Travelling Through Europe - Journey Times

I agree, we used to be faster when towing

Assuming we are on the 'winter dash for the sun', we pretty much mirror Michael's timings...a short coffee break usually after 90 mins or 2 hrs driving...(9:00 - 10:30)..then away for another 90 mins or so and next stop around 12:15 or 12:30 for a lunch stop of 30-45 mins...perhaps a stroll for some fresh air..

so, by 13:15 we have done 3 hrs on the motorway, covered around 300km and are ready to get back on the road. We generally do 5-5.5hrs a day so we do an hour and a half and then look for a short break for a cuppa and then onto the next overnighter, having picked out a couple of possibilities asked on our timings.

all sounds easy, but this is far harder to achieve if travelling non-toll...lots of towns and villages to slow down for, whereas the toll just skirts past them...

we could take four days, rather than three to reach our destination but we prefer to make good time with the least effort.

As Peedee says, vehicle weight is a limiting factor, one reason I run our van at 3.5t, on our return trip, with time to spare for exploring, we always take the slow road but in the cold of January, and short hours of daylight, we don't really have a reason to hang about and have a genuine one for arriving in the warm as quickly, but safely, as possible.

my two and a half days driving look comfortable using the tolls, but fuel cost is slightly higher, due to faster speed, but often the actual distance covered is shorter due to the direct nature to the motorways, so a small offset there.

then there is the toll cost to consider, getting to the French/Spanish border at Irun will cost about €50. Travelling non-toll 'costs' an extra day, or two, in travel...for some (who use sites or paid Aires to overnight) they might be having three (or four) paid nights in total, €30-€60 depending on the type of stopover...

the equation is there for all to review...ViaMichelin will give you hours of fun..

The choice is pretty much easy uninterrupted progress with a direct cost or a slower, harder journey that also involves indirect costs which could amount to around the same level.

My SIL was working for a plastering company and the Boss had a friend nr Nice who wanted some work done...so the lads (3) took the van down and did the 10+ hr trip in one hit, sharing the driving on the motorway...

these journeys can be tuned to be as fast or as slow as required, eating up the ground or "stopping to smell the roses" (Walter Hagen).

As ever, this will depend on time of year, purpose of trip and any predetermined schedule...just stay safe, don't try and achieve the unachievable and, most of all, enjoy the journey as best you can.

we are using Caen this time, which gives us a slightly different perspective over our usual Cherbourg arrival....both in location and arrival time at the port.

this generates a slightly different journey 'schedule' for route, lunch stops and overnights so it will feel 'different', despite covering a similar patch of the country.

as it's been so long since we had to dash home in Feb '20 to 'escape' Spain prior to first lockdown, we are as excited as we can be while facing a 15 hr drive😀

however, the sun is shining brightly and we've missed it...

Hi LEU, Nice to see a post in the forum that results in 4 pages, currently, of just helpful comments!

So, lots of comments so far that I find myself nodding in agreement to but, so far, we have not ventured to Croatia-despite the encouragement of AD!

As far as doing any journey with children that is an element that only you will be able to figure due to the variations-even amongst yours-regarding travelability. Our longer trips, say to Italy, have often involved Grandchildren and our routine then, and moist years, was to get to where we were going ASAP.

Often we travel with our MH buddies and our routine is, as mentioned by others, 2 hours driving then a break. The longest day we have had using this method was a trip of just over 400 miles,from Villanove park to Santander starting at 0755 and arriving at 1805 but this was early October and the roads were very quiet.

Our planning also considers the most suitable ferry route for our destination but, as for most people, this will also be influenced by the cost to a greater or lesser extent. For many years we used Dover, as we were heading to Italy, but decided, OK I was told, that this was so unpleasant that we should look at the option of using Brittany Ferries.

Our approach was to consider how much we would be prepared to pay to avoid the all the negatives, we twice missed ferries due to traffic related issues, connected with the 'Drag To Dover'.

We decided it was worth up to £100 and our first trip was only £80 more. After that the discounts available via the club using BF meant it was cheaper to use them. The price, of course, as others will confirm, is just part of the story and all I can say is that a trip overnight on the Pont Aven with a great meal in the restaurant, arriving at a time which allows for a whole days driving, if that's what you want, takes some beating.

I posted a few times during the heady cheap BF fare days that there were likely many who did not consider BF due to the prices who would be surprised if they did a whole journey comparison and after a settled few years we are now looking again at this very issue.

BF prices have risen quite sharply for 2022 with our pre covid 2019 crossing costing £350 including 4 site vouchers now, for same dates, coming in at £632 so we began to look at the options as our intended destination is Lago Trasimeno in Italy-another AD Approved destination!

We have friends on Holland, met on a trip to France back in 1994, and want to see them so that means that Harwich is an option. We have used it before and, whilst there are some negatives, a 2022 return at £181 is quite a positive.

Another plus is that much of the route is toll free but we will likely go via Switzerland, due to time restraints, rather than via the Fern and Riesa Passes or Fern and Innsbruck.

However, one major influence on the planning is that we have decided, OK,once again I was told, that the days of 300+ miles a day are behind us. The actual distance was always influenced by stopover site locations, as part of the get there ASAP thinking and it is quite a surprise to see the effect this will have, with at least two areas where we would need to stop, to keep to the anticipated 200 mile target, having no sites that would be suitable.

So, after all that is said, it is for us something that despite many years experience still needs time and effort to try and ensure a happy holiday so we hope that your planning and trip go well, wherever you go and whatever route you take.

Hi Peedee, As you say there are so many factors that can affect the decision making and having a pet, or a hatred of sea crossings are but two.

Neither affect us but I was intrigued about the "size is irrelevant" comment?

We have used the tunnel a few times, with car only, so suggested that we might do so with the van 'for a change' but the response was a no-its still a 360 mile drag, in often dire conditions traffic wise, and its no way to start a holiday compared to sitting in the Pont Aven restaurant with a nice meal in front of you and a glass of red in hand.

Luckily, as mentioned, Jean expressed a desire to visit Holland so opening up the possibility of using Harwich.

The negatives are its still a journey that will require an overnight stop, the crossing times are not the best and its not the easiest place to get to direct but, on the plus side, it goes to where we want to go, gives access to free motorways for onward travel and the pricing is by far the cheapest for us so at the moment that's looking the most likely route.

Hi Peedee, I ma still intrigued by the size comment!

Just done a quick quote, after seeing yours and BBs posts, via the club and for me, 5m car and 7.3m van, the tunnel is £423.

Our MH buddies often come to stay in November, we finalise where we are going and what crossings, and it was always an irritation that my much longer outfit was cheaper as we used a "van goes free" crossing and it seemed those days, well at least with BF, had gone.

Interestingly though looking at Dover/tunnel alternatives the only route offering a deal is P&O. The cost is just over £400 but add 4 site vouchers and it comes down to £317 including the vouchers making the crossing £237 if you were to use all the vouchers so not a lot more than Harwich.

Re sites we have stayed at L'Amfora and really like it, good size pitches, great beach, if a bit windy, and spotlessly clean facilities blocks.