Bulgaria-Macedonia-Serbia - Road Trip Direction

I wish to avoide the refugees and asslym seekers, as I do not want to
clog up the border guards job nor be stuck in traccif and border
controls.

There isn't much any longer. But if you want to be certain, then travel against the flow.

I drove from Sofia to Istanbul a few years ago. Bulgaria is wonderful. Serbia is supposed to be beautiful, but my experience is just a few days in Belgrade.

Awousome, thanks.

Have you located a car rental company that will allow you to take one car to these specific countries? That could be the biggest hurdle, based on my experience of looking for one, though it was several years ago. In addition, even if allowed to cross the borders, picking up a rental car in one country and dropping it in another can add huge fees. You can start at www.AutoEurope.com, but actually call them, since the web site can't give you a final answer on cross-border rules. After that, you may need to look for companies more local to the region.

As cheap as a guide is in these countries, buy a guide with a car.

James, did you rent a car or do you have one stashed in Hungary?

Neither, I've rented guides with cars in Bulgaria, Montenegro, Romania, Croatia. Actually several times in Bulgaria and Montenegro. Cost has been $150 to $200 a day. Nice hotels cost $35 to $65 a night, so a day with a guide and car, plus a hotel room, costs about the same as an equivalent hotel room alone in Western Europe. And I get to carry out extended conversations with a local, meet mothers, wives, eat home cooking and go fishing.

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for the advice.

Nate

Update: If you can both pick up and drop off a car within Bulgaria, my colleague there recommends MOTO-PFOHE (www.rentacar.motopfohe.com), based in Sofia. Lots of good-condition Ford cars, and a few fancier brands, and he finds their online booking info to be clear and without hidden fees.

With an extra insurance payment of 4.80 € / day (up to 48.00 € / max) their cross-border policy is:
"Cross borders are allowed оnly after prior approval and detailed travel info for EU countries - as well as the neighboring countries of Bulgaria ((Northern Macedonia, Serbia and the European part of Turkey). An additional administrative fee depending on the car group applies. For further information please read our Terms and Conditions."

Hi Laura, thank you very much for th einfromation.

Rent a car would be a great option too, and flying in an out the countries is faster. Your road trip seems great with starting in Belgrade. I don't think the borders are that busy with refugees, and it depends which time of the year you are planning to travel. In summertime borders are usually jammed during the season, July and August, so choose your months wisely.
Have fun