Did it in a day in the freelander
720 miles from Bayonne to Marbella, about 9 hours it took, avg. 88mph
If you want the fast but boring route get yourself to the E5/AP1
the N232 looks interesting and brings you out to the South West of Vitoria Gasteiz, else pick up the A8 to Burgos, then the E5 and just gun it from there, as you hit Madrid you need to navigate the motorways around it and head for the E5/A1 which was formerly the NIV (and may still be signposted thus).
Blitz down the NIV, there is a lovely section of pure straight road, lined with bushes, goes straight for miles but has roller coaster style undulations in it, followed by some loooong tunnels, a fantastic (for a motorway) mountain section with 50kph hairpins and lots of Curva Peligrosa signs, and they bloody well mean it, be warned! there is a tightly knitted section of 4 bends (with a nice viewpoint/layby), but these bends tighten quite sharply, enjoy
Keep following the sign for Jaen and drop off the NIV (E5) onto the E902 heading for Jaen, pass Jaen and follow the signs for Granada, there are some more mountain 'twisties' but watch out for the loons, some idiots really drive too quickly down there and mess up their lines especially on the downhill off-camber bends and are in both lanes at once!
Just before you reach Granada head west onto the A92 for Antequera and Malaga. Follow the signs to Malaga by picking up the A359 then the A45 to Malaga.
Pick up the A7/E15 to Estepona, you will pass the new enormous Leroy Merlin and the Airport, and stay on the A7/E15 (becomes AP7) to Marbella.
Should be good for 600 odd miles.
The 12 will do 130mph, so if you can hold in excess of 100mph on the straight bits you will make good progress but expect to only get 160 miles from a tankful.
Petrol stations on the NIV are a bit thin on the ground, so fill up in Madrid, just to be on the safe side.
It depends how much of an iron arse you are to do the whole hog in one go, the GS is good for the distance, its a personal thing, but drink shed loads of water!
If you do stop, there is a fabulous Parador in Chinchon (about 15 miles SE of Madrid), not cheap, but a great room, great facilities, quaint little town, wonderful views, a few dust tracks if you fancy and a very filling breakfast, with benefit of some stunning biking roads that lead to it (M311) and from it (M322) to rejoin the NIV.
Otherwise Toledo is further to the South West of Madrid but steeped in history and built on a hill side! The parador there is equally amazing, but again not cheap.
Either are great bases to break the riding into 2 days
)
