Motorhome trip cost and driving time in France: fuel and tolls included
Driving time, fuel and tolls, in two questions.
Towing a caravan? Caravan trip cost
In short
In a motorhome, fuel is the biggest cost: 10 to 13 L/100 km depending on the model. At French tolls, you pay class 2 up to 3 m high and 3.5 t (about 1.5 times a car), and class 3 above that (2.1 to 2.4 times). Example: Paris–Lyon in a 3.5 t low-profile comes to €166 to €224, against €101 to €130 by car (diesel at €2.37 per litre, October 2026).
· Official sources (in French): Fuel prices in France, Vehicle classes at tolls, 2026 toll rates, Taking breaks on the road, openrouteservice route planning
How the calculation works
Fuel, for your motorhome
We start from your usual consumption (suggested by type: about 10 L/100 km for a campervan, 11.5 for a low-profile, 12.5 for an overcab, 1.5 more above 3.5 t) and widen it into a range, because a motorhome uses much more fuel in the wind or in the mountains. The price per litre is today's, recorded at every fuel station in France.
Tolls, in your class
A motorhome 2 to 3 m high and 3.5 t or less pays class 2 at French tolls. From 3 m or above 3.5 t, it is class 3 (two axles) or 4 (three axles). We multiply the toll motorway kilometres on the route by the average 2026 rate per kilometre, in your class, and warn you if your roof accessories could get you charged a higher class.
Driving time, at the pace of a motorhome
We use a pace of 100 to 120 km/h on the motorway (85 to 100 km/h above 3.5 t), a slightly longer time than a car on other roads, and a 20-minute break every 2 hours. Above 3.5 t or 3 m, the route avoids roads closed to large vehicles.
What your size costs, and travelling together
The ticket compares your tolls with those of a car (class 1): the difference is the price of your vehicle's size. If two couples are travelling together, the “We are travelling together” button splits the total between households, and the WhatsApp link sends them the ticket.
| Class | For whom | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Car alone, or outfit under 2 m high | Reference price |
| 2 | 2 to 3 m high and 3.5 t or less: car + caravan, most motorhomes and campervans | 1.5 to 1.6 times a car |
| 3 | 3 m or more, or over 3.5 t, with two axles | 2.1 to 2.5 times a car |
| 4 | Same sizes with three axles or more | 3 to 3.4 times a car |
Examples: three long French trips in a low-profile motorhome
Low-profile motorhome, 3.5 t and 2.90 m high, diesel, 11.5 L/100 km, tolls in class 2. Diesel (gazole) at the French median price of 21 October 2026 (€2.37 per litre).
Paris → Lyon
390 km of French toll motorway · 465 km
- Whole trip
- €166 to €224
- Toll difference with a car
- + €18 to €28
- Driving time
- 4 h 45 to 5 h 30
Lyon → Marseille
260 km of French toll motorway · 315 km
- Whole trip
- €112 to €151
- Toll difference with a car
- + €12 to €19
- Driving time
- 3 h 05 to 3 h 35
Paris → Bordeaux
520 km of French toll motorway · 585 km
- Whole trip
- €213 to €287
- Toll difference with a car
- + €24 to €37
- Driving time
- 5 h 45 to 7 h 05
Frequently asked questions about the cost of a motorhome trip
How much fuel does a motorhome use?
Between 9 and 14 L/100 km depending on the model: about 9 to 11 L for a campervan, 10 to 13 L for a low-profile or an A-class, 11 to 14 L for an overcab, which catches more wind. Above 3.5 t, allow 1 to 2 L more. Headwind, terrain and speed change consumption by 10 to 20%.
Which toll class for a motorhome in France?
Class 2 if the motorhome is between 2 and 3 m high and weighs 3.5 t or less. Class 3 if it is 3 m or higher, or over 3.5 t, with two axles; class 4 with three axles. The official height is measured without roof accessories, but the sensors do see them.
Does a campervan pay the same tolls as a car?
Only if it is 2 m high or less (some pop-top vans with the roof down): it is then class 1. Above 2 m, most campervans are class 2, about 1.5 times the price for a car.
How much are the Paris–Lyon tolls in a motorhome?
About €62 to €64 in class 2 and €87 to €101 in class 3, against €41 for a car (2026 rates). The calculator above does it for any trip in France.
How long does a motorhome trip take?
Usually 5 to 25% longer than the time a sat nav shows for a car, breaks included. A motorhome over 3.5 t drives more slowly: allow more.
How can I reduce the cost of a motorhome trip?
Drive at 100 or 110 km/h rather than 130: it is the biggest lever on consumption. Empty the fresh and waste water tanks before leaving, check the tyre pressure, fill up away from the motorway and compare with a toll-free route for short trips.
Is this calculation reliable?
It is an honest estimate, not a quote: we show a range, with the method and the sources. Separately charged tunnels and viaducts (Mont-Blanc, Fréjus, Millau) are not included. For the exact toll, use the motorway company's simulator.
Official sources (in French) (5)
- Fuel prices in France – prix-carburants.gouv.fr
- Vehicle classes at tolls – Vinci Autoroutes
- 2026 toll rates – ASFA, autoroutes.fr
- Taking breaks on the road – Sécurité routière (French road safety)
- openrouteservice route planning – HeiGIT, OpenStreetMap data
An estimate as a range, not a quote. Tolls are calculated per kilometre for your class, excluding separately charged structures (Mont-Blanc and Fréjus tunnels, Millau viaduct).