We will be driving from Santiago to San Sebastian, sometimes on major roads (e.g., the A6 to Leon), but sometimes on less major roads (e.g., over the mountains from Leon to Potes on the way to Santander). After that we'll be on the AP1 and A62 down through Burgos on the way to Salamanca. What kind of facilities (e.g., rest stops?) can we expect? Do the fueling stations reliably have public toilets? As we age, we find that this question becomes more important!

On the autoroutes (the As and APs) you'll find rest stops like in the US that have fueling stations with mini markets attached with public toilets.

Are you taking the drive from León to Potes on the N 621 through the Puerto de San Glorio pass? If so, just be forewarned that it's very slow going, extremely serpentine, not in very good shape at all (or wasn't last summer) and gives the driver a real work out on narrow mountain roads! From Riaño to Potes there aren't many places to stop at all to refuel. We did this route all the way from Potes down to León, and it took double the time we had planned. Just so that you'll be informed.

Meant to add that many of these fueling stops on the autovías-autopistas (toll routes) now belong to the Autogrill chain and have cafeterías, restaurants attached.

And the modern fueling stops along the Autovía del Cantábrico that runs along the Asturian and Cantabrian coast have mini markets, cafeterías, sit-down restaurants. Some belong to another chain whose name escapes me.

www.autogrill.es

Again--thanks so much. Yes--we were planning to take the N621 through the San Glorio pass, but we are quickly rethinking that idea. Our first plan was to stick to the toll routes from Leon to Oviedo, and then east along the coast to Santander, but someone who knows that we love the mountains recommended this other route. I don't know how recently she has been through it (and she is young and rather more adventuresome than we are anyway). So I appreciate your input!

We too are pretty darn adventurous and have nearly 40 years of Spain driving under our belts, and my husband hasn't found a mountain road that he can't conquer...
but the N621 does give new meaning to "challenging mountain road". It requires really slow going, particularly the section between Barniedo de la Reina (after the reservoir at Riaño) and Vega de Liébana (before Potes). We were on it last summer.

But while in Potes you could take just a part of it, up to the Puerto de San Glorio, where there's a lookout point, for the truly spectacular views.

May I ask a related question? I assume similar facilities are available driving south from Madrid to Cordoba, but how about in Andalucia? If not, any suggestions?

I understand the basics of the route but I am a little lost as to where you are going. As I understand your posting you want to go from SdC to Leon. Then to Burgos then drop down to Salamanca. Then up to SS. is this correct?
I do not understand why you are taking the A6 I would suggest you take the AP53 to Lalin then the road to Chantada then onto Monforte then on to Astorga then onto Leon. This way you will see something of the mountains of Galicia and you could stop off at the Roman mines and visit Astorga and Ponferrada (both underrated cities in my view). There also has been a landslide recently on the A6 it would appear the repairs will take some time so expect delays here.
http://tinyurl.com/c8d88y
I Live in Galicia and recent had to travel back to The Netherlands I took both the Leon Vitoria SS route to the Spanish border and the SS Gijón, Lugo route back.
The Autovia (both toll and non toll) have good facilities and the price of fuel is usually on cent more expensive then the city or town locations. Toilets cleanliness can vary but nothing to gross you out.
However when you use the National roads ‘N’ roads then you will not find so many service stations, but many restaurants. What ever you choose usually the toilets are free to customers but sitting down to a small coffee should help break the journey.
The Autovia along the north coast has not been finished so you may find road works will interfere with your timetable a bit. But it is toll free until round about Bilbao. After that some sections are free other not. The toll from Bilbao to Santander was only €7.60 it will not break then bank I feel.
How many days are you planning to do this trip in?

We have 19 days for the trip, and we are starting in SdC, spending 3 nights there, renting the car at the end of our stay. We'll then drive to Leon (or somewhere close), and both Astorga and Ponferrada are on our list of highlights--thanks for the thought. One version of the itinerary had us staying at the Parador close to Ponferrada (one of the few affordable--for us-- Paradors), but we decided to try to get closer to Leon that first day out of SdC. I'm intrigued by the idea of taking the AP53. We would miss Lugo. What is the CG21 through Rodeiro and Chantada like--or should one go all the way to Ourense on the N roads?

After Leon, we head north to the coast on our way to SS. We turn back south after SS, stopping at Burgos before spending 2 nights in Salamanca, 3 nights in Segovia and then 4 nights in Madrid before flying home.

Personally I would not stay in SdC for three days. Charming as it is I have to say it is small, but maybe plan a day trip either by bus or train to A Coruña or even Lugo. Yes Lugo is a must. As an alternative maybe hire a car a day before and stay in Lugo.
The route south via the AP53 is good but expensive. Just about 5.10€ If I go to SdC I take the N road and plan for an extra half an hour but I do save the heady 10€.
The road from Lalin is good, do not enter Lalin take the right at the first roundabout and by pass it. You will not miss anything. Between Lalin and Chantada you pass though some villages which amount to say 5 houses. Drive over the top of Monte de Faro and ancient religious site. But I have to admit they have installed some wind turbines on part of this area. How can they do that!!!!! The road is very good and like most Galician roads it is quite enough to enjoy the scenery. If you are not so confident about driving in Cities then avoid Ourense. I would also suggest the road via Monforte is more scenic and quieter. The later road (CG2.1) goes right past my house. You will drive through the Rio Miño valley and see some of the wine growing terraces of the Ribeira Sacrá. The CG roads are basically highways so the do not allow slow vehicles like tractors or bicycles but is usually just one lane in each direction. The speed limit is 100kph not eh 120 of Autovias.
Monforte is not so nice as Lugo and if this was not my local main town I personally would not bother visiting it.
I can drive from my house to Burgos in about 5 hours. SdC is about 50 mins from my house via the AP road. So driving to Leon should be a good distance for you.
Burgos for me has a similar ambience to Lugo.
So all these choices you have to make!!!

While I agree three days in Santiago is too much, I would not go to A Coruma, it is a bit of a snooze.

Hi,

is there a way to get to Lugo from Santiago via public transport?

hi again, annie, we "meet" again.

i don't think you need to worry about toilets in spain. a few years ago now, we travelled through France and had to put up with the direst facilities [holes in the ground, wet and filthy floors, etc. etc.] then crossed the border into spain and wow- what a difference. it was as if all the plumbers in France had migrated to Spain. even the most flea-bitten cafe and remotest B&B had a decent bathroom.

sounds a great trip,

regards, ann

Cruiseluv
Yes there is a bus service from SdC to Lugo. It also calls at the airport so you can fly into Galicia and go directly to Lugo. There are five a day.
http://www.alsa.es/portal/site/Alsa

Annhig,

I'm glad it wasn't just me! Paris, Provence, the Loire Valley - I encountered those filthy "holes" all over France. Ironically, sometimes I was faced with a hole where just next door my husband would find an acceptable regular toilet (Les Baux comes to mind). I'm now looking forward to Spain.