Police said today the couple was heading home to Berlin from France when the man pulled over near the central town of Bad Hersfeld late yesterday to fill up their van.
The woman had been sleeping in the back but got up unbeknownst to the man to use the toilets and he drove off before she returned.
Only after two-and-a-half hours on the road did he notice she was gone and called police, who said she was patiently waiting.