Revised route to Spain anyone?

wiljoy

wiljoy

Joined
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Since 1984
I have a route to Spain but after a couple of years it may be outdated.
Has anyone a recent route both avoiding and using tolls. I remember a funster had maps to download but cannot remember who it was.
Many thanks in anticipation.
Wilf
 
I might be the odd one out here but I’m always surprised by the amount of attention that ‘route-planning’ seems to get on here.

My approach is simply to know where we’re heading and to enter that destination into the sat-nav with the appropriate settings enabled/disabled (e.g. avoid M-ways/Toll Roads/unpaved roads, etc).

Isn't it that simple?

Ian
 
bigtwin said:
I might be the odd one out here but I’m always surprised by the amount of attention that ‘route-planning’ seems to get on here.

My approach is simply to know where we’re heading and to enter that destination into the sat-nav with the appropriate settings enabled/disabled (e.g. avoid M-ways/Toll Roads/unpaved roads, etc).

Isn't it that simple?

Ian
Click to expand...
Very simple and my usual plan. I was looking for any tips and advice funsters may have gathered on this route. Simple.
 
We think that to either follow a toll route or a none toll route is not necessarily the best option. We have driven the Western Coastal route many times and frequently tweak it slightly. Depending on the time of year and how much of a hurry we are in, and we usually end up with a mix of toll and none toll

We often use tolls down to Abbeville, a couple of short tolls near Tours or tolls from Tours to Poitiers. Prefer tolls between Bordeaux and Biarritz, otherwise you seem to criss cross the toll road, as there are short sections of none toll

At the end of the journey it is a matter of personal preference, but there are some sections were we feel that a small toll saves time, fuel and stress
 
Lenny HB has posted lots of routes, always my first stop when looking for different and more interesting journey's. Particularly now after18months we're a lot more confident in our foreign travels.
 
May be best avoiding the Pyrenees right now.
Screenshot_20191122-204326_Ventusky.jpg
Screenshot_20191122-204326_Ventusky.jpg
 
Clickem said:
We think that to either follow a toll route or a none toll route is not necessarily the best option. We have driven the Western Coastal route many times and frequently tweak it slightly. Depending on the time of year and how much of a hurry we are in, and we usually end up with a mix of toll and none toll

We often use tolls down to Abbeville, a couple of short tolls near Tours or tolls from Tours to Poitiers. Prefer tolls between Bordeaux and Biarritz, otherwise you seem to criss cross the toll road, as there are short sections of none toll

At the end of the journey it is a matter of personal preference, but there are some sections were we feel that a small toll saves time, fuel and stress
Click to expand...
I do exactly that and vary it as it suits I am on my way back home in reverse at the moment it has rained all day here in France so have travelled more than usual but on the same route
 
For anyone that is interested. My N 10 route with partial tolls to France/Spain. Also in the resources section. Safe Travels.

Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. This first link is an award winning database about France. It has 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: 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, (€1.80). 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. (From Jct 6 €8.90 in total) (Fuel costs approx. €147.84 (Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.40 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. Also here are Repsol fuel stations and shopping opportunities. 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/
One of the best off line MAP ‘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
Finally, for those looking for a data sim card for their ‘mifi’ unit or tablet (WiFi) this is the best deal in the UK and possibly the best deal in the whole of the E.U. at this moment in time. A massive 50GB of 4g data for only £30.00 a month on a monthly rolling contract. Cancel the contract after two months to get the full 3 months usage throughout the whole of the E.U. Other options also available.
(Tip!) (Go on their online ‘Web Chat’ and ask them to confirm the contract starts when you activate the sim and if they agree (they did with me) keep a copy of the Web Chat that they will email to you, otherwise the contract will start from the day your order the sim card). After two months contact customer services by phone and cancel the contract by giving them 30 days’ notice. This prevents their fair play usage kicking in after 3 months and you paying through your nose for Wi-Fi. If they say the contract started from when you made the order contact the complaints number and they will honour the agreement made with the Chat agent! (UK number is 03333 041 524 (standard call charges apply, they will even call you back if you ask them and they are very helpful)). The Wi-Fi coverage is exceptional.
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/bundles-and-sims/sim-only-data-bundles/
Vodaphone APN settings for an unlocked MiFi.
https://search.vodafone.co.uk/search?proxystylesheet=default_frontend&q=APN+settings&x=0&y=0
 
bigtwin said:
I might be the odd one out here but I’m always surprised by the amount of attention that ‘route-planning’ seems to get on here.
Ian
Click to expand...

No you're not the odd one out We many times go to a cross roads and I will ask Stephanie which way, THEN go the opposite way

But we just put a destination in to the sat nag tell it to avoid tolls and follow it most of the time (if something looks interesting we will turn away from the track )
 
Same as us..
If we know where we are going it just gets entered in the satnag, no tolls, and drive.. The nearest we get to planning is, 'gotta get some diesel in the next 100 miles or so' :-)

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Thanks for the link to that Ventusky website...............we are thinking this year to go down the A71 and A75 route so it will be really useful to help decide.
I believe that even when they do have snow it is cleared very quickly
 
We came back from Roses via the A75/A71 route a couple of weeks ago. If you are in the north east of Spain it is a very good route, weather permitting. We avoided tolls, from Clermont-Ferrand, going via Nevers, Orlean to Chartres

about-france.com

Road map of France with motorways & main routes

The French motorway network, showing toll and free motorways, plus other main trunk routes or highways
about-france.com
 
Sorry, Ian (#3), we can't agree. We love our motorhome and the places she helps us to find. The thought of simply putting in the final co-ordinates and setting off is totally unthinkable. We wonder what EM Forster's 'Greek genetleman with a straw hat' would have thought .. before you set off, listen to CP Cavafy, courtesy of Sean Connery:

 
I always used the "west" route, in winter, back in the 90`s an 00`s. Including following the snow plough one year!!. Except for that last years when we went direct to Spain (Santander) and thence via Burgos, Madrid, Aranjauz and the A3, south.

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I’m going to plan my first trip down to Spain for next June July I would like to see salou Benidorm down to fuengirola I was talking to a local truck driver and he goes on A10
 
We find it all part of the fun to plan a route not just for getting from AtoB but what we can see enroute researching interesting areas in advance. However you do have to be able to read a traditional map for this, something that appears to becoming a lost art.
Everyone these days just seems to rely on their Twat Nav. By blindly following this method you never learn a route you just do as instructed and at the end of your journey you don't have much of a clue how or where you've been to get there, nor could you find your way back without it. You also have most definately driven past and missed some great sites on the way. My wife always follows the map and often finds quaint little towns or beauty spots en-route.
 
PhilandMena said:
For anyone that is interested. My N 10 route with partial tolls to France/Spain. Also in the resources section. Safe Travels.

Firstly, routes and route maps for France and Spain. This first link is an award winning database about France. It has 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: 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, (€1.80). 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. (From Jct 6 €8.90 in total) (Fuel costs approx. €147.84 (Based on 1056 K @10K per Ltr. @€1.40 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. Also here are Repsol fuel stations and shopping opportunities. 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/
One of the best off line MAP ‘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
Finally, for those looking for a data sim card for their ‘mifi’ unit or tablet (WiFi) this is the best deal in the UK and possibly the best deal in the whole of the E.U. at this moment in time. A massive 50GB of 4g data for only £30.00 a month on a monthly rolling contract. Cancel the contract after two months to get the full 3 months usage throughout the whole of the E.U. Other options also available.
(Tip!) (Go on their online ‘Web Chat’ and ask them to confirm the contract starts when you activate the sim and if they agree (they did with me) keep a copy of the Web Chat that they will email to you, otherwise the contract will start from the day your order the sim card). After two months contact customer services by phone and cancel the contract by giving them 30 days’ notice. This prevents their fair play usage kicking in after 3 months and you paying through your nose for Wi-Fi. If they say the contract started from when you made the order contact the complaints number and they will honour the agreement made with the Chat agent! (UK number is 03333 041 524 (standard call charges apply, they will even call you back if you ask them and they are very helpful)). The Wi-Fi coverage is exceptional.
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/bundles-and-sims/sim-only-data-bundles/
Vodaphone APN settings for an unlocked MiFi.
https://search.vodafone.co.uk/search?proxystylesheet=default_frontend&q=APN+settings&x=0&y=0
Click to expand...
Great resource.
The only things I would add are: weekends in August are when the French are on manoeuvres so best avoided; if tootling up through France then arriving back in the UK on a Friday will be an all mighty shock to the system and Thursday or Saturday may be less bad alternatives.
 

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