Travel alerts & warnings
Togo driving guide.
Driving in Togo gives you access to coastal towns, forested hills and traditional villages, but road conditions vary considerably beyond the main paved routes. Expect motorcycles, pedestrians and unexpected potholes, and plan to finish journeys before dark because lighting and roadside assistance are limited.
- Advisory
- Increased caution
- Drives on
- Right
- Best season
- November to February
- Permit honored
- Yes
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Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution in Togo due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and health. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
- The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency or routine services to U.S. citizens outside of Lome due to the safety risks.
- U.S. government employees working in Togo need special authorization to travel to these areas due to safety risks:
- North of Dapaong
- Highways N24 and N28
- Kpendjal and Kpendjal-Ouest district
- U.S. government employees working in Togo are not allowed to stay overnight in areas north of Mango due to safety risks.
Driving there
Your permit in Togo
- Togo honors the International Driving Permit. The permit is a translation of your license into ten languages — it is not a license on its own.
- Carry your valid U.S. driver's license with the permit at all times. The permit is valid for one year and only while your U.S. license is valid.
- Rental companies and local police can be stricter than national law. Confirm the requirement with your rental company before you travel.
Advisory information is published by the U.S. Department of State and reproduced here for convenience. It can change at any time — always check the official advisory before you travel. USIDA does not issue travel advisories.
Before you drive
Top travel tips for Togo
Road rules and speed
Wear seat belts, avoid using a handheld phone and follow posted limits. Expect a 50 km/h limit in built-up areas; outside towns, do not assume that a paved road permits high speeds. Slow down sharply for village crossings, livestock and unmarked speed bumps.
Tolls and cash
Toll plazas operate on major routes, including the N1 at Davié north of Lomé. Carry small West African CFA franc notes and coins, keep receipts and do not rely on card payment.
Fuel planning
Fill up in Lomé, Kpalimé, Atakpamé, Sokodé or Kara before taking rural detours. Established service stations are preferable to roadside fuel sellers, whose fuel quality can be uncertain. Carry cash and confirm whether your rental uses petrol or diesel.
Rental documents and vehicle choice
Carry your original driving licence, International Driving Permit, passport, rental agreement and proof of vehicle insurance. Confirm that the agency permits self-driving and your planned routes; high clearance is useful on rural roads, especially during the rains. Cross-border travel requires advance approval and appropriate insurance.
Police checks and northern travel
Police and gendarmerie checkpoints are common: slow down, remain courteous and present documents when requested. For any alleged offence, ask for an official explanation and receipt rather than making an informal payment. Check current security advisories before northern trips, particularly travel toward the Burkina Faso border.
Worth the drive
Places to see in Togo
Lomé Grand Marché and cathedral district
Greater Lomé · About 10–30 minutes from central Lomé, depending on your starting point and traffic.
A lively introduction to the capital's textiles, trading culture and historic centre; park securely and explore on foot.
Lake Togo and Togoville
Maritime · About 45–75 minutes from Lomé to Agbodrafo, plus the boat crossing.
Lakeside scenery and Togoville's religious and historical heritage; a common approach is to park at Agbodrafo and continue by boat.
Aného
Maritime · About 1–1.5 hours from Lomé via the coastal N2.
Togo's former colonial capital offers lagoon views, historic streets and a coastal stop near the Benin border.
Kpimé Waterfall
Plateaux · About 20–40 minutes from Kpalimé to the access area, followed by a walk.
A forested waterfall excursion near Kpalimé, with greener scenery and stronger flows during wetter months; check local access and walking conditions.
Mount Agou
Plateaux · About 45–75 minutes from Kpalimé to the mountain villages; summit access takes longer.
Togo's highest mountain offers hillside villages and broad views when skies are clear; arrange local guidance and check the upper road's condition.
Koutammakou
Kara · About 1.5–2.5 hours from Kara to villages around Nadoba, depending on road conditions.
A UNESCO-listed cultural landscape known for Batammariba earthen tower houses; visit with a local guide and ask permission before photographing residents or homes.
Heading to Togo?
Apply online in about ten minutes. We print and mail your permit, and you can track it the whole way.