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Driving from Calais

Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:40pm
14 replies342 views7 members subscribed
Gina32

Posts: 12

Location: Torrox

Joined: 20 Sep 2022

What would be the best (fastest) driving route from Calais to Torrox in winter, taking into account weather and road conditions.

Andrew14

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 8:34am

Andrew14

Helpful member

Posts: 185

71 helpful points

Location: Vélez-Málaga

Joined: 26 Mar 2019

Posted: 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)

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

Gina32

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 10:02am

Gina32

Original Poster

Posts: 12

Location: Torrox

Joined: 20 Sep 2022

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 10:02am

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)...

...

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?

Camerachap

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 11:11am

Posts: 16

7 helpful points

Location: La Cala De Mijas

Joined: 20 Nov 2020

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. 

Gina32

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 1:29pm

Gina32

Original Poster

Posts: 12

Location: Torrox

Joined: 20 Sep 2022

Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2022 1:29pm

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...

..., 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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Holaitsdavid

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 4:40pm

Holaitsdavid

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Posts: 1447

542 helpful points

Location: Mijas Costa

Joined: 30 Mar 2021

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 4:40pm

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...

..., 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)

Gina32

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 5:16pm

Gina32

Original Poster

Posts: 12

Location: Torrox

Joined: 20 Sep 2022

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 5:16pm

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...

Many thanks. Unfortunately ferry not operating in Jan/Feb.

Janine2019

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 7:57pm

Posts: 19

2 helpful points

Location: Nerja

Joined: 28 Sep 2019

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!

Gina32

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:07pm

Gina32

Original Poster

Posts: 12

Location: Torrox

Joined: 20 Sep 2022

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 8:07pm

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...

...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.

Holaitsdavid

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:45pm

Holaitsdavid

Very helpful member

Posts: 1447

542 helpful points

Location: Mijas Costa

Joined: 30 Mar 2021

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2022 10:45pm

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...

...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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