1,000km in a day?

g0g

Hi,
Looking to get some advice as I can't find much info on other sites. This summer I need to get from Calais to Munich in a day. It's about 1,000km and I'd be likely to be the only driver in the car (A4 2.0 tdi). Does that sound reasonably doable or completely mad? We're hoping to stay in Munich for 3 nights (giving two full days before the next leg of the trip), so the alternative is to go halfway (e.g. Frankfurt or somewhere nearby) and stop there somewhere. Just two people in the car so no hassle of kids or anything like that.
Thanks!:)

listermint

Anywhere from 10 - 16 hour drive there depending on road conditions. Its achievable but would require plenty of breakstops to gain some rest. even if they are only stopping for 10-15 to get a coffee and stretch the legs.

Id advise to share the driving if i was you. Last thing you want is to be tired and lethargic on roads you have never been on, very easy to cause incident.

-Chris-

I personally think that's a bit extreme - if you can average 120kmph (hard enough), then it'll take you 8 hours of continuous driving with no rest stops.

Including stopping for meals & breaks you're probably looking at a 10-12 hour drive in one day. It's going to be relatively gruelling.

gooch2k9

Tight going in fairness.

g0g

Thanks for the replies. The flip-side if I split it into two days is that it'd still be about 500km each day so two pretty tiring days instead of one very tiring one. My hope was that the network is good enough heading through Germany to cover ground a little bit quicker.

gooch2k9

You'll find 500km with a rest between far easier than 1000km with no break.

CreepingDeath

This sounds like a "Top Gear" challenge... or a Smokey & the bandit film.

Just an idea, can you take your car by train ? Motorail Link

If you didn't want all that driving, you can drive to Dusseldorf (under 4 hours from Calais) then get the train to Munich. Although that's looking like around €300+

peasant

No problem, done it a few times myself.
It's all motorway and easily do-able (even in a slow-coach VW camper) ...the only condition would be that you are well rested when you set off in Calais.

Best route is through Belguim, past Aachen, Ludwigshafen, Stuttgart, Munich

Takes about 11 hours driving the slow camper, only stopping to fill the tank and empty the bladder with a slightly faster car and reasonable traffic you should be able to do it in 10 hours.


How are you getting to Calais though? It's a bit of a slog to go there as well.

Also consider the route Holyhead - Hull - Rotterdam ...nice relaxing overnight ferry to Holland and Rotterdam-Munich is somewhat shorter than Calais-Munich as well.

g0g

The Motorrail option looks great, but kinda defeats the purpose of a roadtrip!

peasant - glad to hear you think it's doable. For the first leg we're heading Dublin-Holyhead-Folkestone-Calais with ferry then channel tunnel train for novelty!

nanook

To do 1000 in a day is tough. I clocked 785 kms yesterday. Would have done it in 8 hours but bad crash in Limerick put nearly 2 hrs on journey.

If you leave early enough and get a couple if coffee stops it is acheivable.

WestWicklow1

Very doable. I've done such journeys on numerous occasions on two and four wheels. You will average 100km per hour (including all stops, eat, pee, rest, fuel etc.) travelling at 120kph - 140kph. Ten hours should see you there or thereabouts.

inforfun

It might depened a bit also on how many kms per year you drive.
Had a couple of those 1000 + kms trips with a friend of mine but since he was doing 70.000 km a year he didnt mind at all to do that 1000 in 1 go.

Anan1

I did it in an Opel Kadett years ago, at 160km/h all the way. It is doable, but it'll be very tiring and probably a bit less than completely safe. If it were me i'd overnight somewhere nice.

peasant

g0g wrote: »

The Motorrail option looks great, but kinda defeats the purpose of a roadtrip!

peasant - glad to hear you think it's doable. For the first leg we're heading Dublin-Holyhead-Folkestone-Calais with ferry then channel tunnel train for novelty!

I really ...really ...recommend the Hull-Rotterdam route ...changes the whole trip from just about do-able to almost enjoyable.

I've done that journey several times (from southern Germany as well). Doing it the long way leaves you knackered for a few days, going via Rotterdam it's pretty relaxed, ready for work the next day.

inforfun

peasant wrote: »

I really ...really ...recommend the Hull-Rotterdam route ...changes the whole trip from just about do-able to almost enjoyable.

I've done that journey several times (from southern Germany as well). Doing it the long way leaves you knackered for a few days, going via Rotterdam it's pretty relaxed, ready for work the next day.

Off topic a bit but i am curious about how much that trip to Rotterdam would cost?
I am from Holland and always fly back when i have to. Going by car will be more expensive of course but lots of that can be won back by using the rather large boot of my car...

Redderneck

inforfun wrote: »

It might depened a bit also on how many kms per year you drive.
Had a couple of those 1000 + kms trips with a friend of mine but since he was doing 70.000 km a year he didnt mind at all to do that 1000 in 1 go.

I'd echo this - if you're an experienced driver - experienced at putting in big mileages, regularly, then off you go; but if this is a one-off, then you'd be better advised to break the journey.

As a compromise, can I suggest you plan your route, including specific rest breaks, rather than just keep driving until you come accross someplace and feel the need? Or even suss out one or two 'Plan B' locations for potential overnight stops, so you have them in reserve if needed.

g0g

Too late for Rotterdam option unfortunately as chunnel crossing is booked and want something different! Have done some pretty long distance driving to date and used to do about 50,000km a year in a previous job. I'm thinking the option of having a backup hotel is probably best then in that case.

AugustusMinimus

Done similar distances a few times but take an hour break in the middle.

You'll need it.

Lurching

Id go for it. To hell with the begrudgers.
If you start to feel a bit tired, stop and have a 15min power nap. This has worked numerous times for me in the past.

L-M

Lurching wrote: »

Id go for it. To hell with the begrudgers.

I wouldn't really call them begrudgers, more concerned for the safety of the OP and other road users

Heroditas

g0g wrote: »

Hi,
Looking to get some advice as I can't find much info on other sites. This summer I need to get from Calais to Munich in a day. It's about 1,000km and I'd be likely to be the only driver in the car (A4 2.0 tdi). Does that sound reasonably doable or completely mad? We're hoping to stay in Munich for 3 nights (giving two full days before the next leg of the trip), so the alternative is to go halfway (e.g. Frankfurt or somewhere nearby) and stop there somewhere. Just two people in the car so no hassle of kids or anything like that.
Thanks!:)

Drove from Portland Oregon to San Fran a couple of years ago in one day - the distance is pretty much the same.
Took us 12 hours including a couple of stops to eat and then another pit stop to stretch the legs for a few minutes.
It's doable but you'll be exhausted by the end of the day.

cormie

Shouldn't be a problem. I do such mileage and much more hours, very often.

I will say a few things though, motorway will actually be harder, I find windy country roads are much better at keeping you awake, especially if you're waiting for overtaking opportunities and the likes.

If most of it is going to be Motorway, don't dawdle and bring lots of fruit!! I don't drink coffee myself and wouldn't touch a red bull or any of that crap, it may give you a sudden high, but it will give you a low too, fruit is much better (obviously!) and I find if you nibble away at an apple it's great at keeping you awake. Little snacky things like nuts and seeds too. Just anything that will take a long time to eat and give you energy really. Apples, pears and the likes. Bring loads!! The longer and harder they are to eat, the better

Loud music, open windows and slapping your face don't work for me at all. Eating is the only thing that works, other than that pull over and go for a jog or something that will get the blood flowing. I wouldn't waste time pulling over to eat myself, plus most of the food you'd get at service stations will not be good for long term energy. Bring a big bowl of salad (that's big enough to sit across your lap with a flat bottom) and a fork so you can nibble away at that too :P

peasant

The dangerous bit is the last 200 km or so ...you're getting tired but you also want to get there ..this might make you want to continue even though you shouldn't really.

Also the bit between Stuttgart and Munich on the old A8 isn't the safest as it is mostly two lanes only and full of blind dips, hills and bends.
Make sure you're not a zombie driving at that stage ...especially if traffic was bad earlier and you're running late

Voodoomelon

Hope he has an automatic! Suppose it won't make much difference on motorway, but every little helps.

inforfun

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Hope he has an automatic! Suppose it won't make much difference on motorway, but every little helps.

Automatic isnt too usefull on 1000 km trip.
Cruise control however.....

L-M

inforfun wrote: »

Automatic isnt too usefull on 1000 km trip.
Cruise control however.....

... Guarantees you to fall asleep

cormie

peasant wrote: »

The dangerous bit is the last 200 km or so ...you're getting tired but you also want to get there ..this might make you want to continue even though you shouldn't really.

I find it can vary a lot as to when you start to feel like nodding off, sometimes the first hour or two can be bad for me but then the rest is fine. One time it was getting ridiculous, I was absolutely wrecked so I pulled over, hopped in the back of the van and started pumping away at a blow up mattress to sleep on, after all the manual pumping I couldn't sleep so I hopped back into the cab and drove the rest of it and fell into the hotel bed (check out was in another 4 hours :mad:)

The best way to prepare though is to just get plenty of sleep the night before and if you can do some exercise before you set of that will help too, oh and of course fruit

Bigus

According to the aa route planner calais to Munich is 975 km and 8 hrs 45 min, not even a hard days work. last time aa told me 8hr journey i did it in 5 even with her indoors onboard.
I'd only stop for a quick lunch .... no bother at all Irish people don't seem to have a perspective that 1000km is feck all continent wise especially in an A4 TDI. Stopping to fill a Petrol Ferrari would more seriously affect your journey time then sitting at a constant 160 or more in germany.

Claasman

Definity doable if you are used to doing the long distances. Just stop regularly for food and a walk to stretch the legs. I did nearly 1600k in 17 hours before. I just made sure i finished the trip while it was still daylight, which helps.

LookBehindYou

i would not think twice of that journey.
Just get the speed up a bit to keep alert, driving slow is tiring.
Instead of the tunnel, think about the ferry from Dover to Dunkirkue, its cheaper and runs every 2 hrs.Book it on line for cheapest price. The ferry will give you a chance to get a bit of rest.
I have covered up to 1600 km in a day on a motorbike, stopping every 1-1.5 hrs for petrol and a smoke.

Stky10

cormie wrote: »

hopped in the back of the van and started pumping away at a blow up

:eek::eek:

Big Nasty

inforfun wrote: »

I am from Holland .....but lots of that can be won back by using the rather large boot of my car...

:eek::D:eek:

unkel

I've done it a good few times and it is very doable (especially if you drive in day light hours). A few tips:

-be well rested before you start
-drink plenty
-stop for 10-15 minutes every 2 hours

And if I plan to cruise at say 130km/h, I'd start my journey doing about 150-160km/h for about 15-30 minutes. Then slow down - it increases my concentration and makes my drive more relaxed somehow.

bazzachazza

Did just short of 900km's in France two years ago. Its very doable make sure someone in the car is awake to talk to you though as it can get a touch boring at times.

Make sure you start your journey that day in Calais first thing in the morning, not on the UK side as with the added hour, check-in time and crossing time you will have wasted 3 hours in the blink of an eye with no huge benefits. That was our mistake we got the half eight ferry and next thing it was half eleven and we were only just starting off from Calais.

I agree stop every two hours it gives you a target and with doing 130k's an hour the k's quickly disappear. I did Disneyland-Roscoff two weeks ago in exactly 6 hours including 2 breaks totaling 30mins.

rebel.ranter

I don't think the distance will be an issue, very doable in a day. However you'll probably find when you get there you'll be in no mood to do anything the next day, e.g. sight seeing, etc. Also when you get home you'll be knackered after your "break".

bazzachazza

I got up the next day did another 350k's picked up the wife and friends got our canal boat, shopped and sweated like a pig while we got the boat ready. We did how ever have a 12 hour break in our overnight hotel so we had chilled out.

I however was well pissed off some local had cracked my windscreen so we spent an hour looking for someone to fix it before we left. Didn't get it fixed till we got to Lyon on the way home as Volvos are not that common in France.

inforfun

MCMLXXV wrote: »

:eek::D:eek:

pa990

600 miles is very do'able

just make sure that when you stop for fuel, that you take the time to stretch your legs and relax,

let the passengers pump the petrol, and get coffee, water and snacks in the petrol stn.

also..keep the speed handy, Going fast requires more concentration and wears your out quicker, and going 20km/h faster wont make a huge difference to your arrival time, when you consider that you will be caught in traffic at some stage or another, and when going faster you will burn more fuel, meaning more fuel stops. (easier said than done)

Bandara

I did 1100 MILES in one day once.

Only stopped for fuel.

Obviously not a good idea but I had to get to Brisbane to catch a plane.

Wasn't feeling too good afterwards though. POicked up several speeding tickets too !

freighter

Often did over 1300km in a day driving. Start at 2am and finish at 11pm:). You feel like **** the next day though.

Anyway if the op is so concerned about the long drive stop some of the way overnight... That would spoil my holiday thinking about the long drive

dunsandin

nanook wrote: »

To do 1000 in a day is tough. I clocked 785 kms yesterday. Would have done it in 8 hours but bad crash in Limerick put nearly 2 hrs on journey.

If you leave early enough and get a couple if coffee stops it is acheivable.

Having a bad crash will always add a bit to your journey time. You were lucky you could continue:D

Ive driven 1000km in a day a few times, and its no picnic, but can be done no bother. Lots of coffee. Biggest problem is stopping your #ss from going numb.

g0g

Thanks for all the replies! It's not that I was concerned to start with. I planned the route first, and then afterwards wondered if maybe it might be too much. But it's great to read other people who have covered similar or more in a day. No auto or cruise control on the car, but as someone pointed out you might be better off without them to stay more focused on things!

We need to be in Verona by night 5, so we're gonna do day 1 Dublin-Calais, day 2 Calais-Munich, days 3/4 relax in Munich, day 5 Munich-Verona. I know it sounds like a long way down to Italy instead of through France, but we want to head over the Alps via Brenner Pass and see some of Germany, plus we'll be coming back via France on the way home. Yes maybe I won't be full of energy the first day in Munich, but it's not the main stop on the holiday (we've a week or so in Italy) so I don't mind too much.

The alternative would be Day 2 Calais-Frankfurt, Day 3 Frankfurt-Munich, Day 5 Munich-Verona. To me that's too many days spent driving, so if I can combine the middle part then all the better!

Appreciate the replies anyway, and I'll bring lots of fruit! :pac:

dunsandin

Sounds like a great trip, have fun and best of luck-make sure your cars serviced and fettled.

peasant

g0g wrote: »

head over the Alps via Brenner Pass

boooooooooooooring

THIS is where it's at

not too much out of your way either

dunsandin

Gad dammit, I feel a road trip coming on!

keithclancy

You guys are mental .. I do 280 km / day and thats enough for me !!

Autobahn is much much safer than irish roads though imo... people are much more predictable except for the odd micra.

dunsandin

Did 620km today, and have to be up to work tomorrow! I must have beeen a bad sod in my last life. I will do about 1500km over the course of the long weekend. But the scenery is soo good here in ireland

g0g

peasant wrote: »

boooooooooooooring

THIS is where it's at

not too much out of your way either

Thanks peasant, that looks like a great idea, and as you say it's not too much out of the way either! Perfect place for lunch at the top of the pass!

mumof2

inforfun wrote: »

Off topic a bit but i am curious about how much that trip to Rotterdam would cost?
I am from Holland and always fly back when i have to. Going by car will be more expensive of course but lots of that can be won back by using the rather large boot of my car...

Ha ha, I know what you mean about the big boot in the car - last trip I did to Holland, I couldn't fit another orange into the boot!! Customs opened the boot in Calais, and asked if it was all mine - to which I replied yes, and he slammed the boot closed!! Only had about 10 blocks of cheese in there!!

Im from holland myself btw........must try the hull rotterdam route too sometime.:D

By the way OP, use common sense. It can be done if your used to such driving, but I definately would stop plenty of times, as the motorways are so long and monotonous that dozing off is inevitable. Good luck, and safe driving.

Alun

mumof2 wrote: »

Im from holland myself btw........must try the hull rotterdam route too sometime.

I only did it once (in December) ... force 10 winds, 10m waves and one engine broke down. Took about 2 hrs longer than normal and they had to close the toilets half way across because ..... well, you don't want to know, really

After that I'd drive to Calais and take the ferry from there, far better for the nerves and the stomach!

dr.fuzzenstein

Anan1 wrote: »

I did it in an Opel Kadett years ago, at 160km/h all the way. It is doable, but it'll be very tiring and probably a bit less than completely safe. If it were me i'd overnight somewhere nice.

I had a Kadett once, to be fair it was the 1983 model, I would have been deaf and it only achieved 160 in freefall.
Which one was it?
I once drove Frankfurt Kempten (visit the folks) and down to italy but that was over a few days.
Fun though.