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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 03:40 PM
  #1  
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Default London to Exeter - Best route?

I have a meeting in Exeter, but I'm trying to decide on the best route.

I need to be there for 11am.

It's either M3, M25, M4 and M5 or M3, A303 and A30.

What's the best/quicket route for a Monday morning?

Not really bothered about fun roads, as it will be either a Ford Ka or the automatic Forester!
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 03:46 PM
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Against the traffic on the M4 at that time... wont cause you any problems.
M5 should be fine too traffic wise- but its a fair stretch from the m4/m5 junction to exeter.
Which route is shortest?

To be honest- whichever route you take, its a complete sh*t of a journey.
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 03:47 PM
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A303, always clear and the junction between the M4 and the M5 is never good
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 04:04 PM
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Yep 2nd the A303, very nice, fast open road, usually free flowing traffic. Watch out for the filth though
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by bioforger
Watch out for the filth though
What you mean people chuck rubbish out of the windows down there too?
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 04:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Milamber
What you mean people chuck rubbish out of the windows down there too?
If only. Watching filth being thrown out of windows at 90mph would make me happy
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 04:58 PM
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Cheers guys looks like the A303 gets it.

Autoroute says it's 4 hours that way!! Looks like an early start then!
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 05:01 PM
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I always treat the autoroute time as a challenge.
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 05:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Milamber
I always treat the autoroute time as a challenge.
Like me using the TomTom, I hate it when I can beat their expected time of arrival!!
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 05:27 PM
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Reckon on about 3 1/2 hours, maybe less. But watch out for the fixed and mobile cameras on the A303
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 05:36 PM
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Tango a303 for sure !

3 hours in normal conditions mate !
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Andy Tang
Cheers guys looks like the A303 gets it.

Autoroute says it's 4 hours that way!! Looks like an early start then!
Rather you than me, i live in Devon, and quite regulary travel to Kent, and believe me, if you want a (relatively) stress free journey LEAVE the A303 well alone, it will be full of caravans and tractors, doing 30mph, the M4/M5 may not be a great deal quicker, but theres far less chance of it being blocked, also i think theres roadworks on the A303 at the moment and theres a 14 mile detour.
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 07:33 PM
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A303 is great until you come to the single carriageway sections - when the road is busy there will be a queue of people merging from two lanes into one.
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 11:10 PM
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Andy

Believe me when I say that this is a NO BRAINER Question

Take the M4/5 route without fail.

Based on my wide & varied 20 year experience of being a courier you do not take the A303/A30 route in a car (Ka or Forester!) if you want to get somewhere southwest on time. Bike is fine & fun but with a car, no...

The thing is that the m/ways are just that - you will easily average 50-60 mph over those roads whereas if you mix it with duals/singles even though you are taking a slightly lesser mileage, you will only average 40-45.

PLUS, because of the less stressful "get on the road & autopilot" of constant m/way as opposed to the single/dual/roundabout/stuck behind a truck of the other route, going the A303 is just so not in my thoughts.

Trust me - I do these sort of equations for a living.
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Old Sep 10, 2005 | 08:48 AM
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The A303 is closed in the Marsh area for major repairs for 15 weeks. The diversions are tortuous and big time wasters apparently so you may want to keep that in mind. The recommended route off the A303 is via the A358 to the M5 and then carry on south west. I always use the A303 for preference but the diversions will be a big nuisance now.

Les
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Old Sep 10, 2005 | 08:55 AM
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A303 minding the cameras!
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Old Sep 10, 2005 | 01:55 PM
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I wonder if hes there yet? I bet he's still sat on the A303, behind some caravan laying on its side blocking both lanes, don't say we did'nt warn you.
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Old Sep 10, 2005 | 02:39 PM
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The train - 2:59
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Old Sep 10, 2005 | 02:46 PM
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have to agree on the M5/M4.

I live south of exeter and when i go to kent, usually a 1/2 times a year i would not dream of the A303.

motorway is less stressful, you cam mroe easily cruise at a steady speed and use cruise control if you've got it.
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Old Sep 10, 2005 | 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Puff The Magic Wagon!
Andy

Believe me when I say that this is a NO BRAINER Question

Take the M4/5 route without fail.

Based on my wide & varied 20 year experience of being a courier you do not take the A303/A30 route in a car (Ka or Forester!) if you want to get somewhere southwest on time. Bike is fine & fun but with a car, no...

The thing is that the m/ways are just that - you will easily average 50-60 mph over those roads whereas if you mix it with duals/singles even though you are taking a slightly lesser mileage, you will only average 40-45.

PLUS, because of the less stressful "get on the road & autopilot" of constant m/way as opposed to the single/dual/roundabout/stuck behind a truck of the other route, going the A303 is just so not in my thoughts.

Trust me - I do these sort of equations for a living.
What he said. Any one that disagrees is wrong

James (Living in Plymouth 29 years)
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Old Sep 11, 2005 | 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Puff The Magic Wagon!
Andy

Believe me when I say that this is a NO BRAINER Question

Take the M4/5 route without fail.

Based on my wide & varied 20 year experience of being a courier you do not take the A303/A30 route in a car (Ka or Forester!) if you want to get somewhere southwest on time. Bike is fine & fun but with a car, no...

The thing is that the m/ways are just that - you will easily average 50-60 mph over those roads whereas if you mix it with duals/singles even though you are taking a slightly lesser mileage, you will only average 40-45.

PLUS, because of the less stressful "get on the road & autopilot" of constant m/way as opposed to the single/dual/roundabout/stuck behind a truck of the other route, going the A303 is just so not in my thoughts.

Trust me - I do these sort of equations for a living.
Thanks for that, makes perfect sense!

Motorway it is, as the diversions on the A303 make it sound less appealling!
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Old Sep 11, 2005 | 02:37 AM
  #23  
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I live in Devon, work in Exeter, travel to London quite often and can safely say M4/M5 is the easiest way

Not the most scenic but the easiest!
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Old Sep 11, 2005 | 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Andy Tang
Thanks for that, makes perfect sense!

Motorway it is, as the diversions on the A303 make it sound less appealling!
Sorry, the train is the best option - 2:25 - 2:59 you will not beat that in a car
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