OK, I've got a long drive back from Zermatt tomorrow. I drove down here along A5 in Germany, and as usual, it was beyond painful between Heidelberg and Freiburg. Does anyone have any recent experience with A35 across the river in France? If it's just an endless series of road construction like A5, I'll save the money on tolls and just tough it out with A5 again.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33848 posts
Tom, We did that last September. Sorry my data is old. No construction south of Strasbourg. Check viamichelin for updates. Its not the fastest stretch of Autoroute as it does wind a bit and is often 2 lanes but much is at 130 kmh. I prefer the autobahn but that stretch does make you want pull your teeth out, doesn't it? I'm contemplating all this again for next month.
Posted by
OP
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Nigel, thanks for the update. I ended up taking A35 instead of A5, and it was as you described. Mostly two lanes, but minimal to no road construction. I cruised mostly around 130 km/hr, and I rarely needed to adjust speed. I was also pleased that there are no tolls on this stretch. The road wasn't as well maintained as they are in Germany, though. And of course, almost as soon as I crossed the river and got back on the A5 in Germany- STAU! If you're going this way later this month, I would definitely recommend driving on the French side of the Rhine, if possible.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Just for the record: We always prefer the French stretch between Scheibenhard (in the very North of Alsace) and Basel. You leave German A65 at Kandel Süd for a very short strip of B9 regular surface road. It's only one lane per direction and there will be a truck just in front of you. Always. But don't worry, that part never takes any longer than 10 minutes. Then you are in France and on the 4 lane (2 per direction) Voie Express to Strasbourg and onwards. All free of toll. And of traffic jams. Only downside: Speed limit. But 130km/h is doable, even if you've got German blood running through your veins...
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Incidentally, I just drove from Brig to NEtherlands via Grimselpass. Having traveled the area before, I'd gladly avoid the Basel-Manheim Rhine corridor (on either side of the border) for the route via Schaffenhausen - Stuttgart - Heillbron, despite the extra 80km. But it is a breeze, full of unlimited speed sectors which allow me to drive 150-160 and make up for the extra distance :)
Posted by
OP
Danville, VT
12040 posts
" I just drove from Brig to NEtherlands via Grimselpass" I drove that pass on Friday, but in the other direction. I was blown away by the scenery!