Hi.
Im Considering driving down to Alicante/murcia in a car.
Just wondering which is the best / fastest route to take.
and time wise… What is the cost of diesel in France/Spain.?
Crossing Dover / Calais. All advice on toll prices etc… much appreciated
Thanks in advance.
There are numerous ways to go,two ways save some money,they are going on the A20 to Limoges,a free dual road drom Vierzon to Brive.
And on the A75 via Clermont Ferrand,and the Millau viaduct,amazing views.
Some folks go via Rouen/Chartres/Orleans,to avoid the dreaded Periphique of Paris.
For the toll way,from Calais,take the A16,A6,to Macon/Lyon/Narbonne/Perpignan/La Jonquera Spanish border to Barcelona.
The speed limit for cars,or a class one vehicle in France is 130 kmh,and 110 in rain or road works,many radar traps that you may not see,before it is too late.Stop every 2 hours for a break,you will not get to Alicante in one go in the car,allow a 12 hour overnight stop,a two day drive.
Prices from 2010,are Paris to Lyon on the A6 are 74.70 euros.
Lyon to the Spanish border via Montpellier/Narbonne/Perpignan on the A9 is 38.40 euros.
Vierzon to Clermont Ferrand on the A71 to join the free bit on the A75 is 27.20 euros.
Bordeaux to Toulouse via Agen on the A62 is 17.40 euros.
Toulouse to the border via Carcassone on the A61 to join then A9 is 18.70 euros.
Tours to Bordeaux via the A10 is 30.10 euros.
Brive to Toulouse on the A20 is 11.50 euros.
In a car,you get hundreds of kilometres for the toll money,it saves on fuel,plenty of "aire de repos"or rest areas,that have clean toilets,and pic-nic tables.
The national or free roads,can be slow,with agricultural traffic,more police and customs controls,or Douanes.
If you google the AA or RAC website,enter the european part,to calculate the distances,the website for the toll in france is www.asf.co.uk.
Beware,most peages do not accept foreign cards to pay the toll,even my visa cards were no good.
Watch out for petty criminals,when stopping at night with the car contents,but Spain is a bit dodgy for this,at the rest areas.Most routes will have a cheap hotel,such as the Formulae one chain,yellow buildings.
No photocopies of the vehicle documents,not accepted,take a hi-viz jacket,and two warning triangles for breakdowns,that is the law in both countries.Spare bulbs,first aid kit is required too,and head light beam adjusters,they sell in the UK ports.
From Valencia to Alicante,you have a choice of the inland route or the coastal route,the time and distance is almost the same.
From Valencia,take the A7,turn south at Font de la Figuera on the national 344,to join the A31,via Elda/Montforte del Cid to Alicante,this is inland,decent cafes on the way.
Coastal by the AP 7 to Gandia/Javea/Benidorm,to Alicante,more scenic,but you dont get too close to the beach,some parts,you wont see it at all,you may see young ladies working along the side of the road,normaly from eastern europe,and not wearing much in the clothing department,some times just a bikini or in their knickers and bra,i kid you not.
The Spanish national roads are free,and much better than the ones in France,dual carriegeways on most parts.Plenty of tapa bars all over the place,if you stop at the truck stops,they offer a five course menu from 7 to 15 euros,free bread,cheese,and as much wine or beer as you want,in big jugs.
In France,stop at the Routier network,same value,where the drivers take a 3 hour lunch break.
French petrol is 1.64 euros per litre,diesel is 1.32.
Spain petrol is 1.32, and diesel is 1.21 euros.
Toby your a star.
Really helpfull.
Thank you very much.
If the Tobester was driving the Tobmobile,i would drive down through the night,you can speed,no radars around,no customs controls,rest in the day,that is what the muslim community do,when they travel from northern europe,to catch their ferries to Morocco.
They are famous for overloading their vans,and cars,and no joke,they carry the kitchen sink on the roof,and most of their house contents,along with old bikes,fridges,tyres,either to recondition,or to sell on in Africa,i was once told,they take the house contents,as they feared that a burglar would steal their property while away for a few months in the summer,with nobody to guard the house.
gentyman:
Toby your a star.
Really helpfull.
Thank you very much.
ref Spain…just remember to be careful where you stop and be extra vigilant at all times! if yer stop over for the night in Spain, then make sure its at a motel with secure parking…
I have a place not far from Murcia and have heard of some right stories.
Did France-Italy in the car last week. Most expensive toll was 47 euro. Diesel averaged 1.34 euro.
My 11 year ol Peugeot 406 did 855 miles on a full tank, before the fuel light came on. Never went above 70 mph once.Toll roads are way better than nationals. DO IT! 