16 hours total drive time in 6 days
 

We are flying to Shannon, Ireland on Wednesday from the United States, we will drive to see Bunratty, then drive to Galway and get a room for 2 nights.

On Friday, we will drive to Ballyvaughn, then on to the Cliffs of Moher. After exploring and hiking, we will then drive to Killarney and stay until 4 nights.

Saturday we have all day to hike and explore Killarney, find a tavern and some dinner and relax.

Sunday we plan to drive to Dingle and enjoy that town for the day.

Monday we will drive the Ring of Kerry then back for our final night in Killarney.

Tuesday we head to Cork and to see the Blarney Castle then drive to Dublin and stay for 4 nights.

Is this too much? It sounds like we have a lot of time and it will be leisurely but am I wrong?
We have never been to Ireland. Nor have either of us driven on the opposite side of the road. We will also have our 2 daughters with us. They are 16 and 17.

Makes no sense to go past the Dingle peninsula to Killarney just to turn round and turn round again. My general suggestion is to have a night close to crossing the Shannon, then drive round Dingle peninsula on the way to Killarney.

For your Galway time, or west of Glaway to the Connemara see https://goo.gl/UL09QA
For your time between Galway and the Shannon crossing see https://goo.gl/UtW24m

Thanks Tony2phones. I will look at this. Its so hard looking at a map and trying to figure the best route. I'm actually impressed that was the only suggestion! :) One more question; I've noticed from videos that people generally dress nice. Should I plan on wearing khakis and flats as opposed to shorts and flip flops? I tend to over pack so I'm trying to plan accordingly so our luggage will fit in the car this time.

@tony2phones I wasn't sure if I was supposed to tag you or not. Sorry.

Ireland is almost always too cold for shots and flip flops. Have a look at the average high temps - very rarely over 70.

People are wearing longer clothes to keep warm enough and I wasn't aware that long pants constituted dress up.

Be sure to bring with you

Tissue weight rain jacket with hood
Small folding umbrella
Closed shoes that are waterproofed

There will be a lot of gray skies, mist and drizzle mixed in with sunny intervals - although really heavy rain isn't that common.

I am a bit curious where you found the 16 hours drive time?

If you looked up the distances on one of the on-line mileage calculators -- it is almost certainly overly optimistic. Generally one needs to add 40% or more, sometimes even doubling the drive times. Basically plan on about 30-35 mph in most scenic/rural areas.

Thank you nytraveler. I noticed people wearing pants and heavier shoes so I think I will plan on wearing my hiking boots for more than just hiking. I'm not sure how people pack for long periods of time and only bring a backpack. This should be interesting. nytraveler

Janisj, I put the locations in google maps and added stops in between then added the total distance once I got to Dublin.

I generally plan for no more than 3 hours driving time per day. My travel companion and I decided on that time limit after a long-ish day, at the end of which I got confused entering a "dual carriageway" and hit a truck.

I can travel an unlimited amount of time with a carry-on size suitcase. I wear the same thing several times and if necessary, rinse things out in the sink.

P.S. My little accident was in England, where driving on the "wrong" side confused me. Usually I have no problem with that, but as I said, it was a long-ish day and I was tired.

We are flying next Thursday and the weather is a bit cold still. I did a 14 day forecast and will be lucky to see 65. Hoping for sun.

You need to really examine the mileage/drive times. None of the on-line calculators are very realistic, but google maps seems to be the MOST optimistic/unreal.

Two points:

That is not cold - that is normal for Ireland and what you should expect. I would not bring only hiking boots which can be too heavy for city walking, but just well-broken in walking shoes.

Except for limited motorways the more rural roads in Ireland are usually fairly narrow with limited shoulders and often sheep or other animals on them. You should assume an average speed of no more than 35 mph - so unless you want to spend more than 3 or 4 hours on the road limit your daily mileage to about 100-120 - no more or you will just be driving the whole time.

nytraveler, cold for this Florida girl, 65 was high, most days are around 45-50 but have been in May when we were in tee shirts and wish we had flip flops, next day freezing in very windy rainy weather.
I never take hiking boots. Heavy and they take up so much room and not wearing on a plane. Just doing a few lightweight layers. We are going to a race in NI and that is the only day I am really worried about. So far the weather looks sunny for the 17th.
Rome2Rio is great.

My husband refused to believe the drive times until we got there and discovered that it really is true--35 mph is a good speed. We often had to stop to let the cattle and sheep go by. Also, the roads are extremely narrow and in the rural areas, one lane. If you meet someone you look for a place to pull out to let the other car go by. There is no shoulder most places and the fences and shrubs come right up to the edge of the road.

Rent a small car like the natives drive. Just take less luggage. We had three people with one duffel each and it filled the car.

BTW, it is often difficult to get a car with automatic transmission. Don't forget that the shift lever is on the left side of the steering wheel. All of this will slow down your driving even more.

One more thing: ALWAYS drive in the left lane except when passing. No exceptions.

Google can be very helpful for figuring out routes. But in my experience you have to multiply their drive times by 1.5-2.

>>Google can be very helpful for figuring out routes. But in my experience you have to multiply their drive times by 1.5-2.<<

That is my experience as well . . .

I personally like the AA route planner better, but even it often needs a +50% adjustment

You will average 35mph over all anything better is a bonus so take the miles divide by 35 will give you rough drive time.

Rent a small car like the natives?? better not go out in my Renault Master (6'6" x 18') again today then! most folk round here drive Passat's, Volvo's or 4x4's but then our lanes are fairly narrow :) Rent something that gives you room to breath, 2" each side gives you 4" shoulder space.

What most people don't realise that by using a base to tour from then moving to another base they drive twice the distance someone driving a road trip covers. You have plenty of time to cover the locations you have listed.