Driving to Southampton!

[kazover40]

We are driving down to Southampton for our next cruise!

 

Has anyone done this from the Nortwest of England avoiding motorways!

 

If so, would you do it again!

 

I hate motorways, I know it will take a couple of hours longer, but maybe less monotonous, with nicer places to stop for breaks

[jocap]

Hmmm- have you a road atlas?

OH likes to come off motorways, but the last few miles into Soton can be difficult, because of the amount of traffic. His best bet would be to aim for Chester, then take the A roads parallel to the M6, towards Oxford (presuming you're docking in L'pool.).We sometimes go via Winchester, which is always worth visiting.

The other thing is the lack of motorway-type facilities- loos, quick drinks etc.

Have you thought about parking somewhere and catching the fast train? The west coast line down from Glasgow is quite speedy.If you parked at, say Man. airport, there'll be trains to Soton from Man.

If you go on this site to the destinations section, and press British Isles, there'll be some people from the south like John Bull, who will know the traffic lay-out well. Best wishes-

jocap.

[tigragirl]

we drove down to southampton last year but from Yorkshire.

It was a long journey and we got lost is Winchester even with a sat nav!

I can't advise you about what route to take but I would suggest you travel down the night before and stay at a hotel then you won't be in a panic in the morning.

Thats what we did and it kept us calm whilst we were trying to get out of winchester.

[kazover40]

Thx for your input jocap n tigragirl!

 

We are actually taking the ferry into Liverpool on the Saturday, so have two days to do it if we get tired! We both drive though so shouldn't be too muvh of a problem!

 

Train wouldn't be a good idea for us, we both have handicaps now, so lugging luggage around is a no no! We could have flown, but I find it so stressful nowadays! What with security and darned weight restrictions!

[bluesea777]

We've driven between South England and Scotland several times - on motorways.

 

Suggest you start driving 3 days before cruise and be in Southampton one day before cruise (at least).

 

It will not take a couple of hours longer if you avoid motorways - it will be *several* hours longer. Lots of roundabouts and traffic lights on non-motorway roads.

 

Safe driving and ENJOY the cruise!

[C U Onboard]

Give this a try

 

http://www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp?database=B

 

Enter where from > enter where to > click 'route options' > check 'avoid motorways'

 

Voila!

[John Bull]

Thx for your input jocap n tigragirl!

 

We are actually taking the ferry into Liverpool on the Saturday, so have two days to do it if we get tired! We both drive though so shouldn't be too muvh of a problem!

 

Train wouldn't be a good idea for us, we both have handicaps now, so lugging luggage around is a no no! We could have flown, but I find it so stressful nowadays! What with security and darned weight restrictions!

 

As other posts, taking non-motorway routes will add a BIG chunk of time.

But if time is not your enemy, here's a suggestion for what it's worth:

 

The direct super-slab route M6, M42, M40, A34, M3 is 237 miles, 4 1/4 hrs.

 

Alternatively Mersey tunnel to the Wirrall, M53 past Chester (the A41 would give you grief at Chester), then A41 & A442 to Telford. Go slightly off-route to Coalbrookdale/Ironbridge/Coalport for a break & look round the sites & museums of the Industrial Revolution, then pick upthe A442 again to go past Bridgnorth & Kidderminster. Mebbe a slight diversion to take in Stourport-on-Severn, then A449 to join M5 just north of Worcester. M5 to Junct 11a Gloucester, mebbe off-route to Gloucester Docks, before returning to Junct 11a but this time going under the motorway on the A417 (later A419) to go past Cirencester to Swindon. Here, if you want to put your foot down, pick up the M4 to Newbury then A34/M3 to Southampton. Or cross the M4,on the A346 to Marlborough (nice stop here), then A345 to Salisbury (another nice stop) and A36 to M27 near Southampton.

 

Routing is reasonably simple, avoids significant snarl-ups, but includes a few worthwhile stretches of motorway. Avoid city centres of Chester & Salisbury unless you want to visit them - but even their ring-roads can be a little troublesome.

Travelling time close to 6 hrs, but of course your total journey time will be much much longer because of all the worthwhile stops.

Can't suggest where to over-night, depends on your ferry time.

 

John Bull

[Johnthed0g]

Not going by motorway...my advice....leave NOW!! ....I do see what you mean though!

If you take the ''John Bull'' route via Salisbury you could stop in the New Forest somewhere!