European route advice
Discussion
Hi
after a bit of advice. Our customers are testing their race car down at Cartagena on the south cost of Spain in March.
We have an 18t truck to carry it in with possibility of 2 drivers.
We're looking for the most cost effective way of getting there and back with the truck
What's everyones view on which ferry to take etc. I've looked at Portmouth to St Malo (£438 each way) and Portsmouth to Santander (£830 each way).
One is obviously a much longer ferry crossing but less driving the other shorter ferry but more driving.
If we were to go Santander route i would probably only have one driver due to the additional cost of extra drivers on the ferry cheaper to fly the extra staff out.
what does everyone think??
after a bit of advice. Our customers are testing their race car down at Cartagena on the south cost of Spain in March.
We have an 18t truck to carry it in with possibility of 2 drivers.
We're looking for the most cost effective way of getting there and back with the truck
What's everyones view on which ferry to take etc. I've looked at Portmouth to St Malo (£438 each way) and Portsmouth to Santander (£830 each way).
One is obviously a much longer ferry crossing but less driving the other shorter ferry but more driving.
If we were to go Santander route i would probably only have one driver due to the additional cost of extra drivers on the ferry cheaper to fly the extra staff out.
what does everyone think??
I used to use the Portsmouth-Santander boat, (freight) a few years ago. Good boat and good service although you were always hoping for a smooth crossing on that route 
If you took this route I think you'd be saving about 700kms each way over the St Malo route, so i guess it would be down to fuel costs/toll charges on the two routes. Also depending on what days of the week you'd be going, if you go Santander you won't have to worry about factoring in any weekend truck bans in France. Some parts of Northern Spain have similar bans, but the Santander to Cartagena route would not be affected by these bans.
Out of interest, how much extra do they want for an extra driver on the ferry?
Santander to Cartagena is a fair old slap, and as good as Spains roads are these days, i think its just outside of being do-able in 1 shift on a tacho, even if doing a 10 hour drive.
If you took this route I think you'd be saving about 700kms each way over the St Malo route, so i guess it would be down to fuel costs/toll charges on the two routes. Also depending on what days of the week you'd be going, if you go Santander you won't have to worry about factoring in any weekend truck bans in France. Some parts of Northern Spain have similar bans, but the Santander to Cartagena route would not be affected by these bans.
Out of interest, how much extra do they want for an extra driver on the ferry?
Santander to Cartagena is a fair old slap, and as good as Spains roads are these days, i think its just outside of being do-able in 1 shift on a tacho, even if doing a 10 hour drive.
The Portsmouth to Bilbao boat was always my favorite, but i'm guessing that would be just as expensive as the Santander route. Are your prices direct from the ferry company? Some of the owner drivers i used to know on those ferry routes used to book through agents and get better deals.
St Malo to Cartagena is roughly 1600kms, so even with both drivers on a double manned shift, its probably not do-able in the 1 shift, you'd get close though traffic permitting, but probably an overnight stop required.
I guess the St Malo route adds approx 700km/434 miles each way. I don't know what that adds cost wise in fuel and tolls though?
St Malo to Cartagena is roughly 1600kms, so even with both drivers on a double manned shift, its probably not do-able in the 1 shift, you'd get close though traffic permitting, but probably an overnight stop required.
I guess the St Malo route adds approx 700km/434 miles each way. I don't know what that adds cost wise in fuel and tolls though?
If you've allowed for margin, may as well go St Malo.
I think you are right, I think it will probably be cheaper the St Malo route. I would be interested to know though, what the difference was after factoring in the tolls and fuel. All depends what route you pick, and what roads you choose to use.
I think you are right, I think it will probably be cheaper the St Malo route. I would be interested to know though, what the difference was after factoring in the tolls and fuel. All depends what route you pick, and what roads you choose to use.
Edited by chilistrucker on Thursday 21st January 22:37
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