We had a great drive down to our place on Mallorca from the UK over Xmas and the New Year. 

 

Total mileage was around 2300 in a couple of weeks.  Our Yeti (1.4TSI L&K) was supremely comfortable and  capable - yesterday we drove from Pezenas in southern France back to London - a 700 mile day and feeling fine and refreshed afterwards and still feeling good today. It was about 900 miles door-to-door and the rest was trips around the beautiful island, which is a great place for a Xmas break by the way.

 

Fuel economy wasn't great - getting about 350 miles between refills, but that reflects the steady 80mph cruise (at the 130kph speed limit) on much of the French motorways and the car was laden, including our dog.

 

We spent about £450 on fuel, plus motorway tolls. Ferries/tunnels were around £400, so overall not too bad compared to the costs of flights and car hire costs let alone the convenience and being able to take the dog too and bring back lots (and lots) of lovely Mallorcan wines to see us through the winter.

 

First day was from London to Clermont Ferrand then on to Barcelona for the Alcudia ferry the next day. We took the wonderful A75 route across the Massif Central - an amazing drive and fully recommended, the car zoomed up the inclines with no problems. 

 

The only challenging bit of the car was with the satnav, which told us that roads were closed when they weren't and ended up taking us on a very difficult route through the centre of Paris yesterday when I really wanted to drive around it. Perhaps I should have updated it before leaving.

 

The other minor annoyance was that the day after we left the message came up saying Oil Service due in 12 days - when we were away for the next 16... The mileage when we left was below 4000 miles and the car reached its first anniversary whilst we were away so it'll go in for a service now we're back.

 

Thanks to all who commented on my pre-departure post (Preparing for a Long Drive) and particularly for the Sanef toll device which was a great tip.

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Awesome mate  :thumbup:

Glad you had a great time. Motoring in France is a pleasure compared to in GB, no matter which roads you choose - except for Paris of course.

I always add a waypoint if I get a route I don't want initially

So glad you enjoyed the Massif Central/ A75 and not at all surprised that your Yeti romped up those steep hills!

Pleased that our suggestion of the Autoroute tag worked too - we always enjoy the bemused look on other's faces as we 'British' jump the queues again...

Great report of a fab trip!

I've just had visions of us taking the grandchildren on an epic journey like yours,all those hours of ARE WE THERE YET? Over and over and over and over and over for the whole journey.

We just did similar but in the opposite direction - we did 1985 miles in a week driving from Hampshire to Isle of Skye and back.

 

This is the 2nd time we have taken the Yeti to Skye and the car always rewards on those highland roads - though I'm not sure I'd enjoy it quite as much without the paddleshift which really helps for overtakes and getting in the right gear before corners.

 

We stopped off to see friends in Lochgilphead on the way back, so did a 500 mile trip back from there via M74, M6, M5 and M4 back home. It was a horrible journey due to 3 separate "road closed" accidents on the M6, and one on the M40 which prevented us coming home our usual way.

 

But the Yeti took it all in its stride. The 12 hour drive back was non too stressful and as you say, we arrived back not overly tired and no aches or pains to complain about.

Edited 6 January, 20179 yr by 137699

We just did similar but in the opposite direction - we did 1985 miles in a week driving from Hampshire to Isle of Skye and back.

This is the 2nd time we have taken the Yeti to Skye and the car always rewards on those highland roads - though I'm not sure I'd enjoy it quite as much without the paddleshift which really helps for overtakes and getting in the right gear before corners.

We stopped off to see friends in Lochgilphead on the way back, so did a 500 mile trip back from there via M74, M6, M5 and M4 back home. It was a horrible journey due to 3 separate "road closed" accidents on the M6, and one on the M40 which prevented us coming home our usual way.

But the Yeti took it all in its stride. The 12 hour drive back was non too stressful and as you say, we arrived back not overly tired and no aches or pains to complain about.

How did you get the paddleshift on your car?

Like this

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/310872-skoda-yeti-paddleshift-retro-fit-pre-post-facelift/#entry4323165

Cheers - thought that it might be an optional extra I'd missed.

Mine's a lease car, so probably better not play that much with it! ;-)

SWMBO, tends to get 520 miles from normal everyday use, 140 cr, indicated 68 on long runs, even towing a caravan  we can get 39, so you could have saved around half on your fuel if you had the diesel version

SWMBO, tends to get 520 miles from normal everyday use, 140 cr, indicated 68 on long runs, even towing a caravan  we can get 39, so you could have saved around half on your fuel if you had the diesel version

I'm not surprised, but I took this into account when choosing the petrol version. I do a mixture of quite short town driving with occasional longer distances and I judged the petrol version would be a better fit. Even with the trip to Mallorca and back the mileage is only around 5300 after 12 months. If it wasn't for the need for comfort and capability on these long trips then I'd be fine with a fully electric car for most purposes.

Edited 16 January, 20179 yr by Austerby