St Albans to Barcelona - Which Route

[debanks]

I am about to trek down to Barcelona to visit family and was looking for advice on a route that suits both me and my passengers.

I would like to take the best 'driving' route my wife and daughter the 'quickest' route.

Any suggestions?

I am especially interested in somewhere to stop overnight that isn't too £££

[Chris_]

I am looking for the same route, but something a bit more "interesting" this time. I did this journey going the quickest A-B last year which was nearly all motorway but still very enjoyable I followed the viamichelin route which takes you through the stunning Massif Central and over the Milau Bridge. Once past Paris there was very little traffic until Beziers.

[JimexPL]

Here's four routes that I've taken before -

Quickest - stop at a Formule1 when you get tired
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

Slowest - Largest amount of interesting driving (Go to San Seb for dinner, stay at a cheaper hotel in Biarritz). Did this route after Le Mans last year. Left campsite at 4pm, drove to San Seb for dinner, slept at an etap then got up at 6am for a sunrise drive over the Pyrennes. Got to Barcelona at about 6pm.
Day 1 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&amp...
Day 2 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&amp...

French Countryside - Did this in July last year. Le Puy is interesting and not too hard a slog in one day.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&amp...
Day 2 - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&amp...

Tolouse and central Pyrennes - Got to Tolouse from London in time for dinner. Got up early and drove into the Pyrennes for sunrise. Haven't got a record of the actual route on my PC (did it in 200, so it's on a highlighted map!) Went something like this -
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

HTH

James

[Chris_]

Thanks James for the links

I did your "Quickest" route last year, and it was a doddle. Once past Clermont-Ferrand the road was really enjoyable with the bonus of seeing, and going over the Milau Bridge. I started in Kent, near the tunnel and I don’t go quite as far as Barcelona, infact just over the border, before Girona , so managed it in a day.

For the same trip next month, I like the idea of the central section from your “French Countryside” to break up the journey, especially as Calais to Paris and Beziers southwards is going to be by motorway, what with having limited time. I also found a fantastic sounding trip on a biker website, for a route across the Pyrenees from Barcelona to Bayonne which looks very much like your map. Might try to this on the way back if time permits.

[JimexPL]

Chris_ said:

Thanks James for the links

I did your "Quickest" route last year, and it was a doddle. Once past Clermont-Ferrand the road was really enjoyable with the bonus of seeing, and going over the Milau Bridge. I started in Kent, near the tunnel and I don’t go quite as far as Barcelona, infact just over the border, before Girona , so managed it in a day.

For the same trip next month, I like the idea of the central section from your “French Countryside” to break up the journey, especially as Calais to Paris and Beziers southwards is going to be by motorway, what with having limited time. I also found a fantastic sounding trip on a biker website, for a route across the Pyrenees from Barcelona to Bayonne which looks very much like your map. Might try to this on the way back if time permits.

The motorway is surprisingly twisty and hilly South of Clermont-Ferrand - I remember having a fun tussle with a Renaultsport Megane going north along there a couple of years ago.

Depending on what car you're in some of the roads that are on my route to Bayonne are a bit bumpy for passengers. The first time I that route my satnav took me down a dirt road and dry river bed fairly soon after leaving Biarritz - fun drifting my 320d for about 10 miles! I prefer the Pyrennes to the Alps as they tend to be a lot quieter, and some of the scenery is just as impressive.

[Chris_]

I had exactly the same experience last year on the m'way south of C-F and had a lot of fun with a quick Megane in my R32. Going this time in a 997 so don't like the sound of dried river beds much!