Driving from Calais to Carcassonne on 6 August

[Dancingbird50]

Hiya can anyone recommend a good route for Calais to Carcassonne... possible in 1 go or best to stop? Thinking of arriving from Eurotunnel with car about 11pm and heard can drive around Pais Peripheries at night ok less traffic. Then can I take A77 and then A75 to save costs on tolls? How much is it and what's the route if use motorways. I have no idea how to best plan the route. What websites are best. Guess I'll use Google maps ony mob. Good idea? Kids are 10 and 12 me and hubby will drive. Can we just pull over some where and sllrp in car having got through Paris. Feel very ignorant! Be great to have some ideas. Many thanks! X X

Not sure how many in recent years but maybe 5/10 yrs ago, that’s what they were doing. Since then, we have never slept in them.

We've done it in one go loads of times, with loads of kids. We leave London around 6am, get an early ferry, then basically only stop for fuel/toilets between Calais and Carcassonne.

Sorry, I don't know the names of the roads, but we do the Orleans-Limoges side, avoiding the Millau bridge.

Only thing I would say, if doing it all in one, is to just pay the tolls so that you can take the quickest route.
It's hardcore, but perfectly possible. Good luck!

Roads are much quieter so much easier to do.

I wouldn't,t bother doing a super early tunnel crossing if it means being tired. Do a normal time one stay somewhere cheap on route and enjoy a road trip! Loads of p,aces on booking .com the night before even in August, seriously Do Not Worry! Will be eady and fun. It's not the UK!

We do the trip to Toulouse and normally stop in Chartres at a Hotel BB or Ibis, they are cheap and clean and family rooms are great. We have stopped in F1s too, very basic but clean. They are very easy to book online, we use the mobile app and book as we go depending how we feel driving.

I second not sleeping in an Aire, they are often very secluded. I also think it is too far to do the journey in one hit, we drive from the Midlands and it can be hard

Dont forget your breathalysers, spare bulbs, first aid kits/breakdown kit etc. We got a kit from Halfords & I've added bits to it. I've heard of people being checked, though we never have.