Realistically how long would it take to drive from the Forest of Dean to Penzance early May?

From Westbury just outside the park boundaries via Chepstow it is about 220 miles and easily 4.5 to 5 hours. From other places in teh park it could be a little less/little more. How early in May? May 2nd is a holiday so it could take much longer that weekend.

And of course, weather, construction, traffic can lengthen the drive time.

Probably depends what day of the week and the date. The first weekend in May is a long weekend and the last weekend in April is Easter so many people will be travelling. If its after that and/or during the week it will likely be less busy.

Googlemaps says 4 hours, but I would expect at least 5 hours or more, especially if you hit bad traffic, rush hour around the cities or are travelling on the weekend. All it takes is one accident to add hours to your journey so be patient

janisj - as usual we posted at the same time

And of course we are correct

3rd May which is the Tuesday after the long weekend. I did look at google maps but have read on here where it is suggested to add extra time. We are leaving from Blakeney.

DD just did it the other way from Cornwall [about 30 mins east of Penzance] to Evesham [near worcester] in about 4 hours on a saturday morning at the end of the Feb 1/2 term.

i would reckon on 5 hours including a break. [which you should always have anyway].

for those who haven't been here recently, the newly opened stretch dual-carrageway on the A30 between Bodmin and the Wadebridge turn has made a huge difference.

The worst bottle-neck is now up by Bristol. if you can get past that at an early hour, it shouldn't be too bad.

From Blakeney it is about 5 miles less -- so basically about 15 mins difference. Same-o/same-o