Fast route, Calais to Dordogne / south of France?

[Andy MacD]

Looking for tips from seasoned travellers.

We’re off to France in 4 weeks and I’m starting to think about our route. From Eurotunnel we want to head directly south to find warmth, at least high teens. I recon that will mean the Dordogne area or south of that.

What fast route would be best? Preference is dual carriageways or free motorways, I’d rather not use toll roads for cost. I want to make good speed so accept tolls may be needed to avoid trailing through towns and villages or balancing distance travelled / speed v toll cost.

What route would you use and any tips on Aires close to the route?

Thanks all.

Andrew

 

[Neil S]

I doubt it will be that warm in the Dordogne in early March , be better to head further south into Spain for some guaranteed Winter Sun

 

[Spriddler]

Weather March in Dordogne, France

Learn more about the weather in March in Dordogne, France. Is it the best month to visit Dordogne? And find out where to go in March on our informative map.

weather-and-climate.com

 

[Ridgeway]

High teens, keep heading South and when you reach Malaga look for a pitch.

Dordognshire will be similar to UK weather in March ie wet and cold.

 

[Andy MacD]

If you live in Aberdeen then 15 in March sounds bliss

Yeh, I’m aware of the ave temps and have a plan b in mind, it’s the best route to get south I was looking for help with.

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[scallywag15]

If you live in Aberdeen then 15 in March sounds bliss

Yeh, I’m aware of the ave temps and have a plan b in mind, it’s the best route to get south I was looking for help with.Abb

From tunnel head towards abbeyville small toll on this section then A28 to Rouen follow signs to avoid Critair it takes you through tunnel then over Seine turn right straight after bridge back under bridge past the big railway yard towards Evrieux and Dreux toll free towards Chartres and Tours its called the N10 route. its the pretty much the route everybody uses. Tours to Bordeaux is toll free dual carriageway.

If you live in Aberdeen then 15 in March sounds bliss

Yeh, I’m aware of the ave temps and have a plan b in mind, it’s the best route to get south I was looking for help with

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

I recently did an experiment as I was bringing a lot of stuff back from my old home in the south of France and running heavy. I did the whole journey from 40km east of Toulouse to Dieppe totally on tolls cruise control the whole way at about 55 mph. Compared to the non toll route I usually take. it cost just over £10 more using the tolls because of the fuel savings and no chance of a speeding ticket with the up down speeds going through the villages with the ever increasing number of hidden speed traps. 4.5 ton 2012 Fiat Ducati Hymer “A” class.

 

[Andy MacD]

Thanks both, did wonder about just blasting down the toll road. Featureless and boring but gets the miles done. Must look online as there’s a tool you can use to find out the toll cost.

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

Yes Via Michelin gives the toll costs, put in car and caravan to get the Motorhome cost for class 2.
p.s. I didn’t blast down the motorways, I set the cruise at 55mph which is the most economic speed for me and avoids having to keep overtaking the trucks.

 

[Peter & Elaine]

From tunnel head towards abbeyville small toll on this section then A28 to Rouen follow signs to avoid Critair it takes you through tunnel then over Seine turn right straight after bridge back under bridge past the big railway yard towards Evrieux and Dreux toll free towards Chartres and Tours its called the N10 route. its the pretty much the route everybody uses. Tours to Bordeaux is toll free dual carriageway.

Exactly same route for us first stop is usualy Aires at nonincourt

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[TerryL]

We're actually using the "N10" route now, just programmed Satnav to avoid tolls. Quite a bit of it is max 80kph if you're over 3.5t and it does pass through a lot of towns and villages - but that's how we like to travel.
But if you're in a hurry use the toll roads, won't cost too much more than the saving of diesel.

 

[Andy MacD]

I didn’t blast down the motorways

Don’t really blast myself, figure of speech, van runs best sitting around 60. Just a joy not to have all the 80/50/30/50/70 etc speed changes when you want to get somewhere quickly. Will head north as things warm up so I expect to take 60+ days to get back to Calais so we can take in all the towns and villages on the way home.