Hi All - first post and looking for a bit of information on the best (and cost effective) way to get to Valencia and back.
Will be in a 3.5 van, empty on the way there and picking up a full load of Class 1 for the journey back to the UK, so will be plated for the return journey which will most likely be in May.
This will be my first ADR journey and my first ‘working’ trip abroad. The van has all of the required ADR equipment and PPE etc already.
Any recommended routes ? Any of the ferries to Bilbao or Santander take class 1 hazardous goods ? or am I facing up to driving all the way there and back. ?
Newhaven Dieppe is cost effective.
The Santander/Bilbao crossing usually works out about the same price that it would cost in fuel and tolls for a truck.
I’d drive down when you’re empty, and take the long crossing back. Although i don’t know what the ADR policy is for each ferry operator. Some are more relaxed than others.
Get a quote for Le Havre/Caen Ouistreham or the shortest crossing Dover/Calais.
There are many routes, one is Le Mans/Poitiers/Bordeaux/Irun/Pamplona/Tudela then take the scenic and very rural route to the C121 via La Almunia de Dona Godina via Epila then you hit the free new dual carriegeway via Tuduel , dinosaur museum there too, then to Valencia.
Or limoges or Clermont Ferrond routes, one you pass the Millau viaduct, very impressive, you can drive through the town if you want.
Then to Perpignan/La Jonquera following the coast, it may be longer that way.
Eat in the French Rouitiers, if you see many trucks, the food is good and good value.
Security at La Jonquera is an issue, there are huge buffet restaurants and a casino, it is city for trucks.
The Limoges route is very scenic but hilly too, you pass a volcano area, they call the route the meridian as it passes through the centre of France in a straight line to the Spanish border at La Jonquera.
The motels are very cheap, for a shower and a good bed, some have break fast, in France the Formulae 1 chain is cheap, if the door is not manned you pay for the room on the door with the bank cards, the shower room washes itself when you are finished.
One option is to drive at night, less traffic, no stress, not many Douane/Gendarmarie controls at night, and you can go faster.
The national or free roads are slow, lots of roundabouts and tractors, and more fuel is used, the toll roads are high quality tarmac, quiet road surface so you get less tired.
