Driving to southern Spain from Northern Germany

[snezza69]

The Disco is going on its longest expedition (with me), this weekend.  We are driving from Osnabruck (germany) to Malaga (Spain), never driven anywhere near that distance (about 1300 miles).  Am a little nervous as the Disco is no spring chicken and has a few miles on the clock.  Pacing it into 2 days (camping somewhere in southern France), anyone done this or part of this route before?

Got any tips?

I understand Toll charges in France can be quite expensive!  A qoute of 70 Euros!!!!!!! :shock:

Have got European breakdown cover!

Hope I don't need it!

[ibruceuk]

Good Luck, I'm sure it'll be a great expedition.

Just take it easy she'll be fine.  I drove around Oz in an old van with 350,000 Km's on the clock.  4500 of that was in 3 days!!!

?Enjoy

[landroverkeith]

far as i understand you should be able to drive on the national routes in france with no tolls......... but that was years ago i last had anything to do with european driving

[snezza69]

I will be trusting tom tom, so I can always go the no toll route!

However, toll roads are better (especially on a long journey), don't mind paying a bit, but 70 Euros is a bit steep!

I never did trust the FRENCH!

[Elmo]

I did France/Spain earlier this year on the Plymouth/Banjul rally, its OK.

Tolls are proportionate to the distance spent on toll roads so minimise time on road = less tolls :)

Word of warning, French police can stop you and demand to see warning triangle, spare bulb kit, and hi-viz vests for use in case of breakdown. Make sure you have these as the fine is on-the-spot.

I understand they are quite hot (in some regions) on lights on UK vehicles so a couple of quid spent on some self adhesive "beam benders" could be a good investment as this appears to be an instant fine offence as well.

HTH

[tintin86]

they have a new road in spain which run all the way down to Malaga but you do have to pay not much but its better than the coast road :lol: make sure you have everything listed in other posts and just have a good time  :D

[nishikigoi]

Thing is with toll roads, they SAVE money!

The 'off toll' French A-roads are in part quite nice, but mostly poo! It will cost far more in fuel than 70 Euros to use the A-roads.

Have a look at some of the caravan web sites (touring and tenting etc) they have road reports from members with some nicer A-road routes. Pay for the naff bits (nice is terrible on A-roads) and use the free A-roads on the nice bits around Burgandy and into the south.....

Make sure you use the Toll road for the new 'Super Bridge' in the south it's stunning 8)

[alanweston]

also driving down to spain . leaving Coningsby , Lincolnshire in about one hour,  in my 1996 disco, stopping at the millau bridge on the way for a couple of days , so look out for a white disco with MUD CLUB stickers

[snezza69]

Thanks guys (and gals), good feedback.  A final once over the Disco tomorrow should hopefully identify any probs.  Will be taking spare oil and coolant just in case.  As for the Warning triangle etc, being British forces in Germany we need all that anyway.  Also lights are converted to European anyway so no probs there!

If I get the change I will take a few pics and post them when I get back.


Once again, thanks folks.

Fingers crossed!