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Google driving times

 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Okay, I have used Google to calculate driving times and distances from Calais to ski resorts within 500 miles as the crow flies.

Here is a selection:

Flaine 7:46
Les Gets 7:53
Chamonix 7:54
Gstaad 8:29
Alpe D Huez 8:33
Meribel 8:36
Courchevel 8:39
La Rosiere 8:53
Tignes 9:08

Having never driven to any of these resorts from Calais, are they at least indicative (conditions permitting) or no use to anyone?

Full list here
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
MoodyFFS, Calais to Montalbert 8 hours Very Happy Have done it half hour less and 4 hours more!
Rebbeccay just took 8.5 hours to do the Lyon to Montalbert bit Skullie
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=66762&start=80#1652951


Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 1-12-10 20:03; edited 1 time in total
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Boredsurfing, I did add a conditions permitting clause Laughing but is it useful as a guide do you think?
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MoodyFFS, Yeah Laughing I usually find google in the UK is a bit conservative Toofy Grin
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
MoodyFFS, a good guide yes.... can you do it quicker? yes! can it take longer? yes!
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I think they are pretty good assuming good weather and no traffic problems. Of course, the actual time also depends on how many stops and how long they are. When I'm on my own they are few and brief, but any passengers can slow me down.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Sorry nothing to do with driving to france but on google maps enter start destination Japn end destination China and check out the directions for point 43 it is hilarious
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
Richiavo, Laughing Laughing

Cham was 7 hours, Tignes is 8 1/2 hours. That's with clear roads/tolls and cruise control on 85-90mph.
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is that legal
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Ski the Net with snowHeads
No.

Limit is 85mph (130kmh) if the weather is good.
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 snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
these are very good times and raises the question whether to fly or drive
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Calais to the Alps as the crow flies? What are you using, a jet pack?
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Dr John, Laughing that was just to restrict the number it returned! Calais to Bulgaria seemed an unlikely route Smile althought admittedly cos it's shoite Twisted Evil
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
10hrs 17mins to Livigno Laughing The transfer from Bergamo takes 4.5........ Laughing

MoodyFFS, only driven to La Ros from your list and that seems about right.....with stopping...... Toofy Grin
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
The first three are about right in great conditions but safer to add an hour. It has been said on here before but beware the dangers of thinking 130kph is 85mph - its not. Its more like 81mph. Not that big a deal but French motorway police having a bad day might think differently.
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
With all those resorts that take less time to drive to than La Rosiere it begs the question 'why would anyone go?!' Toofy Grin
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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
ian999 said,
Quote:

It has been said on here before but beware the dangers of thinking 130kph is 85mph - its not. Its more like 81mph.

Fair point but car speedos tend to be optimistic. My old Passat indicated approx 5mph faster than registered on my TomTom so there is some wriggle room.

Not calibrated my new motor yet but it is worthwhile as you can creep past everyone on the average speed check sections of the motorways... Very Happy
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 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
I'd say some of those are a bit optimistic.

We do Calais - Sainte Foy (very close to La Rosiere) fairly regularly and 10hrs is good going. That's with 2 drivers, swapping every 2 hours, minimal stops. Fairly heavy right foot, but French plates!

If I had a pre-booked ferry to catch, I'd allow 12 hrs.
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stevomcd, so should i display them with some suitable caveats such as conditions, stops, speed limits etc would most think they were purely indicative? Given the exact conditions for any trip could never be known?
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Those times, though, don't take into account

Petrol Stops
Nappy Change stops
Fag breaks
Wankbreaks
Car Sickness stops
Driver change stops
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Snowchain stops
Booze shopping
Re-arrange-the-kids-cos-they're-fighting-breaks
Re-fit beam bender breaks
Red bull breaks

Or any other host of things. Guess what? You factor them into your trip and then probably add a bit to be on the "safe side" rolling eyes
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you might as well do it proper
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Chasseur, not really sure what to make of that! Smile

blockhead, drive each route and time it? Making sure to take into account:

Quote:
Petrol Stops
Nappy Change stops
Fag breaks
Wankbreaks (??)
Car Sickness stops
Driver change stops
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Snowchain stops
Booze shopping
Re-arrange-the-kids-cos-they're-fighting-breaks
Re-fit beam bender breaks
Red bull breaks


Laughing
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
I had a friend called Andy Wonkbrake, years ago.

I once rang up his place of work to ask to speak to him, the conversation went along the lines of

Me " excuse me i would like to speak to Andy Wonkbrake please "

Young receptionist " Pardon "

Me " Do you have a Wonkbrake working there "

Young receptionist " Wonkbrake, we don't even get an effing fag break " Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy


Last edited by After all it is free Go on u know u want to! on Thu 2-12-10 18:12; edited 2 times in total
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Timbobaggins, Laughing Laughing
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On a serious note have driven from Calais to La Toussuire in 8 and a half hours with one fuel, leg stretch stop.

and from Val Cenis to Calais in 9 with again one stop Lewis hamilton strategy
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Nothing to do with times but just found this site with useful winter driving tips - http://www.drivingfast.net/techniques/winter-driving-techniques.htm
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 And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Google map directions are accurate to the nearest 10 mile I would say.

Before it I used Mircrosoft Autoroute and I couldn't the difference between the two or with my current Tom Tom.

The Google or Autoroute or any Sat Nav device only gives the on-road driving without any break, no stop for fuel, toilet, meals etc. One has to add these on top.
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 So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Quote:

The Google or Autoroute or any Sat Nav device only gives the on-road driving without any break, no stop for fuel, toilet, meals etc. One has to add these on top.

An important point which some of the posts above seem to overlook!
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 You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
pam w wrote:
Quote:

The Google or Autoroute or any Sat Nav device only gives the on-road driving without any break, no stop for fuel, toilet, meals etc. One has to add these on top.

An important point which some of the posts above seem to overlook!


Quite!
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 Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
MoodyFFS wrote:
Chasseur, not really sure what to make of that! Smile


Sorry, MoodyFFS nothing personal. Was just trying to be as inclusive as possible. The vast majority of open/lurker snowHeads are, I'm sure, thoroughly decent, upright, normal folk who could manage a 10 hour trip without resorting to type...... Laughing
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 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
The fastest trip we ever did was Calais to Geneva in 7 hours, and on to Nendaz in 9 hours total. That was on empty roads, ideal weather, and very few stops. The trip back was 10 hours. We always book the tunnel for an estimated "best time," and if we arrive late, we usually get on the next one 20 minutes later. We were caught out last year when we arrived at 2.30 am, to discover there's a 2 hour gap in departures from Calais between 02.00 and 04.00 Sad .

None of this is guaranteed. If you thrive on the stress over deadline chasing, go for it. If you don't, allow plenty of time. If your family can't cope with the stress, tell them you've booked a later crossing than you really have and still go for it! Smile
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