Bilbao to Benidorm best route in January

[Mr porky]

Hi can I have some advise please.
Bilbao to Benidorm using toll roads. Is it best to go via Madrid or go via Zaragoza.
We are travelling in January and just want to use the best route for the time of the year.
We arrive into Bilbao at 12.45 pm.
9m tag

 

[EuroTrotters]

Zaragoza

I have some overnight stops

Cascantes is one
Camping Zaragoza is tight but I've managed 8.5m with rear wheel drive

 

[EuroTrotters]

Oh, Sobriadel Services just North of Zaragoza or........

 

[EuroTrotters]

Elciego

Barrio Barrihuelo Aire South of Haro and its FREE!

 

[Rapido925M]

Arriving in Bilbao at 12.45pm, I'd hope to get further south than Haro by nightfall.

I'm not decrying Haro as a stop (especially if you like red wine) but after 24h on a boat, I would be feeling fresh and anticipating a good drive (200miles?) which would get me all the way to Zaragossa.

OTOH, central Spain is likely to be very cold in January (our thermometer read -3degC leaving Bilbao and Madrid airport closed because of snow in 2009) so it may be wise to hunker down earlier rather than later.

The joy of the MH is the ability to make choices "on the hoof".

Gordon

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[tonka]

Zaragossa way ..

1/2 hr south of Zaragossa on the A23 is Carinena.
Has an aire But also there is a truck stop / hotel / resturant. We always stay there, park at the back away from the trucks.

Google Maps

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[PepnKook]

Did the opposite way a couple of times and found the Murcia - Madrid - Santander route had more on it in the way of stops. Did the Murcia - Valencia - San Sebastian route overnight via Teruel as we were heading for Bordeaux and between Valencia and Zaragoza it was pretty barren! Haven't done it for a few years now, but the Madrid route seemed a bit quicker, but that was in the height of summer in an non A/C van with the temp nudging above 100!

 

[busby]

Zaragoza

I have some overnight stops

Cascantes is one
Camping Zaragoza is tight but I've managed 8.5m with rear wheel drive

Excellent aire at Zaragoza,,all services.BUSBY.

 

[63720]

Excellent aire at Zaragoza,,all services.BUSBY.

Thanks for this and can you give more details please?

 

[Bobandfay]

We go via Zaragoza and stay on aire in Carinena .Have used it 4 times now and nice town to have a walk round.If the aire is full there is truck stop as Tonya has said above.Have also stayed on the motorway services at Sobriadel.

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[Barclaybasher]

Last March I left Bilbao for Valencia at 8am, it was raining, got to Valencia to find that roads I'd used the previous day were closed for 24 hours, blocked with snow.

I always check the weather ahead while still on the boat and always arrive with full fuel, gas and water tanks even though the diesel is cheaper in Spain...

 

[gus-lopez]

if using toll roads then 6 hours does it cruising at 120kph.Shortest distance & dual carriageway is A23 via Zaragoza

 

[busby]

Thanks for this and can you give more details please?

It's on Camper Contact App on bus route into City centre or easy cycle in.Outside a sports stadium.Water,black and grey waste disposal and well lit.BUSBY.

 

[marrod23]

Always do Zaragoza & stay at Cascante very safe overnighter

 

[billym]

if using toll roads then 6 hours does it cruising at 120kph.Shortest distance & dual carriageway is A23 via Zaragoza

Which toll roads would you suggest to do that trip in 6 hours cruising at 120 kph?
Thanks

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[gus-lopez]

Bilbao down to Zaragoza on the AP 68 then use the A23 dual carriageway to Sagunt then around Valencia & on to Benidorm.
758km.

 

[billym]

Thanks.

You would have to Average more than 120 kph to do it in six hours.

 

[Barclaybasher]

I think speed limit on motorways in Spain for over 3.5t is 90kph....

 

[PeteH]

The Last time I did Spain. We left La Manga and headed for Madrid, North to Burgos and Miranda de Ebro then to Bilbao. We had 2 night stops though.

 

[Madcaravanner]

IF you have 2 drivers then using the Autovia (free ) and then some of the AP routes you can make Benidorm is 8 hours and thats with at least 3 stops for food and toilet (and towing a caravan which we used to do ) if you want to dawdle then
Zaragosa
Valencia region
all easy routes too and not too many Autopisa (the tolls roads) stick to the A roads you'll be good

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[gus-lopez]

Thanks.

You would have to Average more than 120 kph to do it in six hours.

Only a tad.

 

[Sheddy]

The AP 7 from Tarragona to Alicante which includes the Valencia to Benidorm section is going toll free on Jan 1st 2020 saving about €14.

 

[carolyn]

Having once done the Valencia to Beni on the non toll bit it is definitely not worth saving those few Euros and we’re only in a PVC! You’re tired and just want to get there and suddenly find you’re in Altea on market day.

Mind you that wasn’t as bad as the first time we arrived and came off at the wrong exit and ended up in the centre of Beni on fiesta day. A policeman started to wave us down but I think the looks of terror on our faces must have been so horrifying he leapt out of the way and waved us through.

We’ve done the Bilbao Zaragosa Beni route in January . We have done it in one go with both of us driving and that might have been when we arrived at lunchtime and were the first ones off nearly. We thought we’d have to stay in Villasol carpark overnight but they let us in even though it was after 10pm.

 

[EuroTrotters]

The AP 7 from Tarragona to Alicante which includes the Valencia to Benidorm section is going toll free on Jan 1st 2020 saving about €14.

Sadly

 

[gus-lopez]

Having once done the Valencia to Beni on the non toll bit it is definitely not worth saving those few Euros and we’re only in a PVC! You’re tired and just want to get there and suddenly find you’re in Altea on market day.

That's because you should be using the bypass around Valencia to Torrent/Picassent then on to Xativa inland & either down Ontinyent ;Alcoi & San vincent del raspieg & then back up - Or farther round using Font del Figuera & down & down & then back up. Either is far quicker than using the coast road in stead of the AP7 toll.

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[carolyn]

That's because you should be using the bypass around Valencia to Torrent/Picassent then on to Xativa inland & either down Ontinyent ;Alcoi & San vincent del raspieg & then back up - Or farther round using Font del Figuera & down & down & then back up. Either is far quicker than using the coast road in stead of the AP7 toll.

On that occasion we had been staying at Valencia for a few days so deliberately chose the coast road for a change which was a mistake. I meant it would be even worse at the end of a long drive just to try to save a few Euros. I didn’t explain myself very well.

 

[TM59]

Recently stayed on this fee new modern aire in Zaragoza. No electricity. Tram to city centre a minute away. Felt safe area very clean. Zaragoza a great city to visit.

 

[PeteH]

Did That once in Jan 2003, The N121A? From San Sebastian to Pamplona. Never made that mistake again!!, Hours stuck waiting for the snow plough, then following it over the top!. R-V towing a trailer. We kept the heating on in the R-V. Pamplona to Valencia was a doddle after that!.