Tinlizzie Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 We are on the Ferry to Santander on 24th Feb. Then travelling down to Calpe. We are starting to plan the route and have studied the "Long Road South" article. This avoids the toll roads. However as we are still fairly new and quite apprehensive at the drive through central Spain in potentially poor weather, we were wondering does anyone just use the tolls? Are they very expensive and are they better in bad weather? If we used the tolls we would probably make stops at Haro, Zaragoza and Valencia. Any advice or information gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnfromnorfolk Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Stayed on the Municipal site at Zaragoza on the way South last year. Site is o.k. and If you have a couple of days spare, I could recommend taking the bus from the stop close to the site to the centre of Zaragza which is worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caddies104 Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 Hi Not used tolls in Spain, but a rule of thumb I think would be, 1euro for each 10km travelled.... Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 We used the toll roads from Santander and it cost us about 45 quid to Calpe, although I've been told since we should've pressed the green button and said camper, as the ticket kept coming out the top slot for lorries so we probably paid over the odds *-) ........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebeaches Posted February 2, 2017 Share Posted February 2, 2017 When we used the toll roads across Spain a couple of years ago we thought they were excellent value - much cheaper than France for example. We were charged the same for our coachbuilt as for a car. And most of the ones we travelled on were near deserted, so very relaxed to drive on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Never crossed direct to Spain, but cross into Spain from the somport Tunnel, from there to Zaragoza , and the a straight direct route down to Calpe.No tolls From memory the site at Haro is very convenient to a lovely town, but is I believe grass (unless it's changed) so can be very wet Rather like Burgos!. Looks like they have had a lot of rain in Spain. PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 When you're down in the Calpe area, make sure you look up fellow British motorhomers "BGD" and "Sparkle," aka Bruce and Kathy. I think they're still members on here. Bruce performs in local venues as The Nomad. http://nomadshow.weebly.com/the-nomad-show.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matrix Meanderer Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Where you want to use the toll motorways they are very reasonably priced in Spain. Yesterday we drove over 150 km on the AP7 and it cost under 20 euros. You can check toll prices here: https://www.autopistas.com/en/prices-and-tolls To get to Calpe from Zaragoza take the free A23 motorway via Teruel and then the free A7 at Valencia then it is simplest and relatively cheap to take the AP7 down to the Calpe area. Not stopped at valencia but you could stop at Moncofa Playa site which is open and popular with Brits - the C&CC currently have a rally there. Not a bad site and close to the beach etc. Website: https://campingmonmar.com/ Hope that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Tony Jones - 2017-02-03 11:17 AM When you're down in the Calpe area, make sure you look up fellow British motorhomers "BGD" and "Sparkle," aka Bruce and Kathy. I think they're still members on here. Bruce performs in local venues as The Nomad. http://nomadshow.weebly.com/the-nomad-show.html Tony, Bruce stopped posting on here a while back now. Shame really as his knowledge being a resident was very helpful. We met them while they did a "GIG" at Calpe Mar. A very versatile performer, he is too. PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinlizzie Posted February 4, 2017 Author Share Posted February 4, 2017 Thanks everyone. That will help with the planning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinlizzie Posted February 4, 2017 Author Share Posted February 4, 2017 Hi Dave and Sue, This is off topic a bit, but I see you travel with Kira the Heinz cinquenta y siete. We travel with our two dogs Jack and Smudge. Do you have any dog friendly info for Calpe. Specially , where to walk or dog friendly beaches. Lizzie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 Tinlizzie - 2017-02-04 4:45 PM Hi Dave and Sue, This is off topic a bit, but I see you travel with Kira the Heinz cinquenta y siete. We travel with our two dogs Jack and Smudge. Do you have any dog friendly info for Calpe. Specially , where to walk or dog friendly beaches. Lizzie Unfortunately there are no dog friendly beaches in Calpe, there is a small pebble beach by the marina that people take their dogs on, alternatively there is dog park near the Consume supermarket that is fenced and gated so dogs can be let off the lead ....... If you want a dog friendly beach then camping Kiko at Oliva is right on the beach ;-) .......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 5, 2017 Share Posted February 5, 2017 Tinlizzie - 2017-02-02 4:54 PM We are on the Ferry to Santander on 24th Feb. Then travelling down to Calpe. We are starting to plan the route and have studied the "Long Road South" article. This avoids the toll roads. However as we are still fairly new and quite apprehensive at the drive through central Spain in potentially poor weather, we were wondering does anyone just use the tolls? Are they very expensive and are they better in bad weather? If we used the tolls we would probably make stops at Haro, Zaragoza and Valencia. Any advice or information gratefully received. A) The most direct all toll-free route, is south on A-67, then east on A-231, to Burgos. Then A-1 Burgos - Madrid, M-50 to by-pass Madrid to the east, and A-3/A-31 to Alicante, with N-332 Alicante to Calpe. About 580 miles, and 10 hours driving, according to Autoroute. All the "A" roads are dual carriageway Autovias, and I would think would be kept clear in bad weather. However, weather is weather, and "bad" is a relative term. :-) B) Your toll road alternative via Zaragoza and Valencia is about 520 miles, and 9 hours driving time, so not much different overall. It would use the A-8 (toll free) to Bilbao, then AP-68 (toll) to Zaragoza, where you join the Z-40 (toll free) to by-pass Zaragoza to the west, then A-23 (toll-free) to Sagunto, and V-23/A-7 (toll-free) by-passing Valencia to Cilla, and AP-7 (toll) to Berdica, where you pick up the N-332 to Calpe. Whether the toll sections are better cleared in bad weather, I do not know, but they total only about 240 miles, so roughly half the total distance. Your main problems are likely to be, on the toll-free route, crossing the Cantabrian hills between Santander and Burgos, north of Madrid crossing the Sierra Guadarrama, and the edge of the Sierra Nevada behind Alicante. On the toll route, you avoid most high ground until you reach Zaragoza, where you turn to cross the Sierra de Cuenca around Teruel. C) You could, if the more direct routes look like being particularly difficult, extend your route to the east from Zaragoza by continuing down the Ebro valley towards Taragona on the AP-2 (toll), then down the coast on the A7(toll-free). It extends the distance to about 650 miles, and the driving time to about 11 hours, but it does avoid all the highest ground. The total toll sections are about 285 miles, so the extra cost would be mainly in fuel and time. With three possible routes to choose as weather conditions dictate, you should at least be able to sleep peacefully on the ferry! :-D Probably, you'll find the toll-free is fine, and the weather much improved, by the time you travel. Enjoy your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinlizzie Posted February 11, 2017 Author Share Posted February 11, 2017 Thanks again - I hope you realise how helpful all your "experienced" information is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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