A Wales road trip starting in Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire is in the far west of Wales, so most itineraries use it as one end. From a base such as Tenby you can reach Gower and the Brecon Beacons in under two hours each, while Snowdonia is a much longer separate leg. Wales has three national parks. Besides the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, they are Eryri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons).
The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park was designated in 1952 and covers roughly 615 km². It includes the coast, the offshore islands and part of the Preseli Hills. Because the coast is the main attraction, many drivers combine short drives with walking sections of the coast path. If you want to book a boat or island trip on the way, see the Pembrokeshire tours page.
Drive times from Tenby
Pure driving time, without stops or traffic.
| Route | Distance and time | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Tenby to Rhossili | 66.6 miles, 1 h 32 min | Gower |
| Tenby to Brecon | 73.8 miles, 1 h 36 min | Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) |
| Tenby to Betws-y-Coed | 132.3 miles, 3 h 27 min | Eryri (Snowdonia) |
The towns are stand-ins for their regions, not distances to every sight in a park. Parking at mountain destinations and road works on your route need a check for your travel dates. For most drivers with a few days, Pembrokeshire plus Gower and Brecon is the realistic circuit. Add Eryri only if you can spare a separate leg.
Our pick: five-day small-group tour of Wales
A fixed itinerary with a driver-guide, useful if you want the Wales loop without driving it yourself.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Pembrokeshire day trips for your road trip
Boat trips, island visits and guided days out to break up the drive, with live prices and availability.
Wales road trip: getting the car
Airports, trains and car hire.
Cardiff Airport (CWL)
The airport has a car rental building near the short stay car park. By road it is about 87 miles and close to 2 hours to Tenby and about 91 miles and 1 hour 49 minutes to Haverfordwest. Treat these as a rough guide.
Bristol Airport (BRS)
The Car Rental Centre is reached by shuttle from Bay 1 of the Transport Interchange, every 15 minutes from 06:00 to 00:00 and on request at night. Not every company is in the terminal. By road to Tenby it is 132.9 miles, about 2 hours 36 minutes.
By train
Cardiff Central to Haverfordwest takes about 2.5 hours. Cardiff Central to Tenby takes about 2 hours to 2 hours 50 minutes depending on the service, so allow nearly 3 hours on some trains. Check your day's timetable.
Tenby in summer
From 6 July to 11 September the walled town has zoned access restrictions from 11:00 to 17:30 daily. Do not plan to drive freely through the centre.
More on arrival is on the getting there page.
Parking and camping rules on the way
Small points that catch drivers out.
Stackpole car parks
Stackpole Quay, Broad Haven South, Bosherston Lily Ponds and Stackpole Court charge £4 for up to 3 hours and £8 for a day. Buses, coaches and motorhomes are not allowed because the roads are narrow. National Trust members and Blue Badge holders park free.
Martin's Haven for Skomer
Cars pay £4 for up to 3 hours or £8 for the day. A campervan pays £5 or £10, and a motorhome or minibus £6 or £12. You cannot stay overnight or camp there.
Wild camping
It is not allowed without the landowner's permission. Most of the national park land is privately owned.
Tides on the path
If you leave the car for a coast walk, note that Sandy Haven and The Gann can be covered for more than 6 hours per tide. See the coast path page.
Preseli Hills and Stonehenge
A detour inland from the coast.
The Preseli Hills lie partly inside the national park, inland from the north coast. Research from 2026 separates the Preseli bluestones from the sarsens and the Altar Stone. The Altar Stone probably comes from the Orcadian Basin in northeast Scotland, and not every Stonehenge stone came from Wales. How the bluestones travelled is still open.
Wales road trip: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Pembrokeshire to Snowdonia?
It is 132.3 miles and about 3 hours 27 minutes from Tenby to Betws-y-Coed in the Eryri region, without stops. Add time for breaks and for mountain roads.
Which are the national parks in Wales?
Pembrokeshire Coast, Eryri (Snowdonia) and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) are the three.
Where can I rent a car for a Wales road trip?
Cardiff Airport has a car rental building near the short stay car park, and Bristol Airport has a Car Rental Centre reached by shuttle. Prices and availability depend on the company and date.
Can I take a motorhome around Pembrokeshire?
You can drive one, but at the Stackpole car parks motorhomes are not allowed. Martin's Haven allows them with higher fees and no overnight stay. Plan your stops with this in mind.
Do I need a visa for a Wales road trip?
Visitors from Europe and the USA usually need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) rather than a visa. It costs £20 from 8 April 2026. Check your own entry rules before you travel.