Driving Routes From Ardee To Derry

eirman

The standard route is Ardee > Monaghan > Omagh > Strabane > Derry

It is about 150 Km and goes through 6/7 towns and uses the infamous A5.

The alternative route (M1 - A1 - M2 - A6) skirts around Belfast and does not pass through any towns. It's motorway or dual-carriageway all the way (since the recent upgrade of the A6). It's about 50 Km longer than the standard route, but I reckon that the journey should take no longer. It would certainly be a much safer and relaxing drive.

What do you think?

NIMAN

Go the Belfast way. Its much more relaxing a drive.

That drive through the North to Omagh, then Strabane to Derry, very few overtaking spots and you stand a good chance of being stuck behind farm machinery, hgv's, slow drivers.

kaahooters

its about 160km vs 210, so 50km in teh diffrence and anything from €5-€10 cheaper each way on teh standard route in fuel.

i drive the n5 quit regularly, never had much of an issue, never saw the reputation of the n5 bein infamous warrented.

timmyntc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120776299#Comment_120776299

Tell that to all the people injured and dead on the road - its full of accident black spots and is empirically an awful road.

Not to mention the horrendous traffic going through Omagh at certain times of day. Easily an extra 20mins at the wrong time of day.

xabi

Belfast all the way, and if you are going to Derry City you have the new DC from Dungiven into the city, so the only single carriageway you have is over the Glenshane Pass.

kaahooters

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120776374#Comment_120776374

will do, no problem.

as for the delay going through Omah, 20 min would make the trip the same time as belfast, with out traffic in belfast, so theres no saving.

eirman

Study the A12 to M2 Belfast Junction before you take this route and make sure you don't accidental go on the the M5 later on.

Going South, the M2 to A12 junction is slightly more complex. However. the M5 does not enter into the equation going south.

Get in lane in good time and save yourself much angst!

Wishbone Ash

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120776299#Comment_120776299

(presume you mean the A5 not the N5).

I drive it both ways weekly and although I've never been involved in any accidents over the past 30 years, I've seen many near misses particularly impatient idiots overtaking multiple vehicles with a bend approaching and then having to force themselves back into a non existent space putting law abiding motorists at risk.

kaahooters

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120779480#Comment_120779480

yup a5, my bad.

JMcL

A5 is a horrible road and always has been (at least since the N2 got improved decades ago). I've been going between Dublin and Inishowen for over 30 years - though less regularly now than before, and especially since the kids came along about 13 years ago I've favoured the Belfast route, it's a much smoother route (they used to sleep in the back and would be swung left and right on the A5). The exceptions would be late in the evening when there's little traffic on the A5.

Also take into account that if you're thinking about doing this in the short term, it's coming into marching season, and our lambeg and flute playing brethern do be liking to march along the kings highway in places like Sion Mills at this time of year. This will give you great opportunities and plenty of time to see the countryside if you happen upon a diversion for same