We will be driving from Barcelona to San Sebastian on July 9. When looking at a map I can see several different roads to take. Which way should we go? At first glance it looks best to go to Zaragoza, then Pamplona, then San Sebastian. Or is there a better way? Are these toll roads? I believe we will be driving through Pamplona during the week of the bulls running. Is there a by-pass? We are looking for the easiest, quickest way. Thanks for your assistance.
Linda
Posted by
Washington DC
28083 posts
I haven't driven that route (or at all in Europe), but the usual advice is to see what routing(s) ViaMichelin provides. It will also estimate your fuel/toll costs and driving time. The latter is said to be somewhat optimistic. Scenic roads are highlighted in green, but you'll need to zoom in to see what part of a route is deemed scenic.
In this case, 3 routes are provided. Two go entirely through Spain and skirt Pamplona to the west. I have no idea whether that section of the route is far enough from the city center to protect you from likely traffic tie-ups.
The third route runs partially through the French Basque Country, avoiding Pamplona but taking about 1-1/2 hours longer, according to VM's calculation.
Posted by
la rioja
590 posts
Linda a few months ago there was almost an identical thread, you might get some good ideas from there.
The road from Zaragoza to Donostia is a toll road. The road from Jaca to Pamplona is a free road, and the first toll is just north of Pamplona. You shouldn't have much of a problem, the highways go around Pamplona, but during San Fermines there are a lot of police controls looking for drunk drivers leaving the city. I've gone through them in the morning and in the afternoon.