Looking for more Croatia Travel Advice: Where to stop on drive from Zadar to Dubrovnik??

You can hike Mt Biokovo in Makarska, and there is rafting at Omis.
I don't know what the border crossings are like, so I'd scope that out. There are some interesting sounding sights in Hercegovina, Blagaj and and Kravice.
I have not done any of those , but I've made note of them for when I get back!

You might consider Krka Nat’l Park. This winery was recommended but I didn’t have the opportunity to stop. bibich.superbexperience.com

I think I would nix Mostar myself, for a visit of a couple of hours, given the extra considerations like potential border crossing times (twice).

It’s only an hour south of Zadar, but Sibenik is quite a place. Krka National Park is just a few miles outside of Sibenik. If you’re into wine-tasting, the Peljesac Peninsula has the Mikulic Winery where you can sample both their red wines and their tasty sparkling white wine.

Šibenik. Just a little confused - drive to Dubrovnik from Zadar is just a few hours. Do you plan on keeping the car while in Dubrovnik because it is impossible to park. Our relatives live there don’t even own a car and they have a driveway. Try and find a garage before you arrive. For the price you would be better off hiring a driver. I can recommend one if you want.

I'm wondering if you meant to say that you'll have the car for 5-6 hours for the drive from Zadar to Dubrovnik? That would give you time for a short visit to KRKA: I'd want at least a couple of hours there.

I did that drive in a much longer day, spending a few hours in KRKA and stopping in a few small towns for coffee, lunch and a stroll.

Thanks for responses so far!
To clarify: We pickup a car at Zagreb airport. Stay 2 nights; Keep it to drive to Plitvice, then to Zadar, then to Dubrovnik. We like freedom of car to stop/do/see what we want along the way. However, based on previous recommendations from folks, we are dropping the car in Dubrovnik and then, after our 4-night Dubrovnik stay -- we are taking the passenger ferry to Hvar for 3-night stay, then a passenger ferry to Split for our last 3 nights before flying out.

We like the idea of seeing Sibenik and one or two wineries along our way to Dubrovnik. We are still considering to do Peljasik for wineries, but not sure we want to waste an hour on the car ferry. There seems to be ALOT of wineries along the way such as Bibich, Rak, Testament, Krystal Modus, Rizman, etc.

Let us know what you think of our overall plans and any other recommendations! Thank you :)

The road-trip from Zadar to Dubrovnik can be done in 4 hours over toll roads ( they run less than €10) so, you can easily see Krka, have lunch in Sibenik and then continue to the Peljesac Penininsula. The new Peljeski Most (Peljesac Bridge) opened last year making the drive faster over a 1.5-mile bridge. The Peljesac Peninsula is known for the winemakers in the region. It’s where the precursor to Old Vine Zinfandel grapes originated.

You might want to overnight near the Peljesac Peninsula town of Orebic or, with a designated-driver, continue to Dubrovnik.
Have a great Trip!

The Peljesac bridge is not open yet. July 2022 is the expected date.

I guess it’s now due to open in June- a little too late for our traveling friends.