Tips for 500 mile drive in france in August with 3dc

[applegate]

Hi,
I have just booked ferry arriving in Caen at 0630 am and we then are going to try and get to Messanges that day (480 miles). We have done quite a bit of driving in France, and of this sort of distances before, but have often done it through the night while 3 dc sleep!! I wondered if anyone had any great tips, either for keeping kids amused or better routes etc.
Also has anyone used one of those cards for tolls which mean you can whizz through and pay later by cedit card?? I seem to remember that the queue in these lines is always less?!
Any info gratefully received!!

Applegate

Portable DVD player or load films on to an iPad. Lifesaver for occupying on these long journeys.

Which Messanges (Bourgogne or Aquitaine?).

What day will you be arriving? I've only ever queued at tolls in the South of France on a Saturday in high season so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

My DS are car-sick so we have a huge stock of story CDs and we alternate them with the radio/music to give us a break!

How old are your DC?

We stop every 2 hours or so to change drivers, usually we just do a quick toilet stop and then aim for a longer lunch break. Lots of the "aires" have games and things for the DC but there can be queues for the food - we bring our own.

Also, for longer drives we have come off the motorway and aimed for a nice town or river and had a picnic lunch there and sometimes even carry on on the smaller roads because it's more interesting for the DC even if it's slower.

Aquitane, and arriving on a saturday which I know isn't ideal but the only day that fits in with holiday from work etc. Dc are 3,6 and 12 and usually really good travellers and dh and I normally alternate every couple of hours. I think we may invest in a dvd player though!

• Stop for lunch early, before the aires fill up.

• The toll transponder things are great for getting through the busy toll stations quickly.

• Audio books are great. Mine at the same ages as your older 2 especially enjoyed them. Put them on personal stereos so you dont have to listen!

• Given the spread of ages would you be able to stretch to 2 DVD players?

• We take plenty of short breaks rather than only a couple of longer breaks.

• Take change for coffee machines in petrol stations (Selecta coffee is excellent IMO!)

• We are strict about swapping over every 1 1/2 to 2 hours even if all we have done is sat in traffic. It is really far less tiring

Enjoy!

The toll pass is called Liber-t, we bought it on our last trip to France and it was great. Very satisfying driving past everyone into the dedicated lane. Saturdays are so busy, it will save you time and patience!!

DVD a must!!!

Insist that all DC's visit the loo every time one needs to

YY to DVD players and audio books.

I think 2hrly stops for short breaks are ideal, any more and ime DC's tend to get v restless and stroppy, even though my DC's are younger than yours, this observation seems to be remaining true as years go by. So even if you want to press on and feel comfy doing so, it usually isn't worth the aggro it causes from the back seat.

Good point about loo stops Sleep!

My DCs always have a blanket each. TBH with their blankets, DVDs and a water bottle each it looks like sodding business class when I look back into the car!

These are all great tips, we are doing NW england to south of naples (have done it before, 3 days to do it, cant bloody wait!)

Last time only 1 ds, this time plus twins!

My tips are the dvd player, also we have a 7 seater and although we dont need 7 seats we are using a roof box for most of the luggage to give older ds (4) his own space occasionally.

Most of the service stations have play areas etc, great for burning off energy.

Does anyone know re the toll things, would i need a separate one for italy or is it the same one europe wide?

Quite like the idea. :)

3rd/4th/5th the dvd player, and the toll doodah. Lots of drinks and snacks easily to hand. A roll of plastic bags - for rubbish, travel sickness, dirty clothes etc. Wet wipes. Dh's car has cream suede seats - I did warn him this was totally impractical. We spread a blanket over the entire back seat in case of spillage.

The toll doodah only works in France. I have not found a way of ordering an Italian one online. Be aware that if your route takes you through Switzerland or Austria, you need to buy a vignette to drive on the motorways/access the tunnels eg San Gottardo.

Wow thanks for all the great info, im now just looking forward to it! Definitely going to take roof box as with 3dc all with a bag of stuff to do, squeezed in the back of the car it is a squash. Just looked at the toll thing and will get one, i like the idea of getting past the queues asap!
Just so looking forward to some sun!

I think everyone has pretty much covered it.

One tip is to allow each DC a small backpack each - with their personal stuff in - books/ds/water - whatever? That way they can't fill up the back seating area with junk. A blanket apiece and a cushion is good too for sleeping.

Our DC are teens so it is a bit easier (?). We have a twin screen dVD player - but they don't tend to use it that much. We will be driving for a bit longer than you though so perhaps they will use it this time. We get them comedy dvds from our youth - Blackadder is a hit and Monty python and stuff. I think short stints are sometimes better than full blown move.

Finally - I pack a huge cool bag - with frozen water bottles (they defrost enroute , and act as a cool block) lots of easy sandwiches - non messy - like cheese, marmite, ham- and cereal bars. This can keep us all happy enough for the driving part of the journey. We will stop over for the first night and obv eat out at a restaurant - but the snacks do well for breaks at services.

Enjoy!!! I am looking forward to our trip too.