Driving from Basel to Munich

http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/int/tpl/hme/MaHomePage.htm

Hi Steve,
... this Michelin site is usually Right On. Copy + paste the link into your Internet address box. Then hit ENTER.
... Happy motoring! P

Steve:

I have a couple of suggestions through some fantastic scenery, but for me to give you the best route and time for your travels, can you tell me if this is something you plan to do as a pass through in a single day, or will you be taking a couple of days, or maybe three to get to Munich. It makes a difference in how much time you want to stop and see things, vs just passing through. Let me know and I will post my suggested route for your needs.

Kevin

Steve:

My suggested route would be to take the autobahn from Basel to Zurich, then follow the route around the west side of Zurich to the autobahn south and east towards Chur. This will take you along the edge of the Lake of Zurich. Get off the autobahn at route 8 to Rapperswil, crossing over the bridge to the town, you are now in the canton of St. Gallen. This is about 75 miles, and will take about 1 1/2 hours to drive.

From Rapperswil, drive on route 8 over the Rickenpass to Wattwil. The old town is quite picturesque with arcaded side walks much like a mini-Bern. After a stop to see the town, drive to the village of Lichtensteig, and follow route 8 up over the hills towards Herisau and Appenzell. At Waldstatt head toward Hundwil and then Stein. In Stein is the Appenzeller Shaukaeserei, the visitors center and show case of how Appenzeller Cheese is made. Continue by going back to the main route and drive to the town of Appenzell. Plan on a couple of hours here, at least.

Appenzell is a the center of the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. The architecture of the town is fantastic, especially the painting of the exteriors, and the roof-lines. Take the time to wander the streets, be tempted by the pastry and bakery shops, and try the Appenzeller Bieberli Brot. Notice the dialect that the people speak is quite different than other parts of Switzerland, and that the ceilings in many buildings are quite low. This is the area that you can still see the cows coming down from the mountain pastures in the fall. It is quintessential Swiss. You could spent the night here (I never have so I do not have any recommendations) or drive on to Gais, Altstatten, and Widnau, then cross into Germany and spend the night in Lindau.

The next day you can take the Alpenstrasse towards Munich, stopping to see Mad King Ludwig's castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau near Fussen. This is a terrific drive, and is well worth the two days and one night you plan.

Kevin

I really like Kevin's suggestions. In addition I could recommend one alternative route between Basel and Appenzell which is to go via Freiburg and take the Höllental road thru the black forrest. You could visit the Hohenzollern castle, private seat of the family of the last German emperor, drive along the German shore of the lake of Constance (view from Germany to Switzerland much, much more spectaular than the other way around, and take the ferry boat from Friedrichshafen to Romanshorn. Before doing so make sure to visit the old town and castle of Meersburg.