Hi Guys
On saturday I`am off to spain via Poole - Santander then heading south to Granada. I need advise which route is good for HGV. I have 2 options: Santander, Bilbao, Saragossa, Valencia, Alicante, Lorca, Granada (long way but cheap in toll) or Santander, Valladoid, Madrid, Jaen and Granada? If you can give me info about sunday driving ban in Spain please(ferry is landing in Santander on Sunday afternoon) and info about the boat and crossing please?
thanks
Disclaimer…I have done this trip many times, although a bit further, to El Ejido, but not for two years, so I may be a little out of date.
The boat is probably the Brittany Ferries Cotentin which is freight only and you can expect a cabin on your own.
The crossing takes 24 hours.
All meals and drinks with them are included as is tea and coffee.
If you like alcohol, you have to buy your own
It’s only little, so if you are prone to sea sickness, take some tablets with you.
It is easy to go wrong as you leave Santander dock,there are a number of turn offs close together, so if you can, find a driver who knows his/her way and follow them
for the first time.
Follow the A67 signs out of Santander for Palencia, NOT Burgos.
You will briefly join the A8 for Palencia but then turn off and rejoin the A67 for Palencia.
You will climb a huge hill and pass Reinosa.
When you start going downhill again, watch out for a large green/brown factory on the right and take the N627 for Burgos.
Follow this to Burgos and the take the ring road until you come to the junction for the A1 Madrid.
Bear left and follow it all the way to Madrid.
When you reach Madrid, take the ring road towards the airport, which you will see to your right and follow it until you reach the A4 for
Cordoba.
Follow this out of Madrid and stay on it until you reach Bailen, where you branch off to the left onto the A44,
signed Granada.
Stay on this road until you reach your destination.
As far as I know, there is no Sunday ban on any of the roads you will use on the Sunday.
There is a Sunday ban in the Basque region but you will not enter this if you follow the directions above.
Tolls should cost you nothing.
Regards,
Nick.
ncooper:
Disclaimer…I have done this trip many times, although a bit further, to El Ejido, but not for two years, so I may be a little out of date.The boat is probably the Brittany Ferries Cotentin which is freight only and you can expect a cabin on your own.
The crossing takes 24 hours.
All meals and drinks with them are included as is tea and coffee.
If you like alcohol, you have to buy your own
It’s only little, so if you are prone to sea sickness, take some tablets with you.It is easy to go wrong as you leave Santander dock,there are a number of turn offs close together, so if you can, find a driver who knows his/her way and follow them
for the first time.Follow the A67 signs out of Santander for Palencia, NOT Burgos.
You will briefly join the A8 for Palencia but then turn off and rejoin the A67 for Palencia.
You will climb a huge hill and pass Reinosa.
When you start going downhill again, watch out for a large green/brown factory on the right and take the N627 for Burgos.
Follow this to Burgos and the take the ring road until you come to the junction for the A1 Madrid.
Bear left and follow it all the way to Madrid.When you reach Madrid, take the ring road towards the airport, which you will see to your right and follow it until you reach the A4 for
Cordoba.
Follow this out of Madrid and stay on it until you reach Bailen, where you branch off to the left onto the A44,
signed Granada.
Stay on this road until you reach your destination.As far as I know, there is no Sunday ban on any of the roads you will use on the Sunday.
There is a Sunday ban in the Basque region but you will not enter this if you follow the directions above.Tolls should cost you nothing.
Regards,
Nick.
I have done EL Ejido Agroiris b4 christmas last year, but i went thru France, San Sebastian, Saragossa, Valencia and Almeria. I have never done the UK-Spain crossing on the boat.
Thanks for info
If you go on the Cotentin. You’ll find 2 tv’ sets in the lounge.The Brits gather round one and the Spaniards the other. It’s fun when you turn your tv up, and then ask the bar staff for the other remote, and turn theirs down! I like that boat. It’s a nice drive to Granada. Especially if the weather’s good. 
If you are using a digi card make sure you use the region option otherwise big fine.
ncooper:
It is easy to go wrong as you leave Santander dock,there are a number of turn offs close together, so if you can, find a driver who knows his/her way and follow them
for the first time.Follow the A67 signs out of Santander for Palencia, NOT Burgos.
You will briefly join the A8 for Palencia but then turn off and rejoin the A67 for Palencia.
You will climb a huge hill and pass Reinosa.
When you start going downhill again, watch out for a large green/brown factory on the right and take the N627 for Burgos.
Follow this to Burgos and the take the ring road until you come to the junction for the A1 Madrid.
Bear left and follow it all the way to Madrid.When you reach Madrid, take the ring road towards the airport, which you will see to your right and follow it until you reach the A4 for
Cordoba.
Follow this out of Madrid and stay on it until you reach Bailen, where you branch off to the left onto the A44,
signed Granada.
Stay on this road until you reach your destination.As far as I know, there is no Sunday ban on any of the roads you will use on the Sunday.
There is a Sunday ban in the Basque region but you will not enter this if you follow the directions above.Tolls should cost you nothing.
Regards,
Nick.
100% correct that is the shortest and cheapest route
Yes,you have to input each region of Spain you start and end your shift in,ask a driver who knows the areas,there are quite a few.
Best route as above posters have said is Jaen way,truck stop at Bailen,there used to be an internet access there,good drivers menu,showers,it is an Andumar outlet.
Dont park alone,always in a group of trucks.
toby1234abc:
Dont park alone,always in a group of trucks.
Mmm, it cost me 300 litres of diesel to find that one out, at a place I had previously
used half a dozen times.
I didn’t offer any advice before as he said he had already been 
Regards,
Nick