Driving from Santander to Fuengirola? Any tips

Would take you 10 to 11 hours outside lane all the way but that's going to make the ferry.

Coming down to Spain would stop overnight just outside Madrid centre. Go on booking .com .nice hotel just off the E5 .Eurostar hotel Gran Madrid. Car parking under hotel very safe. Nice area ect.

Take your time enjoy 

Fist of all you will love it! It’s a great drive, I used to do it 3 times a year pre Brexit…..

I was travelling to Fuengirola, so south coast, if I docked at 8 am I could be walking through my door between 6-7 at night that’s virtually non stop in a van.

It all depends on docking times, I’m not happy driving long distance in Spain at night, so if the docking time is bad, consider stopping over, booking.com is a must, i recommend Burgos, a lovely city with ease of driving and always cheap good accommodation. Toledo south of Madrid is a favourite too.

Tips..

Firstly put your sat nav on no tolls when leaving Santander, there are good roads without paying for them, note this is the opposite when leaving from Bilbao.

Head for Burgos (this depends on where you are heading in Spain) this will take you through a lovely mountainous area which is quite hairy in winter with the snow.

When you reach Madrid (this is the important bit) do not head through the centre, you’re sat nav will tell you it’s the best route, it’s defo not, look for the ring roads (equivalent of m25) I think it’s the a50 but there are different ones depending on where you are going (research this before you get there) if you skirt Madrid you’re journey will be lovely! 

I then headed to Granada and about 50 miles before Granada switch your sat nav to Malaga and the rest is easy.

fuel seems to be cheaper in the north and the tapas in Burgos or Victoria area is both cheaper and a better variety.

last enjoy the scenery, spain is beatutiful this time of year.

regards 

Al 

Hello Geoff and thank you very much for your reply to my post and the tips!  I’m going to 

Fuengirola and the tip about avoiding going through Madrid seems sound to me ! 

   Thanks for your reply.  Well I have a 60 mph speed limiter on my vehicle as it was previously a disability mini bus so there won’t be much tearing around!  However I intend to enjoy the journey and as I’m bringing my dog with me there will have to be pee stops and to exercise so it will take as long as it takes I suppose.  

Regards