M25... which way around this?

[take5]

Im travelling to Kent, from Lancs, and have 2 options.

M6, then M40 past Oxford, then down past Heathrow and the bottom of the M25

Or: M6, down the M1, then around the top of the M25 .

Route finder etc is telling me it is pretty much identical miles wise, either route.

What I dont know is where Im most likely to get snarled up in traffic, getting round London

Hitting the M25 around lunchtime, on a Saturday.

any experienced M25ers here, able to give some local knowledge to me.

Thanks

[rigger67]

You're f**ked.

Stay at home.

[walpurgis]

Anticlockwise for the M25 from M40 is the way I'd go. There's a chance of it being busy near Heathrow, but you'd avoid the awful snarl ups that can occur around the Thames crossing going clockwise. I hate the northern half of the M25 anyway. The M25 can't be relied on to be a clear run going anywhere during the day.

[rigger67]

Seriously, the 25 is a nightmare pretty much most of the time with the odd exceptions like the middle of the night and early Saturday and Sunday mornings. Fridays are the worst, so at least you're missing that.

I would check the speed restrictions on all the motorways you listed as I know there's 50mph limits on stretches of the M1, for example, so factor those in.

Generally, the busiest section of the M25 is around the Heathrow and the M1 junctions, but as you'll be coming "past" them, so to speak, rather than as a destination I really don't think there is that much in it.

If pushed for a suggestion, I would probably go south and stay off the M1 altogether and if it's really slow take the northern route back :)

[tapid]

I d be inclined to take first option which would avoid QE bridge. Though much depends on daily problems with m25 incidents etc.
Always think the m40 a bit more scenic anyway ? . Its some time since used m25 so others may be more reliable on this subject.
Have you sold all your A/I stuff now Brian ?, was interested in that p/ stage myself at one point. Good luck .

[Old boy]

Flip a coin, theres no best way,when I'm coming back home from the north I don't decide until I'm 30 mins from the M25

[Firebottle]

Always used the M40 and M25 south, it's always variable but we had a straight run with no holdups on a Friday morning. :)

[take5]

Thanks for the input, guys.

very useful.

Any more thoughts.





Have you sold all your A/I stuff now Brian ?, was interested in that p/ stage myself at one point.



Brian, no I still have it? ive just not got around to bumping the sale threads.

So heavily modded P2 phono, and L2 pre amp. Both sound fantastic. I also have the matching SUT.

If we time it right, we could be stuck in the same traffic jam near Heathrow and do a dodgy deal on the M25. Or, even somewhere more convenient.:)

[jollyfix]

Brian, check out driving/car forums to get up to date info. I try to avoid the M25, but its all in the timing. You say lunch time, 1-2 hours earlier can be better, but you never know with the M25. Anti clockwise, due to M4/M3 etc always very busy.

[shane]

Check Google Maps for live traffic info, choose your route st the last moment using the most recent info.

[petrat]

Hi Brian.
Remember if you go the north route that you have to pay the Dart crossing toll online ... there are no toll booths.
You can pay in advance, I believe, or must pay by midnight the next day.

[take5]

Thanks to all for your input.

Much to think about.

[Haselsh1]

LOL... When going north to south I always go around by Heathrow. In fact, even when returning, I go round by Heathrow. Just can't be arsed with all that Dartford nonsense.

[Audio Al]

Its roulette one day good one day bad one day absolutly awful ,
it only takes one car / van / lorry to break down and its then f---ed :eek:

[walpurgis]

Coming back from Kent to the Heathrow area, I have been known to drive into London to the South Circular, just to avoid the M25.

South Circular is generally busy, but it keeps moving.

[jollyfix]

Coming back from Kent to the Heathrow area, I have been known to drive into London to the South Circular, just to avoid the M25.

South Circular is generally busy, but it keeps moving.
Same here Geoff, after many years you get to know the hot spots, and how to avoid them. Time of travel etc.