A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Drive safe" in French
Say 'Bonne route !' to wish someone a safe journey when they're about to drive or travel.
Bonne route !
bun ROOTneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Use this when a friend, family member, or colleague is leaving to go somewhere by car, train, or any other mode of transport. It's a warm way to signal you're thinking of their safe passage.
Alternatives
- Conduis prudemment !More direct advice to 'drive carefully'.
- Fais attention sur la route !A bit more casual, like 'Be careful on the road!'
Ways to get it wrong
Don't say 'Conduis sûr'
'Sûr' means 'sure' or 'safe' as an adjective, not 'safely' as an adverb here.
Pronouncing the 'n' in 'Bonne'
The 'n' in 'Bonne' is nasalized, not a hard 'n' sound; it's like saying 'bohn' without touching your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
A small cultural note
While 'Bonne route !' is common, you might also hear 'Bon voyage !' for longer trips, especially by plane or boat, though 'Bonne route !' is perfectly acceptable for driving.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
What's the difference between Bonne route and Bon voyage?
'Bonne route !' specifically refers to a journey by road or a similar mode of travel. 'Bon voyage !' is more general and used for any kind of trip, especially longer ones.
Can I say Bonne route to someone I don't know well?
Yes, 'Bonne route !' is a polite and friendly expression that works well even if you don't know the person very well.
How do I pronounce Bonne route?
It sounds like 'bohn ROOT'. Make sure to give a clear 'R' sound at the end of 'route'.
