Arles to Exeter Road Trip Guide: Epic Journey Across Europe

This road trip connects the sun-drenched Rhône delta with the misty shores of Devon, covering over 1,200 km across four countries. The route begins on the D570N from Arles, heading toward the A54 autoroute, then merges onto the A9 toward Nîmes. A historical fact: the Romans built the Via Domitia through this exact corridor in 118 BC, linking Italy to Spain. Today, you'll follow modern motorways hugging the Mediterranean coast before cutting north through the Loire Valley.

Expect a minimum drive time of 12 hours without stops, but plan for two days to truly enjoy the journey. This guide answers key questions: how long to drive Arles to Exeter, is it worth driving Arles to Exeter, and highlights things to do between Arles and Exeter. For more on discovering unique stops, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The journey uses France's autoroute system (A9, A75, A71, A10) and the UK's M25 and M5. Expect tolls between Arles and Calais costing around €80 for a car. Calais to Dover ferry (90 minutes) costs €40-60. UK motorways are toll-free except for the Dartford Crossing (free with payment online).

Key driving times and distances:

• Arles to Bordeaux: 5 hours (520 km)
• Bordeaux to Calais: 6 hours (620 km)
• Calais to Exeter via Dover and M5: 5 hours (440 km including ferry)

Mediterranean to Massif Central

Leaving Arles, the landscape shifts from the Camargue's flat wetlands to the limestone garrigue of Provence. Further north, the A75 traverses the Massif Central's volcanic plateaus. From July to August, wild lavender fills the air between Montpellier and Clermont-Ferrand.

Loire Valley and Côtes de Gascogne

After Bordeaux, the route crosses the Loire Valley, a UNESCO site for its Renaissance châteaux. Between Tours and Saumur, you can stop at Château de Chenonceau. The region is famous for crémant and goat cheese.

Normandy to Devon

Near the coast, the Seine valley offers apple orchards and calvados distilleries. In the UK, the M5 passes through the Quantock Hills (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) before Exeter. Local commerce thrives on farm shops selling clotted cream and pasties.

Road Quality and Hazards

French autoroutes are well-maintained but watch for speed cameras (radars) – they flash even from the opposite side. In the UK, smart motorways have variable speed limits. The A75 has long tunnels (e.g., Tunnel du Lioran, 5.5 km) with proper ventilation. Petrol stations are every 20 km on motorways, but in the UK, some services close early. Always carry a high-vis vest for France.

Family-Friendly Stops

• Futuroscope near Poitiers: a theme park with 4D shows (ideal for ages 6+).
• La Vallée des Singes near Romagne: a primate sanctuary with walk-through enclosures.
• Parc Astérix near Paris: a Gallo-Roman theme park with roller coasters.

Pet-Friendly Framework

Most French hotels accept pets for a €5-10 fee. UK chain hotels like Premier Inn often allow dogs. Rest stops in France have grass areas for walks. Bring a pet passport for UK entry (valid rabies vaccine). Ferry companies (P&O, DFDS) allow pets in vehicles for an extra charge.

Fatigue Management

Plan for a 20-minute break every 2 hours. The A10 has many rest areas with picnic tables. In France, rest areas are free and some have playgrounds. The ferry crossing itself is a good rest opportunity – take a nap in a reclining seat.