Sabine Moreau’s GPS Error: A 900-Mile Journey to Croatia

In 2013, a Belgian woman named Sabine Moreau set out on what should have been a simple trip. She planned to drive from her home in Hainault Erquelinnes, Belgium, to Brussels, a distance of less than 90 miles, to pick up a friend from a train station. What unfolded instead was an extraordinary journey that took her 900 miles across five countries, landing her in Zagreb, Croatia, two days later. A GPS error led her astray, and her story became a fascinating tale of distraction, technology, and an unexpected adventure. Let’s dive into the details of how this remarkable detour happened and what it teaches us about trusting our tools—and ourselves.

A Routine Drive Turns Unexpected

Sabine Moreau, a 67-year-old resident of a small Belgian village, started her day like many others. On January 5, 2013, she got into her car, punched the address of Brussels’ Gare du Nord train station into her GPS, and hit the road. The drive was supposed to take about an hour and a half, a straightforward trip she was likely familiar with. Brussels, Belgium’s bustling capital, was close enough for a quick errand. Her friend was waiting, and Sabine had no reason to expect anything unusual.

But something went wrong almost immediately. Instead of guiding her north toward Brussels, her GPS—later reported to be a TomTom device—directed her south. It’s unclear whether Sabine entered the wrong address or if the device itself malfunctioned. Either way, the instructions she followed took her far from her intended path. She didn’t notice the mistake at first, and what began as a minor error snowballed into an epic journey.

Crossing Borders Without a Clue

As Sabine drove, the scenery began to change. She passed road signs in French, the language of her home region in Belgium. Soon, those signs gave way to German ones, pointing to cities like Cologne, Aachen, and Frankfurt. Most people might have paused to question why they were seeing foreign signs for a trip within their own country. But Sabine kept going. She later explained to a Belgian newspaper, Het Nieuwsblad, that she was distracted. “I saw all kinds of signs, first in French, then in German, and finally in Croatian, but I continued driving because I was distracted,” she said.

Her route likely took her through France, Germany, Austria, and Slovenia before she reached Croatia. That’s five international borders, each with its own language, culture, and road markers. Crossing borders in Europe often involves subtle changes, especially within the Schengen Area, where passport checks are minimal. Still, the shift from French to German to Slavic languages should have been a clue. Sabine, however, stayed focused on her GPS, trusting it to lead her to Brussels.

A Two-Day Odyssey

The journey wasn’t a nonstop sprint. Sabine’s 900-mile trek took two days, with several stops along the way. She pulled over twice to refuel her car, paying with her credit card at gas stations. She also took breaks to nap on the side of the road, catching a few hours of sleep in her car. At one point, she even had a minor car accident, though details about it remain scarce. Despite these interruptions, she never questioned her direction. Each time she got back behind the wheel, she followed the GPS’s instructions, convinced she was still on track.

Imagine driving for hours, then days, through unfamiliar landscapes. Picture passing signs for cities you’ve never heard of, yet pressing on without a second thought. Sabine’s focus—or lack of it—kept her moving forward. She later told El Mundo, a Spanish newspaper, “I was just distracted, so I kept my foot down.” Her determination to follow the GPS, combined with her absent-mindedness, turned a short errand into a cross-continental road trip.

Realizing the Mistake in Zagreb

It wasn’t until Sabine reached Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, that reality hit. After two days and 900 miles, she finally noticed something was off. “Suddenly I appeared in Zagreb, and I realized I wasn’t in Belgium anymore,” she told reporters. Zagreb, a vibrant city nearly 1,000 miles from her starting point, was the wake-up call she needed. The Croatian road signs, so different from those in Belgium, snapped her out of her distraction.

At this point, Sabine had been driving through six countries, far from her friend waiting at the Brussels train station. She stopped to assess her situation, likely exhausted and confused. Zagreb’s busy streets and unfamiliar language made it clear she was nowhere near her destination. It was time to turn back—but not before her family back home began to worry.

A Missing Person Report

While Sabine was navigating her way through Europe, her absence hadn’t gone unnoticed. Her friend, left stranded at the Brussels train station, eventually found another way to get to Sabine’s house. When she arrived and realized Sabine wasn’t there, concern grew. Sabine’s son, worried after not hearing from his mother for days, contacted the Belgian police. They searched her home and were preparing to launch a full-scale manhunt, fearing she might be lost or in trouble.

The police tracked Sabine’s movements using her credit card transactions from gas stations. Just as they were piecing together her whereabouts, Sabine called home from Zagreb. The manhunt was called off, and her family breathed a sigh of relief. She was safe, if a bit embarrassed, and ready to make the long drive back to Belgium.

The Return Journey

Sabine’s adventure didn’t end in Zagreb. She still had to get home, retracing her steps across the same five countries. The return trip, another 900 miles, likely gave her plenty of time to reflect. Reports don’t say much about this leg of the journey, but we can imagine it was less eventful. She made it back to Hainault Erquelinnes safely, reuniting with her family and friend. The GPS error that led her to Croatia was behind her, but the story was just beginning to capture attention.

Why Didn’t She Notice Sooner?

Sabine’s story raises a big question: how could someone drive so far without realizing they were going the wrong way? Several factors likely played a role. First, there was the GPS error itself. If Sabine entered the wrong address—like “Zagreb” instead of “Brussels”—or if the device glitched, it could have sent her on this wild detour. GPS technology in 2013 wasn’t as advanced as it is today, and errors weren’t uncommon.

Second, Sabine admitted to being distracted. She didn’t say what was on her mind, but it was enough to keep her from questioning the GPS. Distraction can make us miss obvious signs, like foreign languages or unfamiliar cities. Finally, Europe’s open borders made the journey less jarring. Without strict checkpoints, Sabine could drive from Belgium to Croatia without being stopped, making it easier to keep going unnoticed.

Public Reaction and Online Buzz

When news of Sabine’s journey broke, it spread like wildfire. Outlets like HuffPost, The Daily Mail, Phacts and TIME covered the story, marveling at how someone could drive so far off course. On social media, people shared their thoughts, often with a mix of amusement and disbelief. A 2025 Reddit post on r/todayilearned, for example, racked up thousands of votes and comments. One user wrote, “I don’t understand how someone could be so distracted that a two-hour drive turned into a two-day drive.” Another quipped, “I shudder to think I share the road with these people.”

Some were less kind, suggesting Sabine shouldn’t be driving at all. Others were more sympathetic, pointing out that anyone can make a mistake, especially with technology we rely on so heavily. The story sparked debates about GPS reliability, distracted driving, and even Belgium’s driving laws, which didn’t require compulsory tests until 1977.

Lessons from Sabine’s GPS Error

Sabine’s 900-mile detour offers plenty to think about. For one, it shows how much we trust technology. GPS devices are incredibly helpful, but they’re not perfect. A single error can lead us astray if we don’t pay attention. Sabine’s story reminds us to double-check our tools, whether it’s a GPS, a map, or a phone app. If something feels off—like passing signs in a language you don’t recognize—it’s worth stopping to investigate.

It also highlights the dangers of distraction. Sabine’s focus was elsewhere, and it kept her from noticing the obvious. Whether it’s a wandering mind, a phone call, or something else, distractions can pull us off course, literally and figuratively. Staying aware of our surroundings is just as important as following directions.

Finally, the story is a reminder to stay curious and question what’s in front of us. Sabine trusted her GPS blindly, but a quick glance at a road sign or a moment of reflection might have saved her two days of driving. At Phacts, we’re all about digging into the details and asking questions to uncover the truth—something Sabine could have used on her journey.

A Tale Worth Telling

Sabine Moreau’s GPS error turned a routine errand into a 900-mile adventure across Europe. From the quiet roads of Belgium to the lively streets of Zagreb, her two-day detour captured the world’s attention. It’s a story of human error, misplaced trust, and the surprises that come when we least expect them. At Phacts, we love sharing stories like these—ones that make you think, laugh, and maybe even check your GPS twice.

What’s the farthest you’ve ever gone off course? Maybe it wasn’t 900 miles, but we all have moments where we lose our way. Share your story in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going. For more fascinating tales and surprising facts, subscribe to Phacts at phactsblog.com. Join our community, and never miss a story that makes you see the world differently.

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