I'm using a SWB Transit van to get to S.Wales from Abingdon (south of Oxford). The bridge tolls are going to be £8:70. I can avoid the bridge by going across country - takes longer than going down the M4, not much more miles though (app: 100 v 90). Is the Transit likely to drink £8:70 worth of extra fuel due to the none motorway type road? - it will be unladden on the way. Having not used a big van or diesel much I'm not too sure of the effect on mpg of winding roads and dealing with traffic.
Anyone who uses a Transit regularly on Mway and winding country roads have any suggestions?
Piers
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I shouldn't have thought it will use that much extra fuel, but depending on your driving it will use more. However, the difference between reasonable motorway driving and the other somewhat stop/start route, might be a gallon. Whatever that costs these days.
The other consideration is time. Whether that bothers you or not, it is likely to take quite a bit longer.
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As a regular Severn Bridge Toll avoider this is a variation on a conversation I often have with myself. I often drive from Essex to the Forest of Dean so I go down the M4 as far as Swindon & then up the A419/417 to Gloucester rather than straight down the M4, over the old bridge & via Chepstow. If you go along the A40 from Oxford to Gloucester & to Wales from there via Chepstow or Monmouth or whatever then you'll save overall I reckon by not paying the bridge toll.
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What ever route you decide to take, I will say remember to put it in perspective.
I wouldnt think a detor of say twenty minutes or half an hour across possibly dangerous country lanes would be worth the couple of quid save.
Just my thoughts,
cheers
Mark.
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Piers
I hate to kick you in the soft bits even harder - but the bridge tolls for 2002 for your Tranny will be £8.90, not £8.70.
I do the run from S Glos to Newport daily (in a diesel car) and worked out that I'd be better off going via Gloucester and the Forest of Dean - but I don't bother, of course.
If this is a regular journey, how much extra stress will it put on you with the extra time on the road (see also the Selby train crash threads).
Remember - this life is not a dress rehearsal - look after yourself, and keep contributing to the back room
Ian
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This inner debate develops several times a month. This pilot always prefers motorway detours rather than A-road bashes, beacuse:
1/Motorways are safer in terms of accident per mile.
2/Less "cycles" on the engine therefore less wear (start stop, etc).
3/Less likely to meet Top Gear presenter gawping and prattling into a camera coming the other way and crossing the centreline... (VBH is bad for your health)
However, give me back my sprightly ' 97 Mazda 323 go-cart (instead of mature atmo diesel Pug 405), then maybe I'd stay on A-roads all the time just to have fun :)
rg bar-G
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you should get 30 - 35 mpg from such a Vehicle so based on this you would be financially better off by avoiding the bridge toll. but as the others rightly point out you are exposing yourself to more danger......
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Piers
It depends which part of South Wales you are going. I always use the A40from Oxford then the little B4221 (I think) which takes you on the Newent by-pass straight to the M50. You then have Motorway or dual carrigeway road all the way to the M4 in Newport.
By the way I find going over the Birdlip in order to miss Cheltenham is a worthwhile exersize.
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