Major Highways & Driving Tips in Southampton, United Kingdom
1. M27 Motorway
A major highway connecting Southampton to London and the M3, offering fast travel to key destinations.
- Direct Connection: Offers a direct route to London without passing through city centers.
- Multiple Lanes: Has multiple lanes for smooth traffic flow, reducing congestion during peak hours.
- Rest Areas: Provides rest areas for drivers to stop and relax during long journeys.
2. A31 Highway
Connects Southampton with Bournemouth and the A35, offering another major route out of the city.
- Coastal Scenic Route: Offers a scenic coastal drive along parts of its route.
- Multiple Exits: Provides numerous exits for easy access to nearby towns and attractions.
- Busy during Peak Hours: Can become very busy during peak travel times, especially during summer months.
3. M3 Motorway
A major route connecting Southampton to London and the south of England.
- Easy Access to Airports: Offers easy access to Heathrow and Gatwick airports via the M25.
- Toll-Free Travel: Is a toll-free motorway, making it more affordable for travelers.
- Heavy Traffic During Peak Hours: Can become very busy during peak travel times, especially on Fridays and Sundays.
4. A34 Highway
Connects Southampton with Oxford and the M40, providing a key route to the Midlands.
- Scenic Route: Offers scenic views of the English countryside along parts of its route.
- Limited Services: Has fewer services and rest areas compared to larger motorways.
- Speed Cameras: Features numerous speed cameras for traffic safety.
5. A35 Highway
Connects Southampton with Dorset and the A31, offering a scenic coastal route.
- Scenic Coastal Drive: Offers a beautiful coastal drive along the Jurassic Coast.
- Narrow Sections: Features some narrow sections and sharp bends, requiring extra caution when driving.
- Limited Services: Has fewer services and rest areas compared to larger motorways.
6. A3057 Highway
Connects Southampton with the Isle of Wight via ferry services.
- Ferry Services: Requires the use of ferries to reach the Isle of Wight.
- Scenic Route: Offers a scenic drive along the Solent coastline before boarding the ferry.
- Vehicle Restrictions: Some vehicle restrictions apply for certain ferry services, such as height and weight limits.
7. A32 Highway
Connects Southampton with Portsmouth, offering a quick route to the south coast.
- Fast Travel: Enables fast travel to Portsmouth in under an hour.
- Limited Services: Has fewer services and rest areas compared to larger motorways.
- Busy during Peak Hours: Can become very busy during peak travel times, especially on weekends.
8. A36 Highway
Connects Southampton with Salisbury and the A303, offering a route to Bath and London.
- Historic Route: Passes through historic towns such as Salisbury and Stonehenge.
- Limited Services: Has fewer services and rest areas compared to larger motorways.
- Speed Cameras: Features numerous speed cameras for traffic safety.
9. A31(New Forest) Highway
Runs through the New Forest National Park, offering a scenic drive with forest and wildlife views.
- Scenic Route: Offers a beautiful scenic drive through the New Forest National Park.
- Speed Limits: Has lower speed limits due to forest wildlife and pedestrians.
- Narrow Sections: Features some narrow sections and sharp bends, requiring extra caution when driving.
10. A33 Highway
Connects Southampton with Eastleigh and the M27, offering a convenient route to local destinations.
- Local Connectivity: Enables easy access to local towns such as Eastleigh.
- Busy during Peak Hours: Can become very busy during peak travel times, especially on workdays.
- Limited Services: Has fewer services and rest areas compared to larger motorways.
11. A354 Highway
Connects Southampton with Beaulieu, offering a scenic route to the Montagu Motor Museum.
- Scenic Route: Offers a beautiful scenic drive through the New Forest.
- Speed Limits: Has lower speed limits due to forest wildlife and pedestrians.
- Narrow Sections: Features some narrow sections and sharp bends, requiring extra caution when driving.
12. A365 Highway
Connects Southampton with the A30 and Yeovil, offering a route to the southwest.
- Scenic Route: Offers scenic views of the Dorset countryside along parts of its route.
- Limited Services: Has fewer services and rest areas compared to larger motorways.
- Speed Cameras: Features numerous speed cameras for traffic safety.
13. A3024 Highway
Connects Southampton with Hythe and the Isle of Wight ferry services.
- Ferry Services: Requires the use of ferries to reach the Isle of Wight.
- Scenic Route: Offers a scenic drive along the Solent coastline before boarding the ferry.
- Vehicle Restrictions: Some vehicle restrictions apply for certain ferry services, such as height and weight limits.
14. A326 Highway
Connects Southampton with Winchester, offering a route to historic sites such as Winchester Cathedral.
- Historic Route: Passes through the historic city of Winchester.
- Limited Services: Has fewer services and rest areas compared to larger motorways.
- Speed Cameras: Features numerous speed cameras for traffic safety.
15. A360 Highway
Connects Southampton with Fawley Refinery and the M27, offering a route to industrial areas.
- Industrial Route: Leads to the Fawley Oil Refinery and industrial parks.
- Limited Services: Has fewer services and rest areas compared to larger motorways.
- Busy during Peak Hours: Can become very busy during peak travel times, especially on workdays.