Calais to Spain - How many stops?

[WelshGas]

This is the problem nowadays. Do you want to Visit somewhere in Spain or Travel somewhere in Spain .
There is so much to see and experience when Travelling to somewhere compared to just visiting somewhere.
Remember the song " The Rain in Spain stays mainly on the Plain ", well they do exist but you wouldn't know that if you flew over.

 

[Annik]

We are currently in the Almeria and not in the Cali as it would of cost in excess of £1,100 just for ferry, fuel and tolls.

We have only paid £200 for flights and have a hire car that cost us just over £180 for 2 weeks and we have a small twon house with pool for £450 per week.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

We are travelling down to Valencia in October from Calais and we were just wondering if it is possible do this in just one stop or is that pushing it?

It's a similar cost to go Pompy to Santander, then 8 hours to Valencia. Non toll roads are plentiful in Spain.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

We are currently in the Almeria and not in the Cali as it would of cost in excess of £1,100 just for ferry, fuel and tolls.

We have only paid £200 for flights and have a hire car that cost us just over £180 for 2 weeks and we have a small twon house with pool for £450 per week.

Agreed about the cost. I go to Morocco quite often and looking at £3,000 for six weeks. On the other hand I'm going there by plane in November; £29 each way!

 

[Barbara]

Some toll information:
Around Bilbao - Ap8 sur / santur-bilbao - 1.29€
Bilbao - Zaragoza Aut. vasco aragonesa ap68 32.85 €
Zaragoza - Valencia Free
about 7 hours including stops to end of free motorway at Valencia from Bilbao

 

[Volkywagen]

Last year I decided to drive to see my brother who lives in Malaga in the bus.
I was surprised at how much fuel it used and just how expensive it actually was all in.
Money aside, the journey was great, albeit a tad lonely is I went on my own, and leaning across for the toll booths to pay was a pain in the backside but a learning curve.
From Calais it took me around 2 days, stopping at camping Zumai near Bilboa on the first night. The second day I did Spain in one hit, circa 8 hours through Madrid.
The return was different, I came back up the east coast through Seville, and headed for Santander. I wasn’t going to drive France again, it’s probably one of the most mind numbing things I’ve done, however I can imagine with a few others it would be a great trip introducing small stops, camps and the like.
One on the ferry at Santander it was an overnight voyage to Plymouth. I have to say the sleep on the ship had to be one of the best sleeps I’ve ever had. Loved it!

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

Last year I decided to drive to see my brother who lives in Malaga in the bus.
I was surprised at how much fuel it used and just how expensive it actually was all in.
Money aside, the journey was great, albeit a tad lonely is I went on my own, and leaning across for the toll booths to pay was a pain in the backside but a learning curve.
From Calais it took me around 2 days, stopping at camping Zumai near Bilboa on the first night. The second day I did Spain in one hit, circa 8 hours through Madrid.
The return was different, I came back up the east coast through Seville, and headed for Santander. I wasn’t going to drive France again, it’s probably one of the most mind numbing things I’ve done, however I can imagine with a few others it would be a great trip introducing small stops, camps and the like.
One on the ferry at Santander it was an overnight voyage to Plymouth. I have to say the sleep on the ship had to be one of the best sleeps I’ve ever had. Loved it!

My thoughts exactly although it can get a bit choppy in the Bay of Biscay!

 

[briwy]

My thoughts exactly although it can get a bit choppy in the Bay of Biscay!

"a bit choppy" No, it can he absolutely horrendous at times. We have had really bad experiences on the Bay of Biscay. Last time our return trip was cancelled because of the weather. Vowed never again. Yes its a long way up through France but takes about the same time as the ferry and probably less expensive.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

"a bit choppy" No, it can he absolutely horrendous at times. We have had really bad experiences on the Bay of Biscay. Last time our return trip was cancelled because of the weather. Vowed never again. Yes its a long way up through France but takes about the same time as the ferry and probably less expensive.

That was an ironic understatement! As a truck driver I’ve been on many ferry crossings and that’s one of the worst when it’s rough and you’re on it a long time. This time last year the crossing from Santander to Cork took 6 hours longer because of the adverse weather conditions. At least the boats have stabilisers unlike some of the freighters.

 

[GSX1300R]

With all the strict speed restrictions in France and calculations taken at every toll I personally would sooner take a bit more time. Toll roads are banned in our California.....of coarse if you don’t mind the cost of the tolls and ridiculous diesel prices on the motorways just go for it. Our holiday normally starts when we arrive in France and love the French villages.....Everyone has a different view.....

 

[TripleBee]

With all the strict speed restrictions in France and calculations taken at every toll I personally would sooner take a bit more time. Toll roads are banned in our California.....of coarse if you don’t mind the cost of the tolls and ridiculous diesel prices on the motorways just go for it. Our holiday normally starts when we arrive in France and love the French villages.....Everyone has a different view.....

I manage to cross France from Belgium without refuelling. So I don't need the rediculous motorway fuel stations.
As I only have 14 days per holiday, I sometimes want to be at my destination in the shortest possible time, meaning toll roads. But I never refuel on motorways.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

I manage to cross France from Belgium without refuelling. So I don't need the rediculous motorway fuel stations.
As I only have 14 days per holiday, I sometimes want to be at my destination in the shortest possible time, meaning toll roads. But I never refuel on motorways.

For the french, spanish and portuguese tolls I have an electronic pass. You have to be careful in Spain though: many tolls are free in Spain in the off season but if you're showing the tag it will still charge you. Always fuel at supermarkets in in all countries, but in Italy autostrada prices are not that much difference. Portugal toll prices are jolly dear so I try to use the IP roads for distances.

 

[Ksar-el-kebir]

Depends where you start from in UK. You can drive to Spain in a day however it’s hard work.
I usually do it with one stop about half way. Lyon is always slow.

If I need to go through Lyon I go between 20:00 and 05:00.

 

[Amarillo]

Always fuel at supermarkets in in all countries, but in Italy autostrada prices are not that much difference.

The most I have ever paid for diesel was on the Autostrada in Northern Italy: €1.879 per litre for standard diesel on 13 May 2018.

Google review of Tamoil by Mathias S.

âââââ "Hier zu tanken ist die reinste abzocke... unser cappu2go wurde ausversehen verschüttet, aber anstatt einen neuen zu machen wurde er einfach nur mit mehr Milch aufgefüllt, erst nach 3 maligen beschweren wurde uns nochmal ein Schluck Espresso oben drauf geschüttet... guter Service wird...

goo.gl

Photo on the review section of the Google Maps page for the filling station shows diesel at €1.78 per litre. There is another photo showing it at €1.899!

 

[jimfromchi]

We are travelling down to Valencia in October from Calais and we were just wondering if it is possible do this in just one stop or is that pushing it?

Def a step too far! Done that route loads of times, probably 2 stops in France 1 in N Spain probably Jaca then toll free on the A23 all the way, nice journey less stress!