West Midlands to Weymouth area route

[Tapestry]

Hello

We will be travelling from West Midlands to Weymouth area of Dorset in mid August, on either a Friday or Saturday morning. Have in the past done M6, M5 getting off the M5 the junction before Taunton and then cutting across. We know its busy at that time of year. Does anyone know of an alternative route. Many thanks in advance

 

[jackwinguk]

Hiya

We travel that way regularly from the Midlands and only ever use A46, M40, A34 onto the M3 off at M27 then follow the A31 straight down to A35 Dorchester Finaly onto the A354 to Weymouth. Been using this route for years and never had any problems once the Newbury Bypass opened.
Having a bread at the Newbury Services.
Good Journey, we'll be using this round more or less to Brockenhurst in September, travelling down to Weymouth to visit the Son and his Grandparent.
Have a nice steady and safe journel, Each to their own.

 

[RayS]

Apart from the old joke about 'I wouldn't start from there' Weymouth is not the easiest to get to.
Have a look at M5 to Taunton, down to A303 and back to Yeovil, then A37 to Dorchester and onto A354 to Weymouth.
Taunton to Yeovil is fairly easy - alternate overtaking lanes or 4 lane, the 37 goes round the edge of Yeovil and not through the middle, and then goes over the gentle hills to Dorchester.

I live north east of Yeovil but often use the route to get to the ferry at Poole, rather than fighting through the narrow and twisting roads which may appear more direct. A few more miles are worth it for a more relaxed trip.