cindyj

Can anyone verify that the driving times provided by Google Maps are accurate for France? They seem to be pretty close when driving in the US, but I just wondered how they line up in Europe. Thanks!

kerouac

I use viamichelin for driving times rather than Google maps, although I should say that I use them for itineraries rather than the times, because I am never doing the Cannonball Run when I am going somewhere. I would imagine that both sites are "accurate" if you are staying on the autoroute and not, god forbid, being sidetracked by an unexpected panorama or a wine tasting kiosk along the road.

ALadyInLondon

They are decently accurate, but sometimes a bit off. I tend to find them to be about at reliable as in the US, where sometimes they take you on a roundabout route. Probably best to compare to another map or site to confirm before you drive.

bobthenavigator

I find them 10 to 20% low.
They cannot account for traffic.

OReilly

I second ViaMichelin, but then add at least 30%! I used Google on my last trip through the Dordogne and the timings were way off. They appear to assume no traffic on the roads or congestion in the towns. The 'scenic routes' are particularly bad re timings

sparkchaser

Accurate enough but it sometimes fails to account for traffic. I noticed that sometimes it warns of congestion -- I think Google Maps gives you the drive time if you left the moment you asked for the directions.

FrenchMystiqueTours

The google times almost always underestimate the amount of time it will take. I always use viamichelin and the times are very accurate as long as you understand the times do not account for stops nor do they account for bad weather or bad traffic. They are also not reliable when driving in and around congested urban areas, like Paris, where traffic delays can be unpredictable. Excluding these factors I can't think of one trip I've made in France where viamichelin has been wrong.

nytraveler

We find then kind of long for accurate driving times - but you need to add in time for fuel and potty stops, meals, sightseeing, etc.

StuDudley

>> but you need to add in time for fuel and potty stops, meals, sightseeing, etc.<<

and also the always present road "deviations" on the autoroutes where everyone is channeled into 1 lane going no faster than the slowest truck. Also they don't consider time spent at toll booths - especially when everyone in northern France heads to southern France in July for their vacations. I've witnessed 10K backups on weekends at several toll booths heading south (I was heading north).

I use viamichelin and add about 1/4 hr for driving estimates of 2-3 hrs, 1/2 to 1 hr for 3-6 hrs, and 1 to 1 1/2 hrs for more than 6 hrs.

I got 2 speeding tickets in '11, and 1 the year before while we were in France. None last year when we spent 5 weeks in the Pyrenees (hard to drive fast on mountain roads). My wife (who does most of the driving) did not get a ticket. You can beat the viamichelin times - but you might get a ticket or two.

Stu Dudley