Had a look around but I couldn't see a similar thread
I'm driving down to Nyon from London this weekend, and Via Michelin suggests I jump off the A39 and head down the N83/N5 and head over the Jura at St Cergue. I can see that this is the most direct route, but am I better sticking on the autoroutes? I don't know how good the 'N' roads are, and it looks as if it might involve a couple of (low-ish) mountain passes.
Has anyone had any experience of this route and can advise?
If you do not have winter tyres, stay on the autoroute. DO NOT try to go over the Jura. There is snow already and we are heading into the winter season.
I normally do this route when heading back to the UK by car from Nyon, its not bad route as long as you have some patience with the roads, but beware of some fixed speed cameras on the french side before approaching the Swiss border, when arriving to St Cergue you will find the roads a bit icy due to Snow fall around this area recently, make sure you have the correct tyres on your car, I was once given a very unpleasant time by the Swiss Border Gaurd for not having chains or winter tyres with my ex-British car, you may also be asked to purchase a motorway sticker even whilst you are up in the of the Jura and thats with no motorway anywhere near you!
Complete tosh, if you don't use the highways you don't need a sticker and they CANNOT force you to buy one. That's one of the reasoning behind paying additional for the sticker rather than including in the plates tax, some people do not use the highways (who i don't know !)
As for driving if your car is not properly equipped (read 4 good snow tyres) then i suggest you stick to the highways they are cleaned regularly and with the volume of traffic they stay warmer so less ice risk.
I have recently driven two cars from London to Auboone (near Nyon) and both times came over the Jura.
The first time was in a Smart Car and it started to snow as I reached the Swiss border. Got through fine.
Second time was in a Range Rover and the weather was awful. Got hit with a huge snow storm (this was last Sunday) and many cars were struggling to get up the mountain. Visbility was down to 10m and progressed at no more than 20 km/h. Would have been quicker to go autoroute via Geneva (but much more fun this way!).
We also drove through the Juras two nights ago and whilst it was snow covered, it was more than driveable as the roads had been cleared.
If you want to be 100% certain, go the autoroute via Geneva. If you want a beautiful drive, check the weather before and pack warm clothes/water in case something does go wrong.
+1 on what everyone else has said - when driving a loaded car down from the UK, it's not worth the risk going over the Jura. It's a lovely clear day today and the top several hundred meters of the Jura are completely white at the moment, and although the roads will almost certainly be cleared unless there is a big fresh snowfall happening at the time when you want to cross, it's still going to be quicker and easier to go via the autoroutes...
...and just another one confirming what's already been said: Take the French autoroute to Geneva and on to Nyon. If you want to have fun in the snow, do it safely in your spare time. Bonne route, though!
Autoroute via Geneva is one option, but I prefer to come down via Pontarlier in France and Vallorbe in Switzerland. Mostly autoroute, some nice roads, no passes but nice scenery. We've done all three (via Geneva and St. Cergue as well as this) and the time is about the same. Right, you don't have to buy the autoroute sticker, but if you're in Switzerland for any time at all it's pretty convenient. Cheaper than French road tolls if you drive any distance at all.
Autoroute through to Geneva. I drive from London to Geneva every Christmas and its best to stick to the motorways at this time of year because of the weather. If its not snowing its often raining like mad. Snow chains are a legal requirement as far as I know in France, CH and Italy, so best keep them handy too.
Thanks all for the great suggestions. I have snow chains but I think it will be safer to stick to the autoroutes this time round - I have a few years ahead of me to sample the snow!