Driving to Spain

[Gina M]

We are thinking of driving to Spain Dec/Jan. I was thinking motorway all the way from Calais to Bilbao via Rouen, Le Mans, Bordeaux. Has anyone else done this route. I have been checking out Ferry prices (then remembered The Bay of Biscay) not sure driving is going to be that much cheaper now with fuel prices, but I prefer motorway driving as the Sat Nav has got us in some pretty hairy situations before. I think the tolls are going to be around 120 euros each way. But I just want a straight forward run. Opinions/advice very much appreciated. Thanks.

Gina

 

[15edward]

Some really don’t like the N10
But weve always used it and found it fine

 

[TONCAZ]

Great drive down, N10 can get a bit boring but still a nice run, in my opinion.
Check out Out and about live (the drive south) good info on this route..
Not much motorway on this route.

 

[K R B]

Over 3.5 and the tolls go up

 

[138go]

We always do Dover to Calais and then the N10 through France. It's a good route and anyway, we don't like to hammer it, so not worth using the Peage.

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[huck999]

We followed the coast round from Dieppe to Bilbao in March. Leisurly drive, stopping at CampingCar parks ect. No tolls and at 50mph and averaging 28mpg in our 2.3 fiat, we spent about £300 getting to Bilbao. Much nicer than chucking up on the Bay of Biscay

 

[63720]

N10 in France and A23 in Spain are two of my favourite routes - we have used many others.

 

[marrod23]

Always travel on the motorways less stress on your motorhome & that time of year weather can be unpredictable but always pull off to overnight down the west coast is a good run but can get a bit boring

 

[Chris]

Bilbao will be a bit cold won’t it?

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Ferry is expensive imo must be cheaper via France

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[Gina M]

Over 3.5 and the tolls go up

Thanks for picking up on that. Just checked, the quote I was given was for a car. I remember last time we were driving through France I was constantly having to press the intercom on the automated barriers to say "This is not a lorry !!

Gina

 

[Gina M]

Bilbao will be a bit cold won’t it?

Be ok for one night

Gina

 

[Speve]

Over 3.5 and the tolls go up

I’ve never paid more than class 2 and have had three over 3500kg over last ten years

 

[Gina M]

Be ok for one night

Gina

The quickest route I could find to get into Spain, 10 hours drive, we will split the driving, 5 hours each

Gina

 

[Speve]

Be ok for one night

Gina

For Spain that time of year you really need to get further South if you want a bit of warmth

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[Speve]

You don’t really need to go to Bilbao if traveling further down head for Burgos, Palencia, Salamanca, Caceres & Seville

 

[Gina M]

For Spain that time of year you really need to get further South if you want a bit of warmth

I was thinking Portugal first.

Gina

 

[Speve]

I was thinking Portugal first.

Gina

Depending where in Portugal but you probably cross the border at Badajos if heading south we love Portugal but stay inland a bit at Castro Verde our fav municipal site and good birding

 

[Gina M]

You don’t really need to go to Bilbao if traveling further down head for Burgos, Palencia, Salamanca, Caceres & Seville

Yes just starting to plan the trip really. Might even change completely. Drive Calais to Marseille and catch the overnight ferry to Corsica.

Gina

 

[Speve]

Yes just starting to plan the trip really. Might even change completely. Drive Calais to Marseille and catch the overnight ferry to Corsica.

Gina

That’s the way go with the flow and the weather

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[Gina M]

That’s the way go with the flow and the weather

The best way

Gina

 

[Gina M]

We followed the coast round from Dieppe to Bilbao in March. Leisurly drive, stopping at CampingCar parks ect. No tolls and at 50mph and averaging 28mpg in our 2.3 fiat, we spent about £300 getting to Bilbao. Much nicer than chucking up on the Bay of Biscay

I would love to do that route if we had more time and in the summer.

Gina

 

[Badknee]

I’ve never paid more than class 2 and have had three over 3500kg over last ten years

It’s height that triggers what class your put in. Our 2.9mtr 5250kg tag axle never put us out of class 2.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Ferry is expensive imo must be cheaper via France

35 years of driving these routes.

Low season ferry always works out cheaper, especially if using tolls and the current price of fuel.

 

[Gina M]

35 years of driving these routes.

Low season ferry always works out cheaper, especially if using tolls and the current price of fuel.

Yes but, The Bay of Biscay. I thought I was going to die that night

Gina

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[EuroTrotters]

Yes but, The Bay of Biscay. I thought I was going to die that night

Gina

It’s got a bad reputation.

But I’ve had very few bad crossings in 35 years.

 

[Gina M]

It’s got a bad reputation.

But I’ve had very few bad crossings in 35 years.

And you just can't say, Stop I want to get off please !!

Gina

 

[mikebeaches]

Thanks for picking up on that. Just checked, the quote I was given was for a car. I remember last time we were driving through France I was constantly having to press the intercom on the automated barriers to say "This is not a lorry !!

Gina

 

[mikebeaches]

Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe even Class 2 toll on the French autoroutes is about 50% more than the price for a car.

 

[TONCAZ]

All depends on how quick you want to be in Spain, Done Dover to Calais many many times, drove down west coast, Calais/Abbeyville/Rouen/Saumur/Poitiers then onto N10/A63 into Spain, further south you get the better the weather 2 or 3 days normally, only because Iam very nosey and always stopping..

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