Driving from Carlow to Galway

Michael_Dare

Haven't driven to Galway before. Does anyone know how long it would take? I'm guessing about 2 and a half hours. Is that optimistic?

The route I'm planning is Carlow - Portlaois - Tullamore - M6 - Galway.

Is that the best way, or would the M7 - Limerick - Galway be better.

Thanks in advance.

radharc

The quickest way is actually Naas - Clane - Kilcock - M4 - M6.

It is at least 15 mins quicker than Portlaoise depending on traffic but you will get stung for an extra toll.

You should do it in about 2 hrs and 15 mins

Michael_Dare

Thanks. I'd never have thought to go back to Naas.

Ken.

http://www.theaa.ie/routes/print.aspx?from=13720000160652|52.835771337168865|-6.9248363842586|Carlow,%20Carlow,%20County%20Carlow&to=13720000181452|53.27604277346275|-9.053749350976158|Galway%20City,%20Galway,%20County%20Galway&via=&avoidMWays=false&avoidTolls=false&database=I

AA route map says the best way is Portlaoise-Tullamore-Athlone-Galway.

byhookorbycrook

Portlaoise Tullamore is not a great road and can be hard to make time on it, but we usually go that way, as we know the roads well.

mountcisco

Portlaoise-Tullamore-Athlone-Galway is by far the quickest. Going to Naas makes no sense.

mountcisco

radharc wrote: »

The quickest way is actually Naas - Clane - Kilcock - M4 - M6.

It is at least 15 mins quicker than Portlaoise depending on traffic but you will get stung for an extra toll.

You should do it in about 2 hrs and 15 mins

2hrs 15 min from Carlow??

Are you just thinking of Naas - Galway?

Carlow2011

radharc wrote: »

The quickest way is actually Naas - Clane - Kilcock - M4 - M6.

It is at least 15 mins quicker than Portlaoise depending on traffic but you will get stung for an extra toll.

You should do it in about 2 hrs and 15 mins

Have gone every which way and this is definitely the quickest. There is a toll on this route.

mountcisco

Carlow2011 wrote: »

Have gone every which way and this is definitely the quickest. There is a toll on this route.

Holy God that's amazing. I stand corrected. I'd say it would cost a bit more in fuel cos the distance is more.

radharc

mountcisco wrote: »

Holy God that's amazing. I stand corrected. I'd say it would cost a bit more in fuel cos the distance is more.

Even though you seem to be going in the wrong direction to start it is worth it to get on a motorway as soon as possible. Yes 2 hrs 15 mins but that is going hard enough (maybe 140 avg on deserted motorways).

Super-Rush

Used to take me 2 and a half hours from Carlow to Loughrea going through Port Laois-Tullamore-Athlone.

Al Capwned

I do it occasionally (from Castledermot admittedly), and I go M9 to Naas -> Straffan -> Maynooth - M4.

Don't go Clane, Kilcock as it's mainly evening hitting Naas area and dont wan't to go through town or Monread Rd. or Sallins...

tommycahir

gone a few times and either take
Carlow, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Athlone, Galway
Carlow, M9, Naas, Clane, Salins, M4, M6, Galway

have found that 2nd route is faster although somewhat longer and if you have little kids doesn't give you much options to pull over for toilet breaks or something to feed them without going a good bit of motorway.

Al Capwned

tommycahir wrote: »

gone a few times and either take
Carlow, Portlaoise, Tullamore, Athlone, Galway
Carlow, M9, Naas, Clane, Salins, M4, M6, Galway

have found that 2nd route is faster although somewhat longer and if you have little kids doesn't give you much options to pull over for toilet breaks or something to feed them without going a good bit of motorway.

There are motorway services near Enfield which I occasionally stop at. Very handy.
Edit - the fact it has a BK is a big plus for me

Laois_Man

Carlow->Athy->Monasterevin->Portarlington->Tullamore is worth considering

Not a wonderful road either but still better than heading to Portlaoise.

Super-Rush

Laois_Man wrote: »

Carlow->Athy->Monasterevin->Portarlington->Tullamore is worth considering

Not a wonderful road either but still better than heading to Portlaoise.

Went this way once and it took forever.

Never again.

Bog Man 1

I like to go Carlow ,Abbeyleix, Balacolla , Boris in Ossary Roscrea , Birr Portumna , Loughrea and you can join up with the motorway or go the old road into Galway . Lots of interesting little towns and I usually get someone else to drive and there are lots of places with restaurants or small hotels for a cup of tea or a bite to eat . I also go through Tullamore and I have come back all the way on the Motorway . Whats all this rushing for . I like tuning into all the local radio stations particularly at night because you get a sense of where you are .