We are driving from Chamonix to Antibes but want to split the drive up and stop 1/2 way. We want to stay about an hour to an hour and a half past Lyon is that good? or Should we spend a day or two in Lyon and then drive to Antibes from there? Are there other options for us to consider? We are spending a month in France but we want to spend time in each area we visit to really get to know the area. Our plan is a week in Chamonix to hike- at least 4 nights in Antibes but taking the train to different towns to visit. Then we are traveling north to the Loire Valley,(Ambosise) then east to Beaune.
Depending what route you plan to take, have you considered Grenoble? See https://www.france-voyage.com/tourism/grenoble-1505.htm
There is also Chambery, admittedly closer to Chamonix so you may feel you've hardly got any miles behind you. But, depending on your interests, it could be an interesting choice. https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-chambery-france/
France . . . so many sights, so little time!
I was going to Arles and stopped in the Ardeche. It might be better to go through Turin but I haven't been that way.