Besançon to Whitby Drive: Epic Road Trip Guide

Leaving the Roman citadel of Besançon at 251 meters above sea level, you begin a 1,100-kilometer journey that ends at the North Sea coast of Whitby. The drive, primarily on the A1/E15, passes through four countries: France, Belgium, Netherlands, and England.

This route is famous for its shift from Jura limestone to chalk cliffs, from Alpine foothills to flat polders, and from continental to maritime climate. You’ll cross the Channel via the Channel Tunnel – a 50-minute train ride under the sea.

From Besançon, the Doubs river valley leads through the Jura foothills with vine-covered slopes near Arbois. As you head north, the landscape opens into the Champagne region, where endless rows of vineyards stretch to the horizon.

In Belgium and Netherlands, the terrain becomes flat and polders dominate, marked by canals and windmills. The coast of England’s North Yorkshire brings dramatic cliffs and heather moorland. How to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities explains how to discover local farm shops and scenic detours.

• UNESCO Sites: Reims Cathedral (France), Historic Centre of Brugge (Belgium), Yorkshire’s Saltaire (UK) – slight detours.
• Local delicacies: Comté cheese near Besançon, Champagne in Épernay, Belgian waffles, Yorkshire pudding.

Motorways are well-maintained and signposted. In France, rest areas every 30 km with picnic tables and toilets. Speed cameras are common in Belgium and France. In the UK, average speed check zones are frequent on the A1(M).

Family-friendly breaks:

• Nausicaá Sea Life Centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer (France) – aquarium with touch pools.
• Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster – drive-through safari.

Fatigue management: Take a 15-minute break every 2 hours. Overnight options: Reims (ibis budget) or Calais (B&B Hotel). In Whitby, coastal B&Bs like The Dolphin offer sea views.

Pet-friendly: Most French rest areas allow dogs on leash. In the UK, many pubs and cafes in Whitby welcome pets. Eurotunnel accepts pets in vehicles for €30 supplement.

The journey is best spread over two days with an overnight stop near Reims or Calais. Tolls on French motorways cost approximately €60; fuel is cheaper in France than in Belgium or the UK.

Key roads: A36 from Besançon to Beaune, then A31/E17 to Reims, A26/E15 to Calais, and after the channel, M20/A1/M25/A1(M)/A64 to Whitby.

• Petrol stations: Frequent every 30–50 km in France, scarcer in northern England.
• Channel Tunnel: Book in advance; cost around €100–150 per car. Check-in 30 minutes before departure.
• UK driving: Remember to drive on the left. Speed limits: 70 mph (112 km/h) on motorways.