Dublin to Athlone without using the motorway

micradot

Hi all,

I'm a learner driver, based in Dublin. I want to drive to Athlone later this week (with a licenced driver), but as I haven't passed my test I need to avoid the motorway.

I looked at AA Route Planner and it seems to be directing me to go via Mullingar, which seems very convoluted.

Does anyone have any better ideas? My licenced driver is not from that part of the country and hasn't really a clue about the route.

Bogger77

the "old" route is still the best.
Dublin, Lucan, Leixlip, Maynooth, Kilcock, Enfield, Kinnegad, Tyrellspass, Kilbeggan, Moate, Athlone

ztoical

Take the old N4 road, it runs along side the M4 motorway pretty much the whole way - it's leixlip to maynooth to kilcock to enfield etc get to kinnegad and your on to the Athlone road.

micradot

Thanks for that. I would have assumed that the route you've both described was the logical one, but then wondered if there were some sections that are now only accessible by motorway, eg Moate to Athlone. If not, then it should be straighforward enough, apart from the dreaded roundabouts!

Bravobabe

Hi,

In reality the best route is:
Exit Dublin out by Liffey Valley, stay on N4 and then stay on M4 (motorway) to Kilcock (look out for Maynooth exit, Kilcock exit is circa 8 km later)
At Kilcock exit - take slip road (this avoids Toll Plaza)
Continue around roundabout and take the exit signed Enfield (3rd exit)
This will put you on the old Dublin-Galway road.

Through Enfield, Clonard, Kinnegad, Milltownpass, Rochfortbridge, Tyrellspass, Kilbeggan, Horseleap, Moate and Athlone.

Going through Lucan, Leixip, Maynooth and Kilcock will add up to an extra hour on your journey, and in reality westbound traffic is expected to avoid these towns.

Your deication to stay within the letter of the "rules of the road" is to be admired and I comend you for that. But in reality, it would be safer to go the route I mentioned above.
In fact the road from Endield to Kinnegad is reasonable good, Kinnegad to Rochfortbridge is not so good and from Tyrellspass to Athlone is good.


Indeel if your passanger was insured to drive the direct route would be safer and quicker. No roundabouts, no turn-offs and a cost of €2.90 to use the toll road.
On the old route you will have roundabouts at:
Enfield (2 if you go thru town or 3 if you take town bypass)
Kinnegad (2)
Athlone (1) at Texaco/McDonalds

Bogger77

Moate to Athlone, has no new roundabouts :-) and is still complete, it's an R road now,and is 80km per hour now.

non M-Way route on google maps, from Connolly station to Golden Island shopping center, Athlone
http://goo.gl/maps/aREY

micradot

Thanks Bravobabe, I see your point but I really want to drive the whole way myself - I need the practise.

I'm not in any rush, and think that the motorway wouldn't be good for me, as I don't feel confident enough to deal with the speeds involved. Also, it'll be a lot busier than the old roads.

Thanks for the link, Bogger77 - I'll take a look...

spurious

Actually, I've often travelled the M4 and wondered was it officially opened, the traffic was so light. There seem to still be a substantial number of 'I'm not paying any toll' types about, regardless of time and safety considerations.

challengemaster

micradot wrote: »

Thanks for that. I would have assumed that the route you've both described was the logical one, but then wondered if there were some sections that are now only accessible by motorway, eg Moate to Athlone. If not, then it should be straighforward enough, apart from the dreaded roundabouts!

Thankfully, the govt. haven't started destroying old roads after building new ones....

I'm from Moate, and the road to Athlone is the easiest road ever to drive on. There's nothing surprising on it... only roundabout you'll come across really is the one just coming into Athlone - Kilmartins N6 roundabout... after that, there'll be a few around town but nothing major

Also, remember that the bypass is a dual carraigeway, not motorway for the whole stretch beside Athlone, so feel free to use it!

The road is probably one of the better in the country, despite being classed as an R road because of the motorway...

Spurious: What "safety considerations" are you talking about?

spurious

challengemaster wrote: »

Spurious: What "safety considerations" are you talking about?

I meant it's safer to travel on a motorway, so I thought more people would use it, but I suppose 2.80 is more than some people want to pay for added safety (as well as a shorter journey).

Saruman

It's €2.90 actually and since the main reason for people to use it during the week is commuting, paying €2.90 each way is €29 (assuming 5 day week) per week so over the course of the year it adds up.

I usually use the old road to work and in the summer I use it coming home again except on Friday when I just want to get home quicker but to be honest it is only about 15 minutes quicker on the motorway. The fact the motorway is there means the old road is much quieter too.

challengemaster

I don't think its all that much safer, tbh. Quite a few of the roads are very good quality... especially as you only have to go off for a certain distance.

Bravobabe

Take your time and enjoy the trip.
I'm originally from Athlone and travel there at least once a week.
Hope you have a good time.