katherinebw

Can anyone give advice on how long it would take to drive from Carlingford to Ballycastle in Northern Ireland on coastal roads, i.e., Coast Road to Torr Road to Cushendall Road? We will stop along the way, of course, but want to know what these roads are like. From Google maps they seem to be among the most narrow,and I bet the views are breathtaking--but what isn't in Ireland? We're trying to plan so that we are not driving more than four hours a day on back roads, but that doesn't count stops. In other words, if the drive took four hours without stops that would be fine. We will have the time, however, to take 8-10 hours and savour it. If it's more than four hours we will stop overnight in-between.

Tony2phones

Google maps give the distance, divide that by 30mph and add any stops. A lot depends on how you get to/past Belfast and if you take the coast all the way. just drag and drop the route.

katherinebw

Ahh, thanks very much! I will do that for our entire trip and file it under "why didn't I think of that?" We are going to bypass Belfast as best we can. Just interested in countryside this trip.

Hooameye

This will give you an idea of what the roads are like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdkNO8LUZMk

Tony2phones

Don't know if any of this might be of use? http://goo.gl/maps/gl8uv

katherinebw

Yes, thanks! This is quite close to our itinerary. Very much appreciated. I'm actually trying to do my own on google. I'm just a little low-tech but making my way through it.

Tony2phones

Most of my maps are started for itinerary questions and expand on a regular basis. Just added the Dark Hedges to that one,

katherinebw

Lovely--thank you. I checked out the youtube video as well. So looking forward to our two weeks in Ireland.

irishrose2013

If you drove this route via Newry/Belfast up the motorway via Ballymena, you still hit narrow roads to be honest and it would take under 3 hours. So go for the scenic longer route so worth it! Newcastle area with Mourne Mountains is a must! then Downpatrick where St Patrick was buried, follow the St Patricks Trail up to Belfast, then the Antrim Coast via Glens of Antrim ( if you have seen Sons of Anarchy there is a season filmed there!) also a lot of games of thrones sets are around this area. Up in Ballycastle you'll get to visit Bushmills, carrick-a-rede, Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle.

katherinebw

Yes, thank you. We will definitely do the scenic route. How best do you suggest we we bypass Belfast starting out from Carlingford?

Tony2phones

Just skip round on the A12-A6 to Larne or the A2 M2 if comming in from the south east. Belfast is fairly user friendly as far as city's go.

katherinebw

Thanks very much--again!