Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by jaymac on 12/8/2011

---

We used the toll road to cross the border with the van but went the free route back...big mistake. Trying to drive through La Perthus(is it?  )with the van on the back was not easy as there were cars and coaches parked on both sides of the road and shoppers dashing from one side to the other. Next time I'd definitely use the toll roqd for that bit.

---

Quote: Originally posted by lizzie on 14/8/2011

---

I have just put into via michelin the route to aix-en-provence.  9 hours something with tolls and 16 without tolls!  Would it really take 16 without?

---

Possibly yes - depending on the route it plots for you - but most of us who avoid tolls plot our own routes, and take our time in getting anywhere.  Non-toll routes are not really about speed, or getting somewhere quickly, they are about avoiding costs, and seeing more of France - certainly for us.

Being realistic there's no way we'd do a 9 hour drive, anyway, in one day - so we'd stop somewhere after about six hours.  That would mean an overnight stop - and then the remainder of the drive the following day.

We do a minimal set up when overnighting, just connect the electric hook-up and use the site facilities, so we can be up and off early.  We usually stay about half-way down France - Nevers/Moulins/ area.  We've done the Mediterranean several times toll-free - usually arriving south of Montpellier by late afternoon on our second day (ie still just the one overnight stop).  Aix would take another couple of hours so you'd certainly get there well before most campsites shut their receptions.

Interesting - I looked at this because I'd never compared the cost of fuel because we always buy supermarket fuel anyway, which is about 15 - 20 cents a litre less than autoroute prices.

Viamichelin costs the diesel for non-toll to Montpellier at €99.58 (at 1.30 a litre - supermarket price) and €113.10 for toll route (at 1.45 a litre - autoroute price)!  The toll with a caravan would be €92.90 one way.  So a one way journey using the autoroute would cost us €206.00, instead of £99.58.  The saving on a two-way journey pays for the campsite fees for most of our three week holidays!

With a caravan using the N roads, if you can, really makes sense.