Longest non-stop road - IRL

Cmar-Ireland

I drove the length of the M9 a few times over Xmas, and it got me thinking. What is the longest section of road(s) in Ireland that can be driven without meeting roundabouts, traffic lights, junctions, tolls etc...

I reckon Newlands cross to the Quarry roundabout near the M9 toll bridge must be one of the longer routes, just under 150km.

What others is there?

MyKeyG

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

I drove the length of the M9 a few times over Xmas, and it got me thinking. What is the longest section of road(s) in Ireland that can be driven without meeting roundabouts, traffic lights, junctions, tolls etc...

I reckon Newlands cross to the Quarry roundabout near the M9 toll bridge must be one of the longer routes.

What others is there?

I'd say you're right. That road could do with a few service stations along the route.

Lex Luthor

Newlands cross is on the N7 so tecnically they are different roads

Rick Deckard

Junction near portlaoise to toll near mitchelstown bypass?

Edit; its only 130 odd kms

Cmar-Ireland

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Newlands cross is on the N7 so tecnically they are different roads

If you re-read my post it says "road(s)" so it can be a combination.

Terrontress

Port tunnel plaza to Hillsborough roundabout M1 / A1?

spank_inferno

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

If you re-read my post it says "road(s)" so it can be a combination.

If you include a combination of roads they why stop at newlands cross?, why not continue down the M50 ->N11 to wexford

Terrontress

spank_inferno wrote: »

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

If you re-read my post it says "road(s)" so it can be a combination.

If you include a combination of roads they why stop at newlands cross?, why not continue down the M50 ->N11 to wexford

Or Hillsborough roundabout to there!

nacimroc

Cork city to Lisburn! 400km! Motorway the whole way but there are tolls! Excluding tolls it would be Fermoy toll to Drogheda Toll (M50 techinically doesn't count and its a stupid toll) - hmmm toll at portlaoise though ?

Twin-go

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

If you re-read my post it says "road(s)" so it can be a combination.

But wouldn't you meet a junction at the M7/M9 on this route?

Yahew

nacimroc wrote: »

Cork city to Lisburn! 400km! Motorway the whole way but there are tolls! Excluding tolls it would be Fermoy toll to Drogheda Toll (M50 techinically doesn't count and its a stupid toll) - hmmm toll at portlaoise though ?

There is a traffic light on the way, so not continuous.

Cookie_Monster

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

I drove the length of the M9 a few times over Xmas, and it got me thinking. What is the longest section of road(s) in Ireland that can be driven without meeting roundabouts, traffic lights, junctions, tolls etc...
I reckon Newlands cross to the Quarry roundabout near the M9 toll bridge must be one of the longer routes, just under 150km.

by your own rules the M7-9 junction rules that out.

johnam

Gort (Galway) to Newlands Cross via the M18/M7 that is 250km roughly but there are tolls.

celticbest

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

I drove the length of the M9 a few times over Xmas, and it got me thinking. What is the longest section of road(s) in Ireland that can be driven without meeting roundabouts, traffic lights, junctions, tolls etc...

I reckon Newlands cross to the Quarry roundabout near the M9 toll bridge must be one of the longer routes, just under 150km.

What others is there?

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Newlands cross is on the N7 so tecnically they are different roads

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

If you re-read my post it says "road(s)" so it can be a combination.

M7 to M9 = Junction...

Yahew

I think he means a traffic-lighted junction.

johnos1984

Why not make this easier and just what is the longest road such as the m7 m8 or n52 for instance

Seth Brundle

Right, as its an interesting thread, lets assume the term junction means one where you must stop/yield.

So no:
* tolls (let's exclude the M50 barrier free toll though)
* traffic / pedestrian lights
* roundabouts
* stopping

It can be a combination of roads (e.g. motorway & non-motorway) and may also cover both RoI & NI.

Is this ok?

antodeco

spank_inferno wrote: »

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

If you re-read my post it says "road(s)" so it can be a combination.

If you include a combination of roads they why stop at newlands cross?, why not continue down the M50 ->N11 to wexford

There's lights at Newlands cross, so the m50 is ruled out

Big Nasty

My head hurts! :eek::eek::eek:

The Guvnor

Terrontress wrote: »

Port tunnel plaza to Hillsborough roundabout M1 / A1?

Except for the M1 Toll.

Not as far either as you'd think - maybe 160kms?

Apart from the toll bridge it's a good stretch of road!:D

Terrontress

The Guvnor wrote: »

Terrontress wrote: »

Port tunnel plaza to Hillsborough roundabout M1 / A1?

Except for the M1 Toll.

Not as far either as you'd think - maybe 160kms?

Apart from the toll bridge it's a good stretch of road!:D

Although M1 toll does not need to be stopped at if you have Eazypass. It does need serious deceleration to about 30km/h so I suppose the drive cannot be described as uninterrupted.

veetwin

I'm guessing from the M1 toll plaza to Wexford whevever the M11 ends via M1/M50/M11 would take beating

Seth Brundle

That's 160 Km I believe
M1 toll to the end of the Arklow ByPass
http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=M1&daddr=N11&hl=en&sll=53.662773,-6.332202&sspn=0.014672,0.042272&geocode=FbLTMgMdNmmf_w%3BFesdIwMd6MOe_w&vpsrc=0&mra=mift&mrsp=0&sz=15&t=h&z=15

Marcusm

kbannon wrote: »

That's 160 Km I believe
M1 toll to the end of the Arklow ByPass
http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=M1&daddr=N11&hl=en&sll=53.662773,-6.332202&sspn=0.014672,0.042272&geocode=FbLTMgMdNmmf_w%3BFesdIwMd6MOe_w&vpsrc=0&mra=mift&mrsp=0&sz=15&t=h&z=15

Why would you not continue on past Gorey? This would mean somewhere like Ferns or Camolin.

Riskymove

antodeco wrote: »

There's lights at Newlands cross, so the m50 is ruled out

Newlands Cross is not part of M50 to Wexford route

L1011

Marcusm wrote: »

Why would you not continue on past Gorey? This would mean somewhere like Ferns or Camolin.

Roundabout at the end of the Gorey BP.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

New lands cross to Waterford roundabout must be 150km, no roundabouts, tolls, no yielding, only a turn-off the m9 onto m7

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Newlands+Cross,+Ireland+to+Waterford,+Ireland&saddr=Newlands+Cross,+Ireland&daddr=Waterford,+Ireland&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=60.54737,87.011719&geocode=FXh7LQMdX3Oe_ynHtuKEW3NnSDHy9FG7p8cAJg%3BFW5OHQMdWj-T_ymxjKoSGMRCSDHmZ1ki1KAMQg&vpsrc=0&t=h&z=9

If we are excluding the M50 toll then M1 toll to Waterford roundabout 216 km damn lights at Newlands cross.

http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=M1&daddr=waterford&hl=en&ll=52.586363,-6.679687&spn=2.953766,5.438232&sll=53.395409,-6.367264&sspn=0.181177,0.33989&geocode=FbLTMgMdNmmf_w%3BFW5OHQMdWj-T_ymxjKoSGMRCSDHmZ1ki1KAMQg&vpsrc=6&mra=ls&t=h&z=8

Marcusm

MYOB wrote: »

Roundabout at the end of the Gorey BP.

Still further than Arklow!

robbie99

Riskymove wrote: »

Newlands Cross is not part of M50 to Wexford route

The OP talked about the Quarry roundabout near the M9 toll bridge to Newlands cross via M/N7.

spank_inferno then suggested continuing [from Newlands cross] to the M50 and onto the N11 to Wexford.

antodeco is pointing out that there are lights at Newlands cross so that rules out continuing on to Wexford via the M50.

L1011

Marcusm wrote: »

Still further than Arklow!

The location he has as the end of the "Arklow bypass" is the end of the Gorey bypass.

bijapos

I drove Lisburn to Galway city last week, about 360km on the motorway, had to slow down for the tolls at Drogheda, Enfield and Ballinasloe but with the Eazypass you can drive through at about 20 kmh.

Apart from that there are no traffic lights or roundabouts, all junctions are free flow. Did it in 3 hours dead, with a 10 min stop for a Nr 2 and a take away coffee at the services near Enfield.

Cork is about 50 km longer, but there is a traffic light at Newlands Cross so it wouldn't count.

If you accept that using an Eazypass allows you to drive through a toll without stopping then I would suggest Randalstown to Galway, about 400km.

MadsL

Didn't they announce freeflow improvements to Newland Cross recently so that Belfast to Cork should be continuous motorway.

bijapos

MadsL wrote: »

Didn't they announce freeflow improvements to Newland Cross recently so that Belfast to Cork should be continuous motorway.

They announced that first around 1981-82 at least, (I jest ye not). I'll believe that when I see it. They made some attempt to start it a couple of years ago but stuff like Enda's Ballaghdereen bypass to get the Up Mayo boys home a bit quicker take precedence.

mickdw

bijapos wrote: »

They announced that first around 1981-82 at least, (I jest ye not). I'll believe that when I see it. They made some attempt to start it a couple of years ago but stuff like Enda's Ballaghdereen bypass to get the Up Mayo boys home a bit quicker take precedence.

I cant believe that you are trying to say that Dublin and surrounds comes off worse than mayo when it comes to infrastructure.

Berty

I'm in a r ush but I will throw this in there.

N52 runs from Dundalk to South Nenagh. Must be a long ass road. It's not fully A-B and twists all over the damn place.

Marcusm

MYOB wrote: »

The location he has as the end of the "Arklow bypass" is the end of the Gorey bypass.

The URL didn't work for me; guess I should have realised he meant Gorey as it sounds so similar to Arklow even if it's in a different county. Apologies if I'm being sensitive being from Gorey, I'm entitled!!!

Seth Brundle

Marcusm wrote: »

Why would you not continue on past Gorey? This would mean somewhere like Ferns or Camolin.

That roundabout thingy there at the southern end of Gorey
http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=M1&daddr=N11&hl=en&ll=52.632347,-6.368058&spn=0.007514,0.021136&sll=53.662773,-6.332202&sspn=0.014672,0.042272&geocode=FbLTMgMdNmmf_w%3BFesdIwMd6MOe_w&vpsrc=6&mra=mift&mrsp=0&sz=15&t=h&z=16

Seth Brundle

bijapos wrote: »

If you accept that using an Eazypass allows you to drive through a toll without stopping then I would suggest Randalstown to Galway, about 400km.

How would you get off the M1 at Lisburn (you've to stop at a roundabout)?


What about the small wee roundabout here?

phog

Beer Baron wrote: »

I'm in a r ush but I will throw this in there.

N52 runs from Dundalk to South Nenagh. Must be a long ass road. It's not fully A-B and twists all over the damn place.

Isn't there roundabouts in Birr at least on this road?

TestTransmission

phog wrote: »

Isn't there roundabouts in Birr at least on this road?

There's about 3 I think and 3 sets of traffic lights aswell (I think)

Berty

Sorry (I said I was in a rush ). I assumed you mean non stop as in a continous stretch of road without any breaks in it. People might say "The Motorway from Limerick to Dublin is" but it does have a N18, M7 and N7 to compete with.

I didn't think you meant phsyically having to stop. Having a clue what road it is so.

si_guru

Kilorglin to Kenmare - 117Km. ??

phog

Beer Baron wrote: »

Sorry (I said I was in a rush ). I assumed you mean non stop as in a continous stretch of road without any breaks in it. People might say "The Motorway from Limerick to Dublin is" but it does have a N18, M7 and N7 to compete with.

I didn't think you meant phsyically having to stop. Having a clue what road it is so.

I think this is what they're trying to achieve.

kbannon wrote: »

Right, as its an interesting thread, lets assume the term junction means one where you must stop/yield.

So no:
* tolls (let's exclude the M50 barrier free toll though)
* traffic / pedestrian lights
* roundabouts
* stopping

It can be a combination of roads (e.g. motorway & non-motorway) and may also cover both RoI & NI.

Is this ok?

bijapos

mickdw wrote: »

I cant believe that you are trying to say that Dublin and surrounds comes off worse than mayo when it comes to infrastructure.

I'm not saying that at all, my point is that with a limited roads budget for the forseeable future the money should be spent where it will be more effective.

There are far more people using Newlands Cross every day than Ballaghdereen, there are at times massive tailbacks there some days going back to Kingswood and Rathcoole which hit the economy harder than the odd traffic jam in Ballaghdereen.

I'm saying this as someone originally from Roscommon living in Dublin, the Ballagh bypass is not a top priority right now, the money would be better spent improving the quality of the existing roads in the Roscommon-Mayo area.

kbannon wrote: »

How would you get off the M1 at Lisburn (you've to stop at a roundabout)?


What about the small wee roundabout here?

I mean you drive through Belfast on the M1 and then head for Randalstown rather than going cross country from Lisburn.

Seth Brundle

bijapos wrote: »

I mean you drive through Belfast on the M1 and then head for Randalstown rather than going cross country from Lisburn.

I understand that but you come to a roundabout when you leave the M1 at Lisburn (M1 & A1 jcn) and also further along the A1 at Hillsborough.

bijapos

kbannon wrote: »

I understand that but you come to a roundabout when you leave the M1 at Lisburn (M1 & A1 jcn) and also further along the A1 at Hillsborough.

Sorry, you're right. I didnt think of this as I usually go to Culcavy and rarely do the Hillsborough-Lisburn stretch.

So Hillsborough-Galway would be 345km or so.

The Guvnor

Terrontress wrote: »

Although M1 toll does not need to be stopped at if you have Eazypass. It does need serious deceleration to about 30km/h so I suppose the drive cannot be described as uninterrupted.

You make a good and valid point - same could be said for some of the roundabouts thereby taking you well past belfast!

Cmar-Ireland

Sorry for being away from the thread. Night shift is a killer!

Anyhow, kbannon is correct.
I should have been more clear, I meant no junctions with stop or yield signs. M7 to M9 is free flow so is ok.

I reckon Newlands to the quarry roundabout is the longest.
Boring bloody drive tho...

dr.fuzzenstein

A7 in Germany. (I know, longest road in Ireland, just having a bit of fun), 963 km, that'll clear the DPF!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesautobahn_7
(Almost enough time to listen to Kraftwerk's Autobahn)

The Guvnor

Some road Dr. Fuzz - take a german what 5 hrs to do that?:D

dr.fuzzenstein

The Guvnor wrote: »

Some road Dr. Fuzz - take a german what 5 hrs to do that?:D

Well, we used to live near Fuessen on the south end of that road at the Austrian border and my grandparents lived near Kiel, near the Danish border.
I know that on at least one occasion we drove that road, but it's so long ago, I have no memory of it.
Am definitely planning to do that trip one day, thank God there are plenty of rest stations along the way, no one can hold it that long!
Five hours you say? That sounds like a challenge!
One party takes the train and one the car. Top Gear rules, only public transport for one party and car only the other.:D