France route - can’t decide

GAVLAD

GAVLAD

Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Posts
1,984
Likes collected
3,326
Location
West Yorkshire
Funster No
32,620
MH
EuraMobil Activa 820HS
Exp
2007
Planning to travel from Arras / Albert area down to Clermont Ferrand and then Spain.
I’ve looked at routes until my eyes ache.
My choices are to route via Paris on the A1 to A77 or A71 and pay the tolls or
Through Amiens to Dreux to Chartres onto the A71
Looking at viamichellin, there doesn’t look to be a huge difference in tolls cost (based on a car) however I’m mindful that my van is 9m long tag axle.
What’s your thoughts?
 
GAVLAD said:
Planning to travel from Arras / Albert area down to Clermont Ferrand and then Spain.
I’ve looked at routes until my eyes ache.
My choices are to route via Paris on the A1 to A77 or A71 and pay the tolls or
Through Amiens to Dreux to Chartres onto the A71
Looking at viamichellin, there doesn’t look to be a huge difference in tolls cost (based on a car) however I’m mindful that my van is 9m long tag axle.
What’s your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Why are you starting from Arras? I generally go A16 then Rouen then N154 then jump on A71 just north of Orleans. Paris is more direct from Arras but its a pita.
 
I try to set my Google Maps to avoid tolls and see what it throws up. I guess it depends on how fast you want to make the journey. I have an Ohrex truck satnav and then use that with waypoints.
 
Here you Gavlad
Route Planning Notes to Spain.

This will help with your routes and keep your costs to a minimum.

Dover- Calais is the cheapest way to cross. Murcia region of Spain for this time of year. Weather wise nothing to gain moving further south until March onwards.

Go for it! It will be an adventure if nothing else.



Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. This first link is an award winning database about France. It’s big and with a host of information on best routes to many locations. I have selected the famous N10 route from Calais to Irun which is used by many motorhomes when travelling to Spain. It’s almost Toll free (more on that a little later) and almost all duel carriageway from start to finish with the exception of about 100 K. This route is great for motorhomes small, medium and large. Note: (HGV’s are not allowed on French roads, Sunday’s, so plan your journey over a weekend if possible).



https://about-france.com/tourism/no-tolls-routes.htm



Tolls: We avoid the toll road from Calais to Abbeville and save 12.50 Euros. The non-toll route is quite scenic and fairly straight forward, between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Abbeville.



At Abbeville, join the A28 and cross the river Sein at Rouen. We take the second exit immediately after crossing the bridge (about 50 m past the first exit at the end of the bridge), swing down and under the bridge you have just crossed and continue on this road and join the A13 motorway until the N154 which takes you down to Evreux. (Note: there are a number of different options for getting through Rouen and no doubt other members will have their own preferences. We find this very straight forward on both outward and return legs). Approaching Tours on the D910 join the A10 toll road at Jct. 19 and exit at Jct. 23. This will take you through the city via the toll road, (about 2.50 euros). At Jct. 23 take the exit lane for Montbazon which returns you to the D910. (Reverse for the return leg). That’s the last toll to pay until you hit the bottom of the A63 after Bordeaux.



To save toll fares on the A63 south of Bordeaux please read the route recommendations in the above link. Do not come off the A63 near the bottom as all roads will be heavily congested and it’s worth paying the last few tolls. (Fuel costs approx. €126.72. (Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.20 per ltr. 3.5T motorhome)). This route is also recommended during winter, due to its proximity to the Atlantic ocean, which means little to no problems with ice and or snow, unlike using the A75 to cross the Massif Central. Although the A75 is quickly cleared, it is advisable to have winter tyres fitted and there may be some small delays due to snow ploughs clearing this route.



If heading to the Mediterranean side of Spain, it’s worth taking the N121-A to Pamplona after crossing the Spanish boarder on the A63 at Irun. It’s clearly sign posted (Large white sign) about 300 m after passing through the last toll booth and crossing the river. You will find more details in this link for the N121-A and how to navigate Spain toll free.



https://about-spain.net/travel/no-tolls.htm



If you decide to pay Tolls in order to save time getting to Spain, your best route options are in this link.



https://about-france.com/tourism/routes-to-spain.htm



Should you choose to plan your own routes anywhere in Europe and also establish Toll costs, (or toll free costs) use this link. Under route options, select caravan then select toll roads. Toll costs for a class 2 motorhome will be calculated for the whole journey. You can also choose Non toll routes and other options. This is currently one of the best online free route planers.



https://www.viamichelin.co.uk/



As for stop overs on routes, you can’t go wrong using the App below which is free but I would recommend getting the paid version for about £6.00 which you can then use off line. You will find numerous places to stop along the above route and I have deliberately not made any recommendations so drivers can make their own choices. This app is also brilliant for finding other places too and highly rated by many users.



https://www.campercontact.com/en/content/app



There is another popular app/website that is used which you may also find useful if you’re doing a lot of wilding and looking for free overnight stops. It too is used by many motor homers in Europe. Get the paid version to use off line for around £9.00



https://www.park4night.com/



Finally, probably the best off line maps ‘App’ and used by many. It also includes a sat-nav function which is quite good and can also be used off line. Again many motor homers use this, especially in Morocco.



Broken Link Removed



PhilandMena, Today at 2:24 PM

Broken Link Removed

Broken Link Removed

#5

Multi-Quote

Possible overnight stops.

Chauney GPS Position: N46.20585, E0.16371 just south of Poitiers



Bordeaux GPS Postion: N44.865253, E0.158078



Biarritz GPS Postion: N43.465963, E1.57192



Gimnasio Aire Libre Pamplona



Before you continue to Google Maps

Good site just before Spanish border.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
jongood said:
I generally go A16 then Rouen then N154 then jump on A71 just north of Orleans.
Click to expand...
As do I GAVLAD, but down the N10. I don't do tolls unless absolutely necessary, (see below) ;)

In resources you'll find tonka's Western Route and Eastern Route. We tend to do the Western Route on the way down in December/January as mentioned above, to escape bad weather, and the Eastern Route up the A75 past Millau in March/April time.

Be wary, Tandem axled MHs attract a Class 4 charge at some toll booths. I got caught out at Potiers Nord. :(

Good luck,

Jock. :)
 
Dreading seeing the bill when our tag statement comes in this trip. Needed to cover distance quickly so used a lot of tolls.
Yet again the tag worked everytime although some barriers we almost had to touch it with the truck to lift it.
 
jongood said:
Why are you starting from Arras? I generally go A16 then Rouen then N154 then jump on A71 just north of Orleans. Paris is more direct from Arras but its a pita.
Click to expand...
I’m wanting to visit the ww1 sites of Vimy, Arras, Thiepval and Albert so will be stopping off around there for a couple of days before starting my journey to Spain
 
How do you get one of the electronic tags rather paying at each kiosk?
And is there a pricing structure for campers/Moho’s?
 
TheMachMan said:
How do you get one of the electronic tags rather paying at each kiosk?
And is there a pricing structure for campers/Moho’s?
Click to expand...
We have Bip & Go but you can get others. We got this one as it works in Italy, Spain and Portugal too. Caravan Club do one too. I’m pretty sure we are classed as a car as we’re not too high.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
GAVLAD said:
Planning to travel from Arras / Albert area down to Clermont Ferrand and then Spain.
I’ve looked at routes until my eyes ache.
My choices are to route via Paris on the A1 to A77 or A71 and pay the tolls or
Through Amiens to Dreux to Chartres onto the A71
Looking at viamichellin, there doesn’t look to be a huge difference in tolls cost (based on a car) however I’m mindful that my van is 9m long tag axle.
What’s your thoughts?
Click to expand...
I would look at a route through Auxerr to the free motorway south over the Milou bridge
 
Most will know almost all toll roads in Spain have been removed, However the toll roads in the Basque region are still operational. They won't follow Madrids directives.
 
Stealaway said:
I would look at a route through Auxerr to the free motorway south over the Milou bridge
Click to expand...
Yes, but not over the winter period, as there is a greater chance of extreme winter weather, hence many of us going down the western route during winter.

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
I've used many routes to avoid tolls where sensibly possible and some are ok but there are lots of roundabouts, traffic calming measures and cameras off the main roads, a 9m van could be tiresome navigating all this.
 
GAVLAD said:
I’m wanting to visit the ww1 sites of Vimy, Arras, Thiepval and Albert so will be stopping off around there for a couple of days before starting my journey to Spain
Click to expand...
Oradour-sur-Glane • Village martyr
+33 5 55 43 04 30
maps.app.goo.gl

Oradour-sur-Glane • Village martyr · La Cité Martyre, 87520 Oradour-sur-Glane, France

★★★★★ · History museum
maps.app.goo.gl maps.app.goo.gl

This is well worth a visit and has an aire nearby.

Terry

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
The N10 was known back in the seventies as "The murderess", particularly the bit between Bordeaux and Biarritz because of the number of head-ons before much of it was dualled. Not been down the bottom part of it for fifty years.
 
jongood said:
Are you sure you would be up for the €17.50 classe 2, €31.80 classe 3? :LOL: :LOL:
Click to expand...
Is it that much to cross the bridge now?
JockandRita said:
Yes, but not over the winter period, as there is a greater chance of extreme winter weather, hence many of us going down the western route during winter.
Click to expand...
I didn't read that he was going in the winter?
 
jongood said:
Are you sure you would be up for the €17.50 classe 2, €31.80 classe 3? :LOL: :LOL:
Click to expand...
Or even more if Class 4, as a tandem axled MH................................ ie, the same as a 44 tonne truck? :(

Jock. :)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Going in July but interested in all of your responses thank you.
We detoured to visit Oradour a couple of years back and although sad, I’m glad we visited.
I’m heading for the Costa Brava.
Thanks all
 
The Spanish tolls have stopped because the franchise to run the motorways lasted between 20-25 years and have been expiring sequencially since the mid 20-teens. Currently, there is no toll road in Catalunya save for the Tunel de Cadi near Puigcerda (far too expensive anyway), Tunels de Vallvidrera (outskirts of Barcelona) and a part of the C32 south of Barcelona. There is a toll still in operation between Bilbao and Lleida, meaning it'll cost to take the motorway on that route, but the rest is scot free (if now increasingly crowded)!
 
PaulOH said:
The Spanish tolls have stopped because the franchise to run the motorways lasted between 20-25 years and have been expiring sequencially since the mid 20-teens. Currently, there is no toll road in Catalunya save for the Tunel de Cadi near Puigcerda (far too expensive anyway), Tunels de Vallvidrera (outskirts of Barcelona) and a part of the C32 south of Barcelona. There is a toll still in operation between Bilbao and Lleida, meaning it'll cost to take the motorway on that route, but the rest is scot free (if now increasingly crowded)!
Click to expand...
There are a few more I know of. Part of the AP7 by Alicante, Santiago to Vigo and the Basque bit.
 
jongood said:
There are a few more I know of. Part of the AP7 by Alicante, Santiago to Vigo and the Basque bit.
Click to expand...
We were just in and around Alicante for a few day's on the motorways. Never came accross any tolls.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
bobnick said:
We were just in and around Alicante for a few day's on the motorways. Never came accross any tolls.
Click to expand...
1656480383108.png
 
jongood said:
Oh dear another bill on the way then o_Oo_O




Just kidding, you would know, its clearly marked.
Click to expand...
Now i am confused as we came down the AP7 and for sure there were no tolls. After seeing my sister who lives in Beni the section of AP7 from Beni to EL-Campello was always pay, now no.
My mate who lives and works in and around Alicante and currently has a job in Denia using the AP7 (i think they have dropped the A for Autopista but using the A for Autovia now) tells me he thinks they have all gone.
Just relying what we experianced 2 weeks ago and what residents in the area tell me is all.
We even gave up our auto tag whilst we were doing biss in the bank in Calpe as they said they are no more (never mentioned the Basque region.........they wouldn't would they)
 
bobnick said:
Now i am confused as we came down the AP7 and for sure there were no tolls. After seeing my sister who lives in Beni the section of AP7 from Beni to EL-Campello was always pay, now no.
My mate who lives and works in and around Alicante and currently has a job in Denia using the AP7 (i think they have dropped the A for Autopista but using the A for Autovia now) tells me he thinks they have all gone.
Just relying what we experianced 2 weeks ago and what residents in the area tell me is all.
We even gave up our auto tag whilst we were doing biss in the bank in Calpe as they said they are no more (never mentioned the Basque region.........they wouldn't would they)
Click to expand...
It was definitely paid in January €11. Ive also paid on this trip on the 2 sections mentioned. Its still a lot cheaper than France though or M6 toll.
 
Hi,

I don't seem able to find a link to the Eastern Route of Tonkas in the resources.

Could someone post a link to it please.

TIA

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top