we are driving from Madrid to Santiago de Compostella in September. We were hoping to shorten the long drive by a stop along the route. What do you recommend for an overnight along the way.

It is shorter to drive from Madrid to La Coruna and then to Santiago. You might stop in Astorga for Gaudi stuff or in Lugo for the walls.

http://www.karenbrown.com/Trip_Plann...antiago/63.php
There's a map and lots of suggestions where to stop.It's about a drive of 6 hrs.
We stopped in Tordesillas-often missed but a lovely town overlooking the Duero river.It is where the famous treaty was signed dividing up the new world. Also the convent of Santa Clara is beautiful and where the queen,Juana la Loca lived out her years.We had a great lunch in the square and bought boxes of their famous polvorones-cookies- at a bakery just off the square.

You'd add an hour to the drive if you headed up to A Coruña vs the most direct route, but if you are interested in wine, and wanted to break up the trip, make an adventure of it, then I would head for Pinhão, Portugal, via Salamanca. It's the harvest season and the route will take you through Portugal's beautiful Douro River valley. From there you would head up to Ourense and on into Santiago. Pinhão is a little over a 5-hour drive. Santiago is an easy 3 hours the next day.

You could spend the night at the Hotel Rural Quinta do Pégo (http://quintadopego.com/Hotel-23245.htm), it has a pool, have dinner or a late lunch at chef Rui Paula's outstanding restaurant D.O.C., and relax for the evening. The weather should be half-way decent in September.

Quinta do Pégo has it's own restaurant and there is always the restaurant at the Hotel Vintage House in Pinhão.

If you haven't been to Segovia, now would be the time. Then take in the Coca Castle..

http://www.castillodecoca.com/

Enjoy the small towns.. like Medina del campo and Tordesillas.

These are those that first come to mind along that route but I am sure there are more.

How long would the drive be going as you suggested stopping at Hotel Rural Quinta do Pego and then on to Santiago?

The Douro Valley is lovely. Segovia is a wonderful stop. Any of the paradors or pousadas along the way will have great food. Pinhao is worth a stop for food, port and/or wine..I believe Hotel Vintage House is part of one of the Fonseca companies or at least it was when we stayed there and ate!!! your drive should be a great experience.

The total drive time, over two days, would be around 8 hours, not bad. Traffic at that time of the year will be a little lighter.

Segovia is simply too close to Madrid to stop in for the night on an outbound journey. We sometimes stay there at the end of a trip as it is only a 1-1/2 hour drive from the Madrid airport.

what about staying in Zamora then on to Santiago??

Zamora would be fine, you can stop in Avila and Salamanca on the way. The next day you can stop in Ourense on the way into Santiago. Overall, it's an interesting drive.

You can spend the night at the AC Zamora and get your Marriott rewards, or at the Parador. The NH Palacio del Duero is next to the 12th century Santa Maria de la Horta Church, and the Horus Zamora Boutique Hotel is in the historic center.