Sarlat-la-Canéda to Lincoln: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

This route spans roughly 1,200 kilometers from the Dordogne valley to the English cathedral city, crossing the English Channel via ferry or Eurotunnel. The drive takes about 13-14 hours excluding breaks, starting on the A20 north from Sarlat, then the A10 to Paris, followed by the A1/E15 to Calais, and finally the M20/A20 in England.

One quirk: near Brive-la-Gaillarde, the A20 passes over the Viaduc de la Vézère, a 60-meter-high bridge offering a sudden glimpse of the river valley before plunging into the Correze woodlands.

The Dordogne valley around Sarlat is a patchwork of limestone cliffs, walnut groves, and medieval villages. North of Brive, the landscape shifts to the low Massif Central hills, then the flat wheat fields of the Beauce region near Orléans.

• UNESCO sites near the route: Chartres Cathedral (detour), Banks of the Seine in Paris, and the historic center of Sarlat itself.
• Commerce: roadside farmers' markets in the Dordogne sell foie gras, truffles, and walnuts. Near the Loire, look for goat cheese and wine.
• Best stops Sarlat-la-Canéda to Lincoln include the Loire Valley châteaux (Chambord, Chenonceau) and the beach at Wissant near Calais.

For how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, use this guide.

The majority of the route uses toll motorways (autoroutes) in France, with costs around €80-€100 total. The A20 is free south of Vierzon, then tolled north. In England, the M20 and A1 are toll-free except for the Dartford Crossing (£2.50).

• French toll booths accept credit cards and cash; avoid queues with a toll tag.
• Ferry from Calais to Dover takes 90 minutes; Eurotunnel is 35 minutes.
• Speed limits: 130 km/h on French motorways, 110 km/h on UK dual carriageways.

For fuel, expect to stop every 400 km. Total fuel cost (gasoline) is €160-€200; diesel is cheaper. Plan refueling at hypermarkets like Leclerc or Carrefour for lower prices.

French autoroutes are well-maintained with emergency phones every 2 km. In the UK, motorways have hard shoulders and SOS phones. Use rest areas every 2 hours.

• Family-friendly stops: Futuroscope near Poitiers (science park), Parc Astérix north of Paris, and the Cité Europe mall in Calais.
• Pet-friendly: Many French rest stops have designated walking areas; vets are available in larger towns.
• Hidden off-route spots: the medieval village of Saint-Céré (15 min off A20) and the chalk cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez (near Calais).

For fatigue management, consider overnighting at a hotel in Orléans or Arras. The route has ample rest zones (aires) every 20-30 km.