Route from Bournemouth to Dover

[Moose.]

Does anyone have any recommendations as to the best route to take to get to Dover before 10am tomorrow? Doing the AA route planner thing, it wants to send us up the M3 to the M25 then back down the M20/A20 to Dover. Seems a bloody long way!

I was thinking, A31 - M27 - A27 - A259 - A20 - Dover

Only thing is I'm not sure about the A259. Anyone know if it's a fast road or not (i.e. duel carriageway)? The AA planner thing reckons my route will take an hour longer! I'm concerned about getting stuck on the M25 in the rush hour traffic (but I guess you can get stuck anywhere really, I know Brighton can be a total nightmare)

cheers

[nawarne]

A259 is a cr*p road. Goes through Newhaven/Eastbourne, single carriageway etc, etc, - can be held up by Doris Datsuns IYKWIM. Probably quite scenic though....you pass close to Beachy Head!!

I reckon M3 - M25 - M20 is probably best bet. Did Southampton to Croydon on Saturday in about 1.4 hrs, which I thought was good going, as I anticipated all the 'shop' lemmings to be out around 4pm.

Nick

[teamstella]

You best bet is to either go up the M3 or better still the A3 take the M25 and round, I can do dover in under 2 hours from Portsmouth. Would you of not been better sailing from POrtsmouth to Le harve its only 160 miles the other side???

Have a safe trip

[Moose.]

Cheers chaps. M25 does sound the better (abet more boring) option.

The drive there is half the fun. We went Poole - Cherbourg last time and there were no other Le Mans cars on the drive down. This year we're hoping to mix it with the rest Besides, the Speedferries prices are a 1/5 of the other routes

[mikeyscott]

How long do you reckon to get to Folkstone from Southampton?

[v8lover]

Im going from Poole - Cherbourg with the car all stickered up - going to look a right plank if no one else will be about!

[The Leaper]

Moose,

I live near J9 of the M25 in Surrey. If you're aiming for a ferry at 10:00 I assume you'll aim to arrive for it at around 09:30. This means you'll be on the M25 near me in the morning rush period. At its best traffic moves reasonably well..think 50-60 ish, otherwise its stop start, and this can be all the way from J10 (where the A3 joins the M25)to maybe J5.

As for using the A3 to get to the M25, two things to worry about. First, there's major roadworks at Hindhead and from local traffic reports it can take ages to get through there in the morning rush. Second, the slip road of the A3 heading north to get on the M25 at J10 can be solid for maybe a mile back.

So, I think the best advice I can give you will be to travel early and get through my area by say 7 ish. From J9 to Dover is around 1 1/2 hours at a legal pace, then have breakfast at the ferry terminal, rather than miss your slot. Also see Dover Nige's post on the Le Mans thread regarding all the probs with the A20 getting to the port at Dover. He gives the best alternatives.

Good luck.

As for me, I'm on the 08:20 shuttle on Friday. I'll be leaving here at around 06:00 and I'll get to the shuttle terminal at around 07:15 with time to spare. I am a but worried about the Shell tanker drivers' industrial action which is due to start Friday at 06:00 as I expect the Channel Tunnel terminal to be a target, meaning the M20 will be closed for "Operation Stack" with a major diversion and delays. Then there's the French transport strike to contend with over the weekend, particularly Monday. Travelling could be challenging to/from Le Mans this year.

R.

[C5RagTop]

v8lover said:

Im going from Poole - Cherbourg with the car all stickered up - going to look a right plank if no one else will be about!

We'll be there for the 7.30 sailing on Thursday (3 Corvettes). First year of not doing the Chunnel - couldn't see the point in going 170 miles to Folkestone.

[P7ERM]

Keep the sea on your right and stop when you see a big white/grey cliff

[Moose.]

Thanks all. I'll discuss it with the group this evening. Probably end up going the M25 way and give ourselves about 4 hours in case of the roadworks messing things up.

[fatboy18]

Keep the coast on the right and you should be allright

[ccr32]

As has been said, wouldn't bother with the "shorter" route from Bournemouth to Dover - after portsmouth, it can get really snarled up, especially at that time of day.

I would personally go M3 - M25 etc., though at that time of day, you will get traffic when you leave Bournemouth, when you get to the M27/M3 junction, usually around Basingstoke too, and then as soon as you get near Fleet, the traffic begins to back up from the M25.

Had to be at heathrow recently for a 10:30am flight - left Bournemouth at 6:30, and still nearly missed it!

Bottom line - leave early!!