It’s Raining in Sofia, Snow Is Building on the Pass: Are You Ready to Drive in November?

You leave Sofia on a rainy morning. The asphalt is wet, but the traffic looks calm.

An hour later you drive into fog, the temperature drops, and there is already snow beside the road. That is a completely realistic scenario for driving in Bulgaria in November: between autumn and winter, the conditions can change a lot within a single route.

That is why preparation starts long before you load the luggage. Whether you drive your own car or choose a rental car in Sofia, a few checks in advance can save you unpleasant surprises.

Check the whole route, not just the weather in the city

The forecast for Sofia is not enough if you are heading to Bansko, Borovets, the Rhodopes or through a mountain pass. Check the weather for the higher sections too, and for the hours when you will be driving through them.

Pay attention to:

• Warnings about snowfall, icy roads, strong wind and fog.
• Temporary restrictions and closed sections.
• Snow chain requirements along the route.
• Conditions on the way back, especially if you will be driving in the evening.

You can check up-to-date information on national roads through the Road Infrastructure Agency and by phone on 0700 130 20. Check right before you set off: the information from the day before may no longer reflect the conditions.

A navigation app helps you find a route. Official road information helps you decide whether that route is suitable to drive.

A wet road needs more space

Rain is so common in autumn that we easily start to underestimate it. A wet surface, however, increases the distance you need to stop, and fallen leaves can reduce traction even further.

Keep a bigger gap and slow down before bends and junctions. Avoid sudden steering, abrupt acceleration and late braking. Stretches under trees deserve extra care, where wet leaves can cover the road surface.

Do not turn your arrival time into a race. An extra time buffer lets you drive calmly, without trying to “catch up” when conditions get worse.

The slipperiest spot can look merely wet

At low temperatures, a thin layer of ice is not always easy to see. Bridges and overpasses can freeze before the rest of the road, and shaded sections can stay icy for longer.

So seemingly normal asphalt is not a good enough reason to speed up after a cold night. Be extra careful on bridges, hidden bends and sections the sun barely reaches.

No visible snow does not mean no risk of ice.

In fog, visibility sets the pace

When you drive into fog, slow down smoothly and increase your following distance. Drive at a speed that lets you stop within the visible clear stretch of road.

Use low beam: high beam can reflect off the fog and make it harder to see. If your car has fog lights, use them as intended. Make sure your car is visible from behind too, and do not rely only on daytime running lights.

Do not blindly follow the brake lights of the car ahead. Its driver may not know the road either, or may be driving too fast for the conditions.

Winter tyres and snow chains: preparation starts before the first snow

In Bulgaria, from November 15 to March 1 the law provides for cars to have tyres designed for winter conditions, or tyres with a tread depth of at least 4 mm. So it should not be put simply as a requirement for “mandatory winter tyres” only.

When preparing for a winter route, however, the check should not end with the calendar date. Look at the type and condition of the tyres, the pressure according to the car’s instructions and any visible damage. If your route crosses mountains, also check whether snow chains are required along it.

Two quick checks for your own car. The first is tread depth. Measure it with a depth gauge at several points across the width and around the circumference of the tyre, because tyres often wear unevenly, and go by the lowest reading. The legal minimum for the winter period is 4 mm, but the closer you are to it, the less grip you have on wet roads and snow. If the tyre is close to the limit, replace it before heading into the mountains.

The second is age. On the tyre sidewall, after the letters DOT, there is a four-digit code: the first two digits are the week and the last two are the year of manufacture. For example, 2421 means week 24 of 2021. Rubber ages and loses elasticity even when a tyre has sat in a garage and the tread looks fine, and for winter tyres elasticity matters most for grip in the cold and on snow.

• After five years of use, Michelin recommends having a tyre thoroughly inspected by a professional at least once a year.
• Michelin recommends replacing tyres 10 years after the date of manufacture, regardless of the condition of the tread.
• Replace a tyre that shows cracking: a web of fine cracks on the sidewall or between the tread blocks means it is not suitable for a long trip.

If you rent a car, ask in advance:

• What tyres will the car come with?
• Are they suitable for your planned route and the expected conditions?
• Are compatible snow chains available, if they are needed?
• Who do you contact if there is a problem during the rental?

These questions matter most when you land at Sofia Airport and head straight to the mountains. All our cars come with winter or new all-season tyres, and you can add snow chains to your booking for a small daily fee, so they are ready before you arrive.

SUVs and 4×4 still need a sensible driver

A taller car and four-wheel drive can create a feeling of safety. That feeling should not decide your speed.

On snow and ice, match every action to the grip you have: accelerate smoothly, brake early and leave enough space. These rules apply regardless of the class of the car.

If you want 4×4 for winter roads, we have three options: Volkswagen Tiguan, Volkswagen Golf Variant R-Line and Audi Q3. When you choose a rental car for a winter trip, look at the model, the tyres and the route as one decision, not as separate questions.

Before the luggage, check visibility

Good preparation also includes things that easily slip into the background:

• Working wipers and suitable winter washer fluid.
• Clean headlights, brake lights, mirrors and windows.
• Working heating and windscreen demisting.
• An ice scraper and a snow brush.
• A charged phone and enough fuel or battery in reserve.

Before you set off, clear the whole car of snow, including the roof. Snow left on top can slide onto the windscreen or fall in front of another road user.

Car rental in November: tell us where you are going

“I need a car for three days” is the start of a booking. “I land in Sofia in the evening and continue to Bansko with two children and luggage” gives far more useful information for the choice.

Share the route, the number of passengers and the luggage with your request. That way we can agree on the right car and the equipment you need in advance, instead of deciding at the last minute when you pick the car up.

What Auto Aleya offers for winter trips

• A specific model, no “or similar” — you know which car is waiting for you and whether your luggage will fit.
• New Audi and Volkswagen — cars up to 2 years old.
• Winter or new all-season tyres on every car, while snow chains and child seats — tell us when you book.
• Free change or cancellation up to 72 hours before the start of the rental, which helps when the weather changes your plans.

Pickup is at Sofia Airport or by delivery, arranged in advance. If you are planning a winter holiday, also read about a rental car for Christmas and a winter break, and if you wonder what “or similar” means in car rental, see here. Full conditions are in the rental terms.

In November, plan for the hardest section of the route

Browse the Auto Aleya cars and tell us where you are heading, so we can agree on the right option for your trip.