Cantabria has a very good, fast, free and relatively new motorway network, the main elements of which are the A67 running north to south (to Palencia and beyond) and the A8 running east (from the Basque Country ) to west (to Asturias) across the province, the crossing point of which is Torrelavega in the centre. There are some small sections of motorway around Santander as well, including the new S30 motorway linking the A67 from Torrelavega with the A8 to Bilbao and avoiding the worst of the traffic in Santander.
Approximate driving distances from Santander are as follows, if you want more detailed timings, try a site like Via Michelin.
Going East
Bilbao – Santander – 1hr
Santander – San Sebastian – 2 hrs (toll between Bilbao and San Sebastian)
Santander – French border – 2hrs 15m
Santander – Somo – 30m
Santander – Noja – 40m
Santander – Santoña – 40m
Santander – Laredo – 40m
Santander – Castro Urdiales – 50m
Santander – Lierganes – 25m
Santander – Ramales de la Victoria – 50m
Going South
Santander – Torrelavega – 20m
Santander – Madrid – 4hrs 30m
Santander – Palencia – 2hrs 10m
Santander – Burgos – 2 hrs 10m
Santander – Aguilar de Campoo – 1hr 10m
Santander – Los Corrales de Buelna – 30m
Santander – Reinosa – 45m
Santander – Puente Viesgo – 30m
Santander – Vega de Pas – 1hr
Santander – Polientes – 1hr 30m
Going West
Santander – Oviedo – 2hrs
Santander – Santiago de Compostela – 5hrs 30m
Santander – Llanes – 1hr
Santander – Potes – 1hr 45
Santander – San Vicente de la Barquera – 45 m
Santander – Comillas – 45 m
Santander – Santillana del Mar – 30m
Santander – Suances – 35m
Santander – Polaciones – 1hr 45m
Santander – Cabezon de la Sal – 40m
From East to West
Castro Urdiales – Unquera – 1hr 20m
Ratón Cantabria 