Have been told 3 different times ranging from 4 hrs to 8 hrs - leaving today at 2 pm - if anyone can help, would appreciate it!

You are getting such a range because it depends on which way you are going and the all mighty weather. If you have good weather and drive straight through with only a stop or two, then it will be somewhere between 4 and 5 hours. If you get bad weather and/or stop at every sight along the way (and there are many) then look to it taking 6+ hours.

Hope this helps. Have a safe trip!

Wendy

It should be about 4 - 4 1/2 hours. (I can't imagine how it could be 8 hours...unless you stop a LOT.)

If you want to get there ASAP, I'd take the inland route...and not use the Killimer/Tarbert ferry. It won't save a huge amount of time, but maybe some because you won't have any down time waiting for the ferry.

Thank you we plan to drive straight through so I will allow 4-5 hrs - and hope for good weather -

Even though it's too late for joannapv, I wonder if anyone out there has used the AAA Ireland site for route planning, and if their driving time estimates are anywhere close to reality. http://www.aaireland.ie/routes/default.asp
(I understand that conditions can change in the blink of an eye, and that these estimates probably reflect best-case...)

I have used the site. I've found their driving directions to be great, but it always takes me a bit longer than they estimate. I think the estimates are close to reality, even if not exactly on the nose.

The driving time estimate on a site like AA Ireland is done on a crude mathematical basis, like an average speed of 60 mph for motorways, 40 mph for N roads, 30 for C roads and 20 for minor roads. So take it only as a very rough guide, as it doesn't account for congestion, roadworks, weather or stops.

from galway to dingle town it took about 4.5 hours for my husband and I. We actually made a round trip that day. but we are from LA and don't mind spending time in a car. There is a ferry in kilrush at takes about 30min off the drive (if you are coming down the coast) it was about 14 euros for a car and 2 passengers.

Dying to find out who was correct.

Me, too, I.C., as we've just bought tix for late Sept. and were thinking of driving this route... Anyone?