Julier Pass before you go; they can swing a lot from one state or county to the next. XCRSN prices every leg for your exact car.
