Where to stop overnight when driving to the Alps

For many people, stopping overnight on the way to the Alps makes the journey far more enjoyable.

While it is possible to drive straight through, breaking the journey up into two days allows you to travel at a more comfortable pace and arrive feeling more relaxed, particularly on a longer trip.

Quick tips for stopping overnight

• Choose a stop that fits naturally into your route south

• Book somewhere easy to access from the motorway

• Consider what will make the journey feel more relaxed

• Use the stop as part of your holiday, not just a break

"Go on a Friday and make the stopover part of the holiday. Troyes is great, check out  Clare and Hugo's burger bus for the best burger around." David W

Why should you stop overnight on the way to the Alps?

Stopping overnight can make a big difference to how the journey feels.

Breaking the drive up:

• reduces fatigue

• avoids very long days behind the wheel

• makes the journey easier, particularly when travelling with children

Many people find it turns the trip into something to enjoy, rather than just getting from A to B.

"We stop at  Reims around 8 hours drive for us from the Midlands (excluding tunnel) and a good cheap ibis just off the motorway then an easy drive the next day." Peter D

Where are the best places to stop on the way to the Alps?

Popular stopover towns include Reims and Troyes, both of which are conveniently located along the main route south from Calais.

These locations work well because:

• they are well positioned for an overnight stop

• they make it easy to continue your journey the following day

• they allow you to break the journey into manageable sections

For many travellers, this is enough to make the journey feel much more straightforward.

How do you choose where to stop?

The best place to stop will depend on your journey and how you prefer to travel.

Some people choose a stop based on:

• how far they want to drive in one day

• whether they are travelling with children

• how relaxed they want the journey to feel

When choosing an enroute hotel, consider staying just outside a major town. Town or city centre hotels invariably carry a premium price tag. Opting to stay in more of an ‘enroute’ style hotel not far from the motorway can save you money.

There’s no single right answer, it’s about choosing a stop that works for your pace and your plans.

Where else should you stop on the way to the Alps?

Regardless of whether you are going to stop overnight, you’ll definitely be needing to stop to refuel, use the rest facilities and stretch your legs.

This might be a 15 minute stop at a service station or perhaps you like to take your time and stop at the odd scenic spot for a picnic along the way.

One of our favourite places to stop is Le Village Outlet which is 30 minutes from Lyon and seconds off the main motorway. It’s not only great for shopping your favourite luxury brands, it also has lots of lovely green areas to stretch your legs and even a children's playground to allow them to let off some steam before starting your drive up to your resort.

Tip: fuel is usually sold as SP98 or SP95 or SP95 E10 (SP = sans plomb i.e. unleaded) and diesel (gazoil).

If you really want to make the journey part of your holiday, check out our blog Driving to the Alps: 10 places to stop on the way.

Our other top tip is to make sure you stop at a large supermarket before heading up to your self-catered ski apartment. Not only will this save you time and money on shopping in the resort, there’s also the added bonus of being able to stock up on all your favourite French flavours: wine, croissants, cheese, and other delicious regional and local products. Yum!

"We find the coffee and food best at the service stations with Paul Cafes, eg. A5 Chateauvillain and A39 Poulet de Bresse." MF

Should you stop for one night or more?

For most people, a single overnight stop is enough to break up the journey and make it more manageable.

However, some people choose to extend their trip slightly, either before or after their ski holiday. This can make the experience feel more relaxed and give you the chance to enjoy somewhere new along the way.

Can you make your overnight stop part of your holiday?

One of the advantages of driving is that the journey doesn’t have to feel separate from your holiday.

Stopping in regions such as Champagne or Burgundy gives you the opportunity to slow things down, explore somewhere different and enjoy the journey rather than rush through it.

For those looking to do this, you can incorporate an overnight stay into your trip with options such as Peak Retreats’ En-Route Escapes.

Alternatively, you might wish to make your stop an extension of your holiday. Some of our clients choose to extend their trip with visits to the likes of Disneyland or a city break.

Is stopping overnight a good idea for families?

For families, stopping overnight can make the journey much easier.

It allows children to:

• take a proper break from the car

• get a good night’s sleep

• start the second day refreshed

This can make a big difference compared to trying to complete the journey in one go.

How does an overnight stop improve your ski holiday?

Arriving rested and ready can make the start of your ski holiday much more enjoyable.

Rather than arriving late or tired after a full day of driving, breaking the journey up helps you arrive in resort feeling ready to get settled in and make the most of your time in the mountains.

Related guides

• Driving to the Alps from the UK: A Practical Guide

• Best routes to the French Alps from the UK

• Driving to the Alps with children

• What to pack for a self drive ski holiday

• Do you need snow chains for a ski holiday in the Alps?

• Top tips for driving an EV to the Alps for skiing

• Preparing your car for a self drive ski holiday