Podgorica to Dubrovnik by car

I guess there are probalby 4 ways (more actually).

First: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AGD9mnUdLX7nKzcy6 this will give you the opportunity to the Ostrog Monestery and have lunch on the deck of the Sokoline Hotel. But you have two border crossings.

Second: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tzYUgf3eHN6XR9Qu6 the P1 mountain road plus the ferry. You could stop in Kotor and maybe Tivat if you want to go uptown.

Third https://maps.app.goo.gl/DwQJuwi2GGWiGjBAA The Cetinje, P1 Mountain Road, Prosciutto (Zora), Kotor, Perast Novi Herceg Bay of Kotor Route. This is the way I would go.

Fourth: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HWbekiwkshBmWkea7 the same as above with Budva instead of the P1 and Prosciutto for the faint of heart. My second choice.

And I bet you can find other ways. Of the bunch I have done part of the first, the thrid and the fourth. Straight driving I would add 30 minutes to each and you never know about the border crossings. I took the first because we got tipped off that the other crossing was a mess so diverted. But there is so much good to see along the way its a two to four day trip.

Then there is the issue of the rental car. You will need to be sure its okay in Montengro, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia. You didnt mention returning to Podgorica, so you need to be ready to spend a ton of money on drop off fees. I have no idea of the total cost but if it were $750 total for everything I would not be suprised. Or you can contact:
Dijana Krkotic, Guide & Tour Designer
Doclea Travel
+382 69 277 749
[email protected]
www.docleatravel.com
and let her take care of the transfer for less money (certainly no more) and you sit back and enjoy.

Montenegro Places, Along the Coast
Bar https://youtu.be/T36CVTupIu0?si=sXTLf4Ya-BtgqkKG
Budva https://youtu.be/GF7hyxB8Xq4?si=re2lmDTm5pRNpioH
AND the Hotel California https://youtu.be/Ap45GkYMZKo?si=JzlPKod0-ozyPS2e
Čanj https://youtu.be/aiX21f1KWeg?si=9QtS92tZTA50vz_S and https://youtu.be/Z1d818hYy-0?si=Pk_gwlLoQ3GEKibP
Herceg Novi https://youtu.be/nNtT4Mh2ZTc?si=E8XAPiylEc7xlH0m
Kotor https://youtu.be/G7QgBl7XNKU?si=pK1etsEr8UcAlofr
AND Cable Car https://youtu.be/8hVesPAkxac?si=dpFGnxLafV8_zkU5

AND Mountain Coaster https://youtu.be/xiL15FSCIZ0?si=bDDkdsQP_irga6F2
Perast, https://youtu.be/q2nckBnc7_M?si=CohK_4nsI6l7chEB
AND Hotel Conte https://youtu.be/zYJcm2zlXA8?si=w7VstV-oLoVEQLr7
Petrovac https://youtu.be/IfUfXuuGPEg?si=JTG1d9INazz1QUc4
Pržno https://youtu.be/nBq5pHl9EsY?si=xkdTasO0IsRUrC6d
Risan https://youtu.be/gtQjsylYQPI?si=lOu2_06ACSEhX1oT
Tivat https://youtu.be/qQ9SDwZ4scg?si=bmA1Si8PQ684cXkw
Ulcinj, https://youtu.be/SBY7G9HHw5s?si=wjPy2V0P1mhua7Cs

Montenegro Places, Inland
Gusinje https://youtu.be/-DOZ2-U9yUw?si=-yOpR723rlEsJIK7
High Country: https://youtu.be/TC8q0G8JxZE?si=PDJQIK7lJwoGQrAe

Ostrog Monastery https://youtu.be/ixrJu6qv46M?si=WML9Hs2hOQCsKZwE
AND Hotel & Restaurant Sokoline https://youtu.be/miNV1FVK7qI?si=iZC_lViMUEk6JGI
P1 Mountain Road https://youtu.be/QSz5hZVNxQ8?si=kAUpMBWDbSSztzt5
AND Prosciutto at Zora https://youtu.be/08il6EXog3o?si=PkQ6Rrueu6c_-U98
Stari Bar, https://youtu.be/OBU56OT78fw?si=tzF65lSmOXSEpWKZ
Tara River Canyon https://youtu.be/9aGMZB8hB5Y?si=NFKsf6YtGAX2uVCa
AND Motel Tara MB https://youtu.be/wGuRybkymEI?si=TGgevmpFSCGTghPq
Virpazar https://youtu.be/bw3JxXcdDo4?si=4i0wZj-J-VLyFpbz

For some of the outdoor activities look at this thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/no-place-like-rome

The scenery around the Bay of Kotor is glorious, but your driver will not get the full benefit because of the need to keep eyes on the road. If, as Mr. E mentions, you don't plan to return the car to Montenegro, the rental cost will be very high, making a car and driver a brilliant alternative.

I haven't seen any of the first route, but I bet it is lovely, too. Montenegro is beautiful.