January route to Alicante via France

[stewartwebr]

We are heading off through France to meet up with friends in Alicante the first week of January. It has been many many years since we drove down through France to Spain and when we did, I just set the Sat Nav and off we went paying the tolls as we go.
This time we have time on our hands so have been looking at the various routes to go toll free. I have downloaded Tonkas guide on the Western route which looks good and the advice to evaluate the weather on which way to go as you get to the French/Spanish border.
I want to try and make it as pain-free as possible to prevent me just jumping onto the tolls. I thought I could set my Sat Nav for all the towns that are listed and as we get near one delete it to continue the journey to the next.
We have been catching the ferry direct to Spain for years, but now it is a 2 night journey we thought we would give it a miss.

Any help, advice, guidance on routes would be very much appreciated. We are seasoned travelers in Europe so don't need any help there, thanks, just tips on toll free would be great!

 

[Mikeco]

We are heading that way early January but doing Portsmouth to Santander, we have driven down through France many times but it’s funny that after doing so we seem to book the direct ferry the year after. Mainly because after 4 days of doing 300 miles a day you start to wonder if it’s worthwhile as to me it’s not enjoyable and if you avoid paying tolls it’s even worse.
Having said that when we do go through France we stick to the West coast and cross the border at Irun.

 

[Jofang]

We live in the far south of France near the Spanish border and find the best way for north to south travelling is to set the sat-nav on the 'no tolls' option and let the sat-nav do its own thing. This way we've discovered some beautiful places that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. For us it's not just the destination but also the pleasure of the journey to get there.

 

[Verteuil Man]

We are crossing via the Tunnel on the 5th January to arrive at Catral on the 8th. We are going down the west side as there is less likelihood of snow and there is not a lot of difference between east of west milage wise. We are doing Tours, Pissos and Zaragoza.

 

[Mikeco]

We live in the far south of France near the Spanish border and find the best way for north to south travelling is to set the sat-nav on the 'no tolls' option and let the sat-nav do its own thing. This way we've discovered some beautiful places that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. For us it's not just the destination but also the pleasure of the journey to get there.

Any other time of the year I would agree with you but not in January when you are trying to get to Southern Spain as quickly as possible.

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[andyman]

Anyone got a rough idea of toll costs.

 

[EuroTrotters]

One year we drove via Bordeaux, 20c in January

Year after 5c

 

[Tombola]

Anyone got a rough idea of toll costs.

France on the way down to SPain entered via perpignon

and interactive rates now here where you can work out fuel and toll costs from place to place https://www.autoroutes.fr/en/key-rates.htm

 

[LesW]

Anyone got a rough idea of toll costs.

Try on line Michelin route finder.

 

[andyman]

Try on line Michelin route finder.

I will look again, but couldn’t see how to put in Motorhome.

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[MichaelT]

I will look again, but couldn’t see how to put in Motorhome.

Just put luxury car towing a caravan and it will give class 2.

We are going mid January and will likely use western route depending on weather, if OK then may go med coast or somport tunnel but won't know till the day.

 

[Ditcha]

A old guy on here put this western route info on here works well.

My often used, mostly toll free, route into Spain and to Benidorm in particular. https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/resources/tonkas-western-route-to-spain.99/

 

[Verteuil Man]

Last year we went down the Eastern side on the Route de Soleil and it was €140.00.

 

[Basa]

Have a look at About Franc .com , gives you pros and cons driving through France tolls or no tolls, come tolls are cheap and can save you hours

 

[EuroTrotters]

see my post re Intinerie BIS

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[Alan]

I did toll roads all the way on the western route crossing at Irun and tolls was approx 170 euros,That was Calais to Benidorm class 2

 

[Alan]

I did toll roads all the way on the western route crossing at Irun and tolls was approx 170 euros,That was Calais to Benidorm class 2

Sorry checking my card details £170 not euros

 

[Wh05apk]

Sorry checking my card details £170 not euros

Thats about what I spent in diesel!

 

[andyman]

A old guy on here put this western route info on here works well.

My often used, mostly toll free, route into Spain and to Benidorm in particular. https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/resources/tonkas-western-route-to-spain.99/

Roughly what’s the total traveling time. Is i feasible to do the western no toll route in 3 days

 

[Carpmart]

Last year we went down the Eastern side on the Route de Soleil and it was €140.00.

Yes that route has way more expensive toll sections than following Mr Tonkas western route…

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[Ditcha]

Roughly what’s the total traveling time. Is i feasible to do the western no toll route in 3 days

I normally do 6/7hr days 400-500km arriving in Benidorm on the 4th day.

 

[John and Jo]

Morning, are snow chains are requirement on any of that western route?

 

[MichaelT]

Morning, are snow chains are requirement on any of that western route?

Yes

 

[ceejayt]

We plan on takimg our time despite the cold weather in France - we are looking at some historic sites and plan on travelling absolute max around 2 to 3 hours per day, fimniding somewhere to stay and a nice meal out. Photo of our planned Western route to Bsarcelona

Edit: Hmmm,.. on the train - not letting me attach the image

 

[ceejayt]

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[MichaelT]

View attachment 840687

Thats not western its Eastern

 

[gus-lopez]

View attachment 840687

that's an eastern route?

 

[ceejayt]

So it is Doh!!!!

 

[ceejayt]

Western if yiu were doing it from Russia

 

[JockandRita]

stewartwebr. Stewart, we tend to follow tonka Steve's non toll Western Route down. I use Truck mapping on the Sat Nav, with all the dimensions programmed in, but for France (as well as Austria and Switzerland), I set my weight for 3.49T, which keeps me from being forced on to HGV detours.
I set the Sat Nav for Motorways, and Non Tolls.

We normally do Calais to Alicante/Benidorm in 4.5 - 5 days, but at truck speeds due to our weight, (ie, similar to yours).
From Irun to Vitoria Gasteiz, I tend to take the Spanish Tolls, as they are very reasonable compared to the French Tolls.

When heading home, I tend to use Steve's Eastern route up the AP7 into France, then picking up the A75 North past Millau and beyond.

HTH.

andyman. Here you go Andy. Just work the tolls out for a large car, and if you are over Class 2, add half again for each class over. It'll give you a rough guide.

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