Best route to north Wales

[Lee28]

Hi all, we're going from Swansea area up to colwyn bay soon and were going to go up A470 but have been told it gets very mountainous that way and the coastal route is better. What do you think? And which route would you advise.
Many thanks
Lee

 

[otherclive]

A470 is a lovely route with some good laybyes for a stop. North of Machynlleth there are some longer hills as you head towards Dolgellau but nothing that a well matched outfit cannot readily cope with. I’ve used that route many times in preference to the A5 or motorway options. After Dolgellau it’s a straight road all the way to the north coast.
One of Britain’s classic driving routes and even enjoyable with a caravan behind.

 

[Paullus1959]

A470 is a lovely route with some good laybyes for a stop. North of Machynlleth there are some longer hills as you head towards Dolgellau but nothing that a well matched outfit cannot readily cope with. I’ve used that route many times in preference to the A5 or motorway options. After Dolgellau it’s a straight road all the way to the north coast.
One of Britain’s classic driving routes and even enjoyable with a caravan behind.

Indeed, the A470 is a super route. The biggest challenge you will encounter is the long incline near Dinas Mawddwy pronounced Dinas Mowthree (Dad's Welsh, lives in Harlech, Gwynedd).
However, if you want a motorway route from Swansea, take the M4, join the M5 and then the M6. Leave the M6 at Junction 16 and follow signs for Nantwich and then Chester on the A51 (Nice open road) and then join the A55 which will take you to Colwyn Bay.
I live in Uttoxeter, Staffs. I travelled down to Herbrandston near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire in 2020 and debated for ages on the best route, finally choosing the M6, M5, M4 major routes. Longer and by far less scenic but definitely more relaxed and fuel efficient.

 

[RogerL]

Indeed, the A470 is a super route. The biggest challenge you will encounter is the long incline near Dinas Mawddwy pronounced Dinas Mowthree (Dad's Welsh, lives in Harlech, Gwynedd).
However, if you want a motorway route from Swansea, take the M4, join the M5 and then the M6. Leave the M6 at Junction 16 and follow signs for Nantwich and then Chester on the A51 (Nice open road) and then join the A55 which will take you to Colwyn Bay.
I live in Uttoxeter, Staffs. I travelled down to Herbrandston near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire in 2020 and debated for ages on the best route, finally choosing the M6, M5, M4 major routes. Longer and by far less scenic but definitely more relaxed and fuel efficient.

If your outfit has a good power-to-weight ratio it'll probably be slow cars holding you up on that incline near Dinas Mawddwy 😉

 

[DaveA1]

Driven the A470 a few times. whoever told you the rout is mountainous, is being a bit dramatic, it goes through mountains but the road is one of the best in the UK . Trouble is your the driver and don't see too much of it.

Go for it and enjoy the ride.