Route from Turin to Alpe d'Huez

I'm flying into Turin on 4/4, hiring a car then driving to Alpe d'Huez. I've been before however came from Grenoble so the only bit of the road I know is from Bourg d'Oisans. Does anyone know anything they can tell me about the road from Turin - I can see the route ok but it doesn't tell me what it's like. Much thanks.

In Ireland, we have an expression to cover this scenario:

"Sure if I was going there, I wouldn't start from here at all, at all!"

Afraid, I can't help with your request but good luck on your expedition. :lol:

Hi William

The direct route is a lovely drive, when it's open!
NB: Snowchains are obligatory on this route; you must have them in the car, even if you don't need to use them:

From Turin, take the A32 (E70) motorway along the Susa Valley in the direction of Bardonecchia & the Tunnel du Frejus, turning off on to the N24 towards Claviere & Montgenevre; across the French border at Montgenevre, the road becomes the N94 down to Briancon; from there turn to the west on to the N91, past the villages of Serre Chevalier towards the Col du Lauteret (CHECK THAT THIS COL IS OPEN BEFORE YOU SET OFF), then drive through La Grave to the dam on the Lac du Chambon (just below Les 2 Alpes), turn right there and go down the gorge road (still the N91) to Bourg-d'Oisans.

When the Col du Lauteret is closed, you have to go through the Frejus Tunnel (toll = about £35 one-way!) and all the way along the Maurienne Valley towards Chambery, then to Grenoble for the onward route you've done before.

Driving time for the first ('direct') route is about 3 hours in dry (open) conditions; the second route takes about 6 months :-o
You should be fine in April, but then you will be wanting a dump of fresh snow while you're there of course :roll:

Best wishes for a great trip.

Thanks SnowBeard. I did have concerns around snowchains - I was hoping that as it was late in the season, the only issue would have been the final part of the journey from Bourg d'Oisans. I was a week earlier last year & the roads were fine, even the ones right at the resort. Just wasn't sure if any other parts of teh route were potentially "hairy"!