Travelling to Cornwall by road

Visiting Cornwall by car

Routes into Cornwall

The quickest route into Cornwall from most parts of the UK is via the motorway network to the M5. The M5 terminates just after Exeter (Junction 31), where there is the choice of the A39 or the A30 trunkroads.

Just before this exit is the last major service station.

However from London or the Southern Counties the A303 trunkroad is worth considering. This is more direct, and is mainly fast dual carriageway bypassing the major towns. A much more relaxing route than pounding along a motorway!

From the London area follow the M3 until Junction 8 on the M3 near Basingstoke, then take the A303. It merges with the A30 between Ilminster and Honiton which runs via Exeter into Cornwall. Exeter can be bypassed by taking the M5 at Junction 29, and leaving it again at Junction 31.

Trunk roads in Cornwall

From Exeter the A38 provides the quickest route to Plymouth, Liskeard, and St Austell.

The A30 is almost entirely a fast dual carriageway, and all towns are bypassed. It provides the quickest route to most other towns in Cornwall.

Planning the route

Once in Cornwall, the shortest route on the map may not be the quickest due to traffic congestion in the major towns. It is generally best to stay with the A30 for as long as possible.

For instance the most direct route to Helston or the Lizard Peninsula is via Truro. However Truro is a busy city, and there can be heavy congestion, especially during rush hours. It is usually quicker to travel to Helson or the Lizard by following the A30 as far as Redruth and then taking the B3297 to Helson. Someone with local knowledge could make the journey even quicker by leaving the A30 at Pool and then heading for Four Lanes to join the B3297.

The above is only an example, but a little map reading and advance planning can shorten journey times considerably. Especially if you are prepared to use the local lanes!