Navigation in France

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Cotters

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Hi all, is there a good navigation app that can build a route using both toll and non-toll roads to get the best route, minimising toll roads?
Google Maps is either on or off for tolls, which can mean long detours to save a few quid.
 
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I think it's going to be difficult on a long route as there would be so many toll/ non toll options. You might need to plan the route as one then in sections
 
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Route planning beforehand using a paper map enables getting the best of both for a faster yet less costly journey in terms of tolls. Old skool, moi! There are some helpful recommended routes on this forum if you search.

I also recommend the Bison Fute site for avoiding peak season traffic jams.
 
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Via Michelin is good for planning if you use it via a browser but don't use the app for actual navigation it loves doing detours down little roads.

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Yes - I have an excellent one. It's called- 'my wife'.

She uses a paper map, Google maps, sometimes maps.me Basically work out route using tolls on Google and then consult paper map to work out which sections have good alternatives.
 
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VXman said:
Yes - I have an excellent one. It's called- 'my wife'.

She uses a paper map, Google maps, sometimes maps.me Basically work out route using tolls on Google and then consult paper map to work out which sections have good alternatives.
Click to expand...

That would be my suggestion, but then I am only a man.
 
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Copilot offers motorway and toll roads as ‘avoid if possible” which works well for us. We have travelled down from Calais to South of Lyon on our way to Spain and have spent around 40euros on tolls where needed. Sometimes it just pays to use the toll road.

Also, I like that I can change my mind anytime during the drive to avoid them all together.
 
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Even TomTom doesn’t know the difference between a motorway and a fast dual carriage way in france as I put in no motorways and was on what I thought was one
 
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One of the benefits of using a Garmin satnav, is being able to create the most complex route(s) you want on the roads you want using Mapsource or Basecamp and loading the routes to your unit.

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VXman said:
Yes - I have an excellent one. It's called- 'my wife'.

She uses a paper map, Google maps, sometimes maps.me Basically work out route using tolls on Google and then consult paper map to work out which sections have good alternatives.
Click to expand...
You are very brave mine does “turn left” me “when?” Her “two junctions back!”
 
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We use CoPilot along with Google maps, we set Copilot with your MH size, weight along with avoiding Tolls found that we prefer the quieter routes to explore the country side.
Like all navigation aids, you cant beat your own intuition, if it doesn’t feel right don‘t go there😀
 
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Lenny HB said:
Via Michelin is good for planning if you use it via a browser but don't use the app for actual navigation it loves doing detours down little roads.
Click to expand...

I also use the Via Michelin app on my iPhone, but only for planning as it’s easy to create a route and then switch between toll and non-toll options to immediately see how much any time saved will cost in péage fees.

For on the road navigation I find the iPhone native Apple Maps works well via CarPlay through the Fiat Uconnect head unit - the voice of the Irish cailin is also quite soothing.
 
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If you want to minimise costs, then avoiding tolls completely is probably the cheapest. A motorhome gets best mileage at around 40mph.
 
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I use Google Maps in stages between overnight stops.. then check route next stage if there is a toll section and if I want to use.. some short inexpensive toll sections around cities are worth paying for as they can save a lot of time and fuel ..

in my experience taking non-toll can take you through dozens of villages with speed control chicanes, endless roundabouts and traffic lights.. .. this is slow and not full efficient.. some times an N road can be just as fast as the autoroute

my panel van gets best economy around 55 - 60 mph cruising on the autoroute .. up and down the gears and stop start driving on D roads is not fuel efficient.

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scotjimland said:
my panel van gets best economy around 55 - 60 mph cruising on the autoroute .. up and down the gears and stop start driving on D roads is not fuel efficient.
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Even diesel cars are most efficient at 45-50mph. For vans it's even lower due to the poor aerodynamics.
 
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Cheers all
Via Michelin is a good start, we normally use a combination of Google and a book of maps (wife in charge).
Plan ahead and be flexible....
 
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If you register an account with Michelin and link it to the app it will stop the annoying pop ups
 
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Try this, truly brilliant!

Russ



IMG_0156.png
 
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Guigsy said:
Even diesel cars are most efficient at 45-50mph. For vans it's even lower due to the poor aerodynamics.
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you may be correct.. however., that is test-track statistics ..not everyday driving

But, in any case, I was replying to the OP about navigating in France from my experiences and comparing toll and non-toll routes and what MPG I get cruising on an Autoroute at 55-60 ..

so what a diesel car gets doing 45-50 on a test track is academic, .. it is certainly not a realistic average speed on an autoroute nor achievable on French D roads with a motorhome..

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scotjimland said:
you may be correct.. however., that is test-track statistics ..not everyday driving

But, in any case, I was replying to the OP about navigating in France from my experiences and comparing toll and non-toll routes and what MPG I get cruising on an Autoroute at 55-60 ..

so what a diesel car gets doing 45-50 on a test track is academic, .. it is certainly not a realistic average speed on an autoroute nor achievable on French D roads with a motorhome..
Click to expand...
I got my best ever fill-to-fill mpg tootling around the Scottish Highlands in my previous Ducato PVC. Lots of 40mph roads. Villages. Hills. It was October so the roads were empty. Over 100 miles with an average of 37mpg! I normally only got 32mpg. When the M6 was pretty much solid 40mph roadworks from Birmingham to Manchester, I got 45mpg average. Slower is definitely better.

Even if the toll roads are slightly more efficient, it's still not enough to cover the cost of the toll.

In reality, I suspect that people also value their time. If you can cut an hour out of a long drive, you'll happily pay an extra couple of quid for fuel and tolls.
 
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LesW said:
If that's a link it's doesn't work.
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It wasn’t a link, I’m assuming that you can read it and spot the name of the website. Was using my phone to respond n it’s a pain trying to copy website addresses!

Cheers!
Russ

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Always used the N routes in France..even the D routes..kept of the peage..never in a rush..used the free peage round the big towns and cities...Toutes Directions..
Saw a lot more of France that way...used paper maps..drivers atlas of France..old school
 
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