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Hi all,we are travelling down to Portsmouth in the early hours of Sun 22/07,we are thinking of M6,M42 then M40 but instead of going to the M25 taking the A34 as it looks a pretty direct route.So the question is,are there any problems on the A34 that might cause us to be sorry we did'nt stick to the motorway.

Thanks in advance

Bluey

hello Bluey

no problem, i have travelled this route many times and is far the best route. obviously excess traffic/ accidents may hold you up but it is mainly dual carriageway all the way. You shouldn't have any problems travelling at night. have a nice trip. 

Cheers bigdrake,thats excellent news.

Bluey

    Good evening Bluey

                                 As Bigdrake stated your choice of road is dead accurate. Keep away from all ideas of the M25 it;ll worry you to death.M40 down to jctn 9 and exit signed OXFORD Stay on  A34 right down to the end where it joins the M3 going South.Eventually the M27 splits and you will take the right hand side signed PORTSMOUTH. At jctn 12 you will pick up the Boat sign that will lead you on to the M275.Stay in left hand lane , turn right at island and you are there .From my location you;ll see its in my back yard.

Hears wishing you the best of holidays and fair weather

                                                                               Graham R.

    Good evening Bluey

                                 As Bigdrake stated your choice of road is dead accurate. Keep away from all ideas of the M25 it;ll worry you to death.M40 down to jctn 9 and exit signed OXFORD Stay on  A34 right down to the end where it joins the M3 going South.Eventually the M27 splits and you will take the right hand side signed PORTSMOUTH. At jctn 12 you will pick up the Boat sign that will lead you on to the M275.Stay in left hand lane , turn right at island and you are there .From my location you;ll see its in my back yard.

Hears wishing you the best of holidays and fair weather

                                                                               Graham R.

               Sorry for double posting.Pressed post reply first time and it did;nt activate so pressed it again   Sorry    G R

Also if it helps there are service areas at M40 junc 10. Oxford services junc A34/A44 and Newbury junc A34/M4

harryb

I would suggest a slightly different route that avoids the M42, M40 and the notorious junction with the A34.

Come down the M6 and go south on the M5 down to Junction 11A (A417) and head towards Cirencester, on towards Swindon (on the A419) and pick up the M4 at J15.

Head towards London on the M4 and get of at J13 which is the A34 - head south for Portsmouth.

It's a good run and I use it every year from Birmingham area.

Thanks everyone,Frank you have put a spanner in the works with your alternative route,but I think the junc should be o.k through the night.

cheers Bluey

Went to France in May from Portsmouth. Went down via M5, Cirencester, Swindon etc. Came back via Oxford, M40 etc.  There is very little in the mileage but slightly faster on the M40.

My preference is the M5 for scenery and variety. Also i lived in Cirencester for a few years so its nice to go back down the road after 20 years back in my home county of Cumbria.

either choice will be ok unless you want to try another diversion down the Fosse Way to Cirencester! Only joking.

There's surprisingly little difference in the mileage going down the M5.

Biggest difference is time though if you hit Birmingham or Oxford around rush-hour the M42/M40/A34 can be horrendous.

...how long do you reckon it takes for a caravan towing newbie to tow from Bristol to Portsmouth ? M4/A34/M3/M27 with manic children onboard...and wife ?

Tnx

Dave

A34 all the way mate!!!!!

if you get there early park up near the war memorial makes you realise how young some of the guys /girls were