The motorway system in Croatia has greatly improved in recent years thanks to some rather extensive road building. There is (amongst other routes) now motorways linking Zagreb to Pula, Rijeka, Zadar and Split along the coast and Varazdin in the interior. Further works have commenced to eventually allow for a full coastal motorway all the way down to Durbrovnik.

The most picturesque route in Croatia is definitely the Adriatic road (Jadranska magistrala) which connects Rijeka and Dubrovnik. There are plans to build a proper highway/motorway between these two cities, and all the way to Greece through Montenegro and Albania by 2015. Some people compare this road to the famous Highway 1 between San Francisco and just south of Los Angeles in California.* We would say that ours is prettier!
(*Although the webmaster can personally attest that this is a pretty awesome drive too!)

Otherwise, we would say that roads in Croatia are of a reasonable standard. You are unlikely to encounter any problems when driving in Croatia. Even if you do come into some difficulties, most local people will be more than willing to help you.

Petrol is easily available, whether you require Regular, Premium or Unleaded. Diesel is also available.

If you need road assistance, the Croatian Auto Club Emergency Service will help you. Their telephone number is 987.

If you are hiring a car, and intend to do some driving to other parts of the region (or indeed, other parts of Europe!), make sure you check before travelling with your hire company that their car is allowed to go to those countries. Some places are on a "prohibited" list; other countries you can drive into but cannot return the car in. In countries where you can return the hire car, you will most likely be charged a one-way supplement.

Useful Motoring Websites
Croatian Auto Club has some useful information about road conditions and the road network

The Croatian Motorways website has very useful maps, as well as information about tolls

The Via Michelin website provides invaluable route planning assitance for the whole of Europe

Car Hire in Croatia
Renting a car in Croatia is easy, if perhaps just a little bit pricey in comparison to other European countries. Major car hire chains exist in Croatia, as well as local companies. Most have offices in the larger Croatian towns and at airports.

Below is a list of some of the car hire agencies in Croatia.

Adriatica
AMC Rent A Car
Best Buy Rent
E-Sixt
Hertz
Kompas Rent A Car
Kompas No. 1
Mack Rent a Car
National
Rent a Car Matejuska - Split
Uni-Rent They also rent camper vans!