🇮🇪 Same-country drive · Ireland
Driving from Waterford to Limerick
A practical guide to driving the N24 between Waterford and Limerick, covering road conditions, local driving nuances, and essential travel tips for the Irish Midlands.
- Drive time
- 2h
- Distance
- 127 km
- Same day?
- Yes, half day
- under 4 h
- Fuel cost
- ≈ €17
- petrol · diesel ≈ €15
- Tolls
- Toll-free
- no charges en route
- EV charging
- Unknown
- not yet surveyed
On this page
Route map
Route options
Other paths OSRM found between the two cities — handy when traffic, tolls, or scenery matter more than raw speed.
Alternative
+20m- Distance:
- 180 km (+53 km)
- Duration:
- 2h 20m
Via: M7 · M9 · N77 · R434
How else can you make this trip?
Driving is the focus of this guide; here's how cycling, coach, and (soon) train and plane stack up for the same pair.
2h
127 km · €17 fuel
See details ↓
6h 55m
138 km · Climb 515 m
5.5 km on EV1 Atlantic Coast Route
See details ↓
No direct service
Our coach data (FlixBus + BlaBlaCar) doesn't list a direct service for this pair. National operators (e.g., National Express in the UK, Eurolines feeders) may still cover it — check their site directly.
What the drive is like
Drafted from the route's computed data on May 1, 2026 and reviewed against the route summary card. Read our methodology.
You leave Waterford on the N24 and immediately find yourself navigating a route defined by the steady transition from the coastal southeast into the heart of the Golden Vale. This is a regional primary road that prioritizes local access over high-speed transit, meaning you should adjust your expectations for passing opportunities; the road width varies significantly, often narrowing as you thread through the main streets of market towns like Carrick-on-Suir and Tipperary. Traffic tends to bunch behind heavy agricultural vehicles, so patience is a mandatory companion for this journey. Expect a slower, more deliberate pace compared to the motorway network, as this corridor serves as a vital artery for local commerce rather than a high-speed bypass. Passing through Tipperary town serves as the psychological midpoint, where the landscape opens into the undulating farmland characteristic of central Ireland. While Ireland does not utilize a vignette system, keep in mind that some sections of the wider national network rely on distance-based tolls, though the N24 itself remains largely toll-free. The road surface is generally well-maintained, but be wary of wet conditions in autumn and winter; the lack of a central reservation means that oncoming spray from heavy goods vehicles can significantly reduce visibility on tighter bends. As you approach the Limerick outskirts, the character of the road changes once again, with increased commuter volume dictating a more vigilant driving style. The speed limits fluctuate frequently as you transition from open road to 50 km/h urban zones, and local enforcement cameras are positioned to ensure compliance. You will eventually merge into the regional road network surrounding the city; remember that Irish driving is strictly left-hand traffic, and the 0.5 BAC limit is enforced rigorously. Ensure your fuel levels are sufficient before leaving Waterford, as while service stations are present along the N24, they are less frequent than on the major inter-city motorways.
Route highlights
- The transition through the Golden Vale farmland between Tipperary and Limerick
- The historic streetscapes of Carrick-on-Suir and Cahir
- Navigating the narrow sections of the N24 through Tipperary town center
Trip plan
How to think about the drive: one day, split, or overnight.
Easy one-day drive
Comfortable as a single day for one driver. Leave after breakfast, arrive with time to settle in.
- Distance:
- 127 km
- Duration:
- 2h (free-flow, no traffic)
Key moves
Things to know before you set off — borders, sides of the road, tolls.
Long rural stretch on N24
Plan for about 26 km of two-lane country roads. Slower than motorway, but often the pretty part — fewer overtakes after dark.
Long rural stretch on N24
Plan for about 20 km of two-lane country roads. Slower than motorway, but often the pretty part — fewer overtakes after dark.
Must-know before you go
The things a driver from another country wouldn't think to ask about — fines, stickers, payment cards, opening hours.
Fuel stations
Contactless cards work at virtually every motorway pump
TipMajor brand stations (Shell, Total, BP, Repsol, Cepsa, OMV, Eni, Esso) take Visa and Mastercard contactless without an issue. American Express and Diners are spotty south of the Alps. A €100 pre-authorisation hold is normal — it releases within 5 days. Carry €50 cash for the rare independent station.
Money & connectivity
EU roaming covers calls, texts and data at no extra cost
TipYour home EU SIM works at home rates across every EU member, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The "fair use" cap on data only applies if you're abroad more than four months. For a 2-week road trip, just use your phone normally — but switch off "data roaming" if you're leaving the EU into UK / CH for any segment.
Emergency & breakdown
112 works everywhere in the EU and continental neighbours
TipSingle number for police, ambulance, fire — works from any phone, any network, any country. On motorways, the orange SOS pillars every 2km connect direct to the regional traffic control centre and pinpoint your location. Use them over your phone if you can — it speeds the response.
Rules, fees, and thresholds change. Always verify against the official source the day before you drive — this page is a checklist, not a legal reference.
Main roads
The highways this route spends the most kilometres on.
-
N24 Clonmel Road107 km
Route character
How much of the drive is motorway vs. secondary vs. rural.
Secondary-road drive — slower but often prettier.
- Motorway
- 0%
- Secondary
- 92%
- Other / rural
- 8%
Drive difficulty
At-a-glance feel: how demanding is this drive for one driver?
Overall
Easy
Straightforward drive. One driver, one day, little to worry about beyond fuel and a toilet stop.
- No major complicating factors — motorway-heavy, single country, comfortable length.
Fuel & tolls
Rough cost expectation for a typical EU passenger car. Treat as an estimate — pump prices change weekly.
Petrol (RON 95)
≈ €17
9.5 L × €1.81 / L · 7.5 L/100 km
Diesel
≈ €15
7.6 L × €1.97 / L · 6 L/100 km
Electric (DC fast)
≈ €13
22 kWh × €0.57 / kWh · 17.5 kWh/100 km
Public DC fast charging — slower AC charging at home or hotels typically costs about half.
Prices last refreshed 2026-05-04.
Weather by month
Average daytime high / overnight low and typical monthly rainfall, over the past five years.
🇮🇪 Waterford
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8°
3°
|
10°
5°
|
11°
5°
|
13°
6°
|
17°
9°
|
18°
11°
|
19°
12°
|
19°
13°
|
17°
11°
|
14°
9°
|
11°
6°
|
10°
5°
|
| 103mm | 89mm | 139mm | 99mm | 83mm | 72mm | 113mm | 84mm | 129mm | 157mm | 118mm | 120mm |
hot mild cold
🇮🇪 Limerick
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8°
3°
|
10°
5°
|
11°
5°
|
13°
6°
|
17°
9°
|
19°
11°
|
18°
12°
|
19°
13°
|
17°
10°
|
14°
9°
|
11°
6°
|
9°
5°
|
| 125mm | 110mm | 133mm | 96mm | 79mm | 113mm | 145mm | 107mm | 142mm | 150mm | 145mm | 145mm |
hot mild cold
Next 5 days at Limerick
Live forecast — refreshes every few hours.
-
Tue 12
⛅
10° / 9°
1.4mm
-
Wed 13
🌧️
12° / 8°
16.5mm
-
Thu 14
🌧️
10° / 6°
31.2mm
-
Fri 15
⛅
11° / 4°
0.6mm
-
Sat 16
🌧️
11° / 6°
1.6mm
Forecast: MET Norway
Directions
Turn-by-turn summary of the main manoeuvres, generated by OSRM.
Show all 34 manoeuvres
- New Street 0.1 km
- The Glen 0.3 km
- Newrath Link Road (R861)
- Quarry Link Road (N9) 0.1 km
- (N24)
- (N24) 20 km
- Clonmel Road (N24) 14 km
- Kilkenny Road (N24)
- Kilkenny Road (N24) 3 km
- Kilkenny Road (N24)
- Frank Drohan Road (N24)
- Frank Drohan Road (N24)
- Frank Drohan Road (N24)
- Frank Drohan Road (N24)
- Frank Drohan Road (N24)
- Frank Drohan Road (N24) 2 km
- (N24) 0.1 km
- (N24) 3 km
- (N24) 7 km
- Cahir Bypass (N24)
- Cahir Bypass (N24) 3 km
- Cahir Bypass (N24) 0.1 km
- Cahir Bypass (N24)
- Cahir Bypass (N24) 2 km
- (N24)
- (N24) 20 km
- (N24)
- (N24) 26 km
- (N24)
- (N24) 6 km
- (N24)
- Ballysimon Road (R527)
- Ballysimon Road (R527)
- —
Cycling from Waterford to Limerick
Touring-pace bicycle route generated by BRouter, with elevation gain and matched against the EuroVelo cycle network.
- Distance
- 138 km
- vs 127 km driving
- Riding time
- 6h 55m
- Touring pace; experienced riders cut this 20–30%.
- Total climb
- ↑ 515 m
Routed on the BRouter trekking profile — balanced for paved leisure tourers; gravel and fast-bike profiles produce different lines.
On the EuroVelo network
Sections of this route follow signed EuroVelo cycle routes — well-maintained, signposted, and bike-friendly:
- EV1 Atlantic Coast Route · 5.5 km
Total: 5,5 km on EuroVelo (4% of the route).
Show route on map
Frequently asked
Is the N24 a motorway?
No, the N24 is a national primary road. It is primarily a single-carriageway road with varying speed limits and passes directly through several towns, so it does not offer the same high-speed, grade-separated driving experience as the M-series motorways.
Are there tolls on this route?
There are no toll booths on the direct N24 route between Waterford and Limerick.
What should I watch for regarding speed limits?
Speed limits change frequently on this route. You must be prepared to drop speed quickly when entering towns like Carrick-on-Suir, Cahir, and Tipperary. Stick to the posted signage as local authorities often use mobile enforcement in these transition zones.
How this page is built
Compiled by COD Solutions Oy from open European data — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for the route geometry, BRouter for the bicycle route, EuroVelo GPX (ODbL) by the European Cyclists' Federation for the cycle-network overlay, Open-Meteo for monthly climate normals, and Google Gemini drafts the narrative and FAQ from the computed route data. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.