🇪🇸 Cross-border drive · Spain → France 🇫🇷
Driving from Sevilla to Toulouse
Practical driving advice for the 1,200 km route from Andalusia to Occitanie, covering Spanish motorways, the border crossing, and French transit.
- Drive time
- 13h 29m
- Distance
- 1,264 km
- Same day?
- Split it
- 12 h+, plan a stop
- Fuel cost
- ≈ €162
- petrol · diesel ≈ €141
- Tolls
- ≈ €116
- per-km
- EV charging
- Unknown
- not yet surveyed
On this page
Route map
Route options
Other paths OSRM found between the two cities — handy when traffic, tolls, or scenery matter more than raw speed.
Avoids motorways
+5h 36m- Distance:
- 1,270 km (+6 km)
- Duration:
- 19h 6m
Via: N-420 · N-310 · A-138 · N-211
How else can you make this trip?
Driving is the focus of this guide; here's how cycling, coach, and (soon) train and plane stack up for the same pair.
13h 29m
1.264 km · €162 fuel
See details ↓
Not realistic
1.264 km is far beyond a typical multi-day cycle tour. Try a shorter pair like a day or weekend stage.
No direct service
Our coach data (FlixBus + BlaBlaCar) doesn't list a direct service for this pair. National operators (e.g., National Express in the UK, Eurolines feeders) may still cover it — check their site directly.
What the drive is like
Drafted from the route's computed data on April 25, 2026 and reviewed against the route summary card. Read our methodology.
You leave the heat of Seville on the A-66 heading north, where the landscape quickly shifts from the sun-drenched plains of Andalusia to the rolling, rugged terrain of the interior. This route relies heavily on the A-66 and A-62, which serve as the primary arteries through western Spain. You will find that these motorways are generally well-maintained and light on traffic until you approach the larger hubs near the border. Keep a steady pace, as the Spanish motorway limit is 120 km/h, and speed traps are common near tunnel exits and urban zones.
As you transition onto the AP-1 and eventually the AP-8 toward the French border at Irun, the scenery becomes significantly more dramatic with the approach of the Basque country. Crossing the border feels seamless, but be prepared for a shift in driving culture. Once you enter France, the speed limit on autoroutes increases to 130 km/h, though this drops to 110 km/h during the frequent Atlantic rain bands that roll in toward the Pyrenees. The French network uses a distance-based toll system, so ensure you have a card ready for the toll booths that appear more frequently than on the Spanish side.
The final stretch toward Toulouse takes you through the lush, green landscapes of Occitanie. While the roads are wide and efficient, pay attention to the signage for local low-emission zones near the city perimeter. Toulouse itself is a bustling, dense city, so try to avoid timing your arrival with the late-afternoon commute. Remember that while fuel prices remain competitive across both countries, it is generally smarter to top up in Spain before crossing the border, as French service station prices can fluctuate significantly along the major corridors.
Route highlights
- The transition from the arid plains of Andalusia to the green valleys of the Basque Country
- The border crossing at Irun linking the AP-8 to the French autoroute network
- The scenic approach to Toulouse via the rolling hills of the Haute-Garonne region
- The architectural shift from Mudéjar influences in Seville to the terracotta-brick 'Pink City' aesthetic of Toulouse
Trip plan
How to think about the drive: one day, split, or overnight.
Overnight recommended
Too long for a single-driver day. Plan on 1 overnight stop(s) to do this trip right.
A natural overnight stop near the halfway point: Briviesca (es).
- Distance:
- 1,264 km
- Duration:
- 13h 29m (free-flow, no traffic)
Where to stop
Places along the route that make natural breaks for coffee, lunch, or a night.
-
Almendralejo 🇪🇸 es
≈158 km≈ 5.6 km detour from the main route
-
Montehermoso 🇪🇸 es
≈316 km≈ 23.6 km detour from the main route
-
Santa Marta de Tormes 🇪🇸 es
≈474 km≈ 6.6 km detour from the main route
-
Venta de Baños 🇪🇸 es
≈632 km≈ 12.2 km detour from the main route
-
Miranda de Ebro 🇪🇸 es
≈790 km≈ 6.6 km detour from the main route
-
Saint-Jean-de-Luz 🇫🇷 fr
≈948 km≈ 2.6 km detour from the main route
-
Tarbes 🇫🇷 fr
≈1,106 km≈ 4.7 km detour from the main route
Key moves
Things to know before you set off — borders, sides of the road, tolls.
Multi-country chain · ES → PT → FR
You'll cross 3 countries on this drive — each with its own toll system, fuel pricing, and motorway rules. Skim the must-know section below before you set off, and have your registration plus insurance card in the door pocket for any roadside check.
Tolls on motorways in ES / PT / FR
Budget for motorway tolls — France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal charge per-km, Croatia and Greece by section. Contactless cards work almost everywhere; have one loaded.
Must-know before you go
The things a driver from another country wouldn't think to ask about — fines, stickers, payment cards, opening hours.
City access & emission zones
Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla now run ZBE low-emission zones
Must knowSpain's Zonas de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE) cover central Madrid (24/7), Barcelona inside the Rondes (weekdays 7:00–20:00), Sevilla, Valencia and a growing list. Foreign plates need to register at the city portal in advance — your Euro emission class determines whether you get in. Without registration, cameras log entry and the fine reaches your home address.
Order your Crit'Air sticker before the trip
Must knowParis, Lyon, Strasbourg, Marseille, Toulouse and a growing list of cities require a Crit'Air air-quality sticker visible on your windscreen — even for a single drive-through. It's €4.51 from the official site and ships by post (allow 2–6 weeks abroad). Without it, expect on-the-spot fines from €68. Your registration document tells the issuer your emission class.
Sevilla ZBE — old town one-way labyrinth + camera enforcement
Must knowSevilla
Sevilla's ZBE Casco Antiguo (since 2024) covers the medieval centre between the river and the Alcázar. Hours 07:00–22:00 every day. Combined with the existing one-way traffic system, GPS routes change daily — many old streets are pedestrianised this year that weren't last year. Park outside (Avenida de Roma, Plaza de Armas underground) and walk in.
Tolls, vignettes & road payment
A22 Algarve and ex-SCUT roads — electronic only
Must knowPortugal has two toll systems. Most autoestradas use a normal ticket-and-pay barrier. But the A22 (Algarve), A23, A24, A25 and A28 are "ex-SCUT" routes with no booths — only overhead gantries that read your plate. Without a Via Verde transponder or pre-registration, you have 5 days to pay at a CTT post office, or the fine reaches your home address. Easiest fix: rent a Via Verde Visitors transponder (€6/week) at the airport or border.
Contactless works at every autoroute booth
UsefulFrench autoroutes use a ticket system: take a card on entry, pay on exit. Every barrier accepts contactless tap-to-pay — pull into the "CB / bank card" lane (orange "t" logo means Liber-T transponder only, avoid those). For frequent EU travellers a Bip&Go transponder pays itself off in two trips by skipping the queue.
Most Spanish tolls were abolished in 2024
TipThe AP-1, AP-7 (Bilbao stretch) and most of the Mediterranean coast highways are now toll-free. A handful remain: AP-9 (Galicia), AP-66 (León–Asturias), Catalonia's C-32/C-16 tunnel approach. Spain is no longer a high-toll country for cars — your fuel + a few specific bridge fees is the realistic budget.
What your car must carry
Hi-vis vest in the cabin, triangle in the boot
Must knowA reflective vest must be reachable without leaving the vehicle (in the door pocket or under your seat — boot is too late). One warning triangle is also mandatory. The 2012 breathalyzer rule was scrapped in 2020 but is still nice to keep. No spare-bulb requirement.
Driving rules & habits
Priorité à droite still applies in towns
UsefulOn urban streets without signs, traffic from your right has priority — even from a side street that looks subordinate. Outside cities the rule is mostly retired, but in residential French villages it survives. Slow at every right-hand junction unless a yellow diamond on your road tells you you're on the priority road.
Plan your stops, not just your finish time
UsefulOSRM gives you free-flow drive time. Realistic add: 10% on motorway-heavy routes, 25% if you're crossing two cities. Eat at off-peak hours (11:30 lunch, 18:00 dinner) — service-area queues at noon kill 20 minutes. EU fatigue research is consistent: 15-minute break every 2 hours, full 45-minute break before 6 hours. The drive between hours 7 and 9 is where avoidable accidents cluster.
Fuel stations
Off-motorway stations close late evening
TipSpanish provincial fuel stations often close 22:00–07:00, especially in the south. Motorway services (Cepsa, Repsol on the autovía) run 24/7. If you're routing through an Andalusian backroad, fuel before sunset and don't bank on a small-town pump.
Contactless cards work at virtually every motorway pump
TipMajor brand stations (Shell, Total, BP, Repsol, Cepsa, OMV, Eni, Esso) take Visa and Mastercard contactless without an issue. American Express and Diners are spotty south of the Alps. A €100 pre-authorisation hold is normal — it releases within 5 days. Carry €50 cash for the rare independent station.
Smaller stations close on Sundays
TipMotorway service areas (aires) run 24/7 with a fuel-price premium of about €0.15/L. Off-motorway stations in towns under 20k people often close Sunday afternoons and overnight Mon–Sat. If you're fuelling on a Sunday route, plan around motorway stops — supermarket pumps (Carrefour, E.Leclerc) are your cheapest option but typically 9:00–12:30 / 14:30–19:00 on a Sunday, where open at all.
Money & connectivity
EU roaming covers calls, texts and data at no extra cost
TipYour home EU SIM works at home rates across every EU member, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The "fair use" cap on data only applies if you're abroad more than four months. For a 2-week road trip, just use your phone normally — but switch off "data roaming" if you're leaving the EU into UK / CH for any segment.
Emergency & breakdown
112 works everywhere in the EU and continental neighbours
TipSingle number for police, ambulance, fire — works from any phone, any network, any country. On motorways, the orange SOS pillars every 2km connect direct to the regional traffic control centre and pinpoint your location. Use them over your phone if you can — it speeds the response.
Rules, fees, and thresholds change. Always verify against the official source the day before you drive — this page is a checklist, not a legal reference.
Main roads
The highways this route spends the most kilometres on.
-
A 64 La Pyrénéenne286 km
-
A-66; E-803 Autovía Ruta de la Plata269 km
-
A-62 Autovía de Castilla236 km
-
A-66 Autovía Ruta de la Plata180 km
-
AP-1 Autopista del Norte126 km
-
AP-1; AP-8 Kantauriko autobidea65 km
-
A 63 Autoroute de la Côte Basque31 km
-
A-1 Autovía del Norte30 km
-
A 620 Périphérique Intérieur5 km
-
BU-30 Circunvalación de Burgos4 km
-
A-5 Autovía del Suroeste4 km
-
SE-30 Circunvalación de Sevilla2 km
Route character
How much of the drive is motorway vs. secondary vs. rural.
Motorway drive — fast, predictable, uneventful.
- Motorway
- 98%
- Secondary
- 1%
- Other / rural
- 1%
Drive difficulty
At-a-glance feel: how demanding is this drive for one driver?
Overall
Demanding
Tough drive — multiple complicating factors compound fatigue. Strongly recommend splitting across days.
- Long drive: 13h 29m behind the wheel at free-flow speeds.
- Cross-border: es → fr. Keep documents accessible and check border rules.
Fuel & tolls
Rough cost expectation for a typical EU passenger car. Treat as an estimate — pump prices change weekly.
Petrol (RON 95)
≈ €162
94.8 L × €1.70 / L · 7.5 L/100 km
Diesel
≈ €141
75.8 L × €1.86 / L · 6 L/100 km
Electric (DC fast)
≈ €130
221 kWh × €0.59 / kWh · 17.5 kWh/100 km
Public DC fast charging — slower AC charging at home or hotels typically costs about half.
Motorway tolls & vignettes
≈ €116
- ES — €0.09/km on the motorway network (≈ 809 km in-country ≈ €73) Toll-free on the A-network; charged only on AP roads.
- PT — €0.09/km on the motorway network (≈ 253 km in-country ≈ €23)
- FR — €0.10/km on the motorway network (≈ 202 km in-country ≈ €20)
Prices last refreshed 2026-05-04.
Weather by month
Average daytime high / overnight low and typical monthly rainfall, over the past five years.
🇪🇸 Sevilla
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16°
8°
|
18°
8°
|
20°
10°
|
25°
13°
|
28°
16°
|
33°
20°
|
37°
22°
|
38°
23°
|
31°
19°
|
27°
17°
|
20°
11°
|
16°
7°
|
| 76mm | 46mm | 152mm | 31mm | 23mm | 23mm | 0mm | 0mm | 23mm | 159mm | 70mm | 54mm |
hot mild cold
🇫🇷 Toulouse
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10°
3°
|
12°
4°
|
15°
6°
|
18°
8°
|
21°
11°
|
27°
17°
|
28°
18°
|
30°
18°
|
24°
14°
|
22°
12°
|
15°
7°
|
11°
5°
|
| 72mm | 46mm | 72mm | 74mm | 110mm | 90mm | 54mm | 64mm | 52mm | 67mm | 93mm | 69mm |
hot mild cold
Next 5 days at Toulouse
Live forecast — refreshes every few hours.
-
Tue 12
⛅
13° / 13°
—
-
Wed 13
🌧️
17° / 11°
11.1mm
-
Thu 14
🌧️
15° / 10°
46.6mm
-
Fri 15
🌧️
12° / 9°
32.8mm
-
Sat 16
🌧️
15° / 8°
1.7mm
Forecast: MET Norway
Directions
Turn-by-turn summary of the main manoeuvres, generated by OSRM.
Show all 47 manoeuvres
- Glorieta Edward Johnston
- Avenida Kansas City
- Avenida Kansas City
- Avenida Alcalde Manuel del Valle 0.1 km
- Avenida Alcalde Manuel del Valle
- Calle Sor Francisca Dorotea
- —
- Acceso a Sevilla desde la SE-30 por el Puente del Alamillo (A-8083)
- Circunvalación de Sevilla (SE-30) 2 km
- Autovía Ruta de la Plata (A-66) 180 km
- Autovía Ruta de la Plata (A-66) 0.5 km
- Autovía del Suroeste (A-5) 4 km
- Autovía Ruta de la Plata (A-66; E-803) 269 km
- Autovía de Castilla 0.1 km
- Autovía de Castilla (A-62) 4 km
- Autovía de Castilla (A-62) 86 km
- Autovía del Noroeste (A-6) 2 km
- Autovía de Castilla (A-62) 64 km
- Autovía de Castilla (A-62) 75 km
- Autovía de Castilla (A-62) 7 km
- Circunvalación de Burgos (BU-30) 4 km
- Autovía del Norte (A-1) 7 km
- Autopista del Norte (AP-1) 83 km
- (A-1) 14 km
- (A-1) 9 km
- — 0.3 km
- — 0.4 km
- — 0.3 km
- (N-622) 0.9 km
- — 1 km
- — 0.4 km
- (AP-1) 43 km
- Iparraldeko autobidea (AP-1) 1.0 km
- Kantauriko autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 42 km
- Kantauriko autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 8 km
- AP-1 / AP-8 (AP-1; AP-8) 2 km
- Bizkaiko Golkoko Autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 3 km
- Bizkaiko Golkoko Autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 3 km
- Bizkaiko Golkoko Autobidea (AP-1; AP-8) 0.2 km
- AP-1 / AP-8 (AP-1; AP-8) 7 km
- Autoroute de la Côte Basque (A 63) 31 km
- La Pyrénéenne (A 64) 286 km
- — 0.8 km
- Périphérique Intérieur (A 620) 5 km
- Boulevard d'Arcole
- Rue Lapeyrouse 0.1 km
- Rue du Poids de l'Huile
Frequently asked
Do I need a vignette for this drive?
No, neither Spain nor France uses a vignette system. Both countries operate on a distance-based toll system for their major motorways.
What is the speed limit difference between Spain and France?
Spain has a maximum motorway speed limit of 120 km/h. In France, the limit is 130 km/h, which is reduced to 110 km/h during rain or adverse weather conditions.
Is the route through the Pyrenees difficult to drive?
The route follows major motorways that bypass the most treacherous mountain passes. However, expect significant elevation changes and potential wind near the coast as you traverse the Basque region.
How this page is built
Compiled by COD Solutions Oy from open European data — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for the route geometry, Open-Meteo for monthly climate normals, EU Weekly Oil Bulletin for cross-border fuel-price bands, and Google Gemini drafts the narrative and FAQ from the computed route data. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.