Fuel in Morocco for Visitors: Diesel or Petrol, How to Budget, Where to Fill Up

Fuel in Morocco is sold in litres, priced nationally and displayed at every station, with diesel (gasoil) cheaper than petrol (essence, sans plomb). Five of our six cars are diesel, and a Renault Clio 5 or Dacia Logan uses about 5 litres per 100 km on the open road, so 1,000 km of driving needs roughly 50 litres. This page explains how fuel works for a visitor: which fuel each of our cars takes, how to budget, where the stations are on the main routes, and the fuel rule at return.

Which fuel for which car

The consumption figures are what our customers report in normal use, with air conditioning and motorway sections; mountain roads and city traffic add 10 to 20 %. The fuel type is written on the key tag and inside the fuel flap of every car.

How to budget

Multiply the litres in the table by the pump price shown at the station on the day. Prices are set nationally and change at most a few times a year, so the price you see at the first station is the price you will see everywhere, motorway rest areas included. Diesel is always the cheaper of the two, which is one reason our fleet is mostly diesel. A one-week loop Marrakech, Essaouira, Agadir, Marrakech (about 700 km) in a Clio 5 uses about 35 litres.

Where the stations are

• Marrakech: on every main avenue (Mohammed VI, Mohammed V, route de Casablanca, route de Fès, route de l’Ourika) and around the airport, many open 24 hours.
• Motorways A7 (Casablanca, Agadir): rest areas with fuel every 40 to 60 km.
• Essaouira road: Chichaoua, Ounagha, Essaouira.
• Ouarzazate road: Aït Ourir, Taddert before the pass, then nothing until the descent; fill up in Marrakech.
• Atlas valleys (Ourika, Imlil): Tnine Ourika and Asni are the last stations.

Stations are attended: say “gasoil” or “sans plomb”, “le plein” for a full tank, or an amount in dirhams. Most take cards; carry some cash for small rural stations.

The fuel rule at return

We hand the car over with fuel in the tank and note the level on the check-out sheet with a photo of the gauge. You return it at the same level. If it comes back lower, the difference is deducted from the €800 deposit at pump price, nothing more. There is no prepaid tank and no refuelling service charge. The rule is on the rental conditions page.

Related: speed limits and checkpoints, day trips from Marrakech.

Three mistakes to avoid

1. Wrong fuel. Check the flap sticker before the attendant starts; petrol in a diesel engine is the most expensive mistake a renter can make and is not covered by insurance.
2. Empty tank on the Tichka. There is a long gap between Taddert and the Ouarzazate side; never cross the pass on the reserve.
3. Returning at the airport with the light on. The last stations before Menara are on avenue Mohammed VI and the airport road; stop there.

Frequently asked questions

Is fuel expensive in Morocco?

Fuel is priced nationally and displayed at every station; diesel is cheaper than petrol. Check the pump price on arrival and multiply by the litres in the table above to budget.

Do the rental cars run on diesel or petrol?

Five of our six cars are diesel (Logan, Clio 5, 208, Corsa, Duster); the Sandero Streetway is petrol. The fuel type is on the key tag.

Do you charge a refuelling fee?

No. Return the car at the same level as at delivery; any missing fuel is charged at pump price only.

Can I pay for fuel by card?

Yes at most stations in cities and on motorways; keep cash for small rural stations.