If you are planning car hire on the Costa Blanca, one of the first decisions is whether you will be based in the north or the south. The coast runs for more than 200 kilometres along Spain's south-eastern shore, and Alicante sits roughly in the middle. The two halves look different, feel different and have meaningfully different road and toll situations. This guide explains what matters most for drivers: which towns are where, how the roads connect them to Alicante, and how to match your car choice to your base.

Where north ends and south begins

There is no official boundary, but Alicante city is the natural dividing line. Everything heading north-east up the coast toward Valencia falls into Costa Blanca North: El Campello, Villajoyosa, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Javea (Xabia), Denia. Everything heading south-west toward Murcia is Costa Blanca South: Santa Pola, Guardamar del Segura, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa (including resorts such as Cabo Roig, Playa Flamenca and La Zenia) and Pilar de la Horadada.

The practical consequence for car hire is that every delivery, every pickup and every road trip starts from Alicante, and the two directions follow different road networks with different toll rules.

Costa Blanca North: cliffs, coves and Benidorm

The northern stretch is the older tourist heartland. Benidorm is its most recognisable point: a compact city built around two wide sandy beaches, with one of the densest concentrations of hotels on the Spanish coast. But the coast north of Benidorm changes character quickly. Altea is a hilltop white village above a rocky shore. Calpe sits beneath the dramatic Penon de Ifach rock. Javea and Denia are quieter, with a mix of Spanish families, long-stay northern Europeans and a growing remote-working community.

The north has more hills and coves, which makes exploring it more interesting but also means more winding roads once you leave the motorway. Parking in Benidorm in August requires patience; the surrounding towns are easier. The north rewards drivers who want to combine a beach base with day trips inland to the Guadalest valley or the mountains behind Alcoy.

Costa Blanca South: salt flats, expat towns and quiet beaches

The south is flatter and drier. The landscape around Torrevieja is shaped by two large salt lakes - the Laguna de la Mata and the Salinas de Torrevieja - that give the area a distinctive pale-pink tint in summer. Santa Pola has a long sandy beach and a small fishing port. The Orihuela Costa resorts - La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig, Campoamor - stretch along a rocky coastline south of Santa Pola, less dramatic than the north but popular with British, Scandinavian and Eastern European residents who have made it one of the largest expat communities in Spain.

Prices for accommodation and restaurants in the south tend to sit lower than in Benidorm. The roads are flatter and easier to navigate. If you are visiting family, renting a property for several weeks or looking for a quieter pace, the south is often the better fit. Our detailed Orihuela Costa car hire guide covers the individual resort areas in more depth, and the Torrevieja and La Mata guide goes deeper on that town specifically.

The AP-7 motorway: free in the north, paid in the south

This is the most practically important difference for drivers planning a Costa Blanca road trip, and it catches many people out because the road looks identical in both directions.

The AP-7 north of Alicante, heading toward Benidorm, Calpe, Denia and Valencia, is free to use. The concession on that section expired in September 2021 and was not renewed. In late 2025, the bypass ring around Alicante city was also made permanently toll-free. So if your base is anywhere north of Alicante, you can use the AP-7 without paying anything at all.

The AP-7 south of Alicante, heading toward Santa Pola, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and ultimately Cartagena in Murcia, still has active tolls. In 2026 the rate for the full Alicante to Cartagena stretch runs from approximately 5.70 EUR in low season to 10.20 EUR during summer and Easter peak. If you are making that drive several times a week across a two-week stay, the cost adds up to around 40 to 80 EUR over the trip. A Via-T electronic tag gives roughly a 10 percent discount if you have one. For a full breakdown of AP-7 tolls across Spain, see our AP-7 tolls 2026 guide.

The free alternative for both north and south is the N-332 national road, which runs along the coast through the towns rather than bypassing them. It is slower, but it is scenic and useful for shorter inter-town drives. The section between Altea and Calpe in the north follows cliff edges and has occasionally been closed for maintenance or landslide clearance, so it is worth checking conditions if you plan to use it regularly.

Driving times from Alicante: north and south compared

The distances to the main resorts are similar in both directions, but the journey character differs. Heading north, you gain altitude and encounter more curves; heading south, the roads are straighter but the toll stops add time.

Summer traffic is the main variable. August afternoons heading into Benidorm can double the stated times; the south is generally less congested but the approach roads into Torrevieja during peak season still see queues. Speed limit on the AP-7 is 120 km/h, though some sections have been reduced to 100 km/h by the DGT - watch for signs.

North vs south: key differences at a glance

Which half suits your trip?

First-time visitors on a classic beach holiday tend to gravitate toward the north because Benidorm is well served and has everything in one place. The free motorway access makes it easy to explore further north without unexpected costs.

Long-stay visitors, expats, or anyone renting an apartment for a month or more often prefer the south. Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa have a large English-speaking infrastructure - supermarkets, clinics, estate agents - and the flatter terrain is easier for everyday driving. Factor the AP-7 toll into a monthly budget. Our long-term car rental guide covers the monthly package options that make extended rentals significantly cheaper per day.

Families with young children often do best in the south, where beaches are wider and flatter, the water is calmer in sheltered bays and parking is less stressful.

Drivers who want to explore beyond the coast can use Alicante as a hub for both directions. The north puts the mountains and the Guadalest reservoir within 90 minutes; the south puts Murcia, Cartagena and the Elche palm grove within similar reach. If you are flying into Alicante and heading south, note that Murcia airport (RMU) is an alternative arrival point for the Orihuela Costa area - we cover that option in our Murcia airport car hire guide.

Choosing the right car for each half of the coast

For most stays on either half, an economy or compact car is the practical choice. Town parking is tight in Benidorm and in the older parts of Torrevieja, and a smaller car is genuinely easier to slot into spaces. Our economy car hire Alicante guide explains what you actually get in that category and which cars in our fleet fall there.

Where an SUV earns its keep is on inland trips from the north: the roads up to Guadalest or into the Sierra de Bernia are fine for any car, but the extra space and height help if you are combining beach and mountain days. We have one SUV in the fleet, a VW Tiguan; the SUV vs compact cost comparison has the numbers if you are weighing up the upgrade.

The hybrids in the fleet - a Hyundai Ioniq and a Lexus CT200h - work well on both coasts. The north involves more motorway driving on the free AP-7, where hybrids run mostly on combustion; the south has more stop-start town traffic near Torrevieja and Santa Pola, where the electric component delivers genuine fuel savings. If economy matters across a longer stay, a hybrid is worth the small daily premium.

Automatic transmission is available across several cars in the fleet and is worth considering if you are not fully comfortable with manual gearboxes on the hillier north coast. Our automatic car hire guide covers availability and what to expect on price.

WeOneRent delivery across the Costa Blanca

We deliver to both halves of the coast from our Alicante base. Delivery and collection within Alicante city is free between 08:00 and 20:00. For Costa Blanca towns - north or south - the rate is 60 to 120 EUR per direction depending on distance. For a round trip (delivery at the start, collection at the end) that means 120 to 240 EUR on top of the rental. For short stays, collecting from Alicante airport is often more cost-effective; for longer stays or groups arriving with luggage, having the car at the door from day one is usually worth the delivery fee.

Alicante airport meet and greet is free between 08:00 and 20:00; outside those hours the fee is 50 EUR. Full booking details and live availability are on our Alicante airport page, and the Costa Blanca town list with delivery coverage is on the Costa Blanca rental hub. The full fleet with photos and specs helps you decide which car fits your itinerary before you book.

Our Google rating is 5.0 from 109 reviews and 4.6 on Trustpilot, so there are plenty of recent accounts from customers who rented for stays across both halves of the coast.

FAQ: car hire on the Costa Blanca north and south

Is the AP-7 motorway free from Alicante to Benidorm?

Yes. The AP-7 north of Alicante has been free since September 2021 when the original concession expired. The Alicante city bypass was also made toll-free in late 2025. You can drive from Alicante airport to Benidorm on the AP-7 without paying any toll in 2026.

Do I have to pay a toll to drive from Alicante to Torrevieja?

Yes. The AP-7 south of Alicante still has active tolls in 2026. The rate for the Alicante to Torrevieja section is part of the wider Alicante to Cartagena charge, which runs from roughly 5.70 EUR in low season to 10.20 EUR during summer peak. The free alternative is the N-332 coastal road, which is slower but goes through the towns at no charge.

Which is better for a family holiday: north or south?

Both work well. The north has Benidorm's broad sandy beaches and a lively resort infrastructure; the south has calmer, flatter beaches, lower prices and easier parking. Families who want a quieter pace typically prefer the south; those who want activities and entertainment nearby tend to choose the north. A compact car covers either terrain without difficulty.

Can you deliver a rental car to my resort on the Costa Blanca?

Yes. We deliver to resorts across both north and south. Delivery within Alicante city is free; to Costa Blanca towns the rate is 60 to 120 EUR per direction. Check the Costa Blanca rental hub for your specific location, or contact us by phone or WhatsApp to get a quote for your resort.

How long does it take to drive from the north to the south of the Costa Blanca?

Driving from Benidorm in the north to Torrevieja in the south takes approximately 90 to 120 minutes via Alicante, depending on traffic. The two halves do not connect directly by motorway; Alicante is the hub. If you want to explore both sides, renting a car and being willing to cross through Alicante makes it straightforward.

Do I need a large car to drive around the Costa Blanca?

Not usually. The motorways and main roads are comfortable for any car size, and most beach town parking works better with a compact. The exception is if you plan heavy use of mountain roads inland from the north, or need extra luggage space for a long stay. Browse our fleet to compare the options side by side.

Ready to book? Check live prices and availability on weonerent.es for any dates on either half of the coast. If you have questions about delivery to a specific resort or which car fits your itinerary, call or WhatsApp us on +34 607 442 437 - support is available around the clock.

Related guides

• Car Hire in Orihuela Costa: La Zenia, Playa Flamenca and Cabo Roig
• Car Hire in Torrevieja and La Mata: Honest Local Guide
• AP-7 and Spanish Tolls in 2026: What Is Free Now