ctyankee

Our trip has changed. We have 3 days to explore between the above and will have a car. We can either go west to Zaragoza and spend a night there and several other towns getting to Madrid, or south to Valencia or thereabouts, and then to Toledo for a day or two and then to Madrid. All suggestions and assistance are appreciated, and thanks and regards in advance.

kja

To answer, I think we need to know more: How much time do you have in Barcelona? in Madrid? Why will you have a car? What are your interests? Have you already booked your airline tickets?

Cowboy1968

I did same 3 years ago with some friends. But we used the car for 3 days only to travel between Madrid and Barcelona mostly on byways.
Roughly the route Madrid-Cuenca-Teruel-Tortosa- Barcelona.
But only the first kilometers from Madrid to Cuenca had been on motorways, and the last between Reus and Barcelona.
For travels just between the major cities like Valencia, Zaragoza or any other the trains will be faster and more convenient so you have more time exploring those in-between destinations.

Sassafrass

No need for a car to get to Toledo, easier to do by train from Madrid. Having done a drive from Barcelona to Madrid, I did not enjoy it. If I actually had three days, I would fly from Barcelona to Granada and see the Alhambra.

danon

Valencia is a beautiful, interesting city. We stayed for a week and would go back any time.

ctyankee

Thanks to all. We have already been to and enjoyed Barcelona in the recent past. We have never been to Madrid. The plane tickets are already purchased. Yes, I would have flown from Ibiza to another location, but that's what we have to deal with. We will most likely be with another well traveled couple, but we will have large suitcases so the car will be our pack horse. So it is a choice bet. a north or south route.