Traveling thru france and spain with 4 dogs - Page 2

I drove through Madrid this year for the first time and would avoid it at all costs, it's a complete nightmare,  especially when it takes you under the tunnels and the satnav doesn't work underground, the tunnels have 3 to 5 lanes with very, very little warning about where you need to exit, it was jam packed in every lane, I drove back to Camposol on toll roads,  so much easier and quieter roads too.

Thank you for the advice. 

It does totally ruin some people's lives, but lots of dog owners are so selfish that they don't give a dam.

We drove around Madrid and it was fine

Dogs are the most loving ceatures. Never can be enough. Just pick up their poo :-)

You are right ! But if dogs bark all day it's because their owners are too lazy to give them some exercise. I let mine run on the campo at least twice a day and then he's calm.  Only barks if someone is at the gate.

We have driven from Mazarron to Bilbao a fair few times. We go non toll until North of Madrid. We have never had a problem round Madrid but we avoid busy times. It's not worthwhile avoiding the toll road to Bilbao from Burgos.

We have stayed in Aranda De Douro.....area Tudanca hotel, dog friendly, own front door access. It's about 3 hours from Bilbao and an hour north of Madrid. It breaks up the trip especially if ferry times are not great.

We have driven to Cherbourg and Caen from Mazarron. It's hard going but doable. We stay at Ibis budget hotels, again dog friendly. Trying to avoid the tolls will have you tearing out your hair....speed limit of 50 mph on A roads in France, cameras everywhere, locals frustrated behind if you stick to the limit (they know where the speed cameras are located etc.)

By the time extra hotels, tolls, petrol etc are calculated the Spain to UK ferry is probably cheaper and a lot easier. It does book up in advance for the dog cabins and kennels.

Obviously you can turn the trip itself into a road trip holiday, if not in a rush. We sometimes do this. It's a pity to wizz past so much of the world. I really envy those in their motorhomes as they leisurely head south for the winter! It's the main reason we buy lottery tickets each week.