France North to South without tolls- info appreciated

[jredram]

Driving (R32) Dieppe to Malaga shortly and would appreciate any ideas/routes for getting down the West coast of France without paying a fortune in tolls. (Truth be told, I have no idea how much they may cost but have heard horror stories ) Leaving ferry in Dieppe 4am on Sat morning and need to be in Malaga by Monday morning so not leaving much time for dawdling (though return trip will be more leisurely). Are the non toll roads much slower than the toll roads? Reasonably happy with Spain as I used to live there but France is a mystery.....routes/tips/info much appreciated.

[wozy]

I've just come back from Spain ( flying) but planning on diving next year, google maps if you ask for directions it says if there is tolls, it gave me an option without.

Out if interest golf r32 or r32 skyline?

Just asking as my wife's mk4 golf r32 is on the cards for the drive

[randlemarcus]

Two proper choices:

Dieppe - UK - Plymouth - Bilbao on the ferry, then a quick sprint to Malaga

or

http://goo.gl/maps/rbKYQ

[dcb]

jredram said:

Driving (R32) Dieppe to Malaga shortly and would appreciate any ideas/routes for getting down the West coast of France without paying a fortune in tolls. (Truth be told, I have no idea how much they may cost but have heard horror stories )

So about a 1,200 mile drive. At 30 mpg, that's about £250 in petrol alone.

Road tolls from Calais to French border are about £50.

I'd be more worried about the £250 than the £50.

jredram said:

Are the non toll roads much slower than the toll roads?

Depends if they are dual carriageway or not.

French plod don't appear to issue speeding tickets in 80 mph
limited areas until 100 mph or so, which makes for some
civilised cruising.

You'd be lucky to average 50mph on single carraigeway roads.
The limit is about 60 mph, IIRC.

Is £50 enough to ensure you'll take 50% to 100% more time to get there ?

[jredram]

wozy said:

I've just come back from Spain ( flying) but planning on diving next year, google maps if you ask for directions it says if there is tolls, it gave me an option without.

Out if interest golf r32 or r32 skyline?

Just asking as my wife's mk4 golf r32 is on the cards for the drive

Golf R32. Was hoping to do it in 981 Boxster but it hasn't happened

[jredram]

randlemarcus said:

Two proper choices:

Dieppe - UK - Plymouth - Bilbao on the ferry, then a quick sprint to Malaga

or

http://goo.gl/maps/rbKYQ

Thanks rm, Route through Pyrennes looks more interesting than the one I was thinking of. Time for a bit more homework.

[jredram]

dcb said:

Depends if they are dual carriageway or not.

French plod don't appear to issue speeding tickets in 80 mph
limited areas until 100 mph or so, which makes for some
civilised cruising.

You'd be lucky to average 50mph on single carraigeway roads.
The limit is about 60 mph, IIRC.

Is £50 enough to ensure you'll take 50% to 100% more time to get there ?

Thanks dcd, if the tolls are only £50 then it's a no brainer on the way down, coming back I think we will take some of the less travelled routes. £250 for gas is indeed frightening but we are 3 up and at £200 return flight each it starts to look a bit better. Now, if I can just avoid plod........

[Sealine South]

Don't worry about fuel! I am doing Southampton to St Tropez in a E55 AMG that averages 23mpg if you drive like a vicar!!

[jredram]

Look on the bright side SS, rumour has it the French plod never pull anybody wearing a dog collar

[Oi U]

Take a look at www.viamichelin.com
I always use it and it will help you calculate overall costs and allow you to include waypoints.

[JDRoest]

jredram said:

Driving (R32) Dieppe to Malaga shortly and would appreciate any ideas/routes for getting down the West coast of France without paying a fortune in tolls. (Truth be told, I have no idea how much they may cost but have heard horror stories ) Leaving ferry in Dieppe 4am on Sat morning and need to be in Malaga by Monday morning so not leaving much time for dawdling (though return trip will be more leisurely). Are the non toll roads much slower than the toll roads? Reasonably happy with Spain as I used to live there but France is a mystery.....routes/tips/info much appreciated.

You've got to be frankly nuts to avoid tolls in France if you want to get anywhere quickly! They really don't cost that much, especially as fuel is that much cheaper in France than the UK in the first place. But if you want to do a non toll route and screw around for days on end saving 60E, well - have fun!

I think we tried to avoid a 7E toll in France just north of Alsace a few years back. WHAT A MISTAKE. Several hours later and we're still following some dumb road in the middle of nowhere. Never again.

[Truckosaurus]

You'd probably use the same value in extra fuel trying to save on the tolls.

Only worth doing non-toll roads if you want to see some scenery and/or towns and villages.

[jredram]

Cheers guys, I have got the picture, tolls are for getting through France, non tolls for cruising in France. probably do a bit of that on the way back. Thanks for your help.