Advice on an unusual itinerary- Split - Zagreb via Bosnia and Plitvice

Drive times on Google Maps for the two variations you propose:

• 8 hours 55 minutes for Split --> Plitvice --> Drvar --> Mrkonjic --> Banja Luka --> Zagreb
• 9 hours 48 minutes for Split --> Drvar --> Mrkonjic --> Banja Luka --> Plitvice --> Zagreb

So it looks like drive times are actually better for going to Plitvice first after spending a day in Split (at least for the moment in time in which I looked them up on Google Maps).

Thanks for the reply.
Thats an interesting point. I’m doing the drive over many days but this still helps think it through.
The other question is whether it is better to arrive at Plitvice later on a Monday in July vs early on a Saturday in July. I would love to hear thoughts on that!

I have not yet been to Plitvice, but I have researched it quite a bit for possible trips. The consensus is that the maximized experience of the National Park comes from an entry at 4 pm one day (after the daytrippers are gone) followed by an opening time entry the following morning (before the daytrippers arrive), with each entry being at a different entrance to the park. If you use the search bar on this forum (or even just google it), you will find more specific recommendations. Theoretically, weekdays are less busy than weekends, but park entry is now capped; I think the park hits the cap pretty much every day during the summer.

As you probably know, during high season it is best to get tickets as far in advance as you can.

I've only been to Plitvice once and it was on a September weekday. We got there shortly after opening. It was beautiful and not too crowded. We left around 12:30 and when we looked down at the boardwalk, it was just a line of people all the way. They were standing in line, waiting for their turns to snap photos. We were very glad that we'd stayed close by and gotten there early. I suggest taking your time driving toward Plitvice, stopping at sites along the way. Get there early Tuesday, you should be finished by 1:00 and it's not a long drive to Dvrar.

Bosnia & Herzegovina is one of my favorite places, I’ve done a few trips in recent years. Plitvice only one trip, showed up shortly before 11am and spent three hours and moved on. Nice, and the three hours were perfect for me. Mid-week, July, no crowd in front of me, a heck of a crowd forming behind me. But never became an issue. I love nature but prefer it more solitary and with fewer tourist improvements; and if you are like me, you went ga-ga with nature when you lived in BiH.

I love what Dave did for you. Good thinking. BUT I sort of like the first plan better, yes more time, but no back tracking and as stunning as that part of the world is, I would want to see as much of it as possible. So, I vote for “A”. Both A & B the last stretch into Zagreb is sort of snoreville. I have done both. "A" is actually a bit more snore on the final run into Zagreb than is "B" but its the end of the trip and it is straigh and fairly flat and maybe thats good after a week of driving if you get to see some really great stuff on the other legs ... I would still do A, but I'm a tourist.

• A. 8 hours 55 minutes for Split --> Plitvice --> Drvar --> Mrkonjic --> Banja Luka --> Zagreb
• B. 9 hours 48 minutes for Split --> Drvar --> Mrkonjic --> Banja Luka --> Plitvice --> Zagreb

Maybe there was some special reason for Drvar and Mrkonjic? I am certain that there is so tell us. Okay, tell me. I am always looking for ideas for the next trip to BiH. Banja Luka you don’t have to have a previous relationship with to want to see. I looked, Drvar might just be on my next trip, thanks to you for that -- seriously. I am going to presume that you know Jajce and Travnik and they don’t jive with your plans. I mention it so if someone comes along in the future and reads this, they have something else to consider. So, few venture into BiH.

Now for the most amazing coincidence. You are driving within 1.5km of what must be one of my favorite hotels in Europe. I would say the name, but then I would have to track down everyone who reads it and ... well you know. Some small chance I will be there in September. Still trying to figure out if I can do my fishing in Montenegro and my fishing in Bosnia in one trip.

Sorry, I was absolutely no help. Have a blast.

You have to do a trip report on this one when you finish. I am a bit jealous to tell you the truth. I am going to go back and look at my September plans and see if I can stretch it that far north.

Thanks folks!
I rearranged my itinerary to go from Split (no rush maybe stop somewhere on the way) to Plitvice to arrive for a 4:00 pm entry then a second entry next morning.
My only risk with that is that I will buy a 2-day pass but the website doesn’t let you choose different times for each day.
I haven’t actually bought the tickets yet because the website is too slow to load the purchase page so far.
The bonus of this new itinerary is that I get an extra night at the end which coincides with a summer festival! (Though it also means a 5:00 am departure to get to the Zagreb airport on time!)
So, thanks for all the advice.
Wish me luck getting the tickets sorted.

PS, the odd itinerary is the result of me going back to visit places I lived as an expat for the first time in 25 years.

Where are you staying near Plitvice for your morning visit? We just came from there and stayed at Hotel Jezero (not a great place by the way) and they stamped our entry ticket for the second day (we just paid for one entry in the afternoon, visited, then entered the next morning at no prearranged time). We entered through the 2nd entrance and it was wonderful as most enter at entrance 2.

I was able to book my tickets finally. Maybe trying after hours (Croatian time) was better.
We’re using the Miric Inn based on the recommendations here. They were able to get back to me and confirm that the second day of a two-day ticket (not the free version offered by the park hotels) allows entry at any time.