[beej]

Helllo! I've a plan to drive to Spain at the beginning of May 06. Has anyone done a trip from the UK? I've found some threads but they don't talk about a route or how long it took.

Driving to Madrid from London, I think 2 days at least - maybe 3?

If anyone has any experiences - please share! I have Autoroute and will rely on that for a route (via the Millau Bridge of course!)


Beej

[jongar]

You mean you dont want to join us ? we are going most of the way

http://www.mini2.com/forum/uk-irelan...mmer-06-a.html

[BlackBini]

Well, I've done Porto (Northern Portugal) to London, which is slightly longer but exactly the same route most of the way. I left my place in Porto Sunday morning and arrived to London Monday evening. I stayed over in Bordeaux, in a IBIS with secure parking, since I had some stuff visible inside the car. I reckon 2 days if absolutely feasible.

In terms of traffic, the only busy spot was Paris' inner orbital. I never actually stopped, but I think using the outer orbital might be longer but faster.

I really enjoyed the trip, but you sort of get tired of driving 80 miles/hr all the time. Speeding can be tricky as they usually have hidden cameras. If you get caught, they will stop you and make you pay on the spot (with bank card!) before letting you go (I am not 100% sure about France but in Spain they definitely do this).

Another tip is checking the list of stuff you must have in your car when travelling inside Spain. For instance, I suppose you must have a spare light bulb kit. They really enjoy to check for this when they see a foreign plated car...

I hope this helps somehow

[Mini Princess]

Be careful if you have a radar detector cos they are dead strict about stuff like that in France and if you get stopped they will confiscate it. I've also been warned about not sleeping in your car at service stations because you are a target for robbers especially having GB plates on.

Not trying to put you off far from it - me and the other half have been meaning to do it for 2 years but every time we try we end up flying

Have a great trip anyway - hope you manage to get some great piccies of Millau

[Mini Me GB]

I drove UK to Spain and it was brilliant - loved every minute and the MINI is alot happier at 80ish rather than 70ish!

The Millau Bridge is awesome and well worth going over..

[dalboyne]

Make sure you also have a warning triangle, fluorescent/reflective jacket, green card, headlight deflectors, and a camera!

[BlackBini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini Me GB

I drove UK to Spain and it was brilliant - loved every minute and the MINI is alot happier at 80ish rather than 70ish!

I do agree on that, but I think the MINI is very confortable cruising at 100ish and after many miles on motorways it's difficult to resist... or is it just me?!

Well, should anyone ask, I have only tried it in a German autobahn, all right?!?!

[Goonery]

Portsmouth to Bilbao on the ferry is an option takes about 24 hours on the boat, but saves a lot of fuel and some quite boring bits of road if you would use the autoroutes. Means you can have a cabin and a kip for over 1/3rd of the distance and arrive in Spain in brilliant sunshine with a short cruise chucked in. On the other hand the Pyrenees are fantastic to drive through.

[beej]

Thanks for all the helpful feedback

Have thought about the Bilbao ferry - but I actually want to drive the distance on this occasion and there's no urgency.

I'm wary of cruising at 90-100 in France because of the cash-on-demand plod, so may slow it to something more reserved, but the Millau and Spain should more than make up for it!

No need to carry a spare bulb because Xenons are complete units - but I will check up on the fluorescent jacket issue. Have a triangle, an EU plate, and no radar detector. Need new deflectors from Halfords and green card from the insurer.

Tempted to treat myself to a satnav, but quite enjoy the thrill of driving without a set route

Ta all

[Paul]

We did the other way, Spain to England: http://www.mini2.com/review18-mini-c...rt-review.html

It was really good fun. Some lovely scenery, and the motorways just seem so much better than ours in terms of congestion. Our tactic (as we wanted to stay in Paris for a while) was to drive until I couldn't anymore, and just stop at the nearest hotel to collapsing point! Holiday Inn to the rescue in France.

[BlackBini]

Quote: Originally Posted by beej

No need to carry a spare bulb because Xenons are complete units

But you still have regular bulbs for the indicators, fog lights and the complete rear units... You are expected to carry that as well! I have a small box with the complete set and paid about 10 quid (15 euro) for it!

[Winnie Bloo]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlackBini

But you still have regular bulbs for the indicators, fog lights and the complete rear units... You are expected to carry that as well! I have a small box with the complete set and paid about 10 quid (15 euro) for it!

Yep, you are spot on....however you do need 2 warning triangles, and if you wear specs....a spair pair...plus you need a fluorescent jacket for each passenger that leaves the vehicle should you be unfortunate to break down...I always carry 2...hope this helps....and "Good Luck".