13 replies to this topic

[Shylos]

I am after a bit of advice if possible from people in the south west, or who travel there a fair bit. I am driving from Essex to Devon on Friday morning, coming back Saturday night, and all the route planners suggest M4 to Bristol then M5 down, although I am pretty sure I have been advised against the M5 to Bristol before. I was thinking of just taking the A303 as it is pretty much as the crow flies to where I am headed, but I have no idea what the traffic is like on that compared to the motorways.

So, if anyone has any thoughts I'd appreciate it!

[captainjack15]

I travel up and down the M5 between Bristol and Taunton regularly and on the off chance I get stuck in traffic it moves quickly... My sisters BF came from Essex to where I live along the A303 and it took him 3 times as long!

But the choice is yours

[maryquant]

Used to do the stretch of M5 covering glos to weston every day almost - its usually quite a fast moving stretch of road - just avoid the bristol junction area at around 8.30am , can get a little busy lol

[captainjack15]

Used to do the stretch of M5 covering glos to weston every day almost - its usually quite a fast moving stretch of road - just avoid the bristol junction area at around 8.30am , can get a little busy lol

And 5:10pm

[Bungle]

the 303 is a A road and the M5 a motorway

and that sums it it, motorway your going to be travelling at 70 the 303 around 50 MPH

[Teapot]

It's always a gamble whichever route you choose, and this Friday is the start of a bank holiday weekend.
M4-M5: For: 70mph max, 3 lanes. Against: long way round and prone to delays, especially around the Bristol interchange and especially when there are accidents. Alternative routes all go through Bristol (M32) and via the accident-prone A37 and A38.
A303: For: More direct, some dual carriageway, (marginally) less boring. Against: Delays easily caused by farm traffic, caravans, lorries etc.
A35 (south, via Dorchester etc): Same. Bottlenecks at towns like Bridport and Chideock.
Take your pick ... or go by speedboat!

[captainjack15]

M4-M5 wins it by those odd that Mr Teapot has said

[trinnythemini]

im a lorry driver from plymouth and chose the M5 M4 every time as lorrys are limited to 40mph on most of the A303
so you dont want to get stuck behind one.

the only advantage of the 303 is all the burger vans and cafe's!!!

[Gaffer]

A35 (south, via Dorchester etc): Same. Bottlenecks at towns like Bridport and Chideock.

The A35 are nice roads to drive on, but if there are any slow moving vehicles ahead of you you are DOOMED!! a lot of it is single carraige way once you get towards honiton and the speed restrictions vary between 30-50MPH. I would avoid this route as i travel on it at day and night and find during the day (even normal weekday afternoons) there can still be some traffic that is going 5mph up hills.

Like others have said, the M5 around Bristol will be busy and the A38 can be prone to accidents. The A303 used to be full of roadworks, but not too sure if it still is.

My choice would be the M4-M5 route, that is the route i will be taking on Tuesday from Heathrow to Plymouth.

The worst road you will be going on will probably be the M25 and maybe the M11 if you have to go past stanstead airport.

[Teapot]

Motorway it is then. Which bit of Devon are you aiming for? Maybe we can help decide which junction of the M5 to come off unless you're heading all the way down.

[Shylos]

Thanks all for the replies - sorry I haven't been one earlier but unfortunately I have been ill all this week which has kept me in bed... and away from Devon

But I will be making the journey again hopefully sometime soon so thanks for the help Oh, and it is Crediton I am going to

[Teapot]

Hope you're better soon.
I guess you'll cut across to Crediton from north of Exeter but someone else may know a nifty shortcut

[Teapot]

Well, looks as if your guardian angel gave you a dose of something to keep you at home ...

M5 chaos two days on the trot

[Shylos]

Whoa, at last a silver lining!