A guide for American travelers: why distances in Albania take longer than they look on the map, and how long it really takes to get from Tirana to the main cities.
One of the first questions American travelers ask us is whether Saranda is about two hours from Tirana. I understand why. On the map, Albania looks small, and when you are used to American highways, 175 miles feels like a short drive. In reality, this road takes four to five hours. This article explains why, and gives you the real travel times so you can plan your days without surprises.
Albania is a little smaller than the state of Maryland. On paper, you could drive from north to south in a day. But in America, you're used to multi-lane highways, where the speed limit is 65 or 70 miles per hour, and where 100 miles can be covered in an hour and a half.
Here, only a few sections of the roads are motorways. The rest are national roads with one lane in each direction, passing through towns and villages and climbing mountains. The speed limit is often 80 km/h (50 miles per hour) or less. When you add it all up, the real average speed is around 55–60 km/h, or about 35 miles per hour.
About three-quarters of Albania is hills and mountains. That makes for a beautiful country, but it means twists and turns, climbs and descents. The road from Vlora to Saranda via the Llogara Pass, for example, is one of the most beautiful in Europe, but you can't do it quickly.
Many roads run through city centers, with roundabouts, traffic lights, and people crossing the road. In the villages, you can find slow trucks, tractors, and the occasional cattle. In July and August, the roads to the coast get crowded, and a typical trip can take an hour longer. And if you cross the border into Montenegro or North Macedonia, you should also expect to wait at customs in the summer.
These are the times we calculate for our groups, without stops and with normal traffic:
| From Tirana to | distances | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Tirana Airport (TIA) | 17 km / 11 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Durres | 40 km / 25 miles | 45 minutes |
| Kruje | 35 km / 22 miles | 50 minutes |
| Shkoder | 100 km / 62 miles | 1 hour and 45 minutes |
| Berat | 120 km / 75 miles | 2 hours |
| Vlora | 150 km / 93 miles | 2 hours |
| Korce | 180 km / 112 miles | 3 hours |
| Theth | 170 km / 105 miles | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
| Gjirokaster | 230 km / 143 miles | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
| Saranda | 280 km / 175 miles | 4–5 hours |
| Ksamil | 295 km / 183 miles | 4 hours and 30 minutes – 5 hours |
In July and August, add 30 to 60 minutes for coastal routes. Outside Albania, Ohrid is about 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours from Tirana, while Kotor in Montenegro is about 4 hours 30 minutes, not including the border.
Our simple rule: allow about an hour for every 50–60 km (30–35 miles), and a coffee break every two hours. That way you can never go too far wrong.
Many Americans first consider renting a car. For a couple who want complete freedom, it might make sense. But for a family or a group, five hours of driving on unfamiliar roads, with partial signage and a local driving style that demands your full attention, quickly tires the driver, and often the entire car.
With a minibus with a driver, the same route feels different. The driver knows the route and knows where to stop for coffee, a toilet or a worthwhile view. You look out the window, the children are asleep, and no one thinks about the map, parking or fuel. The price is known in advance and does not change.
Look. our minibuses or, if you're coming south, transfer from Tirana Airport to Saranda.
In Albania, the road is not wasted time. With the right driver, it is often the most beautiful part of the journey.
From our experience, a few rules make the trip much more enjoyable:
There is no Uber in Albania. There are taxis and some local apps, but for airport transfers and long journeys, it is easiest to book in advance. Distances and speeds are given in kilometers, not miles, so remember: 100 km is about 62 miles. And some good news: US citizens can stay in Albania without a visa for up to a year.
Look. our transfers from Tirana Airport OR How does the reservation work?.
About 4 to 5 hours for 280 km (175 miles), non-stop. In July and August it can take even longer due to traffic towards the coast.
Because most of the country is mountainous and only a few roads are highways. Many roads pass through towns and villages, and the real average speed is around 55–60 km/h (35 miles per hour).
No. There are taxis and some local apps. For airport transfers and long distances, we recommend booking a fixed-price transfer in advance.
No more than 4–5 hours of travel per day. This way you have time to enjoy the places you visit and don't spend your vacation on the road.
For a couple, a rental car might make sense. For families and groups, a minibus with a driver is more comfortable: you don't have to think about the route, parking, or fuel, and the price is known in advance.
We will pick you up at the airport and take you anywhere. We respond 24/7.
Leonard works every day with groups of travelers from all over the world visiting Albania and the Balkans. On the Minibus.al blog, he shares practical tips on transportation, routes and destinations, so that your trip is safe and stress-free.
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