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I take it you're setting of from Calais/Boulogne.  ViaMichelin and similar route-planning websites will recommend the 'Via Paris' option.  This doesn't mean you have to hit the peripherique - there are other ways around Paris, slightly longer, because they're slightly futher out of Paris.  This route takes 10 hours and 14 minutes (without stops, etc) according to ViaMichelin. and cost €83.10 in tolls each way

Using the Rouen route, but sticking to the toll roads will add only a few minutes to your journey, and cost €79.90 in tolls each way. 

Ultimately, it's up to you, but each route has potential problems - traffic in and around Paris, and roadworks/bridge closures in Rouen.

I think it's mainly those of us who prefer to do non-toll who use Rouen as an option to head towards the Dordogne/Languedoc areas.  It's because there's a perfectly good, almost free route all the way to those areas, which if you're on a budget is an important consideration.