Hi P&N,
All I can do is say what we do, or more accurately, what we have done in the past.
Its easy to see there are so many variables impacting on what people do-caravan/tent/MH/starting point/crossing point/destination/length of holiday etc etc that what you decide on will, whilst likely matching what some others do, be a very personal choice.
We have over the years varied things but in the main we planned our destination, got there as quickly as possible, and maybe had a stop or two on the way home.
Our most visited destination is the Italian lakes going via Dover initially and, after the trip to Dreaded Dover became more and more of a pain, and finances improved, from the western ports-we have sailed from all the ports at one time or another-mainly Plymouth.
Our travel routine has varied, we no longer travel with children which we did for many many years, but our plan was a max of 4x2 hours driving with a start at 8am and with stops a max 10 hours.
Our longest journey in a day was from Villanova to Santander, a tad over 400 miles, leaving at 0750 and arriving at 1805 and it was a very enjoyable day with very little traffic, great roads and very varied scenery.
We have tended to travel 300-350 on day one, partly due to the fact that we are disembarking between 0630-0800, so using Autoroutes and N roads still gives a mid to late afternoon arrival.
However, when we returned to overseas travel post Covid my wife said that she did not want to do such long days so in 2022 the trip was planned on that basis-and it was a challenge!
I could never be accused of being a details man but experience has shown me that when travelling abroad, towing a van, the old adage that "failing to plan, is planning to fail" is quite accurate.
The trip-from Plymouth to Roscoff, then via Annecy to Lago Trasimeno, Lake Garda, Germany and Holland was fantastic but when we had returned and discussed the trip my wife said she was impressed with all the effort I had clearly made in the planning-the only negative was that "we always seemed to be stopping and starting"!!
Last years trip was planned with a day 1 of app 325 mls and then 200-250 the other days-sadly we had to cancel due to ill health so we didn't get to try it.
This year will see a mix with three day, two stop, drive from Santander to Lagos, then a couple of 300 ish mile days followed by much shorter 100-150
days and one key factor is we will be travelling with friends which always makes the day seem shorter and more enjoyable.
So wherever you go, and however you get there, hope you have many more enjoyable trips!
------------- Allan
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Referring to the original post;
We are not towing a caravan, so I imagine this makes a big difference.
We just have a packed car.
Our rule is no more than 7hours driving in a day. If on the fast motorway route we stop at 3hrs for refreshments and a leg stretch.
When heading for Italy we split the journey and stop over at a half way point ( Eguisheim). As this is route we'll travelled we just want to get there, so we stay on the motorway.
In total the journey is 12hrs.
If its a new destination we come of the motorway to discover the many little villages and towns we would otherwise miss.
We ALWAYS take a picnic hamper, having stocked up with food at the first supermarket off the Rotterdam ferry.
For me I don't like 'fast food'.
Also the prices at service areas are extortionate.
A picnic hamper always comes in useful whilst on holiday. I bought a small hamper from a local delicatessen in Harrogate a few years ago (Weetons). It is really practical and looks good too.
This year will be our 11th year visiting Italy, it never disappoints but it is a 'hike.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
Solo, not towing, happy to do 8 or so hours in a day. Did Toulouse to Roscoff in around 10 hours with stops, got going with no real plan and just pushed on as I felt fine. Towing would require an overnight stop. But that is France using Autoroutes, in the U.K. it is a lot more difficult. Also an auto car with smart cruise control helps enormously, reduces driver fatigue…….Shouldn’t get ping for speeding either!
Have a three week road trip in the USA in September, we have two days of 6+ hours, but we do have two drivers, easy done.
Coming back to this thread to update my recent experience with a long drive in UK.
I came back from Llandudno in North Wales after picking up my dog from the kennel which did not open until 16:30 in the afternoon, and left at about 17:00 to drive back to Devizes in Wiltshire.
Google Map estimated about 04:15h drive.
The total time ended up as 6h thanks to congestions on A55, M6>M5, plus a couple of pit stops including a longer one for food, arriving home at 23:00.
I did not like driving so late at night in the dark from 20:30ish onwards, and was knackered when I got home.
For the same event next year in Newcastle, I shall definitely break up the journey and have an overnight stay along the way instead of trying to do the near 6h trip/330+ miles without breaks in one go!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
We based our travelling on the maximum of 2hrs per bladder. Overall driving maximum would be 3 hours am, lunch , 2hours pm.
This was possible as we never had the pressures of trying to get to a pre booked site. The afternoon pee stop was where we camped.
Quote: Originally posted by SGThomas on 14/5/2025
We based our travelling on the maximum of 2hrs per bladder. Overall driving maximum would be 3 hours am, lunch , 2hours pm.
I factor in at least a 30min break every 1.5h's driving, and to include a potential power nap in the afternoon between 14:00 to 16:00.
I learnt my lesson many years ago after nearly crashing on the A11 trying to drive from South of Paris leaving at 17:00 back to Thetford in Norfolk in one hit. I did not get back until nearly 05:00 in the morning, thanks to being stuck at Calais due to trains being cancelled by Eurotunnel.
Nowadays, I pull over at the next convenient stop if I am feeling tired, so that I could have a power nap and some fresh air.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Hi Paul and Nicki,
My holiday starts the moment we check the passports just before we pull off our street, for my OH his holiday starts the moment he puts on the handbrake on the ferry.
We take the overnight to St Malo as it reduces the number of miles to drive, from Cherbourg and the overnight rest and meal are great. We found years ago that travelling mid week is cheaper and can avoid the busy weekend traffic (using the Bison Fute calendar can let you know what dates to avoid). We got stuck in traffic twice, years ago on the motorway (on a black weekend) and we never want to repeat that experience.
We travel down and stop about 1 hour in get some coffee and supplies. We can then travel until lunchtime and we stop and have a kind-a-have French picnic in the caravan, or in an aire.
We aim to go somewhere along the Loire and have an adventure using a campsite as a base. We stay for up to a week. Then we travel the remainder of our journey to our more permanent.
We swap driving, so that way you can get a nap or rest. In total it's just under 400 miles.
Years ago it took a day and a half but now with the motorways it's a breeze. With good snacks, refreshments, good company and some audible books it makes the journey a real treat.
It's just a matter of planning what you don't want and working out a system that works with what you do want.
Have fun.
I think I utterly despair of planning journeys in the UK, I've lost count of how many times not particularly (to me) daunting journeys of 4 or 5 hours turn into twice that thanks to Highways Agency abysmal road management (planned road closures not happening at published times but hours earlier!) and the seemingly illogical need of the Police to completely close down entire roads for the most minor accidents! Both cause horrendous tail backs and chaotic road conditions. So these days I brace myself for journeys of 8 or 10 hours!
Thankfully my bladder is still quite 'robust' despite my significant age, and I don't tire too quickly, nor do joints complain to much, so comfort breaks are planned for every 2 to 3 hours. The car starts nagging me that I should take a break every two hours or so anyway! I do have a mind to let my dog stretch her legs every two hours or so as well. I sort of plan my breaks on the assumption that I'll be stuck in the car for far longer than I'd hoped, so take the opportunity when I can!
TBH, not sure I've encountered UK type chaos on continental roads, so planned journey times are somewhat more reliable! My regular journeys to destination are 2.5 or 3.25 hours depending on ferry used, which we usually don't bother planning a stop on. We are very conscious that picking the right ferry can cut your driving miles/hours substantially, and picking the right crossing time can ease things further, we've come to favour overnight crossings, so that we arrive in France early and thoroughly rested, so that the journey ahead is no great challenge.
One of the great things with a caravan (or MH!), is that you can travel fully prepared, so the loo is prepped ready for use, and a cuppa is an option so long as you can find somewhere suitable to park up.
That's why I dislike using M25 due to lack of services/places to stop northbound from M4 to M11, after being stuck once too often in a car.
And yes to having my own toilet onboard which I had used from time to time while on the road.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: How far do you drive?
via mobile 04/7/2024 at 9:42am
