Driving to Spain from the UK

[adydb]

I intend driving to Spain (Alicante) in May from Dover and have checked the RAC & AA route planners via the fastest method. Of course these both include numerous toll roads, but there is no indication to the cost involved in the toll fees.

Please has anybody done this journey and if so a very rought guess for a car to the toll's total (in �'s or Euro's..getting in the mood already!).

 

Any estimates greatly appriciated.

[lecheekyworm]

We did this journey in 1997 - beware - it is horrendously long - and we did it from Bilbao.  Can't help with toll fees as we used the A roads not toll roads and we took our time and stopped over in villages. We drove over the Spanish plateau - it was Sept and hot and boring with nothing to look at all. I was so glad to arrive in Alacant(spanish version) so I suppose it would be easier on the toll roads - are you taking children.

[adydb]

thanks for the reply lecheekyworm.

No children just myself and my brother (Both Drivers)....I have done this journey several times Via coach (last week was the previous time actually) and 36 hours is just too long. You mention Bilbao, I did look at the Ship costs from Portsmouth to Bilbao, as a foot passenger it's a bargain, yet my wages do not cover the fares for a vehicle (P&O I love the Pride of Bilbao, great ship by the way).

 

I am doing the trip this way as I just cannot fly, it would have been nice to tell his wife it wouldn't cost that much for a 6-7 day break......And that way he can come with me!!!

[Artemis]

I've done the trip via Eurotunnel and then to Malaga. One overnight stop. Hardest part was the Paris ring road. Tolls wern't too bad about �20. I came back via Bilboa-Portsmouth and yes the cost is high but by then I was fed up driving and wanted a break.

[adydb]

Thanks you Two for the info......thats not as bad as I thought cost wise.

Regards

[trudileach]

Have a look at this http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/tpl/hme/MaHomePage.htm

they give you the route and the toll prices, the parallel roads although a little longer are more scenic and of course free!

Have to disagree with the person who thought it was a long drive though, we live on the CdelS and drove here regularly before we moved 1450 miles door to door and even that didn't seem long after the first half a dozen times.. enjoy your holiday!

[hannah333]

I have driven many times from Dover through France to Naples, Italy. We always stay in Formule 1 Motels - the cheapest overnight you will find in France with breakfast. I think this journey is slightly less than to Alicante, but if it helps, it costs almost exactly �300 for petrol, tolls and the overnight, and food in Autogrills, the European service stations. It is possible to do the trip avoiding the toll roads, but it is a lot more time consuming and you get lost more easily! I personally would say its better to pay the tolls when the hassle factor is accounted for.