[Ian_n_Suzy]

Hi,

Apologies for the "slight" Fred Drift, but we too will be going to France for 6 weeks in the summer for the first time. In your experience how accurate is Viamichelin? For our return journey it calculates that we would spend an extra 500 Euros using the Toll roads, is this Bunkum or is it fairly accurate?

(As it happens we will more than likely use the smaller roads and take in more of the country, stopping frequently en route - but im still interested as to the accuracy of the software)

CHEERS

 

[UncleNorm]

Hi Ian and Suzy!

You asked: "How accurate is Viamichelin? For our return journey it calculates that we would spend an extra 500 Euros using the Toll roads, is this Bunkum or is it fairly accurate?"

BUNKUM!!

I've just been playing on this site: www.mappy.co.uk and came up with the following information:

Departure
Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais (62100, France)

Arrival
Perpignan, Languedoc (66000, 66100, France)

Duration (1): 14H07
Distance : 727.45 miles, dont On motorway : 722.57 miles
Expenses

Vehicle : Minibus
2 axle
Diesel : 98.59 GBP (102 l) + Tolls: FRA : 103.30 EUR

(The wording is from the website, not mine.)

The time and distance confirm that this is a one way journey. OK, so it's a minibus but at 7 miles per litre, it's close enough to MY motorhome. :wink:

So tolls of €103 one way sounds less bunkum than "an extra €500", don't you agree? :roll:

It's interesting also, that the tolls and fuel cost for a single journey are about the same. So if you can avoid the tolls, you'll be able to cover the cost of the fuel for the homeward trip!!

 

[lafree]

Hi, Just returned from South of FR used N road and tolls we found some N roads get very busy with lorries so we then got on the tolls to make some progress. We stayed on the Med at Le Tamaris at Frontignan Plage in ACSI a super site some 30 miles from the Espiguette region.
Regards Lafree

 

[BJT]

Trouble now is that most of the N roads have been devolved to local 'Departments' and the numbers changed, so you need an up to date map to be assured of the correct road number.
The toll roads are well surfaced, and are generally free around the larger cities - but not all! In the past I have found the old N roads to be almost as easy to use as the toll, but you do transit towns/villages at slower speeds. As others have advised, use a combination of toll and non-toll roads; look at a map carefully before setting out and plan a route using non-toll roads where you see fit. For example - The A75 is free south from Clermont-Ferrand, and the old N9 from the north has a free motorway section around Nevers; so that is two sections at a competitive price. (If you understand the way I plan)

 

[sugdenr]

Tolls

We did Calais to Chamonix last year.

My experience is simple, use tolls as a rule and only dont if you have a good reason.

Just make sure you are charged Class2, over 3m and over is technically class 3 and you get charged a lot more. Humans will mostly give you class 2 regardless but if you are stupid like me and use a high ticket slot designed for lorries you will end up paying the higher charge....

 

[MiketheWelshman]

Just be aware of the vehicle class on motorways, expect to pay class 3 if you are over 3 M high, and over 3.5 tonnes in weight, this makes a big difference to the overall cost, some times we get away with class2 at manned tolls, but the unmanned invariably are class3. For example, the Milau bridge, the toll difference is double, 11eur to 22 approx.
Mike

 

[hmh]

French Toll Roads, Millau bridge v. Aire

We use the Aire at Millau which means you don't go over the bridge, but get a superb view of it from underneath, and of course don't pay the Toll.

It is the only one for miles, so gets quite full, aim to get there by 5 pm latest.

GPS is N.44.09592 E 3.08573, it is on the North bank between the two bridges, don't worry if you find yourselves crossing the river, you can always cross back again.

Helen

 

[teensvan]

Hi .

We have used the route uncleNorm has suggested to you and it was very good with a few nice aires along the way. It cost us €20.20 to cross the Millau Bridge this time last year. We never use the toll roads, and if you plan long trips on N or D roads do it on a sunday. No lorries between midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday.

steve & ann. ------------ teensvan.