London to Devon - A303 or M4

[Fordo]

I'm leaving at 8:00pm friday evening, and hoping to get there before midnight. London to devon, specifically exeter. - not sure whether to go the A303 or the M4 route. Could anyone hazard a guess which one would be clearer late on friday?

In the past i've always found the A303 to be quite clogged with tractors and caravans.

[PHmember]

Can't help with predicting the traffic, but for me it's the A303 everytime - it's the UK's Route 66.

[Fleckers]

PHmember said:

Can't help with predicting the traffic, but for me it's the A303 everytime - it's the UK's Route 66.

this

just watch for speed cameras

[ewenm]

Where in London? I used to work in Streatham and drive to Exeter at the weekends via the A303 because it took ages to get from Streatham round to the M4, much easier to head out down the M3.

[Fordo]

ewenm said:

Where in London? I used to work in Streatham and drive to Exeter at the weekends via the A303 because it took ages to get from Streatham round to the M4, much easier to head out down the M3.

was going to be leaving form Fulham, but i'll be having a meal with some friends in Eastcote before I leave, so that leaves me near the A40, and closer to the M4.


I stumbled across this site: http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/Home.aspx Gives a route based on historical information about traffic levels. Seems to recommend the M4 at the time i'll be leaving.

I'm starting to prefer the pistonheads consensus- A303 will take me past stonehedge of course, plus my little old shed isn't built for high speed motorway munching

[nonuts]

Used to do Reading to Plymouth every week, doesn't matter time wise just A303 is less boring and can be worse if there is an accident etc.

[ewenm]

A303 is certainly more interesting and you should be late enough that the single-carriageway bits aren't too bad. As said above, watch out for speed cameras. I think the one on the downhill about 2 miles before Stonehenge (at Bulford Camp perhaps?) is still there - lots of crazy braking.

[Fordo]

ewenm said:

A303 is certainly more interesting and you should be late enough that the single-carriageway bits aren't too bad. As said above, watch out for speed cameras. I think the one on the downhill about 2 miles before Stonehenge (at Bulford Camp perhaps?) is still there - lots of crazy braking.

will remember that, cheers

[hornetrider]

That time of night the motorways will be clear as a bell so I'd go M4/5.

[Original Poster]

A303 every time...

[anonymous-user]

A303 every time, I live near exeter.

[nonuts]

There are enjoyable ways to tackle the M4-> M5 however I only found those at 4-5am on a Monday morning when you really didn't care much for keeping hold of your driving licence.

[timbob]

A303, it's much the more enjoyable route.

I'd leave it an hour or so later though - around 9-10pm always seemed to be when the road calmed down for me, traffic-wise. You'll probably still make it by midnightish, even leaving at 9pm.

[Chiswickboy]

Another vote for the M3/A303 route here.

Been driving from London to Devon since forever and this route is the most interesting and driver friendly. O.K. so M4 may be quicker but if your in a hurry take an plane or a helicopter.