Driving from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Bayeaux

The A13 is the autoroute from Paris to Normandy, from the west side of Paris, west to Bayeux. Charles de Gaulle airport is east of Paris. You need to first get round Paris to the A13.

Click here for the route suggested by ViaMichelin.

And that route that Chris thoughtfully looked up takes you very close to Honfleur and right past Caen, both worthwhile stops.

Thank you very much for the helpful response. If I can ask another question: When I clicked on the Michelin link, the shorter, recommended route lists "dangerous roads" for about 80 kilometers. Is that something we should be concerned about? Or is that just cautionary? Just wondering if we should go another way than A-13. Thanks.

It's just cautionary, letting you know that the speed limit will be reduced along those stretches (which didn't look near 80 km to me), most likely because of construction. You'll see cones, signage, maybe a lane closure, just like in other countries. A speed limit of 70 km/h is about 45 mph. You could check out the alternate routes on the Michelin site to see if anything looks easier, but it's construction season so I doubt it. Also keep in mind that Michelin is tellling you about current conditions, not those in mid-September. Also you should know that Michelin's time estimates are generally optimistic, assuming no significant traffic or stops along the way.

I didn't notice Rouen peeking out just north of your "fastest" route. There's a lot to see there. If your flight lands in the morning, you could easily spend the day driving via Rouen and Honfleur. Caen is so close to Bayeux that it could be a side-trip later in your stay. The Memorial WWII museum there is excellent (though some on this board liked it less than I did) but takes awhile.

A13 all the way is not the best route. From CDG it is better to take A1 towards Paris as in your original plan, but then take A86 to La Défense and A14 towards the A13 that you'll pick up 20 miles west of Paris. You pay a toll on the A14 but you avoid the Paris Périphérique ring road altogether as well as several other traffic-prone areas.
EDIT: this is route 1 as per the Via Michelin recommendations above.

Also, the route that goes to Giverny is also the A13.

The suggested route means: From CDG along A1 follow blue signs Paris-centre and later signs Nanterre / La Défense / Cergy-Pontoise for going to the A86 and passing Paris at the westside. With following the A14 like Balso says you also avoid the expensive Duplex toll tunnel if you drive the A86 all the way to the A13.

Thank you all so much. I'm going to follow these directions carefully with the helpful explanations. We have a GPS and cell phones as well. I'm hopeful the roads are clearly marked and we won't have too much difficulty following the signs. I have also ordered a Michelin map. Merci, thank you, etc.