The Best Road Trips Around Spain

Spain is a diverse and culturally rich country, catering for most tastes, from city breaks to beach holidays, and even top skiing destinations, but that diversity can be experienced to the full by taking road trips around Spain.

The road network in Spain is linked by motorways and secondary roads throughout the country, as well as those off-track routes that are seldom explored, and with over half a million square kilometres of terrain, it´s had to choose where to begin, but here are three top routes to try that offer a bit of that cultural diversity.

Road Trips Around Barcelona

One of the most attractive road trips takes you around Barcelona. Though Catalonia argues independence from Spain, it is still part of the country, and offers plenty of places to visit, such as the Santuari del Miracle in Solsonés (Lleida) or the town of Cervera, the birthplace of Marc Márquez, with an enormous medieval and modern heritage.

Another good idea is to visit the different regions and towns of Catalonia by car, such as the Bages region with towns like Mura or Cardona and La Segarra, with towns like Olujas or Guissona, among others.

The N-340

Moving away from Barcelona, the N-340 is a main road connecting Barcelona and Cádiz. It was once the longest national highway in the country, and continues to maintain its charm, following the old route of the Via Augusta, the longest and busiest of the major roads built by the Romans in ancient Hispania. The road takes in the entire Spanish Mediterranean, including Andalusia, the Valencian Community, Murcia and Catalonia, with spectacular landscapes and a vast historical heritage.

Ruta de la Plata

Another mythical route is the Ruta de la Plata. With a length of 810 km, it also goes from north to south, although on this occasion, from Gijón to Seville. Also based on a Roman road, the current A-66 motorway runs through Asturias and its landscapes, Castilla y León with its medieval and ecclesiastical heritage, Extremadura with its gastronomy and Roman remains and Andalusia, ending in the unmistakable Seville.

Around Andalusia by car

Andalusia is one of the largest communities in Spain and one of the best for routes and trips by car. All the provinces have interesting places to see and explore by car, such as Malaga, with its beaches, and towns like the city of Ronda, perfect for taking pictures. If you go to Almería, you have the Alcazaba and Cabo de Gata, but if you prefer nature, you will love the Doñana National Park in Huelva.

To bathe and reach the Atlantic, we recommend Cádiz and Jerez de la Frontera, with their wines and gastronomy. In Seville you will see monuments such as the Alcázar and the Giralda, as well as the famous Plaza de España. If you go to Córdoba, you will see the Mosque-Cathedral and its Alcázar, while in Granada you have the Alhambra. Finally, there are other interesting places, such as Úbeda and Baeza (Jaén), which are World Heritage Sites, as well as all the Mediterranean beaches.

The N-2

Heading back into the landmass, with a 780 km route, the N-2 road goes from Madrid to La Junquera, being one of the longest in Spain. Transformed into the A-2 highway, it runs through Alcalá de Henares, Guadalajara, Zaragoza, Lérida, Martorell, Barcelona, ​​Girona and La Junquera, which is right at the border crossing to France. Five autonomous communities and a long journey await you, but full of surprises.

Tips for traveling around Spain by car

Before embarking on a road trip, you should take into account certain things to ensure your safely. The first thing is to plan the trip, checking the weather before leaving and the state of traffic, to avoid surprises. You can do this by consulting the Spanish traffic authority, the DGT, where live traffic advice is published in real-time. Sleep well and choose the least busy hours to avoid traffic jams. Remember to rest for the recommended time, dividing the longest trips into stages.

When traveling, don’t leave anything behind, but don’t load the car unnecessarily either. Too much luggage increases fuel consumption and puts more pressure on the wheels and tyres. Distribute the load well and avoid loose objects by making sure everything is secure.

Make sure the car is in good condition before leaving, especially if the route is long. Check the tyre pressure, the state of the engine, the oil levels, screen wash, the state of the battery, among others, or visit your local garage or workshop for them to carry out a check on your vehicle, explaining that you plan a road trip, and so they can adapt the checks and maintenance accordingly.

During the journey, pay close attention to the road and road signs, as some of them may be unusual. It is important that you comply with traffic laws at all times, so to do so might require a bit of research beforehand to make sure there are no surprises that could cost you dearly in the event of a traffic fine.