Exeter from the East - best route

davidlizard

I have the pleasure of driving to Penzance tomorrow from the Salisbury area, and was wondering if anyone who is familiar with this journey could advise on the best route, particularly to the East of Exeter. I last made this journey around 10 years ago when Swampy and his mates were dug in around the A30.

Looking at the map indicates I should blatt down the A303, then join the A30 east of Exeter, then get on the M5 for a couple of junctions through Exeter and then skirt round the Okehampton side of Dartmoor and continue west on the A30 (unless the wife nags me to stop at Trago Mills then its the Plymouth way).

I do recall the A30 east of Exeter being painfully slow, so would often go up the A358 at Ilminster and join the M5 at Taunton. However I would guess things have improved since they evicted swampy and built the road?

So my question is should I stay on the A303/A30 or cut up to the M5 on the A358?

All advice gratefully received and apologies for such a trivial question!!

KeithP

The A30 from Honiton to the M5 is all (a nearly empty) dual carriageway now.