Landmarks
La Croisette, Cannes
The glamorous seaside boulevard famous for the Cannes Film Festival and its luxurious beachfront setting.
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Road trip route · France
Nice to Lyon drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 5 hr 4 min
- Distance
- 471 km
- Fuel (est.)
- €62
- Tolls (est.)
- €31
The Nice to Lyon drive
The drive from Nice to Lyon covers 293 miles (471 km) and takes about 5 hr 4 min without stops. 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 €62 one-way plus roughly €31 in motorway tolls. Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
Best stops between Nice and Lyon
Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.
Landmarks
Saint-Tropez
A legendary Riviera fishing village turned jet-set playground, known for its pastel harbor and Pampelonne Beach.
Natural Wonders
Pont d'Arc
A magnificent 60-meter-wide natural stone arch spanning the Ardeche River at the entrance to its spectacular gorge.
Coastal Drives
Corniche de l'Esterel
A spectacular coastal road winding through the red porphyry rocks of the Esterel massif between Cannes and Frejus.
Racetracks
Circuit Paul Ricard
French Formula 1 circuit near the Côte d'Azur famous for its distinctive blue and red run-off stripes.
Ancient Ruins
Théâtre Antique d'Orange
The best-preserved Roman theatre in Europe, its towering stage wall still hosting performances after 2,000 years.
Landmarks
Gordes
A stunning hilltop village of white stone houses perched dramatically above the Luberon valley.
Castles & Palaces
Les Baux-de-Provence
A dramatic medieval fortress village crowning a rocky limestone outcrop in the Alpilles mountains.
Waterfalls
Fontaine-de-Vaucluse
France's most powerful spring gushes from the foot of a cliff into an impossibly green pool.
Nice to Lyon FAQs
How long is the drive from Nice to Lyon?
Driving from Nice to Lyon takes about 5 hr 4 min nonstop, covering 293 miles (471 km). Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from Nice to Lyon?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly €62 one-way. Expect around €31 in motorway tolls. Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from Nice to Lyon in one day?
Yes, at about 5 hr 4 min of driving, Nice to Lyon is a comfortable one-day drive with a couple of breaks.
What are the best stops between Nice and Lyon?
Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include La Croisette, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Pont d'Arc: see the full list of 9 stops on this page.
More drives from Nice & Lyon
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free France road trip planner, or read the driving in France guide.