{"id":1786,"date":"2026-02-20T08:39:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T08:39:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/your-madeira.com\/?p=1786"},"modified":"2026-02-20T08:39:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T08:39:40","slug":"driving-on-madeira","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/your-madeira.com\/de\/2026\/02\/20\/driving-on-madeira\/","title":{"rendered":"Autofahren auf Madeira: Der ultimative Roadtrip Guide + Reiseroute"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How big is Madeira actually? And how long does it take to drive around it? These are questions I get asked all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And honestly, Madeira is not that big at all. This little piece of paradise is only about 60 km long and just about 22 km tall. Yes, you can absolutely drive around the entire island. In less than a day. And that\u2019s exactly what I did. Get started with Star Move Rent-a-Car<\/a><\/strong> and use code yourmadeira for 10% off<\/strong> your rental. You can book here<\/a> (this discount is an affiliate partnership<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before I take you along on my full island roadtrip, let\u2019s talk about what driving on Madeira is really like. Because I know a lot of you are a bit nervous about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you enjoy my content and it helps you plan your trip, you can always support me with a coffee or Poncha here:
https:\/\/buymeacoffee.com\/your_madeira<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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Madeira Road Infrastructure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When people think about driving on Madeira, they imagine narrow alleys, insanely steep streets and endless winding mountain roads. And yes, those exist. But mostly on smaller local roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main roads are actually very well maintained and surprisingly easy to drive. There is essentially a circular road network that allows you to drive around the entire island. In fact, it only takes about 3.5 hours to drive all the way around Madeira without stops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main highway, called the Via R\u00e1pida, connects Cani\u00e7al in the east with Ribeira Brava in the south west, passing through Funchal. This stretch alone takes only about 40 minutes and is by far the fastest and easiest part of the drive. Outside of that, you\u2019ll mostly be on one lane roads, but they are generally wide and in good condition. Madeira loves tunnels. There are loads of them, which makes driving much quicker than it used to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The least developed stretches are along the north coast between Arco de S\u00e3o Jorge and Ponta Delgada and on the west coast between Porto Moniz and Ponta do Pargo. Fewer tunnels, narrower roads and more curves. But also some of the most breathtaking scenery on the entire island. Personally, I love the drive in the north through Boaventura. It feels remote, lush, wild and incredibly green.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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