My current plan is to set off at about 6pm in the hope that as I reach each traffic blackspot, rush-hour will be over.Would hope to arrive in Folkestone at about 10:30, although I ensured the hotel we're using had 24h check-in, just in case. I may give them a courtesy call to let them know about this possible lateness.
Another question though, is what route to use?
I had just assumed I would use the obvious M6-M1-M25-Dartford tunnel route, but someone suggested M6-M40-M25 (anti-clockwise) to avoid Dartford, and in fact, according to Google maps, this route is only 7 minutes longer anyway.
Does anyone have any thoughts?
Edited by BazzaBear {P} on 29/07/2008 at 11:21
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M40 for me.
There are roadworks around Luton (jcn 10-6) and on the M25 junction 1-3. Going M40/M25 anticlockwise avoids both these.
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Agreed, the stretch of the M25 from the M1 to Dartford always seems to me to be heavy with traffic.
Do take the M6 toll as well, most of the time it helps you avoid the worst of Brum traffic
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M6/M40/M25 anticlock is the way to go
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Timings and mileages per googlemaps. From M6/M56 junction to Folkestone:
M6, M1, M25 clockwise: 265 miles 4h19m But you get the M1 roadworks which can be hellish.
M6, M40, M25 anticlockwise: 275 miles 4h 27m
Also very well worth considering: M6, A50 (Stoke to Derby), M1, A14 (mind the speed cameras), M11, M25, Dartford. 285 miles 4h 53
That keeps you as much off the M25, which is likely to be your biggest killer at that time of night - it may well still be solid at 9pm. And keeps you off the M1 widening section around Luton. And gets you off the M6 (which may well be virtually solid) onto the A50 which will be car-free by 7pm.
If the M6 is stationary, use the A50 - Holmes Chapel, Knutsford to Stoke.
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A14 and M11 is a worthy route, but hideously boring on a bike. Some "spirited" riding did not result in a flurry of NIPs and the cameras were easy to spot. It avoided the lottery of the M1 and the bussy-ness of the M25. If you use Roadchef proof of RAC membership gives you a 15% discount (which make sit quite good value). I only used the route northbound to get to Wales though but can't see why it should be any different southbound.
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Thanks everyone.
My current plan (although it changes every ten minutes or so) is to stick with the original route to start with. The TomTom should give me ample warning of any issue, and allow me to swap easily to either of the other possibilities.
It's good to know of the other possibilities beforehand though, so I'm ready if the worst happens.
Edited by BazzaBear {P} on 30/07/2008 at 10:15
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