Driving from Calais to Rotterdam

This isn’t anywhere – this is Rotterdam, the second city in the Netherlands and arguably its most vibrant and dynamic. It is a great place for a European city break, and getting from Calais to Rotterdam by car is easy. Driving from the LeShuttle terminal in Calais to Rotterdam, it’s less than four hours away. The drive from Calais also takes you near some fabulous cities, so could be an inspired idea for a little European road trip. Book your trip to the Beautiful North with LeShuttle. 

About Rotterdam 

Almost flattened by bombs during the Second World War, Rotterdam has been largely rebuilt and is full of striking modern architecture. The home of Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam is proud of its maritime history, but there is so much else to see and do in the city.  

You could visit the quirky Kubuswoningen (Cube Houses), the oddly shaped residential buildings designed by Piet Blom in the 1980s – most walking or bike tours of Rotterdam stop off there. Or admire the Laurenskirk, Rotterdam’s city church, the only Gothic building to survive the devastation of 1940, symbolising the resilience and spirit of the Dutch people. You can’t miss the Erasmus Bridge, the swan-like road bridge spanning the River Meuse, or the Euromast, the 185-metre observation tower that gives breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. 

Erasmus Bridge at night, Rotterdam

Preparing for your drive to Rotterdam

Before you leave for Rotterdam, get acquainted with the requirements of driving in the Netherlands. If you’ve driven on the Continent before, there’s nothing that should surprise you, but one important thing to be aware of is the daytime speed limits on Dutch motorways, which is different to the nighttime limit. Between 6am and 7pm the speed limit is 100 km/h, and outside of these times it is 130 km/h. You will also need to have a warning triangle, hi-vis jacket, first aid kit and headlamp converters in your vehicle, as all of these items are mandatory in France, Belgium or the Netherlands. 

Essential documents for your trip

Make sure you are aware of what driving documents you need to take with you on your trip. The most important things to remember are your passport, driving licence, motor insurance certificate, V5 logbook and UK windscreen sticker. As you will be driving through France and Belgium first, make sure you are aware of the rules and regulations in these countries as well. The basics are the same, but there are slight variations of speed limits between the countries. 

The Cube Houses are one of Rotterdam’s unique sights

How long does it take to drive from Calais to Rotterdam by car?

The driving time from Calais to Rotterdam is around 3 hours 50 minutes, following the fastest route. The distance from Calais to Rotterdam is 310 km. 

The quickest route

The fastest route by road from our terminal in Calais to Rotterdam is via Dunkirk, Ghent and Antwerp on the A16 and E40 roads. This takes around 3 hours 50 minutes, but you should stop for regular breaks on the way. It is best to take a break every 90 minutes you are driving, so factor in at least two stops on your route from Calais. 

The cheapest route

Comparing driving with other methods of travelling from the UK to Rotterdam, the most cost-effective way is to go with LeShuttle. If you took the ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, flew from a London airport or took the Eurostar from St Pancras direct to Rotterdam, these journeys would all cost significantly more than the crossing with LeShuttle. Remember, it takes just 35 minutes to cross the channel with LeShuttle.

The scenic route

The historic waterside buildings of Bruges

The quickest route from Calais to Rotterdam is also a scenic one. If you have the time, why not stop off at some or all of the following picturesque towns and cities? 

Dunkirk

Only 40 minutes from Calais, the beaches and dunes of Dunkirk are sure to stir your imagination. Here in 1940 over 300,000 Allied soldiers were rescued in the biggest military evacuation in history. The Operation Dynamo exhibition in Dunkirk tells the story of those historic events. Walking the beaches, you may even unearth fragments of the many ships that were wrecked during that fateful summer. 

Bruges

Bruges is often called the ‘Venice of the North’. It’s not hard to see why, with its winding canals and perfectly preserved medieval buildings. It’s one of the most beautiful, romantic cities in Northern Europe. Just an hour and a half’s drive from Calais, you could be strolling the cobbled streets, choosing a chocolate topping for your waffle, or settling into one of the cafés on Markt Square.

Ghent

Ghent is one of Belgium’s secret treasures

Ghent is another picture-perfect Belgian city, rich in history and less well known than either Bruges or Brussels. In fact it’s still a bit of a secret, which means you might find you have the city centre to yourself. Ghent’s treasures include Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, which houses the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece, also known as the ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’. Find time to also visit Gravensteen castle, the medieval Cloth Hall and the Belfort. 

Antwerp

2 ½ hours into your journey from Calais to Rotterdam you’ll pass close to Antwerp, famed as the home of classic Baroque painter Rubens. The city has also become a mecca for fashion, making it a must-visit for shopaholics too. It’s like a mini version of Brussels – large cobbled squares, lovely gabled tall buildings, cosy lanes of restaurants, bars and cafés, Gothic churches and captivating museums and galleries.

Driving laws in France and Belgium

The driving laws are fairly similar in both France and Belgium. It is a legal requirement to carry a hi-vis jacket, reflective triangle, headlamp deflectors and a first aid kit in your vehicle. The speed limit in France is 130 km/h on autoroutes and motorways, and 110 km/h on dual carriageways. On main roads outside built up areas it is 80 km/h - 90 km/h, and 50 km/h on main roads within urban areas. On motorways in Belgium the speed limit is 120 km/h, 90 km/h on main roads outside built up areas, and 50 km/h in built-up urban areas. 

If caught speeding in France you could be fined up to €750; in Belgium it is €4,000. In France you could lose your licence if you exceed the speed limit by 30 km/h, and it could be immediately confiscated if you over 50 km/h over. 

Be aware of the change in the speed limit on Dutch motorways during the daytime 

Driving laws in the Netherlands

As we have mentioned, the main thing to be wary of in the Netherlands is the different speed limits on the motorway network between daytime and evening hours. You drive on the right, as you do across the Continent. Dutch speeding fines are calculated based on the speed you are travelling and the road you were on when the offence was committed. When warning of your vehicle’s approach in a built-up area, you are not allowed to use your horn, except in cases of extreme danger. You must flash your lights instead. 

Taking your electric vehicle to Rotterdam

The Netherlands is one of the most progressive nations in Europe when it comes to electric cars, with a very well developed charging infrastructure. In Rotterdam itself, there are over 2,500 charging stations, with five dedicated ‘charging squares’ at different locations across the city – Cor Kieboomplein, Nassauhaven Noord, Schiedamse Vesthof, Stieltjesstraat and Veerhaven. A low emission zone is in operation in Rotterdam, but EVs are permitted entry and owners do not have to register their vehicles in advance of entering the city.

Parking in Rotterdam

Priority for on-street parking spaces in Rotterdam is given to local residents. They register their registration number and pay an annual permit, so it can be difficult to find a free parking space in the city centre. There are plenty of multi-storey car parks, however, and one of the best ways to get around the city is by parking in a park and ride location. There are 15 different sites close to the city centre, and they are all well served by onward public transport. Rotterdam has an extensive bus, tram and metro network.