CDG to Epernay with a car after 6pm

Via Michelin estimates a two-hour drive. Add on the time to disembark from the airplane and get the rental car sorted, which probably adds 60-90 minutes. Plus the time to find your losing location in Épernay.. so 17:45 plus at least three possibly four hours by the time you are actually to your hotel, B&B, or apartment. .9 or 10 pm. It would make for a good way to start the next day, you just have to think if you're ready to arrive at your lodging that late.

It's not undoable since you won't be jet-lagged but not a walk in the park either.

Thanks for the reply. We did figure we'd get in late especially if we stop for dinner. And since we always seem to get lost finding our lodging - how did you know that?

Well, I think that it's not uncommon for any of us to take a bit longer to find our lodging the first try than we would wish!! I know I’ve been there myself!!

It does seem a shame to get into CDG early evening and not press on, but it just depends on the fatigue you think you might be feeling and what stress levels might be. The more you can map out your route to the lodging, look at the route on Via Michelin, Google maps, and even Street View, the more confident you'll feel.

Remember that French roads don't say “A-6 North” like we’re used to seeing “I-35 North” (or whatever). The road will use the name of towns on that route further down the line. That's one reason I find Via Michelin so helpful, they literally replicate the highway signs you will see (with the names of the relevant towns on them).

If you stop for dinner, it will be more like 11 pm of course.

You could also possibly catch the 18:58 train from CDG to Champagne-Ardennes station and then on to Epernay via Reims, arriving in Épernay by 9 pm (but requiring two changes of train), taxi to your lodging and then pick up your rental car the next day . . .

Edit to add: probably not workable as car rental places in Epernay probably aren't open on Sundays, so never mind!!

Thanks.... hubby says press on so now I'll rent the car and find lodging. thank you all

Without dinner it should be doable to my opinion to drive the same day to Épernay. To minimize the time needed for dinner you can eat in a self-service restaurant in one of the service area’s along the A4 to Reims.

Best is to avoid Paris as much as possible. You can leave CDG from the east-side following N1104, N2 and A104 for driving to the A4 to Reims. But the A104 is usually very busy, however likely not so much during a Saturday evening. An other option is taking the N3 to Meaux and just west of there the A140 for driving to the A4. Ask at the car rental office what they advice. And...the A4 is a toll road, so have some euro coins with you.

Thanks Will! Good information