Not a route I would take, but the A470 seems to be the road for you. I would guess 4 to 4 1/2 hours without stops, so make a day of it.
If you are going to Newport, I would suggest turn off A470 just before Brecon and on to A479 and A40 to Abergavenny and then pick up A4042 which will take you straight to Newport.
When doing a trip like this I never plan stops, just stop when I feel like it or see something I want to look at.
Not towed on the A470 for many years but can't see any real problems. There have been recent and currently ongoing improvements around Dolgellau including traffic lights* at a couple of junctions and realignment of what used to be a fairly sharp bend. If you're concerned about the steep section around Dinas Mawddwy you could avoid it by leaving the A470 at Cross Foxes and going via Machynlleth (convenient rest stop?) then rejoining the A470 at Caersws near Newtown.
*temporary traffic lights last week, no significant delays.
Another possible rest stop might be Erwood, where I think the gallery at the old station has recently been reopened (but check).
The last few miles of the A470, as you no doubt already know, is almost motorway standard dual carriageway, joining the M4 well before Cardiff city centre.
Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 16/6/2015
Not towed on the A470 for many years but can't see any real problems. There have been recent and currently ongoing improvements around Dolgellau including traffic lights* at a couple of junctions and realignment of what used to be a fairly sharp bend. If you're concerned about the steep section around Dinas Mawddwy you could avoid it by leaving the A470 at Cross Foxes and going via Machynlleth (convenient rest stop?) then rejoining the A470 at Caersws near Newtown.
*temporary traffic lights last week, no significant delays.
Ok thanks for that
Another possible rest stop might be Erwood, where I think the gallery at the old station has recently been reopened (but check).
The last few miles of the A470, as you no doubt already know, is almost motorway standard dual carriageway, joining the M4 well before Cardiff city centre.
Quote: Originally posted by nora on 16/6/2015
Ok thank you .
I didn't think the A470 would be suitable for towing and was hoping someone may have been there and have experience of the best route .
I live in the area.
The A470 is fine for towing. The only bit that needs a little care is a short (for you) downhill section after Dolgellau, but it is less than a mile long.
If going to Cardiff follow the A470 all the way.
Depending on where you are going in Newport, you could turn east onto the A40 at Brecon, then onto the Cwmbran road at Abergavenny, otherwise go to Cardiff and along the M4.
Quote: Originally posted by Hacksaw Bob on 16/6/2015
Not towed on the A470 for many years but can't see any real problems. There have been recent and currently ongoing improvements around Dolgellau including traffic lights* at a couple of junctions and realignment of what used to be a fairly sharp bend. If you're concerned about the steep section around Dinas Mawddwy you could avoid it by leaving the A470 at Cross Foxes and going via Machynlleth (convenient rest stop?) then rejoining the A470 at Caersws near Newtown.
*temporary traffic lights last week, no significant delays.
Another possible rest stop might be Erwood, where I think the gallery at the old station has recently been reopened (but check).
The last few miles of the A470, as you no doubt already know, is almost motorway standard dual carriageway, joining the M4 well before Cardiff city centre.
Personally I would NOT recommend taking the road from the Cross Foxes to Machynlleth. The section towards Corris Uchaf is very narrow and used by timber hauliers a lot at the moment.
Good stops:
Little Chef outside Dolgellau.
The Cross Foxes after Dolgellau.
2 cafes between Caersws and Llanodloes.
Good cafes in Llanildoes and you can normally get a caravan into The Gro car park.
Personally I'd ignore Rhayader; parking is very poor.
Cafe between Rhayader and Newbridge.
Builth Wells isn't bad but you need to park in the big car park just over the bridge and this means driving through the town, which is narrow.
Erwood Craft Centre used to have a good cafe, but has just changed hands so it might have changed.
Brecon has got plenty of places but you need to walk to them, although the cafe at Theatre Brycheiniog at the Canal Basin is good and near the car park.
Not a lot of places to stop after Brecon on the A470.
A possible rest stop on that route might be the Cae Garnedd picnic area on the western shore of the reservoir (Llyn Celyn/Tryweryn) - there is a layby directly above it which (if towing) I'd use in preference to its car park.