Is it possible to get to Cornwall on one full tank of petrol?

[HappyChappieDappe]

Specifics are, travelling from East Anglia to St Ives, Google maps says 329 miles, up to 5.5 hours drive.
Car is a relatively new Dacia Duster, full petrol capacity is just over 300 miles I think (never put a FULL tank in)
Is it doable? or will I need to fill up part way through? (Obviously will fill up on the way back)
Just want to get the logistics defined as will be travelling with a small child who will need a couple of comfort breaks.

How dare you!! 😁

We have had much work done on the A30 in the last few years, it runs like an interstate in America!!! (Not).

BTW I agree with you. The ball ache is always the A30.

I would never push it-especially with a small child.

What if there is traffic/an accident/roadworks and you end up sitting or diverted?

I would never leave it to chance. i would def top up!!!

Yeah I agree with You

I am in SE London (almost Kent) and it takes about 5 and a half hours. Or it did when I last went which was Years ago

You’ll arrive with at least 100 miles of range remaining.

I live in southeast Cornwall. It's still showing 2hrs from Exeter to St Ives as of right now!

You might want to factor in where's cheapest to fill up for your holiday and return journey, and I think that Cornwall tends to be more expensive than other counties further up/across the country.

I live in Sussex and it's showing 5.5 hours for me. I won't be testing it out though, as I'd be a bit late for the school run.

It's frigging cheaper to fill my car in Penzance than in Plymouth.... 🙄

There are pirates in penzance though

Ah I remember the days of trying to juggle a sleeping child with the drive to cornwall😆 I once made the mistake of leaving at 9am. It took us 12 hours to get to Hayle just outside of St Ives 😬

Overnight is good if you have someone to share the driving with.

I'm travelling from Essex to St Ives. Google maps shows its 5 hours 54 which of course I know won't be accurate taking into account traffic and stops.

Cornish person here who has regularly travelled to and from Norwich. You will absolutely NEED to refuel (if your car only does 300 to 350 miles). You should plan for the journey taking in the region of at least 8 hours. You are travelling to Cornwall with thousands of others at half term. The traffic will be bad. There are also lots of roadworks. With a small child I recommend familiarising yourself with more than just the 2 potential stops. Fuel stops are also not always plentiful or convenient in Cornwall and pricey. Sorry to be dramatic, one time it took us 9 hours back from Norwich to North Cornwall and it's another hour plus on to St Ives. Be prepared to sit in traffic jams and absolutely always have a full tank of fuel (inc. for heat in the car if you are stuck in an accident queue etc). I hope none of this happens and you have a clean run. Note: the main A30 to St Ives is CLOSED overnight next week from 17th to 21st from 8pm to 6am, so avoid those times!

Isn't Winchester out of your way?

Just down from Winchester services there’s a big Tesco (J9 M3) that is significantly cheaper for refuelling. But I live locally and I’d nearly always go up to the a303 and go to Cornwall that way, the Dorset route is never as quick as it says it’s going to be.

if you want a nice picnic spot and you do end up going via Bridport, stop at west bay. Lovely play area, 5 mins walk to the beach and ice cream.

To St Ives, no way! To the top of Cornwall, yes. Fairly regularly go to both.
Have gone from Buckinghamshire to Polperro in 4 hours 45 minutes which I thought was really good going (but that was my then DP driving, who doesn't tire like I do). To St Ives (which has always driving alone), I would never go direct, too far, so I stay at Polperro on the way. Polperro to St Ives is always about two hours or more cos of bad roads. I wouldn't trust your 'quote' due to those roads

I should add, I've always gone when it's not school hols... so you should add several hours on ! Most of my trips were March. Only time I went in summer was one August and you could easily double my times

And please... definitely fill up on route, you just never know!

Very confused why it matters. You're stopping anyway, for a comfort break, and you'll need fuel to come back anyway, so just fill up enroute. What a strange question! (unless I'm fully missing the point!)

It won't be 6 hours .
Aim for 8 and you might be lucky.

@Desmondo2021 assume trying to avoid high fuel prices at motorway service stations

Second this. Last year, not during school holiday time, it took me 8 hours to do a journey to Cornwall that was supposed to be 5.5 hours, and I'm starting off a lot closer to Cornwall than East Anglia.

My car once it gets to zero still has roughly 4.5 litres left (don't ask how I know I just do, but lots of worry) so long as you drive fairly economically you should do it. If i were you i would pop a post it note over the fuel gauge and warning light, pray hard before you leave and don't worry about it.

Finding petrol stations in Cornwall can mean detours, so maybe top up at Exeter, then keep it half full all week.

This! I can confirm you’re looking at 2 hours Exeter - St Ives.

Look at a map for reference and maybe … Call in at Cullompton, just off the M5 or go a bit further to Exeter Services and top up there.

The slower you drive the more economical the fuel consumption but it’s a long drive and you’ll want to get the journey done.

Fair point!
In that case as a local I can confirm that there's a Tesco superstore with filling station less than half a mile off the M5 J28 in Cullompton!