Fuel shortages in France.Hi we are planning to drive

Normally, I'd suggest the following route down to varallo, but as it includes going through Switzerland you would need 2 vignettes, one for the car and a second for the trailer. Vignettes cost 40 swiss francs at the border - don't buy from Swiss Travel Service in UK, they add a £20+ handling fee.

If you fill up at the Maidstone services, much of your trip will be covered.

I don't think you can take extra fuel in cans on either the Ferries or Eurotunnel

I'd go ...... Calais, up into Belguim near Dunkirk, then on to Luxembourg via the (free) motorways. Fill up in Luxembourg at the petrol station near the French Border (cheapest around, as prices are set by the Luxembourg government).

Then down to Metz, Nancy, Mulhouse and into Germany to take the autobahn towards Basle.

Stop at Bad Bellingham services to buy the vignettes, and possibly top up with more fuel. Petrol in Switzerland is significantly more expensive than Germany or Italy. (There are websites that give European petrol prices if you want to check - https://www.cargopedia.net/europe-fuel-prices . German petrol is still pretty dear)

Turn off autobahn towards Lorrach, and into Switzerland. Then on past Lucern and through the Gotthard tunnel. Turn off motorway towards Locarno and into Italy by the West Side of Lake Maggiore. On to Lake Orta and then you are nearly there.

The route won't be much longer, the swing up to get to Luxembourg adds a bit, but it has the advantage of no motorway charges at all, so a significant saving there - making the cost of the vignettes seem minimal

Good Luck

Duplicate Posting

Just checked eurotunnel site. It says -

Fuel:The maximum permissible quantity of liquid fuel (petrol, diesel or biofuel) that can be carried in portable reserve fuel containers on board a passenger Shuttle per Vehicle, is as follows:

Plastic containers: 3 x 10 litres
Metal containers: 1 x 20 litres
The total maximum amount is 30 litres.

Had a quick look on 'via michelin' at the effect of going via Luxembourg and GotthardTunnel, as opposed to going direct via Mont Blanc Tunnel.

Seems it takes (in theory ) only about 30 minutes longer, and the overall cost is slightly less,allowing for 2 vignettes.

Of course, the return journey would be 80 swiss francs cheaper, as you already have the vignettes

Thanks for all the details. The main reason I avoid Switzerland is we take a trailer and they limit the speed to 80kmh, which means takes an absolute age, but may not have much choice.

Thanks

Latest information......

"The maximum speed for towing a trailer or caravan (up to 3.5 tonnes) on Swiss motorways has been increased from 80km/h to 100km/h. Suitable tyres must be fitted."