Driving from Barcelona to Dali house

We did this a few years ago. It was an easy drive, but the GPS was a little off. We had a hard time after Cadaques on the way to Portllegat. After ending up in someone's driveway, and having to spend some time trying to back out without hurting the rental car, we finally made it to the Dali house. Also, when parking at the Dali house, there was a parking lot, but no attendant. We parked there anyway (because we were running a little late) and then paid the attendant when we came out. In Figueres there's plenty of parking lots near the museum. It was fun to do the car thing, but I think next time, I'd try to book a bus tour to avoid being late and getting lost.

Oh, and getting in and out of Barcelona is a little scary while driving someone else's car. We rented from Sants Train station. Remember to fill up the gas tank when you get back and to save the gas receipts. I'm not sure why, but they required we do that.

It is a long day's drive from Barcelona to Figueras and to Cadaques and back. You will need to take the tollway for sure, just to make time. But the drive from Figueras to Cadaques is very pretty as you go over the mountain (about an hour's drive). I recommend stopping at the Dali Museum in Figueras first; be there when it opens. Then have a mid or late-afternoon reservation for the Dali House (you must have a reservation). That leaves plenty of time to get to Cadaques, explore and/or have lunch and then make your tour (its about a 10 minute drive). The drive back to Barcelona is about 2-3 hours depending on traffic and where you are going.

Douglas is correct in his estimation, I've driven the route and it usually takes closer 2:30 hrs. Potentially 3:00 hr depending on traffic getting out of Barcelona and how fast it takes you to traverse the winding road to Cadaqués. If you are going during the peak season (July-August) you can be in the car for 6 hrs plus the site-seeing time can make for a long day indeed.

Unless you break up your travel into two days, with an overnight on the Costa Brava, the scenic route takes far too long for just a day trip. Best go with the E-15 option.

Maybe they opened a freeway between Figueras and Cadaques, because it wasn't anywhere close to 35 minutes when we drove it. And traffic coming back into Barcelona was very heavy when we did it, so yeah, it was well over 2 hours from Cadaques.

We left early in the morning (I forget the time, but probably about 7:00). We already had a car and were leaving from west of town. Got back early evening. We only did the Dali Museum in Figueras, but spent time in Cadaques, which is worth it.

Alternatively, on a weekday at least, you can take the fast train from Barcelona Sants to Figueres Vilafant (<1 hour), rent a car there (Avis has a location, maybe others), go to Cadaques, and drive back to Figueres for the train back. This lets you avoid Barcelona traffic, and summer traffic jams on the A-2, N-II or AP-7.
There are also slower trains (close to 2 hours) to Figueres town center, where other rental options might be available. These trains have the advantage of also calling at Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, which is very central, and there is no need to buy tickets in advance.