M5 holiday traffic?

[Hilary]

We have to be at the Plymouth ferry terminal by 10pm on Friday, so how long do you think it will take us to get there from the M4 / M5 interchange near Bristol?

It's a long time since we've braved the south-bound M5 at peak holiday travelling time, and I'm trying to gauge how long we need to allow to be sure of getting our ferry.

A 'normal' run from home (Swansea) to Plymouth would take around 4 hours, but I don't know how much extra time to allow for volume of traffic all heading the same way, especially on the M5.

Thanks for any advice :)

[Miffy2003]

Hi there Hilary,

Well the M5 is always a bit evil at this time of year flowing towards the South West. I would definitely allow a bit of extra time.

The areas where we find it tends to jam are the Bristol ones so if you can, avoid that area between approx 4.30-6 (appreciate this may be tricky being that your ferry leaves at 10!) so you are not coping with commuters as well as holidaymakers. Taunton & Exeter can also end up a bit bottlenecked but generally (in my experience) they clear pretty quickly.

Personally I would probably add an extra hour to be on the safe side (but bear in mind I am terrible for always being very early and my "on the safe sides" are usually far too safe LOL)

Karen

[MsPennieLane]

no need to take the M4/M5 interchange... after you've gone over the 7 bridge take the M49 n not only do you miss the M4 M5 mess but you'll save time aswell

hope that helps..... Andy

[Hilary]

M49? Hadn't even considered that - thanks for the tip! Off to check the road atlas now ...

[TraceyL]

M49 is one of the quietest and safest stretches of motorway in the country :D

Are the roadworks over the Portishead flyover thingy completed now? They alwasy cause a bottleneck when you join the M5S