Driving to Spain from the UK: Best Routes & Driving Tips

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The best routes to Spain from the United Kingdom

We’ve driven between the UK and Spain countless times over the years, by car, motorhome and motorbike, using the main routes through France as well as the direct ferries to northern Spain.

In this guide, we share our tried-and-tested routes, including the quickest, cheapest and most scenic options, plus an alternative through the Somport Tunnel and the direct UK to Spain ferry. We’ve compared distances, driving times, tolls and fuel costs to help you choose the best route for your trip.

Driving to Spain from the UK: Key Facts

Routes: The Gap Decaders compares six routes from the UK to Spain, including the quickest, cheapest and most scenic options, an alternative route through the Somport Tunnel and the direct ferry to northern Spain.
Start & finish: Driving routes start in Calais and cross France to reach Spain at Irun, the Somport Tunnel or the Mediterranean coast, while direct ferries sail from Portsmouth or Plymouth to Santander or Bilbao.
Best for: These routes are suitable for travelling from the UK to Spain by car, campervan, motorhome or motorbike.
First-hand experience: The Gap Decaders recommendations are based on many journeys between the UK and Spain using several of these routes and crossing options.

Our UK to Spain driving routes map shows the main options through France, including the quickest, cheapest and most scenic routes, plus the alternative route through the Somport Tunnel.

Getting to France

There are several ways to cross the Channel when driving from the UK to Spain. Calais is the obvious starting point if you live in southeast England or want the quickest crossing, while the longer ferry routes from Portsmouth can save a substantial amount of driving if you’re travelling from elsewhere in the UK.

LeShuttle

The fastest Channel crossing is LeShuttle from Folkestone to Calais. The journey takes just 35 minutes from platform to platform, making it our preferred option when we want to get into France and start driving south as quickly as possible.

It’s also particularly convenient if you’re travelling with a dog, as your pet stays with you in your vehicle throughout the crossing. Allow time for check-in and border controls before departure.

Dover to Calais Ferry

Dover to Calais is the quickest ferry option, with frequent services operated by P&O Ferries and DFDS throughout the day.

P&O crossings take around 90 minutes, while DFDS takes around 100 minutes. The ferry is slower than LeShuttle once check-in, loading and unloading are included, but it gives you a chance to have something to eat, stretch your legs and take a break before the drive through France.

Prices vary considerably according to the date, departure time and vehicle, so it’s worth comparing the ferry with LeShuttle before booking.

Portsmouth to Caen or Cherbourg Ferry

If you live outside southeast England, sailing from Portsmouth can make more sense than driving all the way to Dover or Folkestone before you even start the journey south.

Brittany Ferries operates the Portsmouth to Caen route throughout the year, with up to three sailings a day. Daytime crossings take around six hours, while overnight sailings generally take seven to eight hours. An overnight crossing can work particularly well for the journey to Spain, allowing you to arrive in Normandy in the morning ready for a full day’s drive south.

Portsmouth to Cherbourg is another option, with crossings taking around eight hours. Cherbourg is further west than Caen, so compare the overall driving distance and sailing times for your chosen route through France before deciding which works best. 

Other Channel Crossings

Other useful routes to France include Portsmouth to St Malo and Le Havre, Poole to Cherbourg and Plymouth to Roscoff. The best crossing will depend on where you live in the UK, your route through France and the sailing times available on your travel dates.

Don’t assume Dover to Calais will always be the cheapest overall option. A longer ferry crossing may cost more, but it can reduce your UK and French driving, fuel and motorway toll costs. Compare the whole journey rather than the ferry fare alone.

The Best Routes Through France to Spain

There are four main routes we recommend for driving through France to Spain, and the best one depends on where you’re heading in Spain, how quickly you want to get there and how much you want to spend on tolls.

The quickest and cheapest routes both follow the western side of France towards Bordeaux and cross into Spain at Irun, making them particularly useful for northern Spain, Madrid, Portugal and western Andalucia.

If you’re heading for Barcelona or Spain’s Mediterranean coast, the route through central France via Clermont-Ferrand and Millau is a more natural option. Alternatively, crossing the Pyrenees through the Somport Tunnel brings you directly towards Zaragoza and central Spain.

The distances, driving times, tolls and fuel costs shown below are for one-way travel from Calais and should be used as a guide. Actual costs will depend on your vehicle, current fuel prices and the roads you choose.

1. The Quickest Route

Calais → Rouen → Le Mans → Tours → Poitiers → Bordeaux → Irun

Distance: 1,069km
Driving Time: 11 hours 30 minutes
Toll Costs: €88
Fuel Costs: €181

For most people driving from the UK to northern or western Spain, this is the quickest and most straightforward route through France. From Calais, it heads south-west towards Rouen before continuing via Le Mans, Tours, Poitiers and Bordeaux, then follows the A63 towards Bayonne and the Spanish border at Irun.

One of the biggest advantages of this route is that it avoids Paris completely. Much of the journey is on autoroutes, making it easy to follow and relatively quick, although the motorway tolls make it more expensive than our toll-free option.

Take care around Rouen, where the road layout can be confusing and there is a low-emission zone covering parts of the metropolitan area. A Crit’Air sticker is required if you enter the ZFE, including for foreign-registered vehicles, although some major through-routes are excluded. Check your planned route against the current ZFE map before travelling.

South of Rouen, the route continues towards Le Mans and Tours before joining the A10 through Poitiers to Bordeaux. From Bordeaux, follow the A63 towards Bayonne, Biarritz and the Spanish border.

The A63 can become extremely busy during the summer holidays, particularly around Bordeaux and the approaches to the Basque coast, so allow extra time if you’re travelling at peak periods.

Once you cross the border at Irun, the AP-8 takes you towards San Sebastián and the wider Spanish motorway network. This is a good route for Bilbao, Santander, Madrid, western Spain and Portugal, as well as travellers continuing towards southern and western Andalucia.

2. The Most Scenic Route

Calais → Paris → Orléans → Clermont-Ferrand → Millau → Béziers → Perpignan → Barcelona

Distance: 1,357km
Driving Time: 14 hours 30 minutes
Toll Costs: €81
Fuel Costs: €229

If you have a little more time, this is our favourite route for combining the drive to Spain with some of France’s best scenery. Instead of following the faster western route towards Bordeaux, it heads south through central France and crosses the Massif Central before reaching the Mediterranean and continuing into Spain.

From Calais, head towards Paris and then south to Orléans. Traffic around Paris can be extremely busy, so time your journey carefully and follow your satnav rather than attempting to navigate the capital from road signs alone. If you want to visit Paris, it makes much more sense to stop outside the centre and travel in by public transport.

From Orléans, continue towards Clermont-Ferrand, where the landscape begins to change dramatically. This part of the Auvergne is dominated by the volcanic hills and mountains of the Massif Central and makes a good place to break the journey if you have time to explore.

South of Clermont-Ferrand, the A75 takes you across the Massif Central towards Millau. Much of the A75 is toll-free, and it’s one of the most enjoyable motorway drives in France, climbing through high, open landscapes before reaching the spectacular Millau Viaduct.

The viaduct carries the A75 across the Tarn Valley and is the only tolled section of the main A75 between Clermont-Ferrand and Béziers. If you have time, stop at the viewing area to see the bridge properly rather than simply driving across it.

From Millau, continue south towards Béziers and the Mediterranean before following the A9 past Narbonne and Perpignan. The route then crosses the French-Spanish border at Le Perthus and continues towards Girona and Barcelona.

This is the best of our routes if you’re heading for Barcelona, Catalonia or Spain’s Mediterranean coast. It’s longer than the western route via Bordeaux and Irun, but the drive across the Massif Central makes the extra distance worthwhile if the journey is part of your road trip.

3. The Cheapest Route

Calais → Rouen → Chartres → Tours → Poitiers → Angoulême → Bordeaux → Irun

Distance: 1,047km
Driving Time: 16 hours
Toll Costs: €0
Fuel Costs: €180

If keeping costs as low as possible is your priority, you can drive from Calais to the Spanish border without paying French motorway tolls. This route follows the same general direction as our quickest route but uses toll-free roads through Chartres, Tours, Poitiers and Angoulême instead of relying on the autoroute network.

From Calais, head south towards Rouen before continuing towards Évreux, Dreux and Chartres. From here, the route towards Tours includes significant stretches of ordinary single-carriageway road, so progress can be much slower than on the motorway.

Continue south towards Poitiers, where you pick up the N10 towards Angoulême and Bordeaux. Much of the N10 between Poitiers and Bordeaux is dual carriageway and provides one of the most useful toll-free stretches of this journey.

South of Bordeaux, avoiding the A63 tolls means using slower local roads through the Landes and Basque Country towards Bayonne, Biarritz and Irun. This can add considerably to your journey time, particularly during busy periods.

Make sure your satnav is set to avoid toll roads, but check the route it suggests before setting off. Avoiding every toll can sometimes result in lengthy diversions through towns and villages for the sake of saving a relatively small amount.

Although the distance is similar to our quickest route, allow around four hours longer for the journey. You’ll encounter more roundabouts, lower speed limits and stretches of single-carriageway road, so this is best suited to travellers who have plenty of time and would rather save money than reach Spain as quickly as possible.

If you want a compromise between time and cost, consider paying for selected motorway sections where they save a significant amount of time, particularly south of Bordeaux.

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4. The Alternative Route via the Somport Tunnel

Calais → Rouen → Tours → Bordeaux → Pau → Oloron-Sainte-Marie → Somport Tunnel → Huesca → Zaragoza

Distance: 1,347km
Driving Time: 15 hours
Toll Costs: €128
Fuel Costs: €228

If you’re heading towards Zaragoza, Madrid or eastern Spain, crossing the Pyrenees through the Somport Tunnel offers an interesting alternative to entering Spain at Irun or travelling along the Mediterranean coast.

The first part of the journey follows a similar route to our western options, travelling south through France towards Bordeaux. From Bordeaux, head towards Pau and then Oloron-Sainte-Marie before following the N134 through the Vallée d’Aspe towards the Spanish border.

This final section through the French Pyrenees is very different from the autoroute driving earlier in the journey. The N134 climbs through the mountains towards the Somport Tunnel, which takes you beneath the Pyrenees and directly into Aragón in northern Spain.

The Somport Tunnel is free to use and is suitable for most cars, campervans and motorhomes. Vehicles higher than 4.30m are prohibited, and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are subject to additional tunnel procedures and restrictions.

Once in Spain, the N-330 descends through the Aragón Pyrenees towards Jaca and Huesca before continuing to Zaragoza, where you can connect with the wider Spanish motorway network.

This route is particularly useful if your destination is Zaragoza, Madrid, Valencia or the eastern side of Spain, as it avoids the busy Basque border crossing at Irun and brings you into Spain much further east.

The mountain scenery is a major bonus, but this isn’t a route to tackle without checking conditions first. The N134 through the Vallée d’Aspe has experienced closures and restrictions following severe weather and landslides, and mountain conditions can also affect the route in winter. Check the current road status before setting off.

5. Turn the Journey to Spain into a Road Trip

If you have a few extra days, driving through France gives you the chance to turn the journey to Spain into part of your holiday. Instead of heading straight for the border, you can build your route around some of France’s best cities, landscapes and wine regions.

You won’t be able to include all of these without making substantial detours, so choose the stops that fit most naturally with your route:

With enough time, you could easily spend several days travelling through France and make getting to Spain a road trip in its own right.

6. Taking the Ferry from the UK to Spain

If you’d rather avoid the long drive through France altogether, you can take a direct ferry from the UK to northern Spain. This can be particularly attractive if you’re travelling with a motorhome or campervan, or your destination is northern, western or central Spain.

Brittany Ferries operates direct services from Portsmouth to Santander and Bilbao, as well as Plymouth to Santander. You can take your dog on the ferries to Spain, with pet-friendly cabins and kennels available on selected ships.

Portsmouth to Santander

Crossing time: Approximately 28–34 hours, depending on the sailing.

The Portsmouth to Santander ferry takes you directly to Cantabria on Spain’s north coast. It’s a useful arrival point for the Picos de Europa, northern Spain, Portugal and travellers continuing towards Madrid or western Spain.

Some sailings involve two nights on board, so check the departure and arrival times carefully when comparing crossings.

Portsmouth to Bilbao

Crossing time: Approximately 33–36 hours, depending on the sailing.

The Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry arrives in the Basque Country, making it particularly convenient for Bilbao, San Sebastián, the Pyrenees and destinations in eastern or central Spain.

It’s also a good alternative if you would otherwise follow our quickest driving route through France and cross the border at Irun.

Plymouth to Santander

Crossing time: Approximately 20–22 hours.

If Plymouth is convenient for you, this is the fastest direct ferry between the UK and Spain. It gets you to northern Spain without the fuel, motorway tolls and overnight stops involved in driving through France.

The service is particularly useful for travellers from southwest England, although sailing days are more limited than on some of the Portsmouth routes.

Taking a Dog on the Ferry to Spain

Dogs can travel on the direct ferries to Spain, with accommodation depending on the ship and sailing. Options can include pet-friendly cabins and onboard kennels.

Pet-friendly cabins are particularly popular and there are only a limited number on each sailing, so they often book up well in advance. If having your dog in the cabin with you is important, we recommend booking your crossing as soon as your travel dates are confirmed rather than waiting for a last-minute fare.

Check the facilities on the specific ship before booking, as pet arrangements can vary between vessels.

Is the Ferry to Spain Worth It?

The direct ferry is rarely the cheapest option if you compare the ticket price with a basic Channel crossing, but that isn’t the whole calculation.

Driving through France means paying for fuel, potentially French motorway tolls and often at least one overnight stop in each direction. It also adds considerable mileage to your vehicle.

The ferry allows you to use the crossing as your overnight stop and arrive in Spain rested, although cabins, larger vehicles and peak-season sailings can make it expensive.

We recommend comparing the total cost of both journeys for your own vehicle rather than looking at the ferry fare alone. For some travellers, driving through France will still make more sense. For others, particularly those in larger motorhomes or travelling a long way within Spain, sailing directly to Santander or Bilbao can be well worth the extra cost.

Onward Travel in Spain

Once you cross the border, Spain’s excellent motorway network makes it easy to continue towards destinations across the country. From Irun, the main routes lead towards Bilbao, Madrid and western Spain, while crossing at Le Perthus brings you directly into Catalonia for Girona, Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast.

If you enter Spain through the Somport Tunnel, you’ll continue south through Aragón towards Huesca and Zaragoza, with good connections from there to Madrid, Valencia and the Mediterranean.

Arriving by ferry in Santander or Bilbao puts you in a particularly good position for exploring northern Spain, the Picos de Europa and Galicia, or continuing south towards Madrid, Portugal and Andalucia.

Spain is a large country, so don’t underestimate the distances involved once you cross the border. Barcelona to Málaga, for example, is still a substantial drive in its own right. If you’re planning to explore rather than simply reach one destination, our Spain road trip guide has route ideas covering different parts of the country.

Driving on the Continent

Every driving route from the UK to Spain crosses at least one European country before reaching Spain, so make sure you understand the rules for each country on your chosen route before leaving home.

For UK drivers taking their own vehicle, you should carry:

UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third-party cover required in the EU, and you don’t normally need a green card for France or Spain. Check your own policy before travelling, as the level of cover provided outside the UK can vary.

A UK photocard driving licence can be used in Spain without an International Driving Permit. Different rules can apply if you hold a paper licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, so check the current requirements before travelling.

If you’re taking your own UK-registered vehicle abroad for less than 12 months, carry the original V5C. Your vehicle must also remain taxed, insured and, where applicable, have a valid MOT while you’re away.

When driving in Spain, you must display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle regardless of what is shown on your number plate. The old GB sticker is no longer valid.

You’ll be driving on the right throughout mainland Europe, so take extra care at junctions and roundabouts and when pulling away after stopping. Headlight converters may also be necessary if your vehicle cannot adjust its headlights for driving on the right.

France and Spain are within the Schengen Area, but that doesn’t guarantee an uninterrupted border crossing. Temporary border controls can be introduced, so keep your passports and vehicle documents accessible throughout the journey.

Safety equipment requirements vary between countries. A reflective hi-vis jacket and warning triangle are sensible essentials, but check the individual rules for every country on your chosen route before you travel.

If you have an accident, move to a safe place where possible, use your hazard lights and follow the local rules for warning other traffic. Exchange details with the other driver, take photographs and contact the emergency services on 112 if anyone is injured or police assistance is required.

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Driving in Spain

Driving in Spain is generally straightforward, with an excellent motorway network and good main roads connecting the major cities and regions. Away from the main routes, roads can become much narrower and more winding, particularly in mountainous and rural areas.

Spanish motorways are divided into autopistas and autovías. Both are high-standard dual carriageway roads, although some autopistas are tolled. Road signs and speed limits are clearly marked, but limits can vary according to the type of road and vehicle.

Here are the main rules to know when driving in Spain:

Spanish driving can be fast and assertive around larger cities, but the motorway network is generally easy to navigate. Take extra care on roundabouts, watch for motorbikes and scooters and allow more time when travelling on mountain roads or through busy coastal areas.

One of the biggest changes for anyone road-tripping through Spain is the expansion of low-emission zones, or Zonas de Bajas Emisiones. Rules are set locally and can be particularly confusing for foreign-registered vehicles, so we cover these below along with motorway tolls, winter driving and parking.

Toll Roads in Spain

Spain has an extensive network of autovías and autopistas, and most of the major roads you’ll use on a road trip are free.

Some autopistas and individual motorway sections are still tolled, particularly around certain cities and regions. Where tolls apply, you can normally pay by card or cash at the toll booth, while electronic payment is available through the Via-T system.

Don’t assume that a road beginning with AP is necessarily tolled. A number of former toll motorways have become free to use in recent years, so follow the signs and check your route before travelling.

If you’re planning a long journey through Spain, there is usually little reason to avoid the motorway network simply to save money. The free autovías are generally excellent and make covering long distances considerably quicker and easier.

Low Emission Zones in Spain

Low-emission zones, known as Zonas de Bajas Emisiones or ZBEs, are becoming increasingly common in Spanish towns and cities. Restrictions are set locally, so there is no single set of rules covering every ZBE in Spain.

Spanish-registered vehicles are classified using DGT environmental stickers, but foreign-registered vehicles cannot simply obtain the standard Spanish DGT sticker. The procedure for foreign vehicles depends on the city you’re visiting, and some require registration before entering.

Barcelona is particularly important for visitors. Foreign-registered vehicles that meet the emissions requirements must generally be entered on the Metropolitan Register of Foreign and Other Authorised Vehicles before accessing the Barcelona ZBE. The zone is monitored by number-plate recognition cameras.

Madrid, Bilbao, San Sebastián, Valencia, Alicante, Málaga, Granada and many other cities now have ZBEs, but the restrictions, exemptions and registration procedures are not identical.

Always check the official website for the town or city you plan to enter before travelling. Don’t rely solely on your satnav to keep you outside a ZBE, particularly if you’re heading for a city-centre hotel or car park.

If you don’t need your vehicle in the centre, the simplest option is often to park outside the restricted area and use public transport.

Winter Driving in Spain

Spain doesn’t have a nationwide requirement to fit winter tyres during a fixed period each year.

However, snow and ice regularly affect mountainous areas, including the Pyrenees, Sierra Nevada, Sistema Central and other high ground. During severe winter weather, restrictions can be introduced and snow chains or suitable winter or all-season tyres may be necessary to continue your journey. The DGT advises drivers travelling in areas where snow is forecast to carry chains unless suitable winter or all-season tyres are fitted.

Road restrictions can change quickly during snowfall. Pay attention to variable-message signs and instructions from the Guardia Civil, and check road conditions before setting off if you’re travelling through mountainous areas.

This is particularly important if you’re using our Somport Tunnel route through the Pyrenees. The tunnel avoids the high mountain pass itself, but the approach roads can still be affected by snow and ice.

If snow chains become compulsory on a particular road, fit them before continuing unless your tyres meet the requirements that allow them to be used instead. Carrying chains is sensible if your Spanish road trip takes you into the mountains during winter.

Parking in Spain

Parking rules and charges are set locally in Spain, but coloured road markings provide a useful indication of where you can park.

Always read the signs rather than relying on the colour of the bay alone, as parking rules vary considerably between Spanish towns and cities.

Underground and multi-storey car parks are often the easiest option in larger cities, but check height restrictions carefully if you’re travelling in a campervan or motorhome.

Be particularly careful when following directions to city-centre parking. A car park may be perfectly legal to use but located inside a low-emission or restricted traffic zone that your vehicle isn’t authorised to enter.

For motorhomes in Spain, overnight parking is a separate issue from camping. Local rules can restrict where motorhomes may park or stay overnight, so use designated motorhome areas or campsites where required.

Driving Through France

All four of our driving routes to Spain cross France, so there are a few French driving requirements worth knowing before you set off.

If you’re simply transiting France, you don’t need to memorise every French driving rule before you leave. Pay attention to local signs, speed limits and temporary restrictions, and check the current requirements for any low-emission zones or mountain areas on your chosen route.

Driving from the UK to Spain FAQs

How long does it take to drive from the UK to Spain?

The quickest route in this guide is around 1,101km from Calais to Irun on the Spanish border and takes approximately 12 hours of driving without significant stops or delays.

Once you include your journey to the Channel, the crossing, fuel and rest stops, most people will want to spread the journey over at least two days. If you’re continuing to southern Spain, allow considerably longer.

What is the fastest route from the UK to Spain?

The fastest route is generally Calais → Rouen → Le Mans → Tours → Poitiers → Bordeaux → Irun.

It avoids Paris and uses fast roads and autoroutes for much of the journey. From Irun, you can continue towards San Sebastián, Bilbao, Madrid, Portugal or southern and western Spain.

What is the cheapest route from the UK to Spain?

Our cheapest route follows Calais → Rouen → Chartres → Tours → Poitiers → Angoulême → Bordeaux → Irun and avoids French motorway tolls.

The distance is similar to the quickest route, but using toll-free roads adds around four hours to the journey. Paying for selected motorway sections can provide a good compromise between keeping costs down and reducing driving time.

Can you drive from the UK to Spain without paying tolls?

Yes. It’s possible to drive from Calais to Spain without paying French motorway tolls by using toll-free motorways and national roads.

The journey will take longer, so avoiding every toll isn’t always the best option. Sometimes paying a relatively small toll can save a substantial amount of time and fuel.

What is the best route from the UK to southern Spain?

For western Andalucia, including Seville and Cádiz, the western route through Bordeaux and Irun generally makes the most sense before continuing south through Spain.

For destinations on the eastern side of Andalucia or Spain’s Mediterranean coast, the route via Millau and Barcelona may be more convenient. Your best route will depend on your final destination, so compare the total journey rather than simply choosing the quickest route to the Spanish border.

Can I drive from the UK to Spain in a motorhome?

Yes. All four driving routes in this guide are suitable for motorhomes, although vehicle size and weight can affect French motorway tolls and access to some roads.

If you’re using the Somport Tunnel route, check the current vehicle restrictions before travelling. Larger motorhomes should also check height restrictions when choosing fuel stations, car parks and overnight stops.

Is it better to drive through France or take the ferry to Spain?

Driving through France gives you more flexibility and can be cheaper, particularly if you use toll-free roads and inexpensive overnight stops.

The direct ferries to Santander and Bilbao cost more, but they save a considerable amount of driving, fuel, French tolls and mileage on your vehicle. They can be particularly attractive for motorhome and campervan travellers or anyone travelling with a dog.

Can I take my dog from the UK to Spain by ferry?

Yes. Dogs can travel on direct ferries between the UK and Spain, with pet-friendly cabins and kennels available on selected ships.

Pet-friendly cabins are limited and can sell out quickly, particularly during busy travel periods, so book well ahead if you want your dog to stay in the cabin with you.

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