Castles & Palaces
Leeds Castle
A castle on islands in a lake formed by the River Len in Kent, often called the loveliest castle in the world.
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Road trip route · United Kingdom · France
London to Paris drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 5 hr 28 min
- Distance
- 454 km
- Fuel (est.)
- €57
- Tolls (est.)
- €15
The London to Paris drive
The drive from London to Paris covers 282 miles (454 km) and takes about 5 hr 28 min without stops, including the 35-minute Eurotunnel shuttle from Folkestone to Calais. That makes it a comfortable one-day drive. Leave in the morning and you'll arrive with the day ahead of you.
Expect fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) to cost around €57 one-way plus roughly €15 in motorway tolls. Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
At 282 miles this is longer than 71% of the 144 routes covered here. Even in a single day it crosses 2 countries, so keep documents where you can reach them.
Best stops between London and Paris
Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.
Castles & Palaces
Dover Castle
A medieval fortress overlooking the English Channel, known as the Key to England due to its strategic defensive significance.
Natural Wonders
White Cliffs of Dover
Iconic chalk cliffs reaching up to 110 meters high along the English Channel, symbolizing Britain for centuries.
Castles & Palaces
Hever Castle
Romantic 13th-century double-moated castle that was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, set within award-winning gardens and a 38-acre lake.
Museums
Brooklands Museum
The birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, featuring the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit from 1907.
Landmarks
Thorpe Park
Thrill-focused theme park near London catering to older children and adults with intense roller coasters.
Racetracks
Brands Hatch Circuit
Legendary undulating British racing circuit in Kent hosting major motorsport events and offering car racing experiences.
Scenic Viewpoints
Cap Blanc-Nez
Dazzling white chalk cliffs on the Opal Coast with views across the Channel to England on clear days.
Scenic Viewpoints
Cap Gris-Nez
The closest point in France to England, a windswept headland of cliffs, lighthouse and migrating birds.
What you need for this drive
Rules for each country on the route, in the order you meet them.
United Kingdom
- Motorway
- 112 km/h · 48 in town
- Tolls
- Individual tolled crossings (Dart Charge, M6 Toll)
- Drives on
- the left
Low-emission zones: London ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone).
France
- Motorway
- 130 km/h · 50 in town
- Tolls
- Autoroute à péage
- Must carry
- warning triangle, hi-vis vest
- Winter tyres
- 1 November - 31 March
Low-emission zones: ZFE (Zones à Faibles Émissions) — needs a Crit'Air (Certificat qualité de l'air).
Checked against national road authorities and the ECB reference rates. Rules change — confirm before you travel.
Famous drives in United Kingdom and France
Legendary routes you could bolt onto this trip, with real distances and stop counts.
Verdon Gorge: Route des Crêtes
Europe's deepest canyon, turquoise water 700m below, and a clifftop road with no barriers
104 km · 3h driving · 5 stops · 2 days
Snake Pass + Peak District
Cobblestone villages, Bronte-novel moors, and the moodiest 14 miles of road in England
104 km · 2h driving · 7 stops · 3 days
Atlantic Highway A39: North Cornwall
Cornish surf beaches, smuggler's coves, and the Westcountry pasty trail
139 km · 2.5h driving · 7 stops · 4 days
Causeway Coastal Route
Belfast to Derry along Northern Ireland's cliff-edge coast, via Game of Thrones country
200 km · 3.3h driving · 7 stops · 3 days
London to Paris FAQs
How long is the drive from London to Paris?
Driving from London to Paris takes about 5 hr 28 min nonstop, covering 282 miles (454 km), including the 35-minute Eurotunnel shuttle crossing. Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from London to Paris?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly €57 one-way. Expect around €15 in motorway tolls. Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from London to Paris in one day?
Yes, at about 5 hr 28 min of driving, London to Paris is a comfortable one-day drive with a couple of breaks.
What other drives can I plan on Plan Your Road Trips?
We publish drive times, distances and fuel estimates for 144 routes across Europe and beyond, including 57 other drives in the same country. Browse them all on the routes index.
What are the best stops between London and Paris?
Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include Leeds Castle, Dover Castle, White Cliffs of Dover: see the full list of 9 stops on this page.
More drives from London & Paris
London → AberdeenLondon → AmsterdamLondon → BarcelonaLondon → BathLondon → BirminghamLondon → BrightonLondon → BristolLondon → BrugesLondon → BrusselsLondon → Cambridge
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free United Kingdom road trip planner, browse every destination we cover or the France planner, take it with you on the road, or read the driving in France guide.