Driving from Lourdes to Madrid
 

Does anyone have any recommendations for car travel from Lourdes, France to Madrid? Our schedule unfortunately does not allow us to spend too much additional "travel time"; therefore, I am interested in a fairly direct and efficient travel approach (understanding that we'll have to deviate a bit to address the Pyrenes mountains). I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or recommendations on that drive!!! Gracias,

I use viamichelin for route planning. It shows what it considers the optimal route plus one or two options.

Lourdes to Madrid is about 7 hours, not allowing time for rest stops, traffic or variables in general.

http://m.viamichelin.com/#route

Would you ind if somebody who doesn't speak Spanish gave some advice here?

I did this in 2012 and it involves a steep up and down route through the central Pyrenees.There is definitely no autoroute access unless you want to do hundreds of excess kilometers.
From Lourdes head south to Argeles-Gazost and then west to Laruns.This is a fine,twisty route along the feet of the mountains.Stop for refreshment in Laruns and then head south for the Col du Pourtalet.It gets tighter and twistier as you head to the Col with some remarkable mountain scenery. The route is always driveable as long as there is no snow or ice around.Head south towards Sabinanigo and then Huesca.In Huesca you can access the superb Spanish autopista system (tolls as well!)for Zaragoza and Madrid.
If you start very early it should be possible to get to Madrid within the day but personally I would take 2 days over it.
Have fun but make sure the car is well prepared.

<i>From Lourdes head south to Argeles-Gazost and then west to Laruns.This is a fine,twisty route along the feet of the mountains.</i>

The col d'Aubisque will really slow you down. It probably would be faster to drive in the flat land from Lourdes to Pau and then go south to the col du Pourtalet.

If getting in a most direct and speedy way is your goal, then I suggest you go north from Lourdes to join A64 autoroute and head west towards Biarritz, then continue on A63 to Spanish border and then on to Burgos and Madrid.

Which month/days are your traveling?

Thanks, all, for your helpful responses. We are traveling in mid-October. Dukey1, you can certainly provide any input / advice you may have in Spanish -- ningun problema. It sounds like the fastest approach would be to head west towards Bayonne/San Sebastian and then heading down (south) through Burgos on the way to Madrid. This would be just over a 7 hr drive, which sounds like the most attractive option unless others have strong input / recommendations. Again, THANK YOU to all of you for your time and input -- so very much appreciated!