Hi everyone,<BR>We're planning a trip to Provence and the Cote d'Azur this fall and would like to know if anyone can provide some up-to-date info on tolls and gasoline prices.<BR>We're thinking of renting a car in Nice to drive to St. Remy-de-Provence via the Autoroute du Soleil and doing day-trips from there in that area, and then driving back along the coast from St. Tropez to Nice.<BR>If anyone can give an idea of what the highway tolls would be as well as recent gas prices (or suggest websites for this kind of info), it would be greatly appreciated! Merci!

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ToCommuter,<BR>5 years ago, my husband and I drove from Paris to Provence/Cote d'Azure traveling around smaller roads away from the main highway just taking our time and seeing all the sights. When we did drive on the main highway's, the amt of tolls were very expensive. At that time around $6.00 and that is not just one toll as there were many, many along the way. Gasoline prices were very high also. <BR><BR>A tip: For further details I would suggest you check out this <BR>website: <BR><BR> http://www.provencebeyond.com.<BR> <BR>Many of the people on this forum live in France and could give you a more detailed answer, I believe. I am also registered and have received great info for myself in the past.<BR><BR>Good luck, and have fun!<BR><BR>Francie<BR><BR>Good luck. Francie<BR><BR>

Hi<BR><BR>Difficult question.<BR><BR>Remember diesel cars (more than 50% of the French market) give 50% better gas mileage. Small, modern diesel cars will give you up to 55 m/p/gall US.<BR><BR>Today I'm paying EURO 0.72 per litre for diesel. Petrol is around Euro 1.0.<BR><BR>Fuel costs vary by up to 20%. Buy (in order of lower costs) at Hypermarche, Supermarche, Gas stations, Motorway.<BR><BR>In my experience tolls cost more than diesel for most journeys, less than petrol.<BR><BR>Check average prices here -<BR><BR>http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/fuel/motfue001.html<BR><BR>But looking at your plans, frankly, toll and fuel costs are immaterial compared to your hotel and flight costs.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>The Languedoc Page<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR><BR>

Commuter,<BR>This is a good site to check current toll prices.<BR>http://www.autoroutes.fr/index.php?lng=2<BR><BR>Tony

Having driven those routes, I will give you my estimate for total costs if you are driving a compact, gas-powered car.<BR>-Tolls will total around $35 to $40.<BR>-Gas for the trip will be about $35; but I don't know how much driving you'll do on day trips. Day trips shouldn't add more than about $10-$15.<BR><BR>At any rate, any variances from these numbers will not be large, and I would think your budget could be planned accordingly.

We took day trips daily from Menerbes in Provence. I believe there was one toll road we took a couple of times, but it was not expensive that I remember, less than $5 I would guess. Not that this is cheap, but in the overall budget, probably won't make a difference. We drove from southern France to Barcelona in May and we had to pay many tolls, but none of them were really bad, collectively probably $35-50 total. We had a diesel vehicle and although fuel is higher than the US, it wasn't a budget breaker and we drove a long way on a tank of diesel.

Message: We just returned from a driving vacation in Europe (7200 miles in 61 days). Tolls average about 10 cents per mile in France, and they are worth it if you really hve to make good time. The small roads in Provence were not crowded and easy to negotiate. Gas prices are about $4.00 per gallon. In Provence, recommend you check out Les Baux, Fontaine-de Vaucluse, Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Menerbes, and Oppede. If you have more time, Arles, Pont du Gard, and Uzes are excellent choices. Have fun. Jinx Hoover

Hi. We just returned from a 6-week trip through France, spending a week driving around Provence. We absolutely avoided the toll roads. The traffic is worse than LA and you spend all your time avoiding other drivers and don't see the scenery. St. Remy is on the N7 which is a great road. Use the N and D roads . . . not as much traffic; slower traffic; great scenery and you get where you want to go for free. No tolls!<BR><BR>Yes, occasionally you run into construction and even into city traffic jams, but even in a traffic jam, you can look out the window and enjoy the view.<BR><BR>Gas prices were the same as here with the exception that we paid per liter instead of per gallon. In other words, gas is expensive . . . another good reason to avoid toll roads. Get your gas at hypermarch&eacute;s. It makes a big price difference.<BR><BR>Have a great trip.