Heathrow to Silverstone.. 1 Hour, 7 Minutes?

[Conor D]

I'm looking at a flight into London Heathrow at 10am, I would then be driving to Silverstone. According to Google Maps it's 1 hour 7 minutes by car, is this realistic? Without any serious crashes what is the traffic generally like around that time?

The flight leaving London Heathrow would be due to depart at 7:20pm. Again it would say 1 hour 7 minutes by car, but I'm guessing that at 5-6pm it might be a different story.

How long will it realistically take? Any advice on the matter is appreciated.

[tuffer]

It could take an hour to reach the M40......Seriously. On the other hand, it may not.

[chilistrucker]

tuffer said:

It could take an hour to reach the M40......Seriously. On the other hand, it may not.

This ^^^^^^ Its a lottery route.
Your morning run is certainly possible, if all the roads are clear. Think you'll struggle coming back though. The only thing in your favour though is that coming back you're heading in the better directions for flow of traffic.
Keep a regular check on traffic problems, as you do have a couple of options if the m25 is screwed either am or pm.

[mgtony]

That must be based on there being no traffic at all. On a Saturday or Sunday morning with a clear run you could probably also do in about that time. Most of the day it's pretty much solid in both directions from the M4 to the M40.
If your fight departs at 7.20, what time do you have to be back at the airport for? Are you flying out on the same day? Could be time to turn around and head back just as you get to Silverstone!

[tr7v8]

Also bare in mind that if the flight lands at 10:00 you won't be clear of the airport until 10:40 at the earliest. Clearing the airplane, passport control & the sheer size of the place ensure this.

[tuffer]

Terminal is also a big factor, are you picking up a hire car?

[Conor D]

tuffer said:

Terminal is also a big factor, are you picking up a hire car?

It's Terminal 5. The flight is only coming from Belfast but it must be the first leg of an International flight also.

I've only been through T5 before going Dublin - LHR - LAX, and even with being ushered to the front of security it wasn't a pleasant experience.

I would either need to hire a car or figure out a train route...

[Conor D]

mgtony said:

That must be based on there being no traffic at all. On a Saturday or Sunday morning with a clear run you could probably also do in about that time. Most of the day it's pretty much solid in both directions from the M4 to the M40.
If your fight departs at 7.20, what time do you have to be back at the airport for? Are you flying out on the same day? Could be time to turn around and head back just as you get to Silverstone!

Google is generally accurate enough when I use it even with light traffic, in the AM/PM with work traffic it can typically be an extra half hour of delays that Google doesn't pick up on.

I'm trying to work out if it can be done on the same day.. I'm able to use some points which would make it a cheap trip. It's looking like it could be difficult though... Unfortunately Heathrow is really the only available airport that has suitable flights available.

[Pennyroyal Tea]

Conor D said:

It's Terminal 5. The flight is only coming from Belfast but it must be the first leg of an International flight also.

I've only been through T5 before going Dublin - LHR - LAX, and even with being ushered to the front of security it wasn't a pleasant experience.

I would either need to hire a car or figure out a train route...

You won't be getting out of Heathrow with your hire car until 11am at the absolute earliest, then. Most likely scenario is 11.30.

Depressing as it is, this leaves you about two-three hours at Silverstone before you need to think about catching your return flight (i.e. I'd want to be heading back to Heathrow at 16.00).

[Conor D]

Pennyroyal Tea said:

You won't be getting out of Heathrow with your hire car until 11am at the absolute earliest, then. Most likely scenario is 11.30.

Depressing as it is, this leaves you about two-three hours at Silverstone before you need to think about catching your return flight (i.e. I'd want to be heading back to Heathrow at 16.00).

I had hoped it would've been possible to get to Silverstone for around 12pm. It is for an event which is running from 10am - 4pm so I would be ready to head back towards Heathrow at 4pm. Leaving around 2 hours to get to Heathrow - which sounds like it might not leave a whole lot of time to spare according to some of the advice.

As said here already I would hate to get caught up in traffic, arrive at Silverstone late and then have to almost turn around right away and go back to catch the flight at 7:20pm... I think if I miss that flight then I'm a bit stuck, the next flight would probably be in the next morning.

[MrBarry123]

Provided you kept up a good pace, it may be possible in the morning however there is absolutely no chance you'll do it in that time on your way back; it could take 1 hour from getting on the M25 to getting to Heathrow, let alone the rest of the journey.

[geeks]

What day of the week? Also what event?

Both could have a bearing on the run..

[tuffer]

And what hire car? This is PH after all.

[oilydan]

I usually land at LHR Terminal 3 at around 07:00 and have a fast track for immigration along with priority baggage. I take the Rail-air bus which takes about 30 mins to Reading train station. I usually arrive just in time for the 09:35 train.

2 hours and 30 minutes to get 30 minutes away from the airport.

When we used to hire cars on the way in it was a different story; you can factor in at least another hour, depending on which company and your status.

For your flight out you need to factor in the hire car drop-off and bus ride, plus then you have to check-in at least 40 mins before wheels-up.

[tuffer]

T5 is the answer, I live in postcode SP9 and for an early morning flight I can be through the security check from leaving home in less than an hour..... current 50mph average cameras on the M3 have ruined that though

[jeremyc]

Surely any self respecting, powerfully built, goatee-toting PH Director will be flying their helicopter straight in to Silverstone.

[lotus72]

I live in Shepperton, just the other side of T5 and can do home to Silverstone in 90 minutes...and I'm driving an 02 Focus. 1 hour 45 at most.