Driving to Spain this winter? Seven routes for campervans and motorhomes

Looking to swap the UK winter for a spell in Spain? Whether you want to cross the Bay of Biscay and arrive in northern Spain, or take the long road through France, there are several ways to make the journey. Your best route will depend on where in Spain you are heading, how much time you have, whether you want to avoid tolls, and how comfortable you are driving a larger vehicle on unfamiliar roads.

Here are seven options to help you plan. Journey times, ferry timetables, tolls and road conditions can change, so use these as starting points and check the details before you set off.

1. Plymouth to Santander by ferry

If you would rather spend less time driving through France, a ferry from Plymouth to Santander takes you straight to Cantabria in northern Spain. From Santander, you can continue along the north coast, head towards the Basque Country, or begin the drive south towards Madrid, Valencia or Andalucía.

Taking your campervan or motorhome on board can make the first part of the trip feel more like a holiday than a long motorway slog. Remember, though, that this is a long sea crossing and weather can affect the experience. Compare the sailing dates and crossing times for your chosen week, book a cabin if you want somewhere private to rest, and check the operator’s vehicle measurements and pet arrangements before booking. The route operates on selected dates, so it may not suit every departure day. Check current Plymouth–Santander sailings with Brittany Ferries.

Once ashore, allow time to adjust after the crossing before tackling a long drive. Santander gives you easy access to coastal stops, green mountain scenery and villages in Cantabria and Asturias, so you could make northern Spain part of the trip rather than driving straight south.

2. Portsmouth to Bilbao by ferry

The Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry is another direct way to reach northern Spain without crossing France by road. Bilbao is a useful starting point for exploring the Basque Country, the Cantabrian coast and the Picos de Europa, or for continuing inland towards Burgos and Madrid.

As with Santander, check the sailing calendar carefully: services run on a timetable, and crossing frequency varies. The longer crossing can be a welcome break from driving, but plan your first day after arrival realistically. Bilbao’s urban roads can be busy, so if you are heading into the countryside, set your sat-nav for a suitable route out of the city before you leave the port. Check ferry rules for the height, length and weight of your vehicle, including anything carried on the roof or rear rack. Check current Portsmouth–Bilbao sailings with Brittany Ferries.

3. Calais to Tours, Bordeaux and Irun: the motorway-led western route

After crossing the Channel to Calais, this route heads south through France towards Tours and Bordeaux, then continues towards the Spanish border at Irun. It is a practical option if you want a clear, motorway-led journey and are happy to pay for some toll roads.

For a larger vehicle, the main roads can make progress more predictable, but the distances are still substantial. Plan overnight stops before you set off, and avoid relying on a single late-night arrival at a campsite or aire. Motorway services are useful for breaks and fuel, but they are not a substitute for a proper overnight stop where one is required or preferred. Check toll costs for your vehicle class, as height and vehicle classification can affect the charge. Near Bordeaux and the border, traffic can build up, particularly around busy travel periods.

Irun is a convenient gateway into the Basque Country. From there, you can continue west along the northern coast or turn inland towards Pamplona, Zaragoza and central Spain.

4. Calais to Bordeaux and Irun: a lower-toll western option

This follows the same broad western corridor as route 3, but you can use a route planner set to avoid or reduce toll roads and take more of France’s non-toll roads. Depending on the route selected, you may spend longer on national or departmental roads and pass through more towns.

Avoiding tolls can reduce road charges, but it usually means slower progress, more roundabouts and more changes in speed limits. That can be tiring in a long or heavy motorhome, and the apparent saving should be weighed against extra fuel and travel time. Compare the full journey before choosing, and check that the suggested route is suitable for your vehicle’s height, width and weight. If you are travelling in winter, leave extra time for poor weather or roadworks rather than trying to make up time on smaller roads.

This option is best for travellers who are flexible and happy to break the journey into shorter days. It also gives you more chances to stop in smaller French towns along the way.

5. Calais to Paris, Clermont-Ferrand and Barcelona: through the Massif Central

For a more varied inland journey, you can travel south from Calais towards Paris, continue to Clermont-Ferrand, then cross the Massif Central and head towards the Mediterranean before entering Spain and continuing to Barcelona.

This route can turn the drive into part of the holiday, with opportunities to stop around Clermont-Ferrand and explore the volcanic landscapes of the Auvergne. It also brings more changes in terrain than the western motorway route. In a campervan or motorhome, allow extra time for steep gradients, changing weather and winding sections. The A75 crosses high ground, where winter conditions can be very different from the weather in southern Spain; check forecasts and road updates before you travel and carry suitable snow equipment if your route and conditions call for it. The Millau Viaduct is an impressive landmark on this corridor, but check the current toll and vehicle classification if you plan to cross it.

Paris traffic can add stress, especially if you do not need to visit the city. Consider timing your journey to avoid peak periods, or plan a route that skirts the busiest central areas. Once in Spain, Barcelona’s low-emission zone has specific requirements for foreign-registered vehicles, so check whether you need to register before entering. UK travel advice for Spain.

6. Calais to Zaragoza and Barcelona: an inland Spanish finish

This option takes you south through France to the Spanish border, then heads inland towards Zaragoza before continuing east to Barcelona. It can suit travellers who want to see more of Aragón and the Ebro valley before reaching the Mediterranean coast.

The section from the border towards Zaragoza gives you a different feel from the coastal route, with broad open landscapes and long stretches between larger towns. Plan fuel and overnight stops rather than assuming services will be close together, particularly if you leave the main motorway corridors. Zaragoza is a worthwhile stop in its own right, while Barcelona makes a natural end point for a longer trip.

This is not necessarily the quickest way to Barcelona: travelling via Zaragoza adds distance compared with staying on the most direct route along the Mediterranean. It makes most sense if Zaragoza or the inland journey is part of your plan. As always, check your sat-nav settings for toll avoidance, vehicle dimensions and current road conditions.

7. Newhaven to Dieppe, then south through France

The Newhaven to Dieppe ferry is another option for reaching France with your campervan or motorhome. The crossing takes around four hours, and the service carries motorhomes and campervans. Sailing times and frequency can vary, so check the timetable for your dates and make sure you book the correct vehicle dimensions. Check current Newhaven–Dieppe sailings with DFDS.

From Dieppe, you can head towards Rouen, Le Mans, Tours and Bordeaux before continuing to Irun and northern Spain. This joins the same broad western corridor as routes 3 and 4, but starts from a different Channel port. It may suit travellers in southern England who find Newhaven convenient, and it gives you the option of stopping around Dieppe or Rouen before beginning the longer drive south.

The crossing is shorter than the ferries direct to Spain, so you will have more driving to do after landing. Plan overnight stops and breaks in advance, and remember that the main motorway route through France includes toll roads. If you want to reduce tolls, compare the alternative roads carefully and allow extra time, particularly when travelling in a larger vehicle during winter.

Planning a winter trip to Spain in a campervan or motorhome

Check the vehicle and paperwork before leaving

Check that your driving licence covers the vehicle’s maximum authorised mass and that the motorhome is within its payload limit once people, water, luggage and equipment are on board. Review your insurance and breakdown cover for France and Spain, and carry your vehicle documents. UK-registered vehicles must display a UK identifier when driving in Spain, even if the number plate already includes a UK mark. UK identifier requirements.

If you are travelling on a British passport, check the current Schengen entry rules and count your days carefully: visa-free visits are generally limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. Border checks can also take longer during the EU Entry/Exit System rollout, so allow extra time around ferry and tunnel departures. Spain entry requirements.

Plan for winter weather in both countries

Spain may be milder than the UK, but winter is not warm everywhere. Northern Spain can be wet and windy, while mountain routes and high plateaus can be cold, icy or snowy. France can also bring winter restrictions in some mountain areas. Check forecasts and official traffic updates before each driving day, and make sure any snow chains or winter tyres you carry are compatible with your vehicle and fitted correctly. DGT advises drivers to plan ahead and check road conditions during winter weather. Spanish DGT winter travel advice and France travel advice.

A heavy vehicle needs more distance to slow down, especially on descents. Use a lower gear on long downhill sections, leave generous space, and take breaks before you feel tired. Keep an eye on height restrictions, narrow village streets and car park entrances; a sat-nav set to car mode may not account for your vehicle’s dimensions.

Choose overnight stops carefully

Spain has campsites, motorhome areas and service points, but availability can vary by region and season. Check opening dates in advance, especially in winter, and confirm whether a stop offers fresh water, waste disposal, electricity or showers. Keep a flexible plan in case a site is full or closed.

Parking and camping are not the same thing. Spain’s national guidance recognises that a motorhome can be parked where parking is permitted, subject to the rules and signs that apply. However, local authorities can set restrictions, and camping behaviour may be prohibited outside authorised places. Since 1 October 2026, Spanish rules also specify that when a motorhome is parked, it must not extend elements beyond the vehicle’s footprint, must rest only on its tyres and must not discharge fluids from the living area. Do not put out chairs, awnings or levelling equipment in a public parking space unless the site explicitly permits it; use a campsite or designated motorhome area for that. DGT motorhome guidance and the updated Spanish traffic regulations.

Never empty grey water or toilet waste outside an authorised disposal point. Look for signed service areas, campsites or other designated facilities, and leave each stop as you found it.

How to locate stopovers along the way?

Our map includes amazing stopovers covering all 7 of these routes and more! Click here to find out more.

Watch for city access restrictions

Some Spanish cities operate low-emission zones (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones, or ZBE). Rules differ by city and may affect foreign-registered vehicles differently. Before driving into a city centre, check the official local requirements, including whether your UK-registered campervan or motorhome must be registered in advance. Barcelona is one example where advance registration may be required for foreign vehicles. UK travel advice for Spain.

Make the journey part of the holiday

The quickest route is not always the best one. A ferry can save a long drive through France, while a road route gives you more choice of stops and scenery. Think about your preferred driving hours, toll budget, ferry costs and the parts of France or Spain you would like to explore. For a winter escape, building in extra rest days can make the trip more enjoyable and gives you room to adapt if the weather changes.

Which route would you choose: a direct ferry to northern Spain, a crossing to France, the western road route, or an inland adventure via Clermont-Ferrand or Zaragoza?

Travel rules, ferry schedules, tolls and local access requirements can change. Check current official guidance and operator information before departure.