What's the safest driving route from Sydney to Armidale?

[artforartssake]

My wife is driving from Randwick (Sydney) to Armidale to meet up with her daughter. She plans to leave around 8.00am tomorrow morn (Fri). She has never done this trip before or even driven a long distance on her own.

Which is the safest route for her to take: New England Hwy or Pac Hwy? Whichever route she takes, which are the most convenient places to stop for rest breaks and approx how many stops should she have?

[cq_tech]

Definitely the New England Hwy, and as far as rest stops go, every 2 hours should suffice.

There is no shortage of service stations or parking areas / rest stops, and for the most part, the road is in good to very good condition.

From memory, there are no dead spots for mobile phones until the Hwy reaches Wallangarra, on the NSW/Qld border, so she will be contactable pretty much the entire distance.

Here's wishing your OH a safe and pleasant drive, and I'm sure she'll enjoy it immensely. 🙂

[artforartssake]

thanks for the advice and good wishes!

[precious_bear]

Tell her to go to your local library and get an audio book to listen to along the way.  I do this whenever I'm doing long distances, and the time flies!

Precious :-x

[artforartssake]

thanks, but her main fear is falling asleep at the wheel

just btw, any reason why the NE HWY or a safer bet than the PAC HWY? is it because of a bigger volume of trucks and heavy traffic on the PAC?

[freakiness]

thanks, but her main fear is falling asleep at the wheel

just btw, any reason why the NE HWY or a safer bet than the PAC HWY? is it because of a bigger volume of trucks and heavy traffic on the PAC?

New England is more direct to Armidale, newer and was in better condition last time I travelled that way.

Dusk and Dawn are the danger times for falling asleep at the wheel. If she likes apples cut some into wedges to snack on during the drive....

[cq_tech]

just btw, any reason why the NE HWY or a safer bet than the PAC HWY? is it because of a bigger volume of trucks and heavy traffic on the PAC?

There is far more interstate (i.e. heavy) traffic on the Pacific than the NE, and it is also the shortest distance between Sydney and Armidale.

I drive from Brisbane to Sydney (and back) around 4 times annually, and much prefer the NE Hwy to the Pacific, despite the distances between capitals being almost identical.

Aside from the lighter traffic, I also find the scenery far more appealing via the inland route. 🙂

[happyroo_bunji]

If she is worried about falling asleep at the wheel, then maybe she shouldn't drive

[newstart2380]

Definitely the New England Hwy, and as far as rest stops go, every 2 hours should suffice.

From memory, there are no dead spots for mobile phones until the Hwy reaches Wallangarra, on the NSW/Qld border, so she will be contactable pretty much the entire distance.

  🙂

There are a few mobile black spots but mostly going over the mountains, will can drive up the M3, turn off at the Cessnock exit which brings you out at Branxton (pub on corner). Turn left and go thru to petrol station on a corner going into Quirindi and turn left. Just keep going to Tamworth and you will see sign posts to Armidale. Taking the Cessnock exit off the M3 really cuts down the time and also the amount of traffic, the old Oak Factory is on that Rd and there is a great little fruit stand.

[artforartssake]

thanks guys, I think she'll manage this ok, she's a cautious and careful driver