Me and the missus are on the same ferry I think. Departs Plymouth on 8th September and gets in at 4pm on Monday. We've stayed along the north of the Picos several times and have one stopover before getting to Chaves for a couple of days. As we will have spent over 20 hours on a ferry we'll be itching to get on the road and crack some miles out.
Have chosen a place just outside Leon, although Google says it's 4 hours ride we won't be stopping much on the way there, and you'll struggle to get food in Spain much before 8pm anyways. Then less miles as it gets hotter towards and into Portugal.
Have done the roads through Potes, Riano etc loads of times and was thinking whether to Autopista south and then west to Leon.
Anyone done the A67 south from Torrelavega? My Michelin map has a green scenery line alongside it....
Leon: try to get a hotel either in or near to the historic centre. There are some fantastic tapas bars to grab food and drink at.
A57: we were forced to use the A57 from Torrelevega south to Reinosa last year when the Hermida Gorge down to Potes was closed for bridgeworks. It is a fantastic motorway. Very little traffic and , like most motorwys in northen Spain, it winds through some fantastic countryside. And being an Autovias (A) rather than an Autopista (AP), it is toll free. I would definitely use it if looking to head quickly south/west