The majority of the roads we travelled on in Montenegro were sealed, two-lane roads with overtaking lanes that open and close periodically. Dual carriageways are only found in urban areas, while in the mountains, some roads are more narrow.
Apart from the occasional pothole, we thought the roads were very well maintained overall.
Rock fall can be a hazard in mountainous areas, so keep an eye out for debris. Along the coast and Bay in particular, the highway hugs the cliff.
There are crash barriers in place, and the roads tend to widen to accommodate curves.
In the quieter areas such as the shore of Lake Skadar between Rijeka and Virpazar, the roads were rougher and more narrow. At the same time, these back roads are far, far quieter.
We encountered lots of road works around the bay, so it seems like it’s a continual process of upgrades.
Short tunnels, long tunnels – they are everywhere along the bay and into the interior. There will always be signage to warn you a tunnel is coming up. Keep your fingers close to the headlight switch to avoid getting caught out.
Since Montenegro is so mountainous, the majority of roads are mountain roads. Some are quite narrow and almost all routes have at least a couple of tight turns.
The roads that track up from the bay to the mountains are particularly windy, not least of all the (in)famous Kotor Serpentine, with its 16 hairpin bends.
It’s a fun drive and the views are unbeatable. Just be on high alert when driving in areas where there are tight bends.
When driving on narrow roads especially, only stop where there’s a designated zone. Stopping in the middle of the road or on a narrow shoulder is dangerous. No view or Instagram shot is worth risking an accident over.
Snow chains might be necessary for some mountain roads are usually available to hire from the car rental agency for an additional fee (around €30). Winter tires are usually provided free of charge.
Needless to say, you should take extra precautions when driving in snow or inclement weather. Use common sense.