The Saranda-to-Vlora coastal drive runs about 150 km on the SH8 and takes 2.5–3.5 hours nonstop, though it is best done as a full day with stops. Two ways cross the Llogara range: the 5.9 km Llogara Tunnel (about €220 million to build) cuts the Dukat-to-Palasë section from roughly 45 minutes to about 7 minutes for a 250 ALL car toll, while the historic Llogara Pass climbs to 1,027 metres and stays fully paved but can close in winter, so a same-day pass-and-tunnel loop is safest from April to November. Key northbound stops from Saranda are Lëkurësi Castle (4 km), Ksamil (15 km), Butrint (18 km), the Blue Eye spring (22 km inland), Borsh Beach (38 km), Porto Palermo (45 km), Himara (55 km), Dhermi (70 km) and Vlora at the 150 km mark. A compact economy car such as a Fiat Panda, Dacia Sandero or Toyota Yaris is the best value for the paved SH8; a 4x4 like a Suzuki Jimny or Daihatsu Terios is only needed for rough beach access such as Gjipe. For safety, daytime running lights are required 24/7, the blood-alcohol limit is a near-zero 0.01%, and winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 31 March. Petrol stations are common in Saranda, Borsh, Himara and Vlora, with 95-octane around €1.60 per litre, and emergency numbers are 112 for general help, 126 for road police and 127 for ambulances.