What would be the best (fastest) driving route from Calais to Torrox in winter, taking into account weather and road conditions.
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:34am
Helpful member
Done that trip several times (to Algarrobo) Combination of least time & low tolls takes us through the west side of France, Rouen, Chartres Limoges Bordeaux then south via Madrid
Rouen can be a bottleneck at rush hour but otherwise no issue. Similarly Madrid slow if you hit it at the wrong time (early afternoon in our experience)
Google Maps takes you via Paris, which is more expensive on tolls, & can be very busy, done that, now avoid
Not driven in winter but it's generally low level & I expect the best chance of getting through without weather delays
Andrew14 wrote on Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:34am:
Done that trip several times (to Algarrobo) Combination of least time & low tolls takes us through the west side of France, Rouen, Chartres Limoges Bordeaux then south via Madrid
Rouen can be a bottleneck at rush hour but otherwise no issue. Similarly Madrid slow if you hit it at the wrong time (early afternoon in our experience)...
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Google Maps takes you via Paris, which is more expensive on tolls, & can be very busy, done that, now avoid
Not driven in winter but it's generally low level & I expect the best chance of getting through without weather delays
Many thanks for your response. Sounds like good advice.
Anyone done the route in winter?
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 11:11am
Gina32 wrote on Sat Sep 24, 2022 10:02am:
Many thanks for your response. Sounds like good advice.
Anyone done the route in winter?
I have followed this route in January for several years prior to covid and have never suffered major hold-ups. It is worth sticking to the motorways and paying the tolls as trying to avoid them will involve you in local traffic and cost you a lot of time. Whatever you do, avoid Paris at all costs, the traffic is even worse than Parisien drivers!
Be prepared for snow just north of Madrid but in 15 years of following this route I have only once had to divert due to heavy snow. It is usually just a light fall which does nothing more than wet the road, but DO watch the local forecasts and, if you use a TomTom satnav, believe any diversion it offers due to weather.
Camerachap wrote on Sat Sep 24, 2022 11:11am:
I have followed this route in January for several years prior to covid and have never suffered major hold-ups. It is worth sticking to the motorways and paying the tolls as trying to avoid them will involve you in local traffic and cost you a lot of time. Whatever you do, avoid Paris at all costs...
Read more...
..., the traffic is even worse than Parisien drivers!
Be prepared for snow just north of Madrid but in 15 years of following this route I have only once had to divert due to heavy snow. It is usually just a light fall which does nothing more than wet the road, but DO watch the local forecasts and, if you use a TomTom satnav, believe any diversion it offers due to weather.
Extremely helpful, thanks.
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 4:40pm
Very helpful member
Camerachap wrote on Sat Sep 24, 2022 11:11am:
I have followed this route in January for several years prior to covid and have never suffered major hold-ups. It is worth sticking to the motorways and paying the tolls as trying to avoid them will involve you in local traffic and cost you a lot of time. Whatever you do, avoid Paris at all costs...
Read more...
..., the traffic is even worse than Parisien drivers!
Be prepared for snow just north of Madrid but in 15 years of following this route I have only once had to divert due to heavy snow. It is usually just a light fall which does nothing more than wet the road, but DO watch the local forecasts and, if you use a TomTom satnav, believe any diversion it offers due to weather.
"Be prepared for snow just north of Madrid" They are good at clearing the snow. However, you can also take the long route via Lyon to Perpignan, pleasant drive taking to Med coast route, 'if not in a hurry', then miss the bad weather when hit Spain. If not keen on driving the Ferry is great Santander to Portsmouth.Santander to Portsmouth | Santander to Portsmouth Ferry Times & Dates (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
Holaitsdavid wrote on Mon Sep 26, 2022 4:40pm:
"Be prepared for snow just north of Madrid" They are good at clearing the snow. However, you can also take the long route via Lyon to Perpignan, pleasant drive taking to Med coast route, 'if not in a hurry', then miss the bad weather when hit Spain. If not keen on driving the Ferry is great...
Read more...
... Santander to Portsmouth.Santander to Portsmouth | Santander to Portsmouth Ferry Times & Dates (brittany-ferries.co.uk)
Many thanks. Unfortunately ferry not operating in Jan/Feb.
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:57pm
Hi we do this journey twice a year. Oct to Dec then march to June.
Route calais via tunnel. Rouen, poitiers, angouleme, bordeaux,bayonne to Spanish border. Then to burgos, Madrid, granada then to coast. We have 2 to 3 stop offs as over 2000kms. We use toll roads mainly in France. In Spain only one between border and burgos. Cheapest diesel in France at Auchan shopping centres in Poitiers,Angouleme 1.65-1.75€ litre. In Spain average price 1.75€, although did fill up in Motril at Al Campo for 1.62€ litre. Petrol cheaper. Enjoy your drive as fantastic scenery in Espana!
Janine2019 wrote on Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:57pm:
Hi we do this journey twice a year. Oct to Dec then march to June.
Route calais via tunnel. Rouen, poitiers, angouleme, bordeaux,bayonne to Spanish border. Then to burgos, Madrid, granada then to coast. We have 2 to 3 stop offs as over 2000kms. We use toll roads mainly in France. In Spain only one between border and burgos. Cheapest diesel in France at Auchan sh...
Read more...
...opping centres in Poitiers,Angouleme 1.65-1.75€ litre. In Spain average price 1.75€, although did fill up in Motril at Al Campo for 1.62€ litre. Petrol cheaper. Enjoy your drive as fantastic scenery in Espana!
Wonderful thanks.
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:45pm
Very helpful member
Janine2019 wrote on Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:57pm:
Hi we do this journey twice a year. Oct to Dec then march to June.
Route calais via tunnel. Rouen, poitiers, angouleme, bordeaux,bayonne to Spanish border. Then to burgos, Madrid, granada then to coast. We have 2 to 3 stop offs as over 2000kms. We use toll roads mainly in France. In Spain only one between border and burgos. Cheapest diesel in France at Auchan sh...
Read more...
...opping centres in Poitiers,Angouleme 1.65-1.75€ litre. In Spain average price 1.75€, although did fill up in Motril at Al Campo for 1.62€ litre. Petrol cheaper. Enjoy your drive as fantastic scenery in Espana!
"Then to Burgos, Madrid"
I don't agree about that route, just can be nasty if bad snow in winter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHl0oy7gouk
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