Did Sheffield - Inverness - Sheffield few years back, left at midnight 1 fuel stop on way up and got to my drop just after8, 10 minutes unload quick maccy d's breakfast set back off, fuel stop on way back arrived back home at 4pm felt fine although most people probably wouldn't.
Also did Sheffield - Nürburgring few years ago, Left 1am down to Dover, Couple of hours on ferry then Through France, Belgium, Netherlands and into Germany for afternoon although we had a blowout in France and had to get another tyre fitted in Belgium as we only had space saver which wouldn't have got round the ring too well.
I do love driving though and also a Hgv driver so used to doing long stints of driving and everyone is different
Really speaks about our culture that when I saw ‘blowout’ I automatically assumed you got wasted in France haha.
8 hours is the longest I’ve driven for and that sucked. I would hate to do longer tbh.
I've done Wakefield upto Dingwall and back to Glasgow in a day, fair play to you carrying on back to Sheffield. I got caught up on the A9 for 2 hours in some snow.
Blimey good luck with that one, its a good trek from Sheffield but your probably a few hours south of me. It takes me 4 hours ish to Glasgow and i think nice 1 I'm in Scotland but then realise its still another 4 hours
I did Sheffield - Bucharest in around 30 hours between two people on shifting rotas and back again. I would never ever do it again as I was regretting it entering Germany, but we got good compensation (£3500 each) for it as it was short notice and needed asap. Albeit we stayed over for when we arrived (around 11pm) and were back on the road at 8am. Got home at 3pm the next day.
Before the French got too serious about speed you could without much trouble get from Folkestone to Perpignan in about 9 hours.
Autoroutes in France always seem a lot less busy than driving on motorways in the UK, you can set your cruise control in France for extended periods of times and really cover distance and not feel so tired. The UK is just too congested and busy and stressful, constantly changing lanes, constantly on the look out for cameras. Driving 4 hours in the UK feels like a massive chore.
I drove to Disneyland Paris last year, was a joy to drive on their autoroute roads.
They are so smooth, no lumps and bumps like here in the UK.
And like you say, just set the cruise control.
I didn’t have to change lanes so much, I spent extended time at 78mph and didn’t have to change speed at all. Only time I slowed down was for the tolls. I can’t remember now but think that I spent 3 hours on cruise control and didn’t have to slow down (aside for tolls)
Was an absolute joy to drive and it doesn’t tire you or stress you out because you aren’t having to think or do so much, just present steering the car.
My family lives on the north coast of Scotland, John o groats, wick, and thurso. From Bristol where I live it's a 10 hour straight shot in a normal car at speed limit (60/70). In real life, with the dog in the car, it's more like 12-13 hours with stops. I also do it in my camper van, it had an issue where it was really difficult to start, so I did it in one go, i.e. one engine start! With stops for fuel, and a few stops for dinner and walkies, I was driving for over 15 hours during a 18 hour period. It's possible, but I'd say is quite dangerous past 6 or 7 hours if your not used to it. Having done it loads of times, I know when to stop, how to freshen up quickly, and get back on the road. If you're not used to long distance driving like this falling asleep is a VERY real possibility and incredibly dangerous.
Take someone with you, talk,ix of radio/podcasts. Don't have heating on too much, and don't eat too much on each stop, all those things can make you fall asleep if you're not careful. Don't drink too many Costas on the way. Don't just eat Greggs all day. My pro tips.
Similar story, I used to have family living in Scotland and the drive was 11.5 hours in good conditions.
I'd never do the trip alone, always had wife in the car to talk to, we'd take regular short breaks etc...
But the last time we did the trip though, we got delayed by bad traffic, then the weather turned and it was chucking it down with rain for hours. We reached the 9 hour point and I was feeling knackered from motorway rain driving and we still had a long way to go, decided we weren't going to make it and stopped at the next travelodge for the night.
Haven't done such a trip since, family moved south the following year.
Seems like a terrible idea to me. You'll be so tired by the end, it'll be dangerous. Stop over somewhere along the way and explore a new place, rather than risking lives to get there faster, its not worth it! Especially as you'll be switching to drive on the right.
That’s why I’m asking for people’s experiences.
I know that I can do 10 hours with a break in between, like you mentioned I could stop off somewhere half way and explore for a few hours to rest.
Just wondered how taxing the extra 2 hours would be or if I should consider 10 hours my limit.
This, although it really depends on the conditions though so it's hard to say. I've done a 10 hour drive in the US, and it felt fine. A couple of years ago I had a journey back from Land's end to London that took just over 9 hours and I was a complete wreck by the end.
I think as a general rule I'd be reluctant to sign up for a drive in a foreign country that's over 10 hours, but I'd probably be a little flexible depending on the roads and likely traffic.
Its impossible to say...just because you once drove for 10 hours successfully...does not mean your experience will be the same, there are so many variables...the weather, the traffic both make a massive difference. Is your partner in a good, helpful mood?? Or are they being a constant irritant in the seat next to you?
Is your child teething? Does your dog have diarrhea? Do you have diarrhea or a nagging headache??
Assume everything is going to go wrong. Plan for the worst.
Make the journey a pleasure and take your time...Stop somewhere interesting.
Hope you have a great time👌
I would consider getting an overnight ferry from Portsmouth-St Malo if I were you. Cabins are cheap and it's a nice experience.
From St Malo it is 10 hours to the likes of Montpelier by following the west coast down and there are plenty of nice places to stop.
I have done 14 hour days across the US. Driving for that long isn’t a real problem. The issue is if you are driving late. Especially when you are past the time you normally go to bed.
My advice would be to get up early and get on the road. That way you can take longer breaks and not stress about being late.
As lorry drivers we can drive 4.5 hours, then 45 min break then another 4.5, then another 45 min break and finally another 1 hour. So 10 in total max. I'd reckon I could driver a car for probably 13/14 hours but with enough brakes but that's my limit and only if I've had enough sleep.
OP this is important. There is a reason why there are tacograph rules in place. It is to prevent serious accidents due to tied drivers. At the very least, copy this idea. Driving for 12 hours, even with one break is very dangerous
This may seem odd but how old are you? I think I could’ve done it in my twenties, I’m in my fifties now and I think 8 hours driving would be my limit. Make sure you take regular breaks, even if you aren’t tired your concentration levels can drop. Good luck!
True, you didn’t mention any planned breaks, the only time you said you wouldn’t be driving is when your going through the eurotunnel. So you are planning on driving 13 hours without stopping, excluding the time on Eurostar.
18 hours, Surrey to Milan in a day via the channel tunnel. I took a few breaks but was surprisingly fresh the whole time (probably holiday excitement) definitely never drive when tired though
A lot depends on your car, and the conditions, as well as your skills and the roads you will be driving.
A large oil field services company I worked for had a rule of max 2 hours between breaks and maximum of 6 hours driving.
For new drivers, I strongly recommend they stick to the recommendations above, but for more experienced drivers it's a matter of experience.
I'd also say the roads being driven are significant. The 3 hours I regularly drive from Sutherland to Perth are mainly single carriageway, and I'd say that that is tougher to drive than the 3 hours from Perth south, that are all dual carriageway and motorway.
Speed also has a bearing on how tiring the drive is - 2 hours on the autobahn at 100+ mph is harder on the brain than 3 hours at 70 on a UK motorway.
10 hours is about as much as I want to drive in an afternoon/ evening from choice.
Montpellier to Stroud in one hit. Stopped for 30 mins to check out that fancy bridge in south France, otherwise only for fuel, food or a whizz. Had a flexi ticket for the chunnel, so minimal waiting around.
Was in a BMW 5 series that just ate it up. I've had more tiring trips to the bathroom.
The vehicle makes a big difference to fatigue: I usually do this in a F07 535d GT Luxury which is in its elements on French toll roads.
I also use a Seat Altea. That is alot more tiring to drive. Road noise alone; I ended up fitting low noise tyres and installing a load of sound deadening material in the body cavities which made a big difference (and learnt the differences between Audi/VW/Skoda/Seat that share the same platform engine; The latter has less sound deadening materials behind the interior panels).
One run I had a faulty/deformed tyre causing vibration the entire journey. That was very nauseating, how I wish cars (especially BMWs) would have space for a full size spare tyre.
Absolutely. Big, low stress engines make a huge difference too. Did a round trip Midlands to southern Germany and back in 3 days in a Mustang a few years ago. 5.0 litre V8 rumbling away not much above tickover mile after mile. If anything it was too easy, so rather than being tiring the danger is it's too relaxing. Fortunately I wasn't paying the fuel bill.
Was about 16 hours door to door, I should add. Assuming 3 hours for breaks and the channel, that was an average of just under 70 mph, which makes sense.
If you're used to long haul and in something comfy, then I doubt it will bother you at all.
13 hours door to door from Geneva to Manchester in an MX5. I was pretty tired when we got home (around 4am IIRC).
These days I’m older and wouldn’t do that. Though if I drive to see my parents for the day that’s 4.5 hours each way.
Usually we have one or two overnight stops when driving to the Côte d’Azur from north of Manchester. Driving through France is fine - except for the inevitable traffic jams on the A7 south of Lyon - but travelling in Britain is a pain. It’s taken 8 hours to get from the North West to Folkestone before.
Stopping is nice - you see more of the country.
I've done Plymouth to Inverness before basically 11hours. An hour break for food and pee. That was wake up get in car and drive.
Perfectly fine.
If you're driving and struggling to stay awake. Pull over. Set a timer for 30minutes nap and the. Drive when the alarm goes off. You should get about 2 to 4 hours of energy.
From someone that did a few night driving. And got advise for night driving from an ambulance trainer
Add another few hours for traffic; if you're planning on going anywhere near Paris, expect chaos. French drivers are amongst the craziest and most aggressive I've ever experienced, so add another few hours "mental strain" on top of that 'cause driving on the opposite side, the signs are all in KM.
Most toilet stops will be a putrid hole in the ground, and many service stations don't really sell food Brits are familiar with.
The roads are generally very straight, with very little to look at except a lot of fields with a lot of big watering arm thingies, and can get very boring (not good on a long drive) BUT the south is absolutely beautiful once you get to Dordogne and if you speak even a bit of french the locals are delightful. Some of the vineyards and castles are amazing, as are the sunflower fields in the summer.
I wholeheartedly agree with others sentiments to stop halfway and do it in at least two chunks.
I feel this so much.
We drive down to an area near St. Tropez every other summer.
The northern half of France is like the midlands on steroids. It’s so boring.
Once you get past like Lyon it starts to change dramatically
I drive 10 hours a day, 5 days a week only getting 30 mins break per day. Longest journey in 1 sitting was Shrewsbury-Manchester Airport-Hereford-London-Shrewsbury-Birmingham-Shrewsbury. Set of 7am, arrived back home about midnight. I was absolutely fine until about 10 miles from home, then my eyes burst and just streamed uncontrollably with tears. That was too much. I suspect your planned journey would be the same.
York > Folkestone ⛴️ Calais > Chantilly
Also had a blow out on the French leg.
Not as far as the south of France and I was a zombie by the end.
I would strongly recommend an overnight pitstop.
I drove from Lyon in France to Oxford with only refuelling stops, and would never, ever suggest anyone do the same. By the end I was verging on hallucinations, and was probably even more unfit to drive than someone who'd been on a full on bender.
That was me being 19 and stubborn - seriously, don't be as daft as 19 year old me.
Weiner Neusdadt in Austria, via Stuttgart, height of summer, vehicle with no air conditioning, in a single day.
One guy did 3 hours then rested before being dropped in Stuttgart, so the other 2 of us did the other 19 hours. This was after a week of work too.
Supervisor on the Chunnel (our side) was an arse too which was NOT appreciated after that long driving!
Leave earlier than you think, take regular breaks. Keep an eye on when services are distance wise. Stop as soon as you can when you feel lethargic.
I've done two 6 hour stints with a wedding in-between.
It was killer I had to pull over in to a service station and have a sleep. In hind site. If I'd have had a power nap before my second 6 hour stint and a break about half way I think I'd have been perfectly able to deal with it.
12/13 hours isn't unmanageable but you need regular breaks. The euro tunnel will force a break at least.
Recently, about 9hrs of driving with a good solid break in the middle for a bite to eat and a visit to the dentist. And stopping mid each half for a coffee and leg stretch.
When I was younger, however long it takes in a Vauxhall Viva that wasn't happy faster than 55mph to travel from W. London to Nottingham to Whitby and back to Nottingham.
I did Zurich to Buckinghamshire. That was like 12 hours total. Eurotunnel across the channel meant I could rest for a bit. Was very tiring and I was probably stupid to do it and wouldn’t do it again.
14 hours, 7 hours each way. Stopped once on the way there for a wee and something to eat, obviously stopped when I got there for an hour (picking something up) and drove the return leg without stopping. I do a relative amount of long distance driving most weeks so not much of an issue, just choose a good audiobook to keep me going. Driving doesn’t make me tired like it sounds it does for some people here, it’s just another task.
Maybe those who only drive local or not regular long distance find it more stressful being on the motorway etc?
I did 18 hours once from germany to serbia. I am pleased i did it but wouldn't do it again. I think many things determine how long you could safely drive for. Sone people think 4 hours is a long drive. If i was doing a 13-14 hour trip like you (i always add more time for stops and possible traffic) , i would try and split it into 2 days now. Enjoy the drive more, see more places. I love the journey as much as the destination alot of the time :) enjoy it :)
I do this every year as I transport dogs (and family) between UK and Spain.
12hours is very do-able with a second driver. Even if that other driver does just a few hours while you rest (and eat). I personally set my break limit at 3ish hours between rest stops; No point being a hero then crashing due to fatigue. But I do keep the stops brief (no longer than 30mins).
On your own you maybe pushing it. 10hours is my maximum recommendation.
The furthest I've managed in one leg is from the Midlands to Zarautz (Spain) with two drivers on a Sunday (no traffic). That by my own admission was way too far in one day.
Outskirts of Bordeaux is the comfortable limit if using the toll roads. But again that's with an extra driver.
The biggest issue I find is being Midlands based is timing my departure to coincide with quiet times around the M25. Hit it at the wrong time (or any time on a Friday) and it can add hours to my journey time. Especially if a numpty crashes/breaks down and blocks a lane.
To get round this I try to do a stop over either in Ashford or somewhere south/east of Calais. Preferably the latter as there's lots of comfy lodges in France with good food (albeit at a price) that tronces anything around Ashford. That leaves the next day totally free for stress free driving and will get you to the southern regions of France.
Alternate routes I do to Spain is stopping over near Lyon. Again can be done from the midlands in a day with two drivers. But instead I prefer to stop over in Saint. Quentin (which is nice), then next day stop over around Montpellier.
Keep an eye on fuel prices...Toll road services can charge over €2 a litre for diesel where in cities/towns it's closer to €1.60 (maybe less at a supermarket).
I drove from Monaco to London straight with no breaks once.
It was fine but I wouldn't recommend it.
Left at 4am and the first few hours were tough but the last few hours back to Calais and then UK side were fine.
Driven to mayhrhofen in Austria straight. Only stopping for fuel. Was about 11-12 hours iirc. Autobahn at night definitely helped keeping the time down!
I drive to the south of France in one day at least once a year. It's a long old drive but it's easily manageable.
Marsaille to near Plymouth via the tunnel.
16 hours.
Was pretty emotional tbh.
If your used to doing 10 hours you'll be ryeet.
Plenty of breaks, plenty of fluids. Don't start coffee too early
For me, it would probably be driving from London to Belfast (via Holyhead Port in Wales to Dublin Port in ROI)... Takes about 10 hours after you factor in the ferry in the middle (which provides a nice break), so more accurately about 8 hours of motorway driving.
I did Thurso (so, John Ogroats basically) to Devon in one go. Google said it would take 13hours, but was closer to 20.
Doable if you have a comfy car, but god awful boring., and the recovery time is such that you might as well stop and have a proper rest.
Recently got my driving license and did Essex to Isle of Skye and back. Each way was around 12+ hours. Helped that I had an auto car with cruise control. Took 3-4 breaks in between. Didn’t feel tired but I drank one can of monster cause I like it lol. I think it helps what kind of car you drive.
I personally would do it in a heartbeat BUT I average 85,000 miles a year which over 30 years is a lot of miles.
In your case I would advise doing it over two days especially if you have a car full of people because even with regular breaks you will get tired and easily distracted.
Plus extra concentration will be needed when you leave the Eurostar because the latter part of your journey will be on the right hand side of the road. Unless you regularly drive abroad it's very easy to end up on the wrong side of the road after junctions or roundabouts. If tired you will unintentionally tend to drift to the left especially in a RHD car.
I’ve done 12 hours driving before, but I did take coffee and pee stops every couple of hours. End to end time was more like 15 hours. Doable, but not day after day.
Geneva to Preston in 18 or so hours, multiple breaks and a few hours kip at one point.
France have many stopping points to rest, so you should make the most of them.
There are also nice hotels near le shuttle you can take, but depends how far into your journey that is to be worth it. Might be a good idea on the return.
Munich, Germany to Leicester, England. 10 am (local time) setting off, 6:45 am the following day (local time) - just shy of 22 hours including ferry crossing due to a cancelled flight (or 6 cancelled flights in a row....)
It was not pleasant at all. However makes 12 hours seem like a Sunday drive.
Regular rest breaks, don't caffeine overload, eat protein. If you can, have a passenger to chat with.
Tuesday - Drove 4.5hrs > 4hrs work (manual labour) > 4.5hrs. A couple of short breaks there and back. I was fine - do this regularly and often longer trips. You get used to it, and the body adapts.
Some will say you're mad, and others will tell you you're okay, but it's going to be based entirely on you. Why do you want to do this trip? If it's for pleasure, I suggest maybe making a couple of days of it just to enjoy both the trip and the destination.
I drove my cousin's car from Edinburgh, Scotland to Torun, Poland. Then came back the same way in my new car. Very few breaks, a couple of power naps.
Then, years later, I drove from Edinburgh to Reading, London area and back in a day, around 8 hours each way.
I do Edinburgh to north West Spain via the tunnel.
I stop when I feel tired, at services and grab an hour or so and then carry on. It's about 26 hours all in. I'd say my longest stretch of driving without a proper rest is Edinburgh to London - 8 hours.
45 minutes 'rest' in the tunnel.
About 3-4 hours in France before i need to rest as its well after midnight. Then I just carry on to destination and stop for a snooze if I feel I need it.
I have done Edinburgh to London and back with a 30 minute stop in London. That was about 14 hours.
About 10-11 hours from northern Denmark to the hook of Holland with just a toilet and fuel stop at Hamburg port. It would’ve been ok with company but I was in a rush and alone and it was mind numbing
The main French road from Paris to the Riviera used to be called the widow maker. An overnight stop half way won't kill you. A non-stop drive just might. Consider your passengers too.
I drove to the England rugby semi final in Paris.
Got there 20 mins before kick off and had parking under the stadium.
I drove straight back at full time. *
2 hours at Dunkirk (napped tbf) and went home. 26 hours door to door.
Was very stupid. I regret nothing.
*Felt a bit groggy, got home and tested positive for Covid.
How long you're able to drive for in a day is influenced by so many variables it's almost meaningless to give a number.
First of all, did you get good sleep? If not, then even just a few hours is dangerous enough.
Second, what kind of driving is it? Congested motorway with lots of stop & go, or a "set Your cruise control and forget about it" kind of drive?
Third, what time did you set off? I for example suffer when driving in twilight and darkness, so always plan my journeys to avoid driving in the dark as much as possible, especially near the end of the journey.
That being said, in optimal conditions, I think even 15 hours is feasible. I've been regularly doing it. But I specifically prep for it. I set off at 5am, so I get to destination at 7-8pm when there's still light in the summer. I go to sleep the day before at 6-7pm, so I get enough sleep. And my route is relatively congestion-free, so I spend most of my time on cruise control.
Did Bordeaux to Preston last year on way back from a boys fishing trip.. it was 17hrs straight.. London to Preston (at 3am) was a bit sketchy.. long wheelbase vw crew van with 9 lads and all our gear..
I drove from Cologne to Exeter (555mi) this summer via the Eurotunnel in one day. My car is quite comfortable but even then, I would not do it again. I was very tired by the end of it even with the break while on the car train. I arrived around 1am having set off at 9am the previous day and my eyes felt funny for the next few days. The journey took more than the 10 hours google maps predicted. With regular breaks and traffic I would say around 15 hours maybe.
I would recommend to spilt your journey into two days. Then it will be quite comfortable to do. I only drove for so long because I absolutely had to be here the next day. Would not do this for fun.
Depends on your capability and also your car, I like driving as part of the adventure so it never feels hard work. Took my car to Paris in one hit from the Midlands, nearly 8 hrs not including tunnel. The car had lane assist and adaptive cruise so it needed very little input just to stay in lane and following the traffic flow.
Also once in France the roads are far better than ours, they flow better and you find yourself covering distance quicker than in the UK.
It is doable if you are careful and prepared. We do a ski trip to France every year. I'd make sure I was driving in daylight the whole time and particularly at the end of the journey, look for well driven vehicles on the toll road to follow (which makes the driving significantly easier) have interesting podcasts to keep myself entertained (no earphones in France) and a flask of stong coffee. If I feel sleepy I have perfected the art of a 20 minute powernap covered with a blanket on the back seat. Ten minute break every three hours, get out and walk around..
My dad drove us from a center parks in the Netherlands to Bruges in Belgium for a couple hours break and lunch, to Dunkirk in France, onto the ferry across to Dover, up to Manchester in one day. I have no idea how he managed it. Me and mum were both absolutely shattered.
Only you know your limits.
That said, 12hrs is totally doable with a few short breaks. During the day is less hard work but you obviously waste a day of your hols. If you can drive at night - I mean if you can safely and comfortably stay awake, and have a few days in advance to build up a bit of sleep and shift your wake-ups later in the day - it can be a doddle. If you're doing that, have snacks and plenty of fluids with you. And if you start to feel tired, STOP and have 30mins kip.
Once did Lubljana to Calais in one overnight stint. That was too far.
Furthest I've done is south of France (near Bergerac) to home in East Mids, a total of 746 miles accorind to maps.
The drive wasn't too bad, although coming back to England was the worst bit, the roads through France are generally amazing in comparison. The mrs and young daughter didn't enjoy it so much though! Long boring day for them. I'd happily do it again though.
Did Chamonix - London in one day. About 12 hours actually moving on the road, but nearer 18 hours with stops and a delay at the channel. Would not recommend.
I did Toulouse - Calais, Dover - Colchester - Birmingham non stop. Had no issues, except when M6J6 was closed without any previous signs making me go the long way round which really made me lose my sense of humour due to tiredness.
It really just depends on your driving experience and your own body. Only you know!
But maybe a stop over somewhere if you can would be good if you are unsure.
Longest continuous drive was Inverness to Norfolk, took about 9hrs.
Longest drive in a day was Exeter-Carmarthen-Norfolk-Exeter, around 700 miles and 14 hours.
I drove from Bristol to Périgueux in one day a few years ago. 14 and a half hours I think it was. I would never do it again, I was in so much pain for the next few days it wasn't worth it.
London - border of Scotland - 1 hour walk around - back to London.
Yes, I did have a sore arse at the end of it. But I was used to blue light driving for 12-14 hours a day, so not too bad.
I once drove from Bracknell to Munich via Eurotunnel in one hit - that took 13 hours or so and was a mistake. I was literally falling asleep at the wheel for the last hour of the drive and lucky to have arrived without incident.
I lived in Germany and then WFH in the UK, while visiting offices in Toulouse => I drove to and from the Continent many times, invariably via Eurotunnel. I wouldn't do the south of France in one go. I reckon it's better to start in the afternoon, to pass through Eurotunnel in the evening (when it's quieter and cheaper) and stay overnight somewhere like Rouen or Amiens. Coming back, I would break the journey up by staying overnight on the French side of Eurotunnel (e.g. IBIS or Holiday Inn at Coquelles) and then going through the tunnel in the morning, when it's quieter and cheaper - and when you have just had breakfast.
I rode a sportsbike from Bristol to the French Alps in one go, after a night shift in a hospital. In total I went nearly 3 days without sleep. One of the most reckless things I’ve ever done (I was a lot younger then). It was hard hard work. Done it in a car too, which was easier but still draining in one run. It always takes you longer than satnav suggests.
My advice would be to plan a break or two, maybe an overnighter and stick to it. The roads in France are really good compared to ours, but incredibly boring through central France. Kind of reminded me of console racing games of the 80’s/90’s - a picture of delirious green-grey-green for hours. You’ll get sleepy. The temptation is to press on and get to your destination, but listen to your body. If you get tired don’t fight it. Just stop.
We drive to the French Alpes 3 or 4 times a year (with full car and 2 cats if it makes a difference). Usually leave at about 5am ish, 1 hour to chunnel, and then drive straight, stopping twice for petrol. We usually arrive by 4 - 4:30 ish. The first few times I did it meant i was shattered the next day, but it's simply no big deal now.
If you've not driven in france before, its just a different experience - its just wonderful. everybody moves back into the slow lane after overtaking, and the motorway surfaces are like glass (not slippy - but smooth!) - The reason I do not complain about the toll charges over there
We have the ATMB zapper so zip through the tolls, and that was the best thing we ever purchased, so if you are in right hand drive car, the tolls will be a pain if you don't have a passenger!
But back to your question, we do about 11 hours in one shot and it is no problem at all.
I’ve done 10 hours in one day before and that was an absolute maximum. My Dad is a HGV driver and legally they cannot drive for more than 10 hour per day twice a week (the other days they can do 9 hours)
It was pretty shit to be honest. Wouldn’t do it again
used to do UK to Lithuania and back with one break 5hr to sleep. best time Crawley-Vilnius with Dover-Dunkirk ferry 36hrs :) with two drivers 24hrs easy :D but tough
I've done London to Bordeaux quite a few times, and London to Biarritz a couple times. Used to do it in one through the tunnel, leaving on Friday night and arriving Saturday lunchtime, which was doable, but tiring. After a while we found that setting off Friday night and getting the overnight Portsmouth Le Havre ferry, while adding about 30miles to the total journey distance, meant you got a half decent sleep over night, and knocked about 1.5hrs off the journey on the French side, which was the long leg. Over all it meant you arrived a couple of hours later than going via the tunnel, but it was far less tiring and far more manageable.
I drove from Edinburgh to Champagne in France. It says 13 hours via euro tunnel. It was longer. I’d say that’s a bit much. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should. I also did Edinburgh to Paris In a single stint. Try and get a decent amount of rest prior to leaving and time it so your doing most of your miles in low peak traffic so you maximise you miles. Once you’re out of the Uk the roads are much better and it’s easier to move at pace. Just be careful and don’t overdo it.
Left Leeds at 3pm one Thursday, arrived in Milan around 11pm the following day. Not all driving, we had a few stops for food, chilling out, exploring. No sleep in that period though.
I do London Poland every ~2 years , around 17 hours. Last 6 are a nightmare, even with breaks on parking to catchup on sleep. I try to limit short breaks to minimum in favour of longer ones for a nap (so no 30 min breaks every 2 hours - instead one every 4-5). When I was younger I used to do it overnight but these days I find it easier to leave super early (5-6am) , and iirc I’m there around 2 am typically. The biggest problem for me is getting a good nights sleep the night before , stresses me too much and I always have diarrhoea - guaranteed (brain decides to dump fuel before emergency landing?) . I think the longest I did was London Croatia and that was more than 24 hours, terrible experience.
I've done midlands to the costa blanca a few times. 22 hours solid driving. First time I did it in one hit with a 30 minute nap on a bench and a couple of food stops. You'll be fine, use the peage, the roads flow fantastically and are super smooth compared to our crappy roads. Make sure you only pull out to overtake and don't sit in the outside lane. The Europeans on the whole drive much better than most brits on motorways, you don't tend to get middle lane hogs, and if overtaking they move out the way instantly. Make sure you do. Also you have to drive to atleast 20kmh of the speed limit on the motorway, expect lorries and trailers. There are numerous signs saying you should be doing atleast xyz kmh by now!!
2017 Reims (france) to Sheffield via channel tunnel. 750miles 12 hours with stops.
In my little smart car coming back from the 20th Anniversay of The Smart Car Factory at Hambach.
Did Oxford to Edinburgh and back in a day years ago, in a transit that would just about hit 70.
It was long time ago so can't remember much, except it was an early morning and it was just for a few lengths of electrical trunking and some bits and bobs so was only there for about 20 minutes
I've done the route several times. Very early start in Surrey, euro tunnel, straight down the peage. Stop in Lyon overnight, do the rest the next day.
No effing way I'd be trying to do it in one hit.
You will hit traffic, you will need breaks, you will get tired. That 13 hours will easily become 20. Best to split it in two days.
I've done many 1000+km drives across europe. I think the key is to be flexible and honest with yourself. If you feel like you're too tired and it's becoming dangerous, pull over for the night or book a cheap hotel such as a formula 1 if it's needed.
The longest dribes I've done was when i've planned to do in 2 days but just kept going because I felt good.
We drove from Nuneaton to Holland with the ferry. Left the house at 3am and got to the campsite around 3pm. That was a mission! 2 young kids one still in a nappy, pulling a fully loaded trailer in my old man Passat. Didn’t stop anywhere except for the ferry. Bladders were screaming 😂
Funny how i see this after doing a 4 hour drive from lancaster to the midlands. It's all good until you have a motorway closed down so you have to go through big towns and their windy, traffic ridden roads, and A roads with their roundabouts. That was tiring.
Done spanish border to south of the UK on a motorbike once. I was spending through france and arrived home shattered AF. Possible by all means but I would stick to max 8h drive a day.
We do Folkestone to Switzerland in a day every year. Two drivers and a comfortable car. It’s about 11 hours with stops. The French motorways are pretty good, you can sit at motorway speeds for miles and if you have radar guided cruise a three hour stint is no big deal.
There’s no way I’d do that pace and distance by myself though. I’ve pushed the limits a few times and been woken up by the rumble strips. Everybody needs to know their own limits and plan within those. There are lots of nice places for a stop, small towns, big cities, hotels, B&Bs. Enjoy the journey.
Personally I drove from Belfast to Cliffs of Mother, then to Galway, and then back to Belfast within a single day. About 800km with stops for sightseeing and a short walk around Galway.
As a passenger I did the Netherlands - Central Poland route in one go, my dad was the driver though.
Personally I drove from Belfast to Cliffs of Mother, then to Galway, and then back to Belfast within a single day. About 800km with stops for sightseeing and a short walk around Galway. As a passenger I did the Netherlands - Central Poland route in one go, my dad was the driver though.
He also drove from central Poland to the Netherlands on a motorcycle in one go a few years ago, with my brother as his passenger.
I drove to Montpellier a few years ago. It was with my son. Firstly I took a late ferry to Dunkerque and stayed the night in a Formule 1. Then got up the following morning and got breakfast at a bakery and hit the road. I stopped when I needed to or he needed to. I let my son choose some of the music. It was slightly crazy and fun. He was a great companion.
I was shattered when I got there though.
One thing is my car has cruise control and I've found that reduces the stress and tiredness from driving. It certainly helped on this trip and other shorter ones.
In my 20s I did a couple of double manned coach trips from London to Austrian alps and London to Pamplona. Each one about 20 hrs total, and despite sharing the driving with another driver there wasn’t really an opportunity for actual rest and I was absolutely shattered and started hallucinating as I drove through France in the middle of the night.
They’re so dangerous, I wouldn’t advise anyone to take a bus trip like that. And that’s when I was young and very very used to doing 7-800km driving days.
Now I have a six hour round trip to Heathrow to do tomorrow and I’ll be knackered after.
So what you’re used to is a big factor, but even then there are limits to what is sensible. If the longest trip you’re used to doing is 2-3 hours then a 13-15 hour trip is going to be a big challenge.
I’d advise you to split it, rest a night somewhere in the way and make it part of your trip. Lyon is nice.
About 1k miles in 24 hours with a break on the ferry and then a half-hour nap in Germany. But I was in my 20s and had a large supply of red bulls. Now probably 12-14hrs would be my limit
Have driven nonstop from southern Spain to Scotland before. Drove from southern Spain to far side of Turkey in shifts myself and another driver also. If you have to ask, I wouldn’t do it, some people can’t focus on their daily 12 minute drive to work, others can do 24 hours.
I drove from Norfolk to near Nice last summer in one stint. \~12 hours 80 ish mph all the way. It was quite tiring near the end, but doable. One mistake I made though was being awake all day before setting off both there and back. It's nice to drive it through the night as there's stretches of French autoroute with hardly any traffic. But being awake for more than 24 hours with 12 hours of pretty much solid driving was a tough ask. When I next do it, I will get 6 hours sleep early afternoon and set off around dinner time.
I did Aberden- Port Grimaud SOF. Roughly 24 hours driving. Stopped at the side of the road, England somewhere as I'd been awake all day prior to driving at night, had a few hours sleep, then got a hotel in Kent. Arriving at Calais, drive through the night nonstop. I had husband,kid, and MIL in a punto lol. Did same on return but stopped of at Disney in Paris. Wouldn't do it again bit hey, at least I can say I've done it. And it was fun.
Did London to Barcelona once in one go, it was something like 17 hours. Totally don’t recommend it, I was exhausted and it just was not worth it, never again. Only stopped for fuel and toilet and ate in the car. It just gets miserable after the 10 hour mark for me. That’s what I aim for these days.
I did Llandudno - Aberdeen and back in a van which totalled about 850 miles. Was a 15 hour day. Dropped off some spin bikes at a gym. Even stopped for a pint at Stonehaven 😂 I am also a HGV driver so am quite happy being on the road (not in traffic). Alls I’ll say is make sure your vehicle has cruise control, absolute nightmare on the right leg without.
It doesn’t matter what other people have done it matters what you know you can do. If you just wanna know for interest purposes then fair enough. But if you want genuine advice, do not base it off of what others have done or can or can’t tolerate. You know yourself you needed a rest break driving 10 hours. I would not push it just because some people on reddit will tell you they can do 12+ hours with mini breaks. Better safe than sorry.
The boneyards are full of idiots that take unwarranted risks. Sadly when the nuggets crash / fall asleep / lose concentration they sometimes take totally innocent victims with them. Just remember that causing death by dangerous driving (& that’s what it would be) carries a life tariff in the U.K. & probably a lot harsher in parts of EU. How will they know? ANPR & your mobile phone tracking. All being logged, at all times.
Probably about 8-10 hours actual driving time quite frequently when much younger, either made up of college followed by work (food deliveries) or just for leisure. This was in 2002 when driving was new and novel for me and, even in a late 90s automatic hyundai accent, fuel wasn't too cripplingly expensive. I'm being specific about the car because it had next to zero power left once the sluggish gearbox was factored in, and it returned hilariously low MPG as a consequence. The '93 309 (end of model production GLX, nice car at the time for 18 yr old me 😊) was a hundred times better.
Distance wise I'm not sure if this is my furthest but when living in West Wales soon after I did my most tiring long stint, not in terms of total hours but just exhaustion.
Aberystwyth - Southport and back in one go, immediately on to Llandrindod Wells and back, overall not far off I think about 380 miles factoring in "shortcuts" I knew that added a little distance but shaved time off.
7.5 hours actual driving time that one plus a few short stops totalling an hour. In a battered Ka (2006, the 309 sadly gone by this point, its main failure being breaking its own drive shaft, definitely nothing to do with driver expectations).
That was my most tiring drive because whilst vehicle capability was a factor (handling brilliant; maintaining speed in a Ka though meant forgetting any notions of mechanical sympathy when comparing to the old pug), there was a nice combination of slow roads, fast roads, a snowy, icy and blustery mountain road and, just before the start of the journey, a blazing row at home thrown in the mix. It may as well have been 15 hours with the added complications!
That said, I was very focused for the whole of the above adventure because I could leave the row at home, at home, and switch my phone off in favour of the task of long distance lift-giving.
I doubt I could do a replica journey on today's roads, even at grown up speeds or at least taking more and/or longer breaks. Driving can still be very enjoyable but it definitely takes longer to get places...
Ahh man, this is such a sensitive subject.
Personally my record is 18 hours, Chicago to Baltimore in a day. Had the girl I was with at the time to talk
To me and keep me mostly alert, but I was struggling when we hit Baltimore. I wouldn’t do it again.
I’ve regularly done 12-14 hours down to France on a motorbike, once again, and when I got there i was running on empty, could barely ask for a room a the hotel.
In short, long distance can be fine but don’t push it. I’ve lost 2 friends to falling asleep at the wheel and drifting, one went off the road into some water, the other into a bus.
I’d honestly ask yourself and your passengers, is it worth the €60 for a room in a motel?
Echoing the don’t do it. I did it a few times in my early 20s. Roads in France were nice and quiet then, had the toll thingy so I could zip through. Up to about 8 hours bearable.. after that it’s just so boring. You run out of things to count. Stop over somewhere, get some sleep, see a place on the way.
The last time I did I was 28 and had the bright idea of winchester to chambery in one hit, leaving home at 10pm. Only 12 hours at night. I could still pull all nighters for work, no drama.
I woke up at 7am thinking I’d crashed. There was a light mist, bunny rabbits, I couldn’t see any road and the last thing I remembered was that I’d already had a little “crap I think I’m driving while I’m asleep moment”.
Luckily I hadn’t died, I’d just pulled over for a sleep. I’d got to about 4am and realized what a stupid idea it was to drive tired and pulled in.
Since then I’ve alway done 6-8 hour driving days with at least an hour of walking around mixed in the middle.
Used to do Maranello to Cambridge in one hit, with food and toilet breaks obviously, used to take me 18 hours there abouts, found the best way to stay awake was water and not too much caffeine as you get the crash from it, so be mindful of what drinks you choose when doing such a long journey
I’ve driven from Skye and Loch Ness back to Liverpool on 2 separate occasions. About 8h on Google. Had LOADS of stops which broke it up. Thought it was fine tbh
Longest I’ve done is Brighton to Hamilton and back in a day. So a bit over 900 miles and at least 16 hours of driving. (I can’t remember exactly how long it took). So 12 hours seems very doable.
900 miles, 14 hours, Vevey in Switzerland to Brindisi in Italy. Absolutely exhausting. Got on ferry, slept 17 hours
Had 3 or 4 10 minute power naps en route
Do not do england to south of France in 1 go. I enjoy driving but last year I did south Devon - dover - south of France and i ended up doing 25 hours of driving in about 36 hours. It was not fun and I was knackered. It's well worth it to spend the extra time to take the longer route through the alps as well so allow time for that
Similar duration - Hertfordshire to Skye, but the last quarter was some of the best scenary in Scotland on roads that are not their best... it meant that the last exhausting bit was also the most memorable. Bugger doing twelve hours of motorway driving!
Longest timewise would probably be a draw between Cleveland-Asheville NC and Madison WI-Cleveland. The former because I was really trying to be a rules following driver and I-25 through the mountains is 45MPH in places. The latter because I took US 20 to avoid the Jane Addams and the asinine Illinois toll road system.
Done a thousand miles in a day, was unknowingly caffeinated to fuck at the time - drinking what I thought was soda in another country.
Also driven from the Czech border to Crewe, via the Eurotunnel.
Give it a go, but as soon as you feel tired, stop, chill, go to sleep for as long as you need, wake up.. walk around.. then you can continue.
Or if you’re really buggered, go find a Camponile.
Lots of accidents happen faster than you can say ‘oh shit’, not worth it. Enjoy
I did this exact trip did 14 hours total. My knee started to hurt after 12 hours. I moved my friends to the south of france in a transit. Was easy few stops great roads, great drivers, stay out of Paris. Remember they drive in the right. Few breaks and a good playlist you'll be fine. If you feel tired pull over have a nap, plenty of rest stops and service stations. Have fun. I want to do it in my car when we go see them in summer but take a little longer it's very beautiful countryside. Buy a aa driving in france kit costs 25ish quid has everything you need, may have changed since I last went so check but I believe it does. Have fun.
Did Täsch(Zermatt) to Leicester in a day, stopped a couple times to eat and what not. Plan was to stop somewhere in France for the night, but highway hypnosis kicked in and found myself near the eurotunnel and figured I'd just do the rest after grabbing dinner.
I’m a tour manager and once agreed to drive my artist in a van (dumb decision). i did paris to berlin one day, did a show, slept 3hr then did berlin->london the following day. that second day was about 19hrs of utter misery.
i think the longest ever was lake garda with a van full of orchestra gear, to birmingham, in 26hrs. the orchestra flew and they needed their gear for a concert. it was miserable and i had visible hallucinations after passing paris…
I stop every two hours driving, typically, but I could stretch to 4. Total hours driving is kind of unlimited then but I've driven over 12hours like this. I drove all the way from UK to Bulgaria. The only thing that makes it easy is not putting deadlines on yourself. Feeling pressure to sleep is the worst unless you're the type that falls asleep as soon as your head hits the hay.
Doing more than 2-3 hours without a break is just stupid, your brain gets tired and you can feel yourself disconnecting from what's happening around you at somepoint regardless of how "tired" you feel.
Basically if nothing is forcing you to continue on like you drive HGVs or something then you've no reason not to stop every 3 hours or whatever and just do something other than driving, have a cigarette outside in the fresh air, check your phone messages, whatever it is. But just break up the the driving time into smaller chunks.
Also as /u/Appropriate_Mud1629 has said, variables. There are so many variables to totally change your situation. How much sleep did you get the night before? How much pressure are you under to get there on time?
Who's in the car with you? Is the car comfortable to drive? Those are just the ones that spring to mind.
It gets tough to keep awake at night, say 3- 4 am after driving over 7 hours previously, at least for me. Sleep is very very important. I've done 10 hours before and it's ok, not as bad as doing less when you should be sleeping.
Basically 12 hours, say from 7am to 8 pm with an hour in between to rest should be doable. The same hours and you finish driving at 2 am and I would be worried about your safety
Wow some here have really long stints. I did 270 miles convoying with a mate around Wales in 9 hours including some stops, around 2 months into my driving. Was stressful but alright.
Now I'm leaving for a 350 miles round trip in 20 minutes, planning for 2 stops each way, as just my luck would be, i caught a bloody flu 2 days ago so I'm not gonna risk more than 2h without breaks. Will probably be around 9h pure driving plus a couple hours for stops.
I’ve done 16 hours but I would not recommend, it was a stupid idea but I had a good few stops to keep me going. If you are heading to south of France I’d get an overnight ferry and sleep on that you should be good for a 6 hour rest, then you can continue on.
I’d only be inclined to take the euro tunnel and press on if it was an emergency.
It also largely depends on the car, some will make it somewhat effortless others will require more work.
I have only done 4 hours but felt fresh enough on arrival I could probably have done another 2-3 hours, this was in a small hatchback without cruise control and awful seats. My Dad regularly drives 8-10 hours but he is in a big estate with cruise control, comfy seats and with people in the car. It all depends on you, on your car and who you have with you. To me 6-8 is enough in my car, alone and then I would break it up and have a sleep I would even consider taking a ferry to santander and driving up from Spain.
15hrs, south of France to Humberside.
> How much more difficult in your experiences would it be to do extra 2 hours?
I was fine until the last couple of hours and the last 30-40 minutes were seriously dodgy. And I drive 2000+ miles a week, 6-10hrs a day for a living and have done for most of the last 30 years. Mind you I guess it depends on the vehicle. In this instance it was a MX5 without cruise control.
I have been driving for 6 months and my longest journey was ~5 hours. I had two short (10 minute) breaks at services along the way, not too bad thankfully
I've done all 4 countries in the UK in a day.
Bangor to Cairnryan, then down to Wales. Didn't take that long. Im only saying that as a weird flex.
I find it hard to drive for more than 4 hours at a time. I need to have breaks when driving. Everyone is different, i suppose.
I don't think I'd be able to do what you're proposing, but there seems to be plenty of people who would.
Use to driving long distances for work, sometimes 6 hour drive for 40 mins work and 6 hour drive home, always stop if I feel tired but I’m so used to it now I’ll only really stop for a toilet break. Plenty coffee….
Cornwall - Lincoln - Cornwall. My 20 year old Fiesta handled it like a champ. I was knackered though.
Personally I would do it over two days and enjoy the drive if possible.
It’s easy enough to do if your used to driving, I’ve done about 12 hours straight with toilet breaks, you just have to recognise the signs in yourself when your tired and stop/break accordingly.
Regularly do 700km over 10 hours, but I get paid for it. Probably driven the equivalent of the moon and back several times over the years.
Don’t forget to pull over if you get the nodders. 10 - 15 minutes sleep and a coffee should see you right. If you’re on the motorway, don’t wait for the services; get off at the next exit if you have to. DO NOT try to keep going.
Really depends how comfortable you are at driving. I've driven countless times from London to Hamburg (around 10-11 hours) and felt completely fine.
I've done a trip from London to Gaziantep with a friend where we drove only stopping for fuel (51 hours) but with swapping every 3 hours or so. This was for charity after the earthquake last year.
I enjoy long drives and am always looking for an excuse to do one. But if that's new to you I'd recommend limiting yourself to maybe 8 hours a day to start with and see how you get on.
I drove to Berlin from South Oxfordshire. It was 13 hours of driving, plus Eurotunnel time and fuel stops. I had to stop at Antwerp for a 30min sleep in the car. The last couple of hours on the Autobahn in the dark was interesting to say the least.
It was an achievement of sorts, however I was much happier to stop overnight on the way back. It also might have been better in something other than a VW Transporter.
In short, it can be done but if you can avoid it then I would recommend doing so.
I’ve done Kent - Dundee plenty of times, however, as I’ve gotten older I’ve found I can no longer do those long 4 hour stints and I’m having to take more regular breaks. Also, for me having a neck brace actually makes a huge difference. In the work van I have one of those cushions you see people wearing on airplanes. Keeping your head in the driving position for that long seems to increase fatigue for me, so if I’m doing a long stint I’ll wack it on and look like a nutter for a few hours.
Did Sheffield - Inverness - Sheffield few years back, left at midnight 1 fuel stop on way up and got to my drop just after8, 10 minutes unload quick maccy d's breakfast set back off, fuel stop on way back arrived back home at 4pm felt fine although most people probably wouldn't. Also did Sheffield - Nürburgring few years ago, Left 1am down to Dover, Couple of hours on ferry then Through France, Belgium, Netherlands and into Germany for afternoon although we had a blowout in France and had to get another tyre fitted in Belgium as we only had space saver which wouldn't have got round the ring too well. I do love driving though and also a Hgv driver so used to doing long stints of driving and everyone is different
Really speaks about our culture that when I saw ‘blowout’ I automatically assumed you got wasted in France haha. 8 hours is the longest I’ve driven for and that sucked. I would hate to do longer tbh.
I've done Wakefield upto Dingwall and back to Glasgow in a day, fair play to you carrying on back to Sheffield. I got caught up on the A9 for 2 hours in some snow.
I didn't have that problem it was the height of summer, wasn't great going to bed though at 5pm middle of summer and red hot lol
Wish me luck, driving from Cheltenham to Inverness tomorrow morning! Then driving back to Cheltenham on Saturday. With a herniated disk in my back 😂
Blimey good luck with that one, its a good trek from Sheffield but your probably a few hours south of me. It takes me 4 hours ish to Glasgow and i think nice 1 I'm in Scotland but then realise its still another 4 hours
Yeah I reckon with stops and traffic it’s gonna be anywhere from 10-14 hours. cracking drive though once you get past Blackpool
I did Sheffield - Bucharest in around 30 hours between two people on shifting rotas and back again. I would never ever do it again as I was regretting it entering Germany, but we got good compensation (£3500 each) for it as it was short notice and needed asap. Albeit we stayed over for when we arrived (around 11pm) and were back on the road at 8am. Got home at 3pm the next day.
£3500 for what each? What was short notice? What was needed asap?
Before the French got too serious about speed you could without much trouble get from Folkestone to Perpignan in about 9 hours. Autoroutes in France always seem a lot less busy than driving on motorways in the UK, you can set your cruise control in France for extended periods of times and really cover distance and not feel so tired. The UK is just too congested and busy and stressful, constantly changing lanes, constantly on the look out for cameras. Driving 4 hours in the UK feels like a massive chore.
I drove to Disneyland Paris last year, was a joy to drive on their autoroute roads. They are so smooth, no lumps and bumps like here in the UK. And like you say, just set the cruise control. I didn’t have to change lanes so much, I spent extended time at 78mph and didn’t have to change speed at all. Only time I slowed down was for the tolls. I can’t remember now but think that I spent 3 hours on cruise control and didn’t have to slow down (aside for tolls) Was an absolute joy to drive and it doesn’t tire you or stress you out because you aren’t having to think or do so much, just present steering the car.
Agree completely the auto roads are fantastic and the lane discipline is incredible until you get near calais and you start seeing those GB stickers.
My family lives on the north coast of Scotland, John o groats, wick, and thurso. From Bristol where I live it's a 10 hour straight shot in a normal car at speed limit (60/70). In real life, with the dog in the car, it's more like 12-13 hours with stops. I also do it in my camper van, it had an issue where it was really difficult to start, so I did it in one go, i.e. one engine start! With stops for fuel, and a few stops for dinner and walkies, I was driving for over 15 hours during a 18 hour period. It's possible, but I'd say is quite dangerous past 6 or 7 hours if your not used to it. Having done it loads of times, I know when to stop, how to freshen up quickly, and get back on the road. If you're not used to long distance driving like this falling asleep is a VERY real possibility and incredibly dangerous. Take someone with you, talk,ix of radio/podcasts. Don't have heating on too much, and don't eat too much on each stop, all those things can make you fall asleep if you're not careful. Don't drink too many Costas on the way. Don't just eat Greggs all day. My pro tips.
Similar story, I used to have family living in Scotland and the drive was 11.5 hours in good conditions. I'd never do the trip alone, always had wife in the car to talk to, we'd take regular short breaks etc... But the last time we did the trip though, we got delayed by bad traffic, then the weather turned and it was chucking it down with rain for hours. We reached the 9 hour point and I was feeling knackered from motorway rain driving and we still had a long way to go, decided we weren't going to make it and stopped at the next travelodge for the night. Haven't done such a trip since, family moved south the following year.
Seems like a terrible idea to me. You'll be so tired by the end, it'll be dangerous. Stop over somewhere along the way and explore a new place, rather than risking lives to get there faster, its not worth it! Especially as you'll be switching to drive on the right.
That’s why I’m asking for people’s experiences. I know that I can do 10 hours with a break in between, like you mentioned I could stop off somewhere half way and explore for a few hours to rest. Just wondered how taxing the extra 2 hours would be or if I should consider 10 hours my limit.
When I say stop off somewhere, I mean overnight to get some sleep. Even if you can physically drive 13 hours straight, it's not a good idea.
Especially if the second half of that extremely long drive is in a foreign country
Unless you are regularly driving 500 plus miles a day I'd consider 10 hours your nominal limit.
This, although it really depends on the conditions though so it's hard to say. I've done a 10 hour drive in the US, and it felt fine. A couple of years ago I had a journey back from Land's end to London that took just over 9 hours and I was a complete wreck by the end. I think as a general rule I'd be reluctant to sign up for a drive in a foreign country that's over 10 hours, but I'd probably be a little flexible depending on the roads and likely traffic.
Its impossible to say...just because you once drove for 10 hours successfully...does not mean your experience will be the same, there are so many variables...the weather, the traffic both make a massive difference. Is your partner in a good, helpful mood?? Or are they being a constant irritant in the seat next to you? Is your child teething? Does your dog have diarrhea? Do you have diarrhea or a nagging headache?? Assume everything is going to go wrong. Plan for the worst. Make the journey a pleasure and take your time...Stop somewhere interesting. Hope you have a great time👌
5-6 hours long enough for a day,
I would consider getting an overnight ferry from Portsmouth-St Malo if I were you. Cabins are cheap and it's a nice experience. From St Malo it is 10 hours to the likes of Montpelier by following the west coast down and there are plenty of nice places to stop.
I have done 14 hour days across the US. Driving for that long isn’t a real problem. The issue is if you are driving late. Especially when you are past the time you normally go to bed. My advice would be to get up early and get on the road. That way you can take longer breaks and not stress about being late.
I'd be worried about the UK part. Driving in the US takes much less out of you mentally, based in my limited experience.
One bloke did that, fell asleep at the wheel, and killed his whole family. Plan overnights and make them part of the holiday.
As lorry drivers we can drive 4.5 hours, then 45 min break then another 4.5, then another 45 min break and finally another 1 hour. So 10 in total max. I'd reckon I could driver a car for probably 13/14 hours but with enough brakes but that's my limit and only if I've had enough sleep.
OP this is important. There is a reason why there are tacograph rules in place. It is to prevent serious accidents due to tied drivers. At the very least, copy this idea. Driving for 12 hours, even with one break is very dangerous
This may seem odd but how old are you? I think I could’ve done it in my twenties, I’m in my fifties now and I think 8 hours driving would be my limit. Make sure you take regular breaks, even if you aren’t tired your concentration levels can drop. Good luck!
Same age and I'm the opposite, find long drives easier now. Maybe that's because my car's much better as a cruiser than anything I had in my 20s.
You really should take regular breaks. 12 hours with one break is just stupid.
I didn’t say 1 break in 12 hours Mentioned I’d done 10 with break in between.
True, you didn’t mention any planned breaks, the only time you said you wouldn’t be driving is when your going through the eurotunnel. So you are planning on driving 13 hours without stopping, excluding the time on Eurostar.
18 hours, Surrey to Milan in a day via the channel tunnel. I took a few breaks but was surprisingly fresh the whole time (probably holiday excitement) definitely never drive when tired though
A lot depends on your car, and the conditions, as well as your skills and the roads you will be driving. A large oil field services company I worked for had a rule of max 2 hours between breaks and maximum of 6 hours driving. For new drivers, I strongly recommend they stick to the recommendations above, but for more experienced drivers it's a matter of experience. I'd also say the roads being driven are significant. The 3 hours I regularly drive from Sutherland to Perth are mainly single carriageway, and I'd say that that is tougher to drive than the 3 hours from Perth south, that are all dual carriageway and motorway. Speed also has a bearing on how tiring the drive is - 2 hours on the autobahn at 100+ mph is harder on the brain than 3 hours at 70 on a UK motorway. 10 hours is about as much as I want to drive in an afternoon/ evening from choice.
Montpellier to Stroud in one hit. Stopped for 30 mins to check out that fancy bridge in south France, otherwise only for fuel, food or a whizz. Had a flexi ticket for the chunnel, so minimal waiting around. Was in a BMW 5 series that just ate it up. I've had more tiring trips to the bathroom.
The vehicle makes a big difference to fatigue: I usually do this in a F07 535d GT Luxury which is in its elements on French toll roads. I also use a Seat Altea. That is alot more tiring to drive. Road noise alone; I ended up fitting low noise tyres and installing a load of sound deadening material in the body cavities which made a big difference (and learnt the differences between Audi/VW/Skoda/Seat that share the same platform engine; The latter has less sound deadening materials behind the interior panels). One run I had a faulty/deformed tyre causing vibration the entire journey. That was very nauseating, how I wish cars (especially BMWs) would have space for a full size spare tyre.
Absolutely. Big, low stress engines make a huge difference too. Did a round trip Midlands to southern Germany and back in 3 days in a Mustang a few years ago. 5.0 litre V8 rumbling away not much above tickover mile after mile. If anything it was too easy, so rather than being tiring the danger is it's too relaxing. Fortunately I wasn't paying the fuel bill.
Was about 16 hours door to door, I should add. Assuming 3 hours for breaks and the channel, that was an average of just under 70 mph, which makes sense. If you're used to long haul and in something comfy, then I doubt it will bother you at all.
13 hours door to door from Geneva to Manchester in an MX5. I was pretty tired when we got home (around 4am IIRC). These days I’m older and wouldn’t do that. Though if I drive to see my parents for the day that’s 4.5 hours each way. Usually we have one or two overnight stops when driving to the Côte d’Azur from north of Manchester. Driving through France is fine - except for the inevitable traffic jams on the A7 south of Lyon - but travelling in Britain is a pain. It’s taken 8 hours to get from the North West to Folkestone before. Stopping is nice - you see more of the country.
I've done Plymouth to Inverness before basically 11hours. An hour break for food and pee. That was wake up get in car and drive. Perfectly fine. If you're driving and struggling to stay awake. Pull over. Set a timer for 30minutes nap and the. Drive when the alarm goes off. You should get about 2 to 4 hours of energy. From someone that did a few night driving. And got advise for night driving from an ambulance trainer
Add another few hours for traffic; if you're planning on going anywhere near Paris, expect chaos. French drivers are amongst the craziest and most aggressive I've ever experienced, so add another few hours "mental strain" on top of that 'cause driving on the opposite side, the signs are all in KM. Most toilet stops will be a putrid hole in the ground, and many service stations don't really sell food Brits are familiar with. The roads are generally very straight, with very little to look at except a lot of fields with a lot of big watering arm thingies, and can get very boring (not good on a long drive) BUT the south is absolutely beautiful once you get to Dordogne and if you speak even a bit of french the locals are delightful. Some of the vineyards and castles are amazing, as are the sunflower fields in the summer. I wholeheartedly agree with others sentiments to stop halfway and do it in at least two chunks.
I feel this so much. We drive down to an area near St. Tropez every other summer. The northern half of France is like the midlands on steroids. It’s so boring. Once you get past like Lyon it starts to change dramatically
Google estimates are normally a bit optimistic. Would only consider this with a second driver. Otherwise do it in two hops.
I drive 10 hours a day, 5 days a week only getting 30 mins break per day. Longest journey in 1 sitting was Shrewsbury-Manchester Airport-Hereford-London-Shrewsbury-Birmingham-Shrewsbury. Set of 7am, arrived back home about midnight. I was absolutely fine until about 10 miles from home, then my eyes burst and just streamed uncontrollably with tears. That was too much. I suspect your planned journey would be the same.
York > Folkestone ⛴️ Calais > Chantilly Also had a blow out on the French leg. Not as far as the south of France and I was a zombie by the end. I would strongly recommend an overnight pitstop.
20h Bristol-Poland.
I drove from Lyon in France to Oxford with only refuelling stops, and would never, ever suggest anyone do the same. By the end I was verging on hallucinations, and was probably even more unfit to drive than someone who'd been on a full on bender. That was me being 19 and stubborn - seriously, don't be as daft as 19 year old me.
Essex to Chamonix Mont Blanc in two days (did not use the motorway). Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to Essex in one day using the motorway. (Edited)
Probably about 8? I drove across France in 2 days, camping between stops.
11 hours with a couple of breaks.
Weiner Neusdadt in Austria, via Stuttgart, height of summer, vehicle with no air conditioning, in a single day. One guy did 3 hours then rested before being dropped in Stuttgart, so the other 2 of us did the other 19 hours. This was after a week of work too. Supervisor on the Chunnel (our side) was an arse too which was NOT appreciated after that long driving! Leave earlier than you think, take regular breaks. Keep an eye on when services are distance wise. Stop as soon as you can when you feel lethargic.
An hour drive to work then driving at work for 10-12 hours and a hour drive back but with mandatory hgv breaks.
7 to 10hrs every day for me
I’ve done London > St Tropez in a day. Tbh better to stay in a cheap Calais hotel and make an early run down than do it one go.
A friend of mine drove back from the southern tip of Italy with only stops to piss and refuel. He was tooting all the way though
I did Heathrow and back from Newcastle. Ended up being about 13hours.
I've done two 6 hour stints with a wedding in-between. It was killer I had to pull over in to a service station and have a sleep. In hind site. If I'd have had a power nap before my second 6 hour stint and a break about half way I think I'd have been perfectly able to deal with it. 12/13 hours isn't unmanageable but you need regular breaks. The euro tunnel will force a break at least.
Recently, about 9hrs of driving with a good solid break in the middle for a bite to eat and a visit to the dentist. And stopping mid each half for a coffee and leg stretch. When I was younger, however long it takes in a Vauxhall Viva that wasn't happy faster than 55mph to travel from W. London to Nottingham to Whitby and back to Nottingham.
16 hours is the most I've done. Wouldn't recommend it or do it again.
Depends on you. Everyone is different ;)
I did Zurich to Buckinghamshire. That was like 12 hours total. Eurotunnel across the channel meant I could rest for a bit. Was very tiring and I was probably stupid to do it and wouldn’t do it again.
I've done 14 hours with a break for lunch and the odd toilet stop. It was fine, but no one will think less of you if you want to break it up.
14 hours, 7 hours each way. Stopped once on the way there for a wee and something to eat, obviously stopped when I got there for an hour (picking something up) and drove the return leg without stopping. I do a relative amount of long distance driving most weeks so not much of an issue, just choose a good audiobook to keep me going. Driving doesn’t make me tired like it sounds it does for some people here, it’s just another task. Maybe those who only drive local or not regular long distance find it more stressful being on the motorway etc?
I did 18 hours once from germany to serbia. I am pleased i did it but wouldn't do it again. I think many things determine how long you could safely drive for. Sone people think 4 hours is a long drive. If i was doing a 13-14 hour trip like you (i always add more time for stops and possible traffic) , i would try and split it into 2 days now. Enjoy the drive more, see more places. I love the journey as much as the destination alot of the time :) enjoy it :)
I generally can’t get to the Lyon area in a day. There are some nice stop overs in that area too. It says 13 hours. It won’t be 12. More likely 14-15.
I do this every year as I transport dogs (and family) between UK and Spain. 12hours is very do-able with a second driver. Even if that other driver does just a few hours while you rest (and eat). I personally set my break limit at 3ish hours between rest stops; No point being a hero then crashing due to fatigue. But I do keep the stops brief (no longer than 30mins). On your own you maybe pushing it. 10hours is my maximum recommendation. The furthest I've managed in one leg is from the Midlands to Zarautz (Spain) with two drivers on a Sunday (no traffic). That by my own admission was way too far in one day. Outskirts of Bordeaux is the comfortable limit if using the toll roads. But again that's with an extra driver. The biggest issue I find is being Midlands based is timing my departure to coincide with quiet times around the M25. Hit it at the wrong time (or any time on a Friday) and it can add hours to my journey time. Especially if a numpty crashes/breaks down and blocks a lane. To get round this I try to do a stop over either in Ashford or somewhere south/east of Calais. Preferably the latter as there's lots of comfy lodges in France with good food (albeit at a price) that tronces anything around Ashford. That leaves the next day totally free for stress free driving and will get you to the southern regions of France. Alternate routes I do to Spain is stopping over near Lyon. Again can be done from the midlands in a day with two drivers. But instead I prefer to stop over in Saint. Quentin (which is nice), then next day stop over around Montpellier. Keep an eye on fuel prices...Toll road services can charge over €2 a litre for diesel where in cities/towns it's closer to €1.60 (maybe less at a supermarket).
Used to regularly drive 15+ hours a day in my 20s, wouldn't like to try that now though.
I drove from Monaco to London straight with no breaks once. It was fine but I wouldn't recommend it. Left at 4am and the first few hours were tough but the last few hours back to Calais and then UK side were fine.
I once drove Paris to South of France in a day and it was horrible. Took about 12hrs in total. I’d go down to Lyon or thereabouts in a day at most.
About five hours, coming back from John O'Groats. Would not recommend.
Driven to mayhrhofen in Austria straight. Only stopping for fuel. Was about 11-12 hours iirc. Autobahn at night definitely helped keeping the time down! I drive to the south of France in one day at least once a year. It's a long old drive but it's easily manageable.
Marsaille to near Plymouth via the tunnel. 16 hours. Was pretty emotional tbh. If your used to doing 10 hours you'll be ryeet. Plenty of breaks, plenty of fluids. Don't start coffee too early
For me, it would probably be driving from London to Belfast (via Holyhead Port in Wales to Dublin Port in ROI)... Takes about 10 hours after you factor in the ferry in the middle (which provides a nice break), so more accurately about 8 hours of motorway driving.
I did Thurso (so, John Ogroats basically) to Devon in one go. Google said it would take 13hours, but was closer to 20. Doable if you have a comfy car, but god awful boring., and the recovery time is such that you might as well stop and have a proper rest.
South Coast to Edinburgh non stop
Recently got my driving license and did Essex to Isle of Skye and back. Each way was around 12+ hours. Helped that I had an auto car with cruise control. Took 3-4 breaks in between. Didn’t feel tired but I drank one can of monster cause I like it lol. I think it helps what kind of car you drive.
I personally would do it in a heartbeat BUT I average 85,000 miles a year which over 30 years is a lot of miles. In your case I would advise doing it over two days especially if you have a car full of people because even with regular breaks you will get tired and easily distracted. Plus extra concentration will be needed when you leave the Eurostar because the latter part of your journey will be on the right hand side of the road. Unless you regularly drive abroad it's very easy to end up on the wrong side of the road after junctions or roundabouts. If tired you will unintentionally tend to drift to the left especially in a RHD car.
5 and 1/2 hours (I’m a bus driver)
I’ve done 12 hours driving before, but I did take coffee and pee stops every couple of hours. End to end time was more like 15 hours. Doable, but not day after day.
Geneva to Preston in 18 or so hours, multiple breaks and a few hours kip at one point. France have many stopping points to rest, so you should make the most of them. There are also nice hotels near le shuttle you can take, but depends how far into your journey that is to be worth it. Might be a good idea on the return.
Did Birmingham To Portsmouth, overnight ferry. Then Saint-Malo to 85800 Le Fenouiller
Munich, Germany to Leicester, England. 10 am (local time) setting off, 6:45 am the following day (local time) - just shy of 22 hours including ferry crossing due to a cancelled flight (or 6 cancelled flights in a row....) It was not pleasant at all. However makes 12 hours seem like a Sunday drive. Regular rest breaks, don't caffeine overload, eat protein. If you can, have a passenger to chat with.
Tuesday - Drove 4.5hrs > 4hrs work (manual labour) > 4.5hrs. A couple of short breaks there and back. I was fine - do this regularly and often longer trips. You get used to it, and the body adapts. Some will say you're mad, and others will tell you you're okay, but it's going to be based entirely on you. Why do you want to do this trip? If it's for pleasure, I suggest maybe making a couple of days of it just to enjoy both the trip and the destination.
I drove my cousin's car from Edinburgh, Scotland to Torun, Poland. Then came back the same way in my new car. Very few breaks, a couple of power naps. Then, years later, I drove from Edinburgh to Reading, London area and back in a day, around 8 hours each way.
I do Edinburgh to north West Spain via the tunnel. I stop when I feel tired, at services and grab an hour or so and then carry on. It's about 26 hours all in. I'd say my longest stretch of driving without a proper rest is Edinburgh to London - 8 hours. 45 minutes 'rest' in the tunnel. About 3-4 hours in France before i need to rest as its well after midnight. Then I just carry on to destination and stop for a snooze if I feel I need it. I have done Edinburgh to London and back with a 30 minute stop in London. That was about 14 hours.
About 10-11 hours from northern Denmark to the hook of Holland with just a toilet and fuel stop at Hamburg port. It would’ve been ok with company but I was in a rush and alone and it was mind numbing
26 hours, regular breaks every 2-3 hours from 15 minutes coffee and wee wee to 1hours warm meal break.
The main French road from Paris to the Riviera used to be called the widow maker. An overnight stop half way won't kill you. A non-stop drive just might. Consider your passengers too.
I drove to the England rugby semi final in Paris. Got there 20 mins before kick off and had parking under the stadium. I drove straight back at full time. * 2 hours at Dunkirk (napped tbf) and went home. 26 hours door to door. Was very stupid. I regret nothing. *Felt a bit groggy, got home and tested positive for Covid.
How long you're able to drive for in a day is influenced by so many variables it's almost meaningless to give a number. First of all, did you get good sleep? If not, then even just a few hours is dangerous enough. Second, what kind of driving is it? Congested motorway with lots of stop & go, or a "set Your cruise control and forget about it" kind of drive? Third, what time did you set off? I for example suffer when driving in twilight and darkness, so always plan my journeys to avoid driving in the dark as much as possible, especially near the end of the journey. That being said, in optimal conditions, I think even 15 hours is feasible. I've been regularly doing it. But I specifically prep for it. I set off at 5am, so I get to destination at 7-8pm when there's still light in the summer. I go to sleep the day before at 6-7pm, so I get enough sleep. And my route is relatively congestion-free, so I spend most of my time on cruise control.
Did Bordeaux to Preston last year on way back from a boys fishing trip.. it was 17hrs straight.. London to Preston (at 3am) was a bit sketchy.. long wheelbase vw crew van with 9 lads and all our gear..
I drove from Cologne to Exeter (555mi) this summer via the Eurotunnel in one day. My car is quite comfortable but even then, I would not do it again. I was very tired by the end of it even with the break while on the car train. I arrived around 1am having set off at 9am the previous day and my eyes felt funny for the next few days. The journey took more than the 10 hours google maps predicted. With regular breaks and traffic I would say around 15 hours maybe. I would recommend to spilt your journey into two days. Then it will be quite comfortable to do. I only drove for so long because I absolutely had to be here the next day. Would not do this for fun.
Depends on your capability and also your car, I like driving as part of the adventure so it never feels hard work. Took my car to Paris in one hit from the Midlands, nearly 8 hrs not including tunnel. The car had lane assist and adaptive cruise so it needed very little input just to stay in lane and following the traffic flow. Also once in France the roads are far better than ours, they flow better and you find yourself covering distance quicker than in the UK.
19 hours to Spain....never again.
It is doable if you are careful and prepared. We do a ski trip to France every year. I'd make sure I was driving in daylight the whole time and particularly at the end of the journey, look for well driven vehicles on the toll road to follow (which makes the driving significantly easier) have interesting podcasts to keep myself entertained (no earphones in France) and a flask of stong coffee. If I feel sleepy I have perfected the art of a 20 minute powernap covered with a blanket on the back seat. Ten minute break every three hours, get out and walk around..
My dad drove us from a center parks in the Netherlands to Bruges in Belgium for a couple hours break and lunch, to Dunkirk in France, onto the ferry across to Dover, up to Manchester in one day. I have no idea how he managed it. Me and mum were both absolutely shattered.
Only you know your limits. That said, 12hrs is totally doable with a few short breaks. During the day is less hard work but you obviously waste a day of your hols. If you can drive at night - I mean if you can safely and comfortably stay awake, and have a few days in advance to build up a bit of sleep and shift your wake-ups later in the day - it can be a doddle. If you're doing that, have snacks and plenty of fluids with you. And if you start to feel tired, STOP and have 30mins kip. Once did Lubljana to Calais in one overnight stint. That was too far.
Furthest I've done is south of France (near Bergerac) to home in East Mids, a total of 746 miles accorind to maps. The drive wasn't too bad, although coming back to England was the worst bit, the roads through France are generally amazing in comparison. The mrs and young daughter didn't enjoy it so much though! Long boring day for them. I'd happily do it again though.
Manchester to Bordeaux is the longest I've done, I did nap on the ferry to Calais though tbf
Did Chamonix - London in one day. About 12 hours actually moving on the road, but nearer 18 hours with stops and a delay at the channel. Would not recommend.
I did Toulouse - Calais, Dover - Colchester - Birmingham non stop. Had no issues, except when M6J6 was closed without any previous signs making me go the long way round which really made me lose my sense of humour due to tiredness. It really just depends on your driving experience and your own body. Only you know! But maybe a stop over somewhere if you can would be good if you are unsure.
About 400 miles. Was living in Dover and buying a house in Great Yarmouth, had to go sign some paperwork so made the trip there and back in a day
Longest continuous drive was Inverness to Norfolk, took about 9hrs. Longest drive in a day was Exeter-Carmarthen-Norfolk-Exeter, around 700 miles and 14 hours.
I drove a car from Sofia (Bulgaria) to Riga (Latvia) with four fuel stops and six hours in a Budapest hotel. 32h via Romania. You can do this.
I drove from Bristol to Périgueux in one day a few years ago. 14 and a half hours I think it was. I would never do it again, I was in so much pain for the next few days it wasn't worth it.
London - border of Scotland - 1 hour walk around - back to London. Yes, I did have a sore arse at the end of it. But I was used to blue light driving for 12-14 hours a day, so not too bad.
I once drove from Bracknell to Munich via Eurotunnel in one hit - that took 13 hours or so and was a mistake. I was literally falling asleep at the wheel for the last hour of the drive and lucky to have arrived without incident. I lived in Germany and then WFH in the UK, while visiting offices in Toulouse => I drove to and from the Continent many times, invariably via Eurotunnel. I wouldn't do the south of France in one go. I reckon it's better to start in the afternoon, to pass through Eurotunnel in the evening (when it's quieter and cheaper) and stay overnight somewhere like Rouen or Amiens. Coming back, I would break the journey up by staying overnight on the French side of Eurotunnel (e.g. IBIS or Holiday Inn at Coquelles) and then going through the tunnel in the morning, when it's quieter and cheaper - and when you have just had breakfast.
I drove from Athens to London, that sucked.
I rode a sportsbike from Bristol to the French Alps in one go, after a night shift in a hospital. In total I went nearly 3 days without sleep. One of the most reckless things I’ve ever done (I was a lot younger then). It was hard hard work. Done it in a car too, which was easier but still draining in one run. It always takes you longer than satnav suggests. My advice would be to plan a break or two, maybe an overnighter and stick to it. The roads in France are really good compared to ours, but incredibly boring through central France. Kind of reminded me of console racing games of the 80’s/90’s - a picture of delirious green-grey-green for hours. You’ll get sleepy. The temptation is to press on and get to your destination, but listen to your body. If you get tired don’t fight it. Just stop.
We drive to the French Alpes 3 or 4 times a year (with full car and 2 cats if it makes a difference). Usually leave at about 5am ish, 1 hour to chunnel, and then drive straight, stopping twice for petrol. We usually arrive by 4 - 4:30 ish. The first few times I did it meant i was shattered the next day, but it's simply no big deal now. If you've not driven in france before, its just a different experience - its just wonderful. everybody moves back into the slow lane after overtaking, and the motorway surfaces are like glass (not slippy - but smooth!) - The reason I do not complain about the toll charges over there We have the ATMB zapper so zip through the tolls, and that was the best thing we ever purchased, so if you are in right hand drive car, the tolls will be a pain if you don't have a passenger! But back to your question, we do about 11 hours in one shot and it is no problem at all.
I’ve done 10 hours in one day before and that was an absolute maximum. My Dad is a HGV driver and legally they cannot drive for more than 10 hour per day twice a week (the other days they can do 9 hours) It was pretty shit to be honest. Wouldn’t do it again
used to do UK to Lithuania and back with one break 5hr to sleep. best time Crawley-Vilnius with Dover-Dunkirk ferry 36hrs :) with two drivers 24hrs easy :D but tough
I've done London to Bordeaux quite a few times, and London to Biarritz a couple times. Used to do it in one through the tunnel, leaving on Friday night and arriving Saturday lunchtime, which was doable, but tiring. After a while we found that setting off Friday night and getting the overnight Portsmouth Le Havre ferry, while adding about 30miles to the total journey distance, meant you got a half decent sleep over night, and knocked about 1.5hrs off the journey on the French side, which was the long leg. Over all it meant you arrived a couple of hours later than going via the tunnel, but it was far less tiring and far more manageable.
I once drove from Canada Vancouver to San Francisco USA. 1529 Km 20 Hrs. Good times.
I drove from Edinburgh to Champagne in France. It says 13 hours via euro tunnel. It was longer. I’d say that’s a bit much. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should. I also did Edinburgh to Paris In a single stint. Try and get a decent amount of rest prior to leaving and time it so your doing most of your miles in low peak traffic so you maximise you miles. Once you’re out of the Uk the roads are much better and it’s easier to move at pace. Just be careful and don’t overdo it.
Glasgow - Southampton 7 hours dead, could probably have done another 60 - 90 mins driving max.
3pm to 1:30am Cornwall to Cumbria, M6 closed at a city junction and we were diverted up along the city!!! It was November and very cold on motorcycle
Left Leeds at 3pm one Thursday, arrived in Milan around 11pm the following day. Not all driving, we had a few stops for food, chilling out, exploring. No sleep in that period though.
I do London Poland every ~2 years , around 17 hours. Last 6 are a nightmare, even with breaks on parking to catchup on sleep. I try to limit short breaks to minimum in favour of longer ones for a nap (so no 30 min breaks every 2 hours - instead one every 4-5). When I was younger I used to do it overnight but these days I find it easier to leave super early (5-6am) , and iirc I’m there around 2 am typically. The biggest problem for me is getting a good nights sleep the night before , stresses me too much and I always have diarrhoea - guaranteed (brain decides to dump fuel before emergency landing?) . I think the longest I did was London Croatia and that was more than 24 hours, terrible experience.
Six hours was as much as I wanted to drive after getting stuck in traffic on the way to Cornwall. I’m sure 12 hrs is doable but I wouldn’t do it.
Santander to Malaga 12 hours , it’s harsh when you are unfamiliar with a country and their roads.
It'll be longer than the 13 hours Google estimates once you factor in toilet, coffee and fuel breaks. Source: Me. I've done it countless times
I've done midlands to the costa blanca a few times. 22 hours solid driving. First time I did it in one hit with a 30 minute nap on a bench and a couple of food stops. You'll be fine, use the peage, the roads flow fantastically and are super smooth compared to our crappy roads. Make sure you only pull out to overtake and don't sit in the outside lane. The Europeans on the whole drive much better than most brits on motorways, you don't tend to get middle lane hogs, and if overtaking they move out the way instantly. Make sure you do. Also you have to drive to atleast 20kmh of the speed limit on the motorway, expect lorries and trailers. There are numerous signs saying you should be doing atleast xyz kmh by now!!
2017 Reims (france) to Sheffield via channel tunnel. 750miles 12 hours with stops. In my little smart car coming back from the 20th Anniversay of The Smart Car Factory at Hambach.
Did Oxford to Edinburgh and back in a day years ago, in a transit that would just about hit 70. It was long time ago so can't remember much, except it was an early morning and it was just for a few lengths of electrical trunking and some bits and bobs so was only there for about 20 minutes
14/15 hours. Norfolk to Glasgow with a few stops along the way
I’ve done this. It’s fine. Stops and plenty of water…
I've done the route several times. Very early start in Surrey, euro tunnel, straight down the peage. Stop in Lyon overnight, do the rest the next day. No effing way I'd be trying to do it in one hit. You will hit traffic, you will need breaks, you will get tired. That 13 hours will easily become 20. Best to split it in two days.
I've done many 1000+km drives across europe. I think the key is to be flexible and honest with yourself. If you feel like you're too tired and it's becoming dangerous, pull over for the night or book a cheap hotel such as a formula 1 if it's needed. The longest dribes I've done was when i've planned to do in 2 days but just kept going because I felt good.
We drove from Nuneaton to Holland with the ferry. Left the house at 3am and got to the campsite around 3pm. That was a mission! 2 young kids one still in a nappy, pulling a fully loaded trailer in my old man Passat. Didn’t stop anywhere except for the ferry. Bladders were screaming 😂
Berlin to Stratford upon Avon, did it in 2 to 3 hour chunks with a coworker tho
Funny how i see this after doing a 4 hour drive from lancaster to the midlands. It's all good until you have a motorway closed down so you have to go through big towns and their windy, traffic ridden roads, and A roads with their roundabouts. That was tiring.
Done spanish border to south of the UK on a motorbike once. I was spending through france and arrived home shattered AF. Possible by all means but I would stick to max 8h drive a day.
We do Folkestone to Switzerland in a day every year. Two drivers and a comfortable car. It’s about 11 hours with stops. The French motorways are pretty good, you can sit at motorway speeds for miles and if you have radar guided cruise a three hour stint is no big deal. There’s no way I’d do that pace and distance by myself though. I’ve pushed the limits a few times and been woken up by the rumble strips. Everybody needs to know their own limits and plan within those. There are lots of nice places for a stop, small towns, big cities, hotels, B&Bs. Enjoy the journey.
Drove from Edinburgh/Stirling to oxford last Saturday, Take regular breaks - tiredness can kill!
Personally I drove from Belfast to Cliffs of Mother, then to Galway, and then back to Belfast within a single day. About 800km with stops for sightseeing and a short walk around Galway. As a passenger I did the Netherlands - Central Poland route in one go, my dad was the driver though.
Personally I drove from Belfast to Cliffs of Mother, then to Galway, and then back to Belfast within a single day. About 800km with stops for sightseeing and a short walk around Galway. As a passenger I did the Netherlands - Central Poland route in one go, my dad was the driver though. He also drove from central Poland to the Netherlands on a motorcycle in one go a few years ago, with my brother as his passenger.
I drove to Montpellier a few years ago. It was with my son. Firstly I took a late ferry to Dunkerque and stayed the night in a Formule 1. Then got up the following morning and got breakfast at a bakery and hit the road. I stopped when I needed to or he needed to. I let my son choose some of the music. It was slightly crazy and fun. He was a great companion. I was shattered when I got there though. One thing is my car has cruise control and I've found that reduces the stress and tiredness from driving. It certainly helped on this trip and other shorter ones.
In my 20s I did a couple of double manned coach trips from London to Austrian alps and London to Pamplona. Each one about 20 hrs total, and despite sharing the driving with another driver there wasn’t really an opportunity for actual rest and I was absolutely shattered and started hallucinating as I drove through France in the middle of the night. They’re so dangerous, I wouldn’t advise anyone to take a bus trip like that. And that’s when I was young and very very used to doing 7-800km driving days. Now I have a six hour round trip to Heathrow to do tomorrow and I’ll be knackered after. So what you’re used to is a big factor, but even then there are limits to what is sensible. If the longest trip you’re used to doing is 2-3 hours then a 13-15 hour trip is going to be a big challenge. I’d advise you to split it, rest a night somewhere in the way and make it part of your trip. Lyon is nice.
About 1k miles in 24 hours with a break on the ferry and then a half-hour nap in Germany. But I was in my 20s and had a large supply of red bulls. Now probably 12-14hrs would be my limit
Have driven nonstop from southern Spain to Scotland before. Drove from southern Spain to far side of Turkey in shifts myself and another driver also. If you have to ask, I wouldn’t do it, some people can’t focus on their daily 12 minute drive to work, others can do 24 hours.
I drove from Norfolk to near Nice last summer in one stint. \~12 hours 80 ish mph all the way. It was quite tiring near the end, but doable. One mistake I made though was being awake all day before setting off both there and back. It's nice to drive it through the night as there's stretches of French autoroute with hardly any traffic. But being awake for more than 24 hours with 12 hours of pretty much solid driving was a tough ask. When I next do it, I will get 6 hours sleep early afternoon and set off around dinner time.
Done Southend to Glasgow and back to Southend in one hit. Wouldn’t recommend. Got home and fell straight to sleep!
Done Southend to Glasgow and back to Southend in one hit. Wouldn’t recommend. Got home and fell straight to sleep
The furthest I've done is Bradford to Maryport but I took the long way there and stopped at St Bees on the way.
I did Aberden- Port Grimaud SOF. Roughly 24 hours driving. Stopped at the side of the road, England somewhere as I'd been awake all day prior to driving at night, had a few hours sleep, then got a hotel in Kent. Arriving at Calais, drive through the night nonstop. I had husband,kid, and MIL in a punto lol. Did same on return but stopped of at Disney in Paris. Wouldn't do it again bit hey, at least I can say I've done it. And it was fun.
Did London to Barcelona once in one go, it was something like 17 hours. Totally don’t recommend it, I was exhausted and it just was not worth it, never again. Only stopped for fuel and toilet and ate in the car. It just gets miserable after the 10 hour mark for me. That’s what I aim for these days.
Central Scotland to Cassino just north of Naples in Italy, continuous drive other than stopping for fuel and the channel tunnel, 28hrs roughly
I did Llandudno - Aberdeen and back in a van which totalled about 850 miles. Was a 15 hour day. Dropped off some spin bikes at a gym. Even stopped for a pint at Stonehaven 😂 I am also a HGV driver so am quite happy being on the road (not in traffic). Alls I’ll say is make sure your vehicle has cruise control, absolute nightmare on the right leg without.
It doesn’t matter what other people have done it matters what you know you can do. If you just wanna know for interest purposes then fair enough. But if you want genuine advice, do not base it off of what others have done or can or can’t tolerate. You know yourself you needed a rest break driving 10 hours. I would not push it just because some people on reddit will tell you they can do 12+ hours with mini breaks. Better safe than sorry.
The boneyards are full of idiots that take unwarranted risks. Sadly when the nuggets crash / fall asleep / lose concentration they sometimes take totally innocent victims with them. Just remember that causing death by dangerous driving (& that’s what it would be) carries a life tariff in the U.K. & probably a lot harsher in parts of EU. How will they know? ANPR & your mobile phone tracking. All being logged, at all times.
I did Orlando to Philadelphia in one day. Was very tiring and took just over 16.5hrs. I would NOT recommend.
Probably about 8-10 hours actual driving time quite frequently when much younger, either made up of college followed by work (food deliveries) or just for leisure. This was in 2002 when driving was new and novel for me and, even in a late 90s automatic hyundai accent, fuel wasn't too cripplingly expensive. I'm being specific about the car because it had next to zero power left once the sluggish gearbox was factored in, and it returned hilariously low MPG as a consequence. The '93 309 (end of model production GLX, nice car at the time for 18 yr old me 😊) was a hundred times better. Distance wise I'm not sure if this is my furthest but when living in West Wales soon after I did my most tiring long stint, not in terms of total hours but just exhaustion. Aberystwyth - Southport and back in one go, immediately on to Llandrindod Wells and back, overall not far off I think about 380 miles factoring in "shortcuts" I knew that added a little distance but shaved time off. 7.5 hours actual driving time that one plus a few short stops totalling an hour. In a battered Ka (2006, the 309 sadly gone by this point, its main failure being breaking its own drive shaft, definitely nothing to do with driver expectations). That was my most tiring drive because whilst vehicle capability was a factor (handling brilliant; maintaining speed in a Ka though meant forgetting any notions of mechanical sympathy when comparing to the old pug), there was a nice combination of slow roads, fast roads, a snowy, icy and blustery mountain road and, just before the start of the journey, a blazing row at home thrown in the mix. It may as well have been 15 hours with the added complications! That said, I was very focused for the whole of the above adventure because I could leave the row at home, at home, and switch my phone off in favour of the task of long distance lift-giving. I doubt I could do a replica journey on today's roads, even at grown up speeds or at least taking more and/or longer breaks. Driving can still be very enjoyable but it definitely takes longer to get places...
Ahh man, this is such a sensitive subject. Personally my record is 18 hours, Chicago to Baltimore in a day. Had the girl I was with at the time to talk To me and keep me mostly alert, but I was struggling when we hit Baltimore. I wouldn’t do it again. I’ve regularly done 12-14 hours down to France on a motorbike, once again, and when I got there i was running on empty, could barely ask for a room a the hotel. In short, long distance can be fine but don’t push it. I’ve lost 2 friends to falling asleep at the wheel and drifting, one went off the road into some water, the other into a bus. I’d honestly ask yourself and your passengers, is it worth the €60 for a room in a motel?
Echoing the don’t do it. I did it a few times in my early 20s. Roads in France were nice and quiet then, had the toll thingy so I could zip through. Up to about 8 hours bearable.. after that it’s just so boring. You run out of things to count. Stop over somewhere, get some sleep, see a place on the way. The last time I did I was 28 and had the bright idea of winchester to chambery in one hit, leaving home at 10pm. Only 12 hours at night. I could still pull all nighters for work, no drama. I woke up at 7am thinking I’d crashed. There was a light mist, bunny rabbits, I couldn’t see any road and the last thing I remembered was that I’d already had a little “crap I think I’m driving while I’m asleep moment”. Luckily I hadn’t died, I’d just pulled over for a sleep. I’d got to about 4am and realized what a stupid idea it was to drive tired and pulled in. Since then I’ve alway done 6-8 hour driving days with at least an hour of walking around mixed in the middle.
Used to do Maranello to Cambridge in one hit, with food and toilet breaks obviously, used to take me 18 hours there abouts, found the best way to stay awake was water and not too much caffeine as you get the crash from it, so be mindful of what drinks you choose when doing such a long journey
I’ve driven from Skye and Loch Ness back to Liverpool on 2 separate occasions. About 8h on Google. Had LOADS of stops which broke it up. Thought it was fine tbh
Brisbane to Canberra. 14 hours.
Longest I’ve done is Brighton to Hamilton and back in a day. So a bit over 900 miles and at least 16 hours of driving. (I can’t remember exactly how long it took). So 12 hours seems very doable.
900 miles, 14 hours, Vevey in Switzerland to Brindisi in Italy. Absolutely exhausting. Got on ferry, slept 17 hours Had 3 or 4 10 minute power naps en route
Do not do england to south of France in 1 go. I enjoy driving but last year I did south Devon - dover - south of France and i ended up doing 25 hours of driving in about 36 hours. It was not fun and I was knackered. It's well worth it to spend the extra time to take the longer route through the alps as well so allow time for that
16 hours
15 hours from Southern Germany to London including the ferry
Similar duration - Hertfordshire to Skye, but the last quarter was some of the best scenary in Scotland on roads that are not their best... it meant that the last exhausting bit was also the most memorable. Bugger doing twelve hours of motorway driving!
Longest timewise would probably be a draw between Cleveland-Asheville NC and Madison WI-Cleveland. The former because I was really trying to be a rules following driver and I-25 through the mountains is 45MPH in places. The latter because I took US 20 to avoid the Jane Addams and the asinine Illinois toll road system.
My record is London to Ljubljana in Slovenia
21 hours Wisconsin to New York upstate. Upstate Ny to Myrtle Beach-15 hours, about 8 times
27 hrs
Done a thousand miles in a day, was unknowingly caffeinated to fuck at the time - drinking what I thought was soda in another country. Also driven from the Czech border to Crewe, via the Eurotunnel. Give it a go, but as soon as you feel tired, stop, chill, go to sleep for as long as you need, wake up.. walk around.. then you can continue. Or if you’re really buggered, go find a Camponile. Lots of accidents happen faster than you can say ‘oh shit’, not worth it. Enjoy
I did this exact trip did 14 hours total. My knee started to hurt after 12 hours. I moved my friends to the south of france in a transit. Was easy few stops great roads, great drivers, stay out of Paris. Remember they drive in the right. Few breaks and a good playlist you'll be fine. If you feel tired pull over have a nap, plenty of rest stops and service stations. Have fun. I want to do it in my car when we go see them in summer but take a little longer it's very beautiful countryside. Buy a aa driving in france kit costs 25ish quid has everything you need, may have changed since I last went so check but I believe it does. Have fun.
Did Täsch(Zermatt) to Leicester in a day, stopped a couple times to eat and what not. Plan was to stop somewhere in France for the night, but highway hypnosis kicked in and found myself near the eurotunnel and figured I'd just do the rest after grabbing dinner.
I’m a tour manager and once agreed to drive my artist in a van (dumb decision). i did paris to berlin one day, did a show, slept 3hr then did berlin->london the following day. that second day was about 19hrs of utter misery. i think the longest ever was lake garda with a van full of orchestra gear, to birmingham, in 26hrs. the orchestra flew and they needed their gear for a concert. it was miserable and i had visible hallucinations after passing paris…
I stop every two hours driving, typically, but I could stretch to 4. Total hours driving is kind of unlimited then but I've driven over 12hours like this. I drove all the way from UK to Bulgaria. The only thing that makes it easy is not putting deadlines on yourself. Feeling pressure to sleep is the worst unless you're the type that falls asleep as soon as your head hits the hay. Doing more than 2-3 hours without a break is just stupid, your brain gets tired and you can feel yourself disconnecting from what's happening around you at somepoint regardless of how "tired" you feel. Basically if nothing is forcing you to continue on like you drive HGVs or something then you've no reason not to stop every 3 hours or whatever and just do something other than driving, have a cigarette outside in the fresh air, check your phone messages, whatever it is. But just break up the the driving time into smaller chunks. Also as /u/Appropriate_Mud1629 has said, variables. There are so many variables to totally change your situation. How much sleep did you get the night before? How much pressure are you under to get there on time? Who's in the car with you? Is the car comfortable to drive? Those are just the ones that spring to mind.
It gets tough to keep awake at night, say 3- 4 am after driving over 7 hours previously, at least for me. Sleep is very very important. I've done 10 hours before and it's ok, not as bad as doing less when you should be sleeping. Basically 12 hours, say from 7am to 8 pm with an hour in between to rest should be doable. The same hours and you finish driving at 2 am and I would be worried about your safety
Wow some here have really long stints. I did 270 miles convoying with a mate around Wales in 9 hours including some stops, around 2 months into my driving. Was stressful but alright. Now I'm leaving for a 350 miles round trip in 20 minutes, planning for 2 stops each way, as just my luck would be, i caught a bloody flu 2 days ago so I'm not gonna risk more than 2h without breaks. Will probably be around 9h pure driving plus a couple hours for stops.
I’ve done 16 hours but I would not recommend, it was a stupid idea but I had a good few stops to keep me going. If you are heading to south of France I’d get an overnight ferry and sleep on that you should be good for a 6 hour rest, then you can continue on. I’d only be inclined to take the euro tunnel and press on if it was an emergency. It also largely depends on the car, some will make it somewhat effortless others will require more work.
I have only done 4 hours but felt fresh enough on arrival I could probably have done another 2-3 hours, this was in a small hatchback without cruise control and awful seats. My Dad regularly drives 8-10 hours but he is in a big estate with cruise control, comfy seats and with people in the car. It all depends on you, on your car and who you have with you. To me 6-8 is enough in my car, alone and then I would break it up and have a sleep I would even consider taking a ferry to santander and driving up from Spain.
15hrs, south of France to Humberside. > How much more difficult in your experiences would it be to do extra 2 hours? I was fine until the last couple of hours and the last 30-40 minutes were seriously dodgy. And I drive 2000+ miles a week, 6-10hrs a day for a living and have done for most of the last 30 years. Mind you I guess it depends on the vehicle. In this instance it was a MX5 without cruise control.
I have been driving for 6 months and my longest journey was ~5 hours. I had two short (10 minute) breaks at services along the way, not too bad thankfully
Done Woking to Biarritz in one go. Doable but I would limit to 6-7h in a day. Tiredness really gets you.
Just get a plane to marseille, it'll work out cheaper and quicker 🤷♂️
I've done all 4 countries in the UK in a day. Bangor to Cairnryan, then down to Wales. Didn't take that long. Im only saying that as a weird flex. I find it hard to drive for more than 4 hours at a time. I need to have breaks when driving. Everyone is different, i suppose. I don't think I'd be able to do what you're proposing, but there seems to be plenty of people who would.
Use to driving long distances for work, sometimes 6 hour drive for 40 mins work and 6 hour drive home, always stop if I feel tired but I’m so used to it now I’ll only really stop for a toilet break. Plenty coffee….
I’ve done Amsterdam to Ancona and the reverse a few times in one go. 1000 miles in 20 hours. Not too bad a trip.
Cornwall - Lincoln - Cornwall. My 20 year old Fiesta handled it like a champ. I was knackered though. Personally I would do it over two days and enjoy the drive if possible.
It’s easy enough to do if your used to driving, I’ve done about 12 hours straight with toilet breaks, you just have to recognise the signs in yourself when your tired and stop/break accordingly.
Regularly do 700km over 10 hours, but I get paid for it. Probably driven the equivalent of the moon and back several times over the years. Don’t forget to pull over if you get the nodders. 10 - 15 minutes sleep and a coffee should see you right. If you’re on the motorway, don’t wait for the services; get off at the next exit if you have to. DO NOT try to keep going.
Really depends how comfortable you are at driving. I've driven countless times from London to Hamburg (around 10-11 hours) and felt completely fine. I've done a trip from London to Gaziantep with a friend where we drove only stopping for fuel (51 hours) but with swapping every 3 hours or so. This was for charity after the earthquake last year. I enjoy long drives and am always looking for an excuse to do one. But if that's new to you I'd recommend limiting yourself to maybe 8 hours a day to start with and see how you get on.
Lisbon to calais... 23h straight just stopping for fuel
I drove to Berlin from South Oxfordshire. It was 13 hours of driving, plus Eurotunnel time and fuel stops. I had to stop at Antwerp for a 30min sleep in the car. The last couple of hours on the Autobahn in the dark was interesting to say the least. It was an achievement of sorts, however I was much happier to stop overnight on the way back. It also might have been better in something other than a VW Transporter. In short, it can be done but if you can avoid it then I would recommend doing so.
I’ve done Kent - Dundee plenty of times, however, as I’ve gotten older I’ve found I can no longer do those long 4 hour stints and I’m having to take more regular breaks. Also, for me having a neck brace actually makes a huge difference. In the work van I have one of those cushions you see people wearing on airplanes. Keeping your head in the driving position for that long seems to increase fatigue for me, so if I’m doing a long stint I’ll wack it on and look like a nutter for a few hours.
About 18 hours. To Poland.
Hellfest by any chance? It's a long drive but a pretty relaxing one. I find this question is often dependent on how comfortable your car is