Hi Linda,
We flew to Murcia last time and decided to use the toll-road - it really is easy - just follow signs for Cartagena and then when signs for Almeria appear just follow those and you end up taking the toll-road by default, which is €11.60 (or thereabouts). It's supposed to be much quicker and easier than going into Murcia then picking up the E15. From the end of the toll-road near Vera you just go onto the E15 and come off at junction 525 for LG.
The journey should take about 90 mins door-to-door - quicker if you drive like the Spanish !
We did have a bit of a problem on the way back to the airport - you need to stay on the AP7 after you've gone through the toll-booth and then at Los Beatos, you have to turn off and round to the left to continue on the AP7 - we don't know how but we somehow ended up going in the wrong direction on the A-30 towards Murcia and had to turn round. You eventually come off the A7 at junction 784 for San Javier.
We're off to Jerez for the week tomorrow - flamenco festival, sherry tasting and general chilling out !
All the best
Dave and Ailsa, 2A