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Subject Topic: Night driving down to the south of france
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11/6/2013 at 9:04pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
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I'd do it ...
Much less traffic about ..
Kids will sleep ... so not bored or fractious with long day drives.
Sounds quite sensible, actually ... especially if you want max time at your destination and are on a two week schedule.
Stop for a couple of coffee/snack breaks.
Good plan!


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11/6/2013 at 11:27pm
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During the day its hard hard work but at night its worse far worse, your eyes tire out and sleep doesnt need a invite. I know ive done it during the day ive done pamplona to ipswich. At night going down ive managed not half the distance ive even resorted to slapping myself round the face to stay awake till I could get to some services. If you need to get somewhere quick go on a plane, everybody knows the risks please be careful ! And good luck with your holiday .


12/6/2013 at 3:58pm
 Location: Wiltshire
 Outfit: Sunncamp 550se
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The comments are pretty typical - whenever, anyone mentions driving from more than a few hours (taking breaks and sharing driving of course), there is a volley of "Don't do it" comments.

OP is used to working nights, so probably knows what it is like to be awake all night. If the kids sleep in the car, through the night, then that is a massive benefit.

Driving through France in one go is difficult, however, by no means impossible, if you share the driving then it really shouldn't be a problem. Take a 30 minute break every 3 hours is sufficient

Lorry drivers and coach drivers do this type of journey all the time

If you are happy to do it, then I don't see a problem. If you do find that you are getting to tired to continue, stop in a services, and have a sleep for a few hours



12/6/2013 at 6:12pm
 Location: West Sussex
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Done it a few times. I try to get a good nights sleep before and make sure I doze in the morning of departure. I find the best is to arrive in France at 16:00 and just drive. Stop for toilet breaks and fuel (on motorway always staffed). I love the sound of the motorway at night and seeing all the other people night travelling. Means you can be south of Lyon by midnight, then you can stop for a good long sleep if you need it depending on your previous day.

Worst bit is the toll tickets and having to pay as it means disturbing the passenger (unless you pay for a tag).

Best journey ever was on Bastille day 14th July. Fireworks all the way down to the south! Mind you, there were a few cars weaving down the city bits of the motorway.

The question is will you have used up all your awakeness and have none left for the next day?

I was planning to do the same this year, but have decided to take an earlier crossing stay in a motel as I couldn't justify the tiredness cost the next day (its getting harder as the years go by....). Will still be leaving the hotel very early though.


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12/6/2013 at 7:55pm
 Location: East london
 Outfit: Vw crafter conversion
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I have done this in a car in the past.. This year we will be doingit again in our van.. Late tunnel and then to just outside nice.. We can share the driving if required..
Suits us to be honest.. And we are using a tag so as not to stop at tolls..


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12/6/2013 at 8:06pm
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Driving to France: 250 miles to Dover then 530 miles to the Dordogne. Leave at 5pm, ferry at midnight, arrive in Dordogne around 2pm - nice and relaxed drive. I like driving in the early morning with little traffic.
For driving to Spain we stop close to where we stay in the Dordogne for the night, then it is another 5-6 h driving to Northen Spain the next day.
3 children and 2 drivers, trailer tent. If tired we stop for a snooze.
Go for it.


12/6/2013 at 8:06pm
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It works for some people not for others, make your own mind up. Be sensible, if you get too sleepy stop.

We've driven over night a lot - usually at this side of the channel though as we have a long drive to get there. It used to be the only way we could get a full fortnight on site.

Typically I would work Friday, get home and leave almost right away. I did try a couple of hours in bed, but was so excited about my holidays I couldn't sleep. We'd then drive all night, with me doing most if not all of it. Hit the tunnel / ferry about 5am and then drive through France. Get to the site about teatime with 20-22 hours on the road. Sleep well then let the holiday commence.

Coming home was more of a drag though, as we didn't have the holiday to look forward to.



-------------
Everything comes to he who waits


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