North Lincolnshire to Hillhead, Devon
Hello, I wonder if some seasoned travellers can help.
We are off to Hillhead on Fri 8th July (so before the main school holiday rush - BUT a Friday) and we originally had Baltic Wharf booked as a stopover. Due to a last miute change of GCSE dates for the kids we've had to forego the Wharf stopover. I'd really
like to do the trip in one day (it's 298 miles) but am asking what is reasonable to expect to cover that distance in..time wise
It's mainly A1, M1 and M5 all the way. I drive for work and regularly do that distance but not with a laden caravan.
Google maps says 5 hours, so can I reasonably expect 6.5?
Or would you recommend a stopover (which I'm reluctant to do as I don;t get that many holidays so don't want to eat in to our break)
Comments
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On long journeys I anticipate an average of 50 mph if it is mostly motorway and 40 mph if A roads. These figures allow for a pit stop on the way.
Given your distance and description of roads I would think that 6.5 to 7 hours is a reasonable assumption.
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i always travel on fridays as i find the roads not as bad as saturdays when everyone is heading for the west country. if you are going a1/m1 and the m5 it should daul carriage way all the way so a fast time with a good average speed. 6 hrs plus stops should
be easy. have a great holiday at hillhead. magnet0 -
There are a couple of traffic problems you might face. The M5 can be an absolute nightmare on a Friday afternoon so you need to be well clear of there. Your second problem is much closer to Hillhead. The A380 from near Newton Abbot to the Torbay ring road
and the ring road itself are also problematic in the late afternoon. I would suggest an early start if you can manage it.0 -
Given that Baltic wharf has been abandoned a great place to stop is Gloucester Services South (Teebay company) could be a good place for a decent break. Good parking area and good food plus clean loos and showers just might fit your bill? Go carefully
and safe journey0 -
There are a couple of traffic problems you might face. The M5 can be an absolute nightmare on a Friday afternoon so you need to be well clear of there. Your second problem is much closer to Hillhead. The A380 from near Newton Abbot to the Torbay ring road and the ring road itself are also problematic in the late afternoon. I would suggest an early start if you can manage it.
Thanks for this - yes suspected M5 and ring road may be problematic. Think I'm going to put twins in the car in their pj's wrapped in sleeping bags. We should be there then between 2-3.
As they are 16 now we should arrive at an optimum waking time for them
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Dont forget that the Kingskerswell by-pass on the A380 is now open the much of the congestion should have been relieved.
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Definitely for me I'd leave 03.00 and look at getting there around early afternoon getting set up and enjoying the pool. You don't want to be hitting Bristol early afternoon on a Friday I know because I live there. Also aim to hit Bristol just after 09.00 and morning rush around Aztec West Cribbs Causeway area would be easing. Enjoy Hillhead is a lovely site sandwiched between 2 beautiful places. A little tip although the kids might be too old is crabbing at Stoke Gabriel, it's a lovely little spot where you can catch crabs galore.
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Hi kdee69, we have done this journey for the past 4 yrs to Hillhead from leeds, each year has been so diiferent from just over 6 hrs inc a quick pitstop upto 9 hrs due to M5 mayhem, I think now the by-pass is open this will save you some time on the A380,
so on that I think its just a case of setting off and keeping your fingers crossed, good luck have a great holiday.0 -
Just over 6 hrs from Leeds to Brixham is very impressive.
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Roadworks between juncs 4a and 7/8 on the M5, total nightmare with 50mph speed limit and crashes nearly everyday. And be warned the average speed cameras are live and making a lot of money for somebody.
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When we go to the south west, we always start off around 5pm friday, stop off for a bite to eat at Donnington Services, then overnight at Strensham services on the M5. This is what we will be doing this friday, enroute to Plymouth Sound CC site as it usually
puts us over half way in our journey & makes the saturday morning trip down the M5 bearable.0
