European road trip tomorrow...

[heppers75]

Going to a trade show in Dusseldorf tomorrow and only really wanted to go for the day and after umming and ahhing about flights etc in the end decided to drive it there and back in a day.

Mildly insane possibly but actually really looking forward to it, £50 on the Shuttle and 3 and a bit tanks of fuel I guess plus a chance to stretch the X-Types legs a bit and I will pick up some decent cheese and wine on the way back.

Just thought I would share... now awaiting Cool Starry Bra and Buddy Christ pictures with baited breath....

[sinizter]

Post live updates, like the guy who went to Scotland to pick up a car.

[heppers75]

Not a bad idea, I will see if I can work out posting pictures from the mobile app too.

[jamoor]

I've been from sheffield to dusseldorf in a day, I managed it without even getting out of my car as my 530d at the time had a good range.

[sinizter]

jamoor said:

I've been from sheffield to dusseldorf in a day, I managed it without even getting out of my car as my 530d at the time had a good range.

Did you pee in a bottle, or were you just dehydrated ?

[heppers75]

I am booked on the 0650 & 2220 Shuttles and I am just of J22 on the M1 so I am reckoning on it being about 6hrs of driving each way.

[Hugo a Gogo]

Drupa?

6 hours is very optimistic, it's at least 4 on the other side of the channel and you're only on unrestricted German roads for about 20 mins

[heppers75]

Hugo a Gogo said:

Drupa?

6 hours is very optimistic, it's at least 4 on the other side of the channel and you're only on unrestricted German roads for about 20 mins

Yep Drupa, according to google maps it is only 247 miles from Calais and it is all motorway, whilst I won't hammer it all the way I will keep a steady lick up so I was hoping for it to be nearer 3hrs the other end, have you done it Hugo? If so any advice on route etc would be appreciated.

[ratpick2000]

I would have gone Stena from Harwich overnight, get to Rotterdam first thing, then a leisurely 2hr drive across holland, with an hour of Deutsche bahn thrown in. I just drove back from Munich via D'dorf on Sunday.

[Aizle]

heppers75 said:

Not a bad idea, I will see if I can work out posting pictures from the mobile app too.

Photobucket app and then get the IMG code. Easiest way by far.

Sounds great

[Hugo a Gogo]

heppers75 said:

Hugo a Gogo said:

Drupa?

6 hours is very optimistic, it's at least 4 on the other side of the channel and you're only on unrestricted German roads for about 20 mins

Yep Drupa, according to google maps it is only 247 miles from Calais and it is all motorway, whilst I won't hammer it all the way I will keep a steady lick up so I was hoping for it to be nearer 3hrs the other end, have you done it Hugo? If so any advice on route etc would be appreciated.

I live in Düsseldorf, done it loads of times

3 choices really

the southern route, brussels liege by aachen then up the a44/46 to düs

the other way via antwerp and eindhoven is more direct, especially to the north of düs where the Messe is, but I hate travelling around antwerp, and I hate driving in Holland, especially that bloody road from Eindhoven past Venlo to the border, used to do it every week, it's just two-lane truck hell

i'd go this way though
http://g.co/maps/vgxvf via Brussels, Maastricht and Roermond
the 52 into Germany leaving Roermond should be empty enough to get a good bit of flat-out time, then the a44 bit towards the airport/messe is also usually quiet for the first bit - but when it goes into the tunnels and bridge slow right down, it goes between 80 and 100 kmh limit and they sometimes have unmarked cars up there, then a camera right near the airport

you could get down nearer to 3hrs, but you'd be speeding in Belgium, and they will take all your cash at the roadside if they stop you

[g3org3y]

Best of luck, enjoy!

[y2blade]

Have a fantastic trip...following with interest

[iva cosworth]

Depending which route you use,there is a speed camera almost immediately as you

enter the Netherlands.

Netherlands motorway limit is 120kmh not 130 as in other countries.

[jamoor]

sinizter said:

Did you pee in a bottle, or were you just dehydrated ?

Neither.

[heppers75]

Hugo a Gogo said:

heppers75 said:

Hugo a Gogo said:

Drupa?

6 hours is very optimistic, it's at least 4 on the other side of the channel and you're only on unrestricted German roads for about 20 mins

Yep Drupa, according to google maps it is only 247 miles from Calais and it is all motorway, whilst I won't hammer it all the way I will keep a steady lick up so I was hoping for it to be nearer 3hrs the other end, have you done it Hugo? If so any advice on route etc would be appreciated.

I live in Düsseldorf, done it loads of times

3 choices really

the southern route, brussels liege by aachen then up the a44/46 to düs

the other way via antwerp and eindhoven is more direct, especially to the north of düs where the Messe is, but I hate travelling around antwerp, and I hate driving in Holland, especially that bloody road from Eindhoven past Venlo to the border, used to do it every week, it's just two-lane truck hell

i'd go this way though
http://g.co/maps/vgxvf via Brussels, Maastricht and Roermond
the 52 into Germany leaving Roermond should be empty enough to get a good bit of flat-out time, then the a44 bit towards the airport/messe is also usually quiet for the first bit - but when it goes into the tunnels and bridge slow right down, it goes between 80 and 100 kmh limit and they sometimes have unmarked cars up there, then a camera right near the airport

you could get down nearer to 3hrs, but you'd be speeding in Belgium, and they will take all your cash at the roadside if they stop you

Cheers Hugo will take your advice, many thanks.

[richinleeds]

yeah i used to get from Calais to Munster which is 50k north of Dortmund in under 4 hrs

[heppers75]

Well folks the X-Type is prepped, few cans of some energy drink which I am sure will taste rank but do the job and a selection of CD's etc.

European travel kit all in the car, oil, tyres and fluids all checked.

Going to try and get to bed about 2200 and the alarm will be set for 0300.

[Aizle]

Got your breathalyser for France?

[Deerfoot]

Hugo a Gogo said:

the other way via antwerp and eindhoven is more direct, especially to the north of düs where the Messe is, but I hate travelling around antwerp, and I hate driving in Holland, especially that bloody road from Eindhoven past Venlo to the border, used to do it every week, it's just two-lane truck hell

Ah, the Antwerp ring road! I`d forgotten about this section of Europe, I can`t remember how long I`ve spent crawling towards the Kennedy tunnel on my way back from BFG, but it`s quite a while.