Portsmouth to Fort William trip

Posted on 09/09/2023 22:15 by Tammygirl

Like Kj we live in Scotland. We do the journey down yo Portsmouth usually twice a year then the same back up. 

I'm always more relaxed as Kj says once past Preston the roads do get less busy. 

We live more east of central so when going to Portsmouth we tend to leave home around 10am travel to Kendal and stop the night. Then down to Birmingham area again for another night and complete the journey on day 3, that is because we have all the time in the world and we are usually catching a night ferry.

We have however arrived in Portsmouth at 1m30pm and travelled up to Birmingham area for the night then completed the journey home from there the next day. 

In answer to the OPs question yes you can do it with just 1 overnight stop if you leave early and don't have any hiccups on the way up. However I would factor in a 2 night stop just incase. 

Posted on 10/09/2023 11:03 by Takethedogalong

Not sure if this helps, but I just used a website called Whatshalfway, and put in Portsmouth to Fort William. It gave a location called Scorton just off the M6 as the halfway point, sort of Lancashire/Lakes area (That’s a loosely termed area for those who like accuracy by the way😉)

More interestingly, and definitely something to factor in, are the approximate travel times. This is based on a solo car having a free flowing journey, not towing, not meeting any traffic, no road works, not having to refill tank or charge up a battery, take a pee stop, walk a dog, appease young children  or have something to eat! Looking at five to five and a half hours from Portsmouth to Scorton. Other half of journey, Scorton to Fort William, under same basic conditions is around six uninterrupted hours. (Bears out that routes once into Scotland are going to be slower, something we have always found, mainly because you have to wind around loch’s and mountains even if there is less traffic)

So, in theory, you could even do it in a day. Theory and reality are often a little bit different though. I didn’t include finding a site to stop over.

Posted on 09/09/2023 21:53 by Takethedogalong

Without knowing your route, it’s a bit difficult to suggest stopovers, but if you choose to use the M1, into the A1 just before Wetherby, then just before Scotch Corner there’s a good CL we have used at Catterick. It’s around half a mile to Scotch Corner, so not a huge detour from main route. On the plus side, the owners are/were very good about late evening arrivals, providing you give them a call to discuss. I will add name via an edit. You need to let folks know your route though to get some decent suggestions. 

That is a heck of a tow though, even for two days. 

Edit…. CL is called Deepdale, here is link https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/certificated-locations/england/north-yorkshire/richmond/deepdale/

We have used it a few times when heading up to Scotland. Nice stopover👍

Posted on 10/09/2023 12:36 by PhilDK

Hello Tammygirl,

Going by what you tend to do I think a two night stop may be easier for us.

We went down to Cornwall last month, 190 Miles,  and that took us 5 hours because of the traffic.

Regards

Phi.

 

 

Posted on 10/09/2023 12:46 by PhilDK

 Hello TakeThedogalong,

Thanks for the advice and recommendation.

I've made a note of the CL.

Regards,

Phil.