Courier service for Cornwall
We collect and deliver anywhere in mainland Cornwall with a dedicated van that goes straight from collection to delivery. Distances here are long, so we plan each job around the A30, the A38 and the clock, and tell you plainly what is achievable.
- Whole county, Saltash to Penzance
- Realistic timings for long runs
- Chilled vans for seafood and food
The honest picture on distance
Cornwall is a long way from almost everywhere. Truro is about 87 miles beyond the end of the M5 at Exeter, Penzance another 25 or so beyond that, and the main cities upcountry are three, four or five hours away. That does not stop same-day deliveries, but it does change how they are planned.
Three things decide what is achievable: where the nearest suitable van is when you call, when the goods are ready, and how far the delivery address is from the A30 or A38. We confirm an estimated collection time at booking and give you a realistic delivery estimate. If a deadline cannot be met, we would rather say so before you book.
Drivers' hours on long runs
Van drivers in Great Britain may drive for a maximum of 10 hours a day under the domestic drivers' hours rules. A van that starts near Bristol, collects in Truro and delivers in Birmingham is well within that. A van that has to collect in Leeds, Newcastle or Glasgow and deliver to west Cornwall may not be. For those jobs we suggest one of three plans: a second driver, a delivery early the next morning through our overnight courier service, or a later collection with an agreed next-day delivery time.
Roads into and across the county
- A30: the spine of Cornwall, from Launceston past Bodmin, Indian Queens and Redruth to Penzance. It is now dual carriageway across most of the county, but it is the single main route west, so an incident has a big effect.
- A38: enters at Saltash over the Tamar Bridge and runs through Liskeard to Bodmin. The bridge is tolled eastbound only.
- A39 Atlantic Highway: down the north coast from Bude through Wadebridge, used for North Cornwall and connected with North Devon.
- A390 and A394: from the A30 down to Truro, St Austell, Falmouth and Helston.
Summer is the biggest variable. Holiday Saturdays, the August bank holiday and the weeks around major events slow the A30 and the routes to the coast considerably.
Towns, sectors and typical jobs
Truro and mid Cornwall
Truro is the county's administrative and commercial centre, with Cornwall Council's main offices and the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske. Medical supplies, documents for professional firms and stock for city-centre shops all move here. St Austell, to the east, is the home of china clay extraction, and the quarry and processing sites need engineering parts at short notice.
Falmouth, Penryn and the Lizard
Falmouth's docks handle ship repair and marine engineering, and the Penryn campus is shared by Falmouth University and the University of Exeter. Further south, RNAS Culdrose sits near Helston and the Goonhilly Earth Station on the Lizard. Secure and technical sites need gate instructions and a named recipient, which we pass to the driver before arrival.
Newquay and the north coast
Cornwall Airport Newquay and the Aerohub business park next to it host aviation, space and engineering businesses. Hotels, surf businesses and food producers along the coast generate seasonal demand.
Camborne, Redruth and the west
The old mining towns now have industrial estates, engineering firms and some of the county's newer mineral and lithium exploration projects. Penzance and Newlyn, at the far end of the A30, are home to one of England's busiest fishing ports, so chilled food is a regular consignment.
East Cornwall
Saltash, Liskeard, Launceston and Bodmin are within reach of Plymouth, and much of their work runs over the Tamar. See our Plymouth courier page for that side of the river.
Get a quote for this jobor call 020 4525 2039, any time
What travels and in which van
Seafood, dairy and other chilled food travel in refrigerated vans, machinery parts and construction materials in a short or long-wheelbase van, and furniture or bulky hospitality equipment in a Luton van with a tail lift. For chilled goods, we agree the temperature range with you at booking.
Our van size guide gives typical load dimensions. Every job is a dedicated courier booking: one vehicle, one consignment, signed proof of delivery at the end.
Typical journeys from Truro
Approximate road distances; actual mileage depends on the addresses.
| Destination | Approx. distance | Main route |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | 53 miles | A390, A38 |
| Exeter | 87 miles | A30 |
| Bristol | 165 miles | A30, M5 |
| Birmingham | 250 miles | A30, M5 |
| Central London | 255 miles | A30, A303 |
| Manchester | 330 miles | A30, M5, M6 |
For the rest of the South West peninsula, see our Devon courier service.
FAQ
Common questions
Can you collect in Manchester and deliver to Penzance on the same day?
Usually, yes, if the goods are ready early. Penzance is roughly 350 road miles from Manchester, which is a long but legal day for one driver in normal traffic. The collection time is the deciding factor: the later the goods are ready, the later the delivery. We give you a realistic arrival estimate before you book rather than an optimistic one.
What about a collection in Scotland for delivery in Cornwall?
That is one of the longest runs in mainland Britain. Glasgow to Truro is around 480 road miles, and once the drive to the collection is included it can exceed what one van driver may legally drive in a day under the 10-hour driving limit. We would propose either a second driver or an overnight plan with delivery the following morning, and we explain the options at booking.
Do you deliver to the Isles of Scilly?
Not as part of our standard service, which covers mainland Britain. Goods for Scilly normally travel on the islands' own freight service from Penzance. We can take your consignment to the mainland departure point you have arranged, so ask us and we will check what is possible for your booking.
Can a chilled van collect seafood from Newlyn for a London restaurant tonight?
Yes, if it is booked in good time. Newlyn to central London is close to 290 road miles, so a late-morning collection usually means an evening delivery. A refrigerated van holds the temperature range agreed at booking, and the restaurant's signature and time are recorded on arrival.
Is it quicker to cross into Cornwall on the A30 or the A38?
It depends on where in Cornwall you are going. The A38 over the Tamar Bridge suits Saltash, Liskeard and the south-east; the A30 via Launceston and Bodmin suits Newquay, Truro, Camborne and the west. The Tamar Bridge only charges tolls eastbound, and any crossing cost is included in the fixed price you agree.
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