The Joy of Driving: Time It Takes From Bude to North Norfolk

There's nothing quite like hitting the open road and taking in the surrounding scenery. From Bude to North Norfolk, there are various routes to take that each offer their own unique journey. We're going to take a closer look at those routes and the time it takes to get from one place to the other.

Fastest and Slowest Routes

The fastest route from Bude to North Norfolk involves taking the M5 motorway up to Bristol, then switching to the M4 until Swindon, and then the A34 to Oxford and up to Banbury. From Banbury, hop on the A422 until Northampton, then switch to the A508 until Market Harborough. From there, take the A427 and then the A47 the rest of the way to North Norfolk. This route covers a distance of approximately 360 km and takes roughly 5 hours and 45 minutes depending on traffic.

The slowest and most scenic route involves taking the coastal B roads and A-roads through Exmouth, Lyme Regis, and Bridport before arriving in North Dorset. From here, take the A350 and A30 until Salisbury. Then, continue on the A338 and A354 before getting to the A31 which will take you to North Norfolk. This route covers a distance of approximately 424 km and takes around 8 hours depending on traffic.

Time Based on Traffic Patterns

During peak traffic times, both routes will take significantly longer. The fastest route can take up to 7 hours and 30 minutes, while the more scenic route can take up to 9 hours and 30 minutes. However, during off-peak hours, the fastest route can take roughly 4 hours and 45 minutes, while the scenic route can take around 6 hours.

Different Options for Every Driving Style

It's important to consider what you want out of your journey and what your driving style is. The fastest route is great for those who want to get to North Norfolk as quickly as possible without any distractions. On the other hand, the scenic route is perfect for those who want to take in the beautiful coastal roads and enjoy what each town has to offer along the way.

For those who prefer a balance of both, there's a happy medium. Taking the M5 to Bristol and then switching to A39 towards Bridgwater and then cutting through Taunton on A361 and then joining M5 for a small distance before hitting the A35, which goes via Honiton and then Bridport. Then the A3066 passes through Beaminister, Netherbury and other small towns with a lot of small shops and cafes once can enjoy. From there, hop on the A30 until Salisbury, then take the A338 until the A354, and then continue on to the A31 until North Norfolk. This route covers a distance of approximately 399 km and takes roughly 7 hours and 30 minutes depending on traffic.

Final Thoughts

There are a few different routes to choose from when driving from Bude to North Norfolk, each with their own special charm. Whether you want to take the fast route or the scenic route, or a mix of both, make sure to take into account the time it takes to get there based on the traffic conditions. Whatever you decide, just remember to enjoy the journey and take in all the beautiful sights and towns along the way.