07565 772430 Removals Bristol to Exeter — 80 Miles, One Day
By Jay Newton, Director · Updated February 2026
Exeter is one of those destinations that sits in a sweet spot for us. Eighty miles down the M5, an hour and a half to two hours depending on the day — close enough to load, drive, unload, and wrap up without needing a second day for most homes. A single van with two movers handles a one- or two-bed flat. A three-bed family home typically needs two to three movers and still fits inside a single day. It only tips into two days at the four- or five-bedroom level, where the volume of furniture and boxes demands more trips or a slower, more careful approach.
We've done the drive to Devon on a normal Tuesday in October in under two hours. We've also been on the same road on a Friday before a bank holiday weekend watching the clock and watching the miles barely tick over. The difference between those two journeys is the difference between a smooth move and a stressful one — and it comes down almost entirely to which day you choose.
What Makes a Bristol to Exeter Move Different?
The M5 Calendar Problem
The M5 southbound is the main artery to Devon and Cornwall, and during school holidays, bank holiday weekends, and peak summer Fridays, it is notorious for grinding to a halt. The stretch between Taunton and Exeter carries all the holiday traffic heading for the coast, and a journey that takes 90 minutes on a Wednesday in November can stretch past three hours on the wrong Friday in July.
Avoid the Friday before any school holiday like it owes you money. A midweek move outside term-time holidays is consistently faster, calmer, and better value — your crew spends less time sitting in traffic and more time doing productive work. We always flag the holiday calendar when you book and will advise on the best dates available.
Exeter's Character
Exeter's historic centre — the Cathedral Quarter, the quayside, the medieval streets around Fore Street — presents the same kind of access challenges you find in Bath. Tight roads, limited parking, restricted zones, and buildings that were never designed for a Luton van to pull up outside. We use smaller vehicles where the streets demand it and arrange parking suspensions through Exeter City Council well before move day.
The suburbs and newer developments around Exeter are a different story. Areas like Pinhoe, Cranbrook, and the developments off the Topsham Road tend to have wider streets, driveways, and room to work. Each property gets its own access assessment during our pre-move survey — we never assume.
Beyond Exeter
We also cover the surrounding area from this route. Topsham, Exmouth, Crediton, and Tiverton are all within easy reach once we're off the M5. If your new home is in one of these towns rather than Exeter itself, the same service applies — we quote based on your exact destination and factor in any local access considerations.
★★★★★“The team from Painless helped us move from Bristol to Cornwall. They worked tirelessly for two days. Their calm and friendly manner really helped us to relax and made the process much easier.”
Moving from Bristol to Exeter?
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Get Your Exeter Quote →What We Know From Experience
Painless Removals runs the Bristol to Exeter route regularly — it's one of our most common long-distance destinations. The M5 is direct and toll-free for the entire journey. The variable is timing. Pick the right day and the drive is unremarkable. Pick the wrong one and you're sharing the motorway with every caravan heading to Dawlish.
"Exeter is one of the closer ones — an hour and a half to two hours depending on conditions. A single van done in a day starts from around seven or eight hundred pounds. For a typical three-bed house with two or three vans, you're looking at around £1,800, going up from there. The main thing to watch is the M5 during school holidays — the Devon and Cornwall traffic can add a lot of time to the journey if you pick the wrong day." — Jay Newton, Director
This route is popular in both directions. People leaving Bristol for Devon's pace of life, and Exeter professionals relocating to Bristol for work. If your completion dates don't align, we offer flexible storage at our Bristol depot until your new place is ready.
What Does a Bristol to Exeter Move Cost?
A one- or two-bed flat with a single van typically costs £700–£800. A standard family home with two to three van loads runs £1,200–£1,800. Properties in Exeter's historic centre with tight access — parking suspensions, smaller vans, restricted hours — sit at the higher end. Our packing service adds to the cost but splits the work across two days.
Every quote includes £15,000 insurance cover per van, all fuel, crew, and equipment. No hidden charges for mileage or parking suspension handling. What we quote is what you pay.
Planning Your Bristol to Exeter Move
- Avoid holiday Fridays. The M5 southbound carries all the Devon and Cornwall holiday traffic. Midweek moves outside school holidays are consistently smoother.
- Historic centre property? Check access restrictions and parking availability before your move date — the Cathedral Quarter and quayside have tight streets.
- Parking suspensions. Exeter City Council handles temporary suspensions for removal vehicles. We arrange these for you in advance.
- Book 3–4 weeks ahead. Summer months and school holiday periods fill up quickly on this route.
- Professional packing? We pack the day before at your Bristol address, then move everything the following morning.
Written by
Director
Personally overseen 2,000+ Bristol removals. Every area guide is based on real experience.
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