Driving UK - France - Spain

[JCKST1]

Im setting off on thursday to Costa Blanca. I know my route to dover just looking for tips from Calais to Costa blanca (Near Alicate). Im avoiding the tolls as im in no rush to get there and fancy seeing a few things on the way instead of blasting down the motorway.
Heres my route http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Routes

Has anyone got any tips, places to see/avoid. Im sleeping in the car for the night/nights so were is best to stop etc. Or has anyone got a better route?

Like said ive done it many a time on the motorway but dont want to pay the tolls and fancy a different route.

Thanks

[Wombat3]

JCKST1 said:

Im setting off on thursday to Costa Blanca. I know my route to dover just looking for tips from Calais to Costa blanca (Near Alicate). Im avoiding the tolls as im in no rush to get there and fancy seeing a few things on the way instead of blasting down the motorway.
Heres my route http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Routes

Has anyone got any tips, places to see/avoid. Im sleeping in the car for the night/nights so were is best to stop etc. Or has anyone got a better route?

Like said ive done it many a time on the motorway but dont want to pay the tolls and fancy a different route.

Thanks

That route thing hasn't worked.

Millau Bridge is a must see & is on the way to Spain (more or less!). Andorra is duty free & you'll get a cheap tank of petrol & other goodies there (though the queues in & out can be a bit dull).

I'd take a small tent & a sleeping bag rather than sleep in the car (unless its a very big car!) & find campsites where you can. You'll get a safe place to stay & a free hot shower.

[JCKST1]

Been over the Millau bridge 4 times lol, Brilliant.
I might pay a visit to andorra, Is there much to see there? or just a matter of getting the cheapies and setting off again..

[Wombat3]

JCKST1 said:

Been over the Millau bridge 4 times lol, Brilliant.
I might pay a visit to andorra, Is there much to see there? or just a matter of getting the cheapies and setting off again..

Nothing whatsoever to see really (unless you like roadworks!)

However, just south of Andorra is the N260 - if ya like that sort of thing

(It may not help much in terms of a straight-ish route, but it'd be worth a look if you have time )

[JCKST1]

probably spend a day there getting cheap alcohol/fags etc. Are they strict on their limits? Surely i could hide some fags. Im staying in spain 5 weeks so will stop back off again on the way to UK!

[Wombat3]

JCKST1 said:

probably spend a day there getting cheap alcohol/fags etc. Are they strict on their limits? Surely i could hide some fags. Im staying in spain 5 weeks so will stop back off again on the way to UK!

No idea on limits for UK citizens. ISTR the French police on that side of the border seemed to be checking the French registered cars & see what they are carrying though.

[Mykap]

I regularly drive between UK and Javea (Costa Blanca) in the Stang.
Avoid Paris. When I just want to get there I go Calais, Rouen Bordeaux, Bayonne, Pamplona, Sargossa, Valencia.

Sleeping in the car is a no no unless its a camper. Take a tent or use the cheap F1/Etap/Premiereclasse or other French hotels. I break the journey in Bordeaux (Holiday Inn has good secure parking).

If doing it for fun and time no object do Reims and the Millau bridge, much longer route though.
Should you use the west coast route I mentioned above you have Biarritz and the Pyrenees to see. Anddora well worth a visit. If not stopping in Andorra try the tunnels - great fun in a loud car.

My summer route to Javea is on the roads thread.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Mykap on Tuesday 3rd July 04:35