London to Plymouth by Chauffeur: The Long Run to the South West

Two corridors west

Plymouth can be reached two ways from London and they are genuinely different journeys. The motorway option runs the M4 to Bristol, the M5 south past Taunton and Exeter, then the A38 Devon Expressway across the edge of Dartmoor. The alternative leaves on the M3 and takes the A303 past Stonehenge, joining the M5 near Exeter. The first is longer in miles and usually shorter in time; the second is shorter and far more variable.

In summer the A303 can be slow enough to erase its distance advantage completely, particularly on the single carriageway sections. Outside peak periods it is a pleasant drive and a reasonable choice. The point is that the decision is made against the day rather than fixed in advance.

The A38 and the last hour

Past Exeter the A38 becomes the spine of Devon. It is dual carriageway, fast and scenically striking, with long climbs and descents around Haldon and the southern edge of Dartmoor. It also carries a great deal of holiday traffic in summer and it is exposed to fog and heavy rain in the shoulder seasons. Plymouth appears at the end of it fairly suddenly, with the approach dropping down toward the Tamar.

• Marsh Mills as the main entry point from the A38
• The Embankment and Exeter Street for the city centre
• Millbay for the ferry port and the waterfront
• The Tamar Bridge for Saltash and onward into Cornwall

Ferry departures from Millbay

Plymouth is a working ferry port with sailings to France and Spain, and those departures have firm check-in deadlines set by the operator rather than by the road. Given that the drive from London can run to six hours, the sensible pattern for a sailing is either a very early start or an overnight stay near the port. Arriving with an hour in hand and waiting comfortably is a much better outcome than a late dash down the A38.

Breaks and the length of the day

Four and a half to six hours is the honest band for this journey and the upper end is common in summer. That length changes what good service looks like: a planned break rather than a hurried one, a chance to stretch, and a chauffeur who is not attempting a same-day return in one shift. Where a return is needed, the arrangement is discussed openly and may involve an overnight stay rather than an immediate turnaround.

Continuing into Cornwall

Plymouth is where many south-west journeys change gear. Cross the Tamar and the roads narrow, the A38 continues toward Liskeard and Bodmin, and the coastal lanes down to Fowey, Rock or St Mawes are slow by design. Anyone continuing that far should treat Plymouth as a milestone rather than an arrival, and plan the total day accordingly rather than adding the last stretch as an afterthought.

Plan your chauffeur journey

London Chauffeurs provides itinerary-led private travel for airport transfers, executive travel, private aviation, events and long-distance UK journeys. Availability and pricing are confirmed for the requested itinerary.

Frequently asked questions