Vannes to Westport Road Trip: Best Stops & Hidden Gems

The road from Vannes to Westport spans approximately 1,200 kilometers, crossing France, the UK, and Ireland. A unique aspect: the route passes near the Carnac stones, which predate Stonehenge by over a millennium. This drive typically takes 12-15 hours excluding ferry crossings and stops.

Key highways include the N165 from Vannes to Brest, then the A38 in Devon, and the N5 in Ireland. The journey involves two ferry crossings: from Roscoff to Plymouth (6 hours) and from Holyhead to Dublin (3.5 hours). For insights into planning stops, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Fuel costs vary: diesel in France is around €1.80/L, in UK £1.50/L, and in Ireland €1.70/L. Tolls exist on the French N165 (€2-5). The total fuel cost for the route is approximately €180-250 depending on vehicle.

• Ferry bookings: Book Roscoff-Plymouth with Brittany Ferries (from €250 for car+driver). Holyhead-Dublin with Irish Ferries (from €120).
• Driving side changes: France/UK drive on left; Ireland drives on right – be cautious when exiting ferries.
• Currency: Euro in France/Ireland, Pound Sterling in UK. Carry cash for small purchases.

Road quality is excellent on major highways. In France, rest areas (aires) every 30 km with toilets and picnic spots. In UK, motorway services like Exeter Services (M5) have playgrounds. Ireland lacks motorway services; plan stops in towns like Athlone.

• Family-friendly: Zoo de Branféré (Vannes), The Milky Way (Devon), Westport House.
• Pet-friendly: Most French aires allow dogs on leash. UK services have dog walking areas. Irish pubs often welcome well-behaved dogs.
• Fatigue management: Break every 2 hours. Recommended stops: Quimper (Brittany), Exeter (Devon), and Kinnegad (Ireland).

Hidden off-route spots: The village of Locronan in Brittany (½ hour from Vannes), the Lizard Point in Cornwall (½ hour from A38), and Cong (near Westport, where The Quiet Man was filmed).

The route traverses the Armorique Natural Park in Brittany, the Dartmoor National Park in Devon, and the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland. Key stops include the Carnac alignment of 3,000+ megaliths (UNESCO tentative) and the Cliffs of Moher.

Local commerce highlights: oysters in Vannes, pasties in Cornwall (from £3.50), and Irish whiskey in Westport. Markets are vibrant; try the Quiberon market for seafood.

• Natural attractions: Gulf of Morbihan, Pointe du Raz, Seven Henge in Devon, Slieve League cliffs.
• UNESCO sites: Mont Saint-Michel (slight detour), Stonehenge, Skellig Michael (day trip from Kerry).