Time It Takes To Drive From Bristol to Gillingham

If you're planning a road trip from Bristol to Gillingham, you might be wondering about the travel time. How long does it take to drive from Bristol to Gillingham? What is the fastest route? What about the distance?

In this blog post, we will give you all the necessary information to plan your journey, taking into consideration peak traffic patterns and the most and least optimal routes to take.

The Fastest Route

The fastest route from Bristol to Gillingham covers a distance of 143 miles, via the M4 and then the M3. According to Google Maps, this journey typically takes around 2 hours and 24 minutes in decent traffic conditions, with no stops.

However, do keep in mind that traffic can be unpredictable, and some routes within the cities might have additional traffic delays. Additionally, the M3 route may also have significant traffic during peak hours, such as when people are heading to and from work.

Distance in Alternate Routes

There are other routes you could take from Bristol to Gillingham. For instance, instead of M4, you might take the A4 through Bath then connect to the M5 and finally the M3. This alternate route covers a distance of around 150 miles, and you should budget about 2 hours and 45 minutes for the drive.

If you are up for a more scenic drive and have a little extra time on your hands, you could also consider taking the A303, which is around 170 miles and takes an estimated 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Peak Traffic Time vs. Low Traffic Time

The travel time we mentioned above is based on light traffic conditions. If you're going to travel during peak traffic times, such as early morning or late afternoon, expect the journey to take longer. Additionally, if any unexpected road works or delays occur, this could slow down the journey even more.

In peak traffic times, the journey will most likely take around 3 hours. Make sure you plan accordingly if you time your trip disallow peak traffic situations.

Best Time of Day to Travel

If you are looking to avoid peak traffic times, plan your travel times wisely. Generally, the most preferred time for travelling is mid-morning, around 10 am to noon or become the afternoon around 1 pm to 3 p.m. You can also consider travelling during the evening rush-hour 6 pm – 8 pm or at night as this is also an excellent way to avoid traffic.

In conclusion

Taking into count all the information we shared above, the travel time of Bristol to Gillingham will depend on the route, traffic conditions, and the time of day. Keep in mind that traffic can be unpredictable at times, so it's always best to plan for the worst-case scenario.

In any of these situations, we strongly advise making sure that you have plenty of petrol, food and hydration, and make any necessary arrangements in advance so that your journey goes smoothly.