Hi we are going to Lyme Regis Dorset on 31st August. We are driving from Stoke on Trent, this is the furthest distance we have driven down south. We dont have Sat Nav but have googled it, it seems to be mostly motorway driving, M5. We are thinking about trying to be past Birmingham by about 7am to avoid the rush hour traffic, any advise on a place to stop about half way down? Doesnt have to have food available because we will take some snacks, but will need loo's! Any other thoughts or advise on the route/journey much appreciated.
Thanks
Janice
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If you are getting though Birmingham by 7am you should be in Lyme by mid morning easily. There are loads of services and any one will do for a comfort stop. Stop at the next one when you feel the need.
Speaking as a local you need to come off the m5 at Taunton turning left onto the a358 Ilminster taunton Axminster left on a35 in the Dorchester direction but come off right when you see the signs for Lyme Regis. B3165 it will be.
If you are staying eastern side of Lyme you will better follow the a35 just a little further and come off into lyme on the A3052.
Just to confuse you a bit more, if you are staying at the CC&C site you don't want to go into lyme but turn left at Raymonds hill on B3065 & then second? right. Its signposted
At under 200 miles and less than 4 hours, I think you're worrying unduly, Janice. Strensham Services near M5J8 are spacious and clean. I'd wait till Taunton and go to the big Sainsbury's, 3 mins from M5J25, which is much cheaper. Then it's under an hour to Lyme.
getting past Birmingham at 7am, means you will hit Bristol at peak rush hour, that could slow you down a fair bit. And as the kids are still off in the south, the traffic could well be sticky all the way from Bristol down.
When we go further down south we tend to leave before 7am to avoid any snarle ups.
You maybe lucky as it will be a tuesday, good luck the motorway system from Bristol to the South West is always a lottery.
Donna
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Quote: Originally posted by Icehockey44 on 18/8/2010
getting past Birmingham at 7am, means you will hit Bristol at peak rush hour, that could slow you down a fair bit. And as the kids are still off in the south, the traffic could well be sticky all the way from Bristol down.
When we go further down south we tend to leave before 7am to avoid any snarle ups.
You maybe lucky as it will be a tuesday, good luck the motorway system from Bristol to the South West is always a lottery.
Donna
I agree with the above. I live in Devon and this time of the year the M5 in both directions can be chaos especially if there is an addition like an accident or roadworks. There are currently no roadworks southbound from Taunton to Exeter on the M5, but just chose the time of day and the day you are travelling wisely and it could be a smooth run!
Longest drive we have ever done was from our home in North lanarkshire(which is between Glasgow and Stirling) all the way down to Dorset ,plenty of drinks food and toilet stops and a wee sleep in a couple of service stations,took us 10 hours
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The M6 at M5 starts getting congested quite early in the morning 7am is the latest you want to hit it. Albeit you are on a Bank Holiday should make it easier. The M6 has quite severe roadworks around J9-J10.
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Topic: longest drive!
