Where to fill up BEFORE catching the Chunnel TO France

EVskiy

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…… fill up here on the way to catch that train, as it is an easy access to and from the motorway and only 10 minutes away from the tea huts at the Chunell. This will see you through (on a GS) for some 240-250 miles. Much cheaper compared to refuelling in France.


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Cut from a thread about a jaunt to France.

Richard
 
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Much closer tescos filling station at cheriton

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For which you have to pass the exit slip road for the Chunell, then come off at the next junction, faff about through town traffic, only to then go back on yourself, via the countless junctions.

Looks like this
Screenshot 2024-08-01 at 11.53.32.png

and also making oneself travel further, thus taking longer too. Examples are set from the middle of the QE2 Bridge over the Thames.

Screenshot 2024-08-01 at 11.50.42.png

versus effortless peeling off the M20 at Ashford and rejoining it, a short distance later, following by a regular utilisation of the Le Shuttle approach slip road.

Screenshot 2024-08-01 at 11.52.49.png

Screenshot 2024-08-01 at 11.52.06.png

I know which option I would take any day. But hey we are all so different, so whatever works for the folks.
 
For which you have to pass the exit slip road for the Chunell, then come off at the next junction, faff about through town traffic, only to then go back on yourself, via the countless junctions.

Looks like this
View attachment 340865

and also making oneself travel further, thus taking longer too. Examples are set from the middle of the QE2 Bridge over the Thames.

View attachment 340866

versus effortless peeling off the M20 at Ashford and rejoining it, a short distance later, following by a regular utilisation of the Le Shuttle approach slip road.

View attachment 340867

View attachment 340868

I know which option I would take any day. But hey we are all so different, so whatever works for the folks.
Thank you for this. I'll be heading that way shortly and often wonder where the best place is to fill up on the way there. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up a couple of Salmon and cucumber sandwiches for my tea too. Yum..

Edit: Now I think about it I've used this Sainsbury's on more than one occasion.
Screenshot_20240803_222334_Maps.jpg
 
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Sainsbury's in Ashford, as posted by Deleted Account above, is a pain to get to. It looks easy on the map, but isn't.

Tesco in Ashford, J10, is a bit less easy than it used to be. You can't rejoin the M20 at J10, you have to join at the new J10A. In busy periods you'll hit traffic, whichever way you go.

Tesco in Cheriton is consistently the cheapest petrol in the area, it the price makes a difference. Yes, you need to go one junction further on the M20 and then double back, but it's hardly the pain it looks on the map.
 
For which you have to pass the exit slip road for the Chunell, then come off at the next junction, faff about through town traffic, only to then go back on yourself, via the countless junctions.

Looks like this
View attachment 340865

and also making oneself travel further, thus taking longer too. Examples are set from the middle of the QE2 Bridge over the Thames.

View attachment 340866

versus effortless peeling off the M20 at Ashford and rejoining it, a short distance later, following by a regular utilisation of the Le Shuttle approach slip road.

View attachment 340867

View attachment 340868

I know which option I would take any day. But hey we are all so different, so whatever works for the folks.
You don't.
 
A garage is usually a good bet, followed by a supermarket forecourt, the only difference is one is snobbery driven the other is not ;)
 
Tesco Ashford.

Off at 10, fill up, back on at 10A.

Or follow the A20 and get back on at 11, just before the tunnel junction. It’ll take 10-15 minutes longer
 
Sainsbury's in Ashford, as posted by Deleted Account above, is a pain to get to. It looks easy on the map, but isn't.

Tesco in Ashford, J10, is a bit less easy than it used to be. You can't rejoin the M20 at J10, you have to join at the new J10A. In busy periods you'll hit traffic, whichever way you go.

Tesco in Cheriton is consistently the cheapest petrol in the area, it the price makes a difference. Yes, you need to go one junction further on the M20 and then double back, but it's hardly the pain it looks on the map.

If you use Tesco Cheriton, don’t go back on the motorway, go back along the A20, straight at the roundabout and then first left into the tunnel.
 
Junction 10 M20 just before Eurotunnel exit, this the best/easiest option for petrol before joining the train?
Travelling from central London and wife’s mini appears to have the smallest fuel tank of any car I’ve driven!
 
Junction 10 M20 just before Eurotunnel exit, this the best/easiest option for petrol before joining the train?
Travelling from central London and wife’s mini appears to have the smallest fuel tank of any car I’ve driven!
Yes it is Jeremy. Easy off the motorway at J10, over the roundabout, next roundabout right into Tesco, stay right for fuel (open 24/7 Pay at the Pump) then back out onto the main road and right at the roundabout. Rejoin the Motorway at J10A after the roundabout, 9 miles later you arrive at the terminal. Easy.

Saves you joining in the que at Coquelles and paying a “convenience” premium just as you leave the terminal.

IMG_6098.jpeg

It has become my go to filling station for every crossing via the tunnel. Week before last, I was the only soul there at 04:45am….

IMG_6090.jpeg

…without having to pay motorway premium
for the privilege either.

IMG_6091.jpeg

Meanwhile every third/fourth vehicle leaving the train was peeling of into the PFS at Coquelles.
 
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I usually fill up the night before local to me, and check tyres etc. That way if I am late, I don't need any extra stress. I also stop on the way out at Coquelles, to check I'm heading in the right sat nav direction, get a cold water, have a piss and if need be, top up with fuel. An extra few pence to see that my gear/bluetooth/music etc is working and I'm then in travel mode..Saving 3 quid or so on the way to the chunnell over the week soons get forgotten about!
 


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