Tour.
- Start: Newhaven
- End: Spain
- Time: 1 to 2 days
- Suitability: all bikes and riders
Step 1: Ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe
- Departure Port: Newhaven, East Sussex
- Arrival Port: Dieppe, Normandy
- Best Option: Midnight ferry (6-hour crossing)
- Onboard Tip: Reclining seats available — rest while you sail
- Arrival Time in France: ~6:00 AM local time
Step 2: Drive from Dieppe to Bordeaux (via Non-Toll Roads)
- Distance: ~550 km (340 miles)
- Estimated Duration (non-toll route): 9–10 hours
- Dieppe → Rouen → Le Mans → Poitiers → Bordeaux
- Avoid tolls by using D-roads and N-roads (e.g., D6015, N138, N10)
- Overnight Stop: Bordeaux — vibrant city with budget hotels and great food
Step 3: Bordeaux to Andorra (via Non-Toll Roads)
- Distance: ~350 km (220 miles)
- Estimated Duration: 6–7 hours
- Bordeaux → Auch → Foix → Andorra la Vella
- Avoid tolls by following N524, N21, N20
Why Andorra?
- Cheap accommodation
- Duty-free shopping
- Scenic Pyrenean views
Step 4: Andorra to Spain
- Border Crossing: Andorra la Vella → La Seu d’Urgell (Spain)
- Distance: ~15 km
- No tolls — free mountain pass into Catalonia
From here, you can continue to:
- Barcelona (~2.5 hours)
- Valencia (~6 hours)
- Zaragoza (~4 hours)
Alternative Route: Dieppe to Spanish Border in One Day
- Distance: ~850 km (530 miles)
- Estimated Duration (non-toll route): 13–14 hours
Route Overview:
Dieppe → Tours → Limoges → Toulouse → Foix → Andorra → Spain
Tip:
Pamplona Bull Run: Held annually in the second week of July
Reach Pamplona via Andorra → Lleida → Zaragoza → Pamplona (~6 hours from Andorra)
Cost saving summary
- Newhaven → Dieppe Ferry
- Dieppe → Bordeaux – Use D/N roads, avoid A28/A10 tolls
- Bordeaux → Andorra – Scenic Pyrenean route
- Andorra → Spain – Free mountain pass
Travel tips
- Use Google Maps or ViaMichelin with “avoid tolls” selected.
- Fill up in Andorra — fuel is cheaper than France or Spain.
- Pack snacks and water — rural routes have fewer rest stops.
- Consider a action camera or drone for capturing mountain views.
- This route offers adventure, savings, and scenery — all without the sting of toll booths.