With rising petrol prices, road bike holidays by car are also becoming more expensive. We have calculated three classic road bike destinations from Munich by car: Training holidays, Tour-Mythos & Vosges classics. What does the road bike world cost?
You're sitting with your bags packed and your road bike in the boot - but what does the trip really cost? We have calculated three popular destinations: Adriatic holiday, mountain legend and short trip to the Vosges. Based on a typical petrol car (7.0 L/100 km) and current fuel prices of €2.10-2.15/L.
Result: those who drive far will pay significantly more in 2026. The toll plays a role - but the fuel is the game changer.
Road bike holiday Munich → Cesenatico
Flat, fast, espresso - and surprisingly expensive
Emilia-Romagna is one of the most popular training destinations in spring. The route towards the Adriatic is a classic: down the Brenner Pass, through South Tyrol, then full throttle towards the sea. Perfect for early season kilometres - but not quite as cheap as it used to be.
- Distance: ~700 km (one way)
- Cost check
- - Fuel: 103-105 €
- - Tolls & fees: Austria + Brenner Pass: 20-25 €, Italy: 40-55 €
- Total single: 165-185 €
- There & back: 330-370 €
There are many well-developed road bike tours around Cesenatico and the region is perfect for cycling holidays. Great for training camps and dolce vita - but the combination of route + Italian toll adds up. If you're travelling with friends, you should definitely form carpools, as this makes the journey more ecological and economical.
Road bike holiday Munich → Mont Ventoux
The giant of Provence - also in terms of price
The "Giant of Provence" is on every bucket list. Three ascents, barren summits, Tour de France legends. But: it's a long way to get there - and in France, almost every kilometre of motorway costs money.
- Distance: ~950 km (one way)
- Cost check
- - Fuel: 140-143 €
- - Toll France: 50-70 €
- Total single: 190-215 €
- Return: 380-430 €
TOUR conclusion:
Epic, no question. But also the most expensive trip in comparison. Anyone travelling to Mont Ventoux should plan a longer holiday - otherwise the journey is hardly worth it. Provence offers a wide variety of routes and small country roads with little traffic - it doesn't get boring quickly. In spring it is still cold on the mountain for a long time - the mountain is not ideal as a spring destination.
France: Munich → Colmar (Vosges)
Short journey, maximum driving pleasure
The Vosges are an underrated paradise: quiet roads, crisp climbs and hardly any traffic. And best of all - you get there quickly.
- Distance: ~380 km (one way)
- Cost check
- Fuel: 56-57 €
- Toll: 0-10 €
- Total single: 55-70 €
- Return: 110-140 €
TOUR -Conclusion:
Price-performance winner. Ideal for long weekends - low costs, lots of riding fun. The Vosges provide an almost Alpine feeling at half the price. If you want, you can explore the route of the Tour de France 2026. If it gets cold and wet, there are also flat alternatives for a road bike holiday along the Route du Vin. Alsace has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine anyway!
The direct comparison
- Destination Character Costs (there & back)
- Colmar (FRA) Short trip, versatile 110-140 €
- Cesenatico (ITA) Training camp 330-370 €
- Mont Ventoux (FRA) Bucket list 380-430 €
TOUR classification: Where is it worth it?
- Budget & time tight? → Vosges, sure
- Collect kilometres & soak up the sun? → Cesenatico
- Suffer once in your life? → Ventoux
Decisive factor 2026: Distance beats tolls. High fuel prices make long journeys for road bike holidays significantly more expensive than they used to be. An even simpler solution is obvious: bikepacking is a perfect solution from an economic and ecological point of view. If you start on your own doorstep, you have another mathematical advantage: your holiday starts immediately!
Kristian Bauer
Editor
