Reply to: Which way home

[Swiss Tony]

Only leg of the route I know is the dover bit. Use the M2/A2 to get near / on the M1. It always has less traffic, swings by some other routes going north, and you won't have the Tour de France to worry about.

Mind there may be a bugger load of lorries and its not all M roads

[Numptycorner]

The key is to drive late at night,

BTW if using the m40, m42 m6 toll is the way to go. I can get from the bottom of the m40 to junction 18 of the M6 in 2hours 15 mins, I doubt there is a faster route

The m40 is quicker to the NW than the M1 from NW london, but those extra miles around the m25 from the east will take forever, unless you are driving after 9pm.

[The Lone Gunman]

The M40 doesn't go anywhere close to Silverstone. To get to Silverstone you have to go through Towcester and that is definitely not recommended if you want to get anywhere in the same week that you started off.

OK, I didnt know how far it was, just that I had seen signs for it on the M40.
Risks at M25 and M5-M6 interchange.. M20-M25-M40-M5-M6

[Ardesco]

I have tried taht route before. The SW corner of the M25 can be a pain, but I am concerned about the M40 around Silverstone. There are rumours of road closures and diversions to allow race goers easier access.

Not rumours, happens every year. They don't allow through traffic up the A43 so you can't go from the M40 -> M1 or M1 -> M40 you can only go as far as Silverstone.

Best bet is to either stick to the M1 or M40 -> M42 -> M5 -> M6

[Numptycorner]

The M40 doesn't go anywhere close to Silverstone. To get to Silverstone you have to go through Towcester and that is definitely not recommended if you want to get anywhere in the same week that you started off.

There is a turn off for silverstone on the M40 - a43 I believe, there are warning signs on the m40 about the grand prix

[Troll]

That is part of the route I normaly use. The M6 has been a nightmare of late even with the toll road. I would normaly go up the M1 to Derby then across the A50 to Stoke. The whole thing is round the houses and is nowhere near the shortest route, but is regularly the quickest.

That's always my plan C for when there is trouble in Birmingham - but it does add quite a bit of time ... and unfortunately means going through Stoke.
As always timing will be crucial

[TheRightStuff]

use a 'tom tit'

[Numptycorner]

m11 via cambridge is a VERY long way, M40 would mean going southbound for quite a few miles.

[The Lone Gunman]

Chunnel - use A2 to get to Dartford (M20 probs with tour de France) over QE2 bridge off at M11 up past Cambridge cross over to M6 via A14 up M6 to lancaster bit round the houses but a good stand by if probs with M1

HTH

That is part of the route I normaly use. The M6 has been a nightmare of late even with the toll road. I would normaly go up the M1 to Derby then across the A50 to Stoke. The whole thing is round the houses and is nowhere near the shortest route, but is regularly the quickest.

[Moscow Mule]

Where is Sockpuppet when you need him?

[Troll]

A2->m2->m25->m1->m6
if m25 busy:
A2->m2->m25->cut accross to m1 via a10 and baldock
if m6 busy
A2->m2->m25->m1->a50->m6 junc 16

But be aware that there are severe probs around A2 /M25 junction & Enfield on M25

[KathyWoolfe]

I am concerned about the M40 around Silverstone. There are rumours of road closures and diversions to allow race goers easier access.

The M40 doesn't go anywhere close to Silverstone. To get to Silverstone you have to go through Towcester and that is definitely not recommended if you want to get anywhere in the same week that you started off.

[Zorba]

I knew I would get those.

Coem on chaps, I am driving.

Sorry man - I'm another vote for the M6 because the M1 means that to go to Lancaster you'll be coming off somewhere in Yorkshire (I think!) which is all flooded.

M6 should be fairly safe. What time of day are you doing it?

[Troll]

As Lancaster is on the west coast, I wouldn't touch the M1. Get the M40 from London to Birmingham, then the M42 round to the M6. Your main problem would be getting round the M25 so I suggest you do all this driving at night - Jeremy Clarkson never has these problems.
Alternatively I suggest you hire a chauffeur(se) and sleep all the way.

You would only use the M40 if you are starting west-ish of London

[Numptycorner]

A2->m2->m25->m1->m6
if m25 busy:
A2->m2->m25->cut accross to m1 via a10 and baldock
if m6 busy
A2->m2->m25->m1->a50->m6 junc 16