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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To drive to italy in one day?

172 replies

Whattheuh · 13/06/2015 22:02

Most of the threads I be seen people plan to do it in a few days,but we don't have that much time and money to stop overnight a lot.we were thinking of leaving very early and hopefully arrive by that evening.anyone done that?

OP posts:
Ankleswingers · 13/06/2015 22:50

I went on a school trip by coach from South London to Venice aged 17. Absolutely fucking hideous. Definitely wouldn't recommend driving. No way. It was hell

Annunziata · 13/06/2015 22:51

In August- you are mad. The whole of Italy will be on the roads, plus I think the French. You must book your stops.

It will also be far too hot for your wee ones to be in the car too long.

sunseeker66 · 13/06/2015 22:52

How many miles is it OP?

We drive to Spain each year and we always stop once normally twice.

We done Spain to northern Paris in one go, doable but we were all exhausted.

I find my kids can't take much more than 8 hours in a car at one time.

ExitPursuedByABear · 13/06/2015 22:54

Why do you want to avoid the tunnel?

TheCatHimselfKnows · 13/06/2015 22:55

We are going to the Languedoc, Northern bit, in a few weeks. About 10 hours from Calais according to the map apps. We always, always stop about 6 hours in. Lyon, Macon area on A6. The traffic gets much worse in the south and that is the bit that always takes longer than expected

Whattheuh · 13/06/2015 22:56

Shall we change our times then?maybe dover inafternoon,,then drive thru the night?would we avoid most of the traffic and hot weather,plus kids might sleep most of the time?and we could get to the tunnel by early morning

OP posts:
Greythorne · 13/06/2015 22:56

Depends what you are trying to achieve.

If you have older kids and both adults love driving and have experience driving abroad, why not? Although none of these things sound like they apply to you.

If you are trying to save cash on hotel stops, I would say uou need to rethink as your holiday is going to be topped and tailed with a pretty unforgettable for all the wrong reasons road trip.

We regularly drive from Lancashire to Paris in a day and that leaves children and adults tired, tetchy and very relieved to arrive.

Whattheuh · 13/06/2015 22:57

Exitpursued,try to find ways not to get stuck in a que in the tunnel.

OP posts:
Maryz · 13/06/2015 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TwinkieTwinkle · 13/06/2015 22:58

You need to go through the night to avoid the queues.

TheCatHimselfKnows · 13/06/2015 22:58

Have you done similar trips on the continent before?

Maryz · 13/06/2015 22:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheCatHimselfKnows · 13/06/2015 23:00

In August you will get stuck in queues of traffic. Double the time you think it might take.

sunseeker66 · 13/06/2015 23:02

I would really recommend a stoppover OP.

F1 hotels are so cheap in France. Just to rest to get out the car for a few hours.

Annunziata · 13/06/2015 23:02

I'd honestly fly for the hassle. August will be hellish.

Annunziata · 13/06/2015 23:03

Have you looked at flights from Scotland? Our schools go back in August, you might be cheaper driving up here and then flying.

zzzzz · 13/06/2015 23:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dontlaugh · 13/06/2015 23:09

Why WHY would you want to do this? Seriously?
To avoid tolls, taxes, an overnight in a cheap hotel?
It sounds a bit daft to me.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1301498/2-British-children-killed-Spain-horror-crash-mother-fell-asleep-driving.html

Excuse the Fail link. This is why a few overnights wouldn't hurt.

WanderWomble · 13/06/2015 23:10

Unreasonable to expect to do it in a day. I drove from Inverness to Dover a couple of weeks ago and it left me pretty damn wiped. (And that's coming from someone who drives a lot each week for work.)

Plan an overnight stop somewhere and count it as part of your holiday.

FuckingLiability · 13/06/2015 23:12

I've driven to Italy but not in one day. Even sharing the driving it will be hard going. I'd recommend breaking for a night in France.

msrisotto · 13/06/2015 23:13

I thought it'd be cool to drive to Italy for a holiday once and cheap. Unti I did calculations for fuel and stopovers, then I realised flying would be cheaper. Typical!

Loletta · 13/06/2015 23:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Whattheuh · 13/06/2015 23:23

Did calculations and its cheaper.if we drive thru France only then we all avoid the tunnel?we all keep an open mind regarding stopping overnight.

OP posts:
Annunziata · 13/06/2015 23:28

Not in August you can't- the whole of Italy is on holiday until the Assumption and everywhere will be booked out.

AlternativeTentacles · 13/06/2015 23:31

So, where FROM?

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