Driving Bournemouth Edinburgh
Discussion
Google maps suggests that it would take 8 hours 'in current traffic' leaving now (12:30 on a Thursday).
It will all depend on weather and traffic conditions and the above estimate also assumes no comfort/meal breaks so I think you should add an hour to that anyway if only to stretch your legs for a bit and grab a coffee.
I've done Reigate to Haverfordwest and back in a day (500 mile round trip) to collect a car trailer and actual driving time was about 9 hours despite being mostly motorway in good weather (late Spring) and cruising as well as traffic would allow...
It will all depend on weather and traffic conditions and the above estimate also assumes no comfort/meal breaks so I think you should add an hour to that anyway if only to stretch your legs for a bit and grab a coffee.
I've done Reigate to Haverfordwest and back in a day (500 mile round trip) to collect a car trailer and actual driving time was about 9 hours despite being mostly motorway in good weather (late Spring) and cruising as well as traffic would allow...
You *will* be sharing the driving?
If not, I'd seriously consider another plan, because you'll be doing the bulk of the trip in the dark. Shortest daylight hours, don't forget. You'll spend most of your time in Edinburgh just recovering
Either have an overnight stop, or set off really early on the Friday.
I know this may sounds wimpy, but I've fallen asleep on the motorway once. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
If not, I'd seriously consider another plan, because you'll be doing the bulk of the trip in the dark. Shortest daylight hours, don't forget. You'll spend most of your time in Edinburgh just recovering
Either have an overnight stop, or set off really early on the Friday.
I know this may sounds wimpy, but I've fallen asleep on the motorway once. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Edited by silentbrown on Thursday 18th December 12:57
The M42-M6 will be painful. There's a bit of it you can take out by using the M6 toll, but you'll still get hit with around an hour or so delay if traffic is normal. Maybe hour and a half.
I would consider M3-M25-M1-M6-M74-M8 as an option, I've done the A1 route, that's pretty crap as far as enjoyment goes
I would consider M3-M25-M1-M6-M74-M8 as an option, I've done the A1 route, that's pretty crap as far as enjoyment goes
How much are you really going to need a car over that weekend?
As others have said you're going to be hitting areas which are busy right at peak times.
Friday afternoons are a b
h especially. Just as a guide for one of the options eg M1 I do north of Worcester to Sheffield uni at the times you are looking at.
Occasionally, very very occasionally can do it in the nominal two hours no stops. 3-1/2 hours is not unusual. It would be 4 hours but I know a few decent ways to get round trouble spots.
Plus when you get to Edinburgh you will be knackered and have had a blazing row as you will be sick of being reminded that the other half said to fly/train.
Normally I'm all over driving instead of pubic transport but in this case, unless having a car is absolutely essential at the other end and it's possible to make the road trip part of the fun element then fly imvho.
As others have said you're going to be hitting areas which are busy right at peak times.
Friday afternoons are a b
h especially. Just as a guide for one of the options eg M1 I do north of Worcester to Sheffield uni at the times you are looking at. Occasionally, very very occasionally can do it in the nominal two hours no stops. 3-1/2 hours is not unusual. It would be 4 hours but I know a few decent ways to get round trouble spots.
Plus when you get to Edinburgh you will be knackered and have had a blazing row as you will be sick of being reminded that the other half said to fly/train.
Normally I'm all over driving instead of pubic transport but in this case, unless having a car is absolutely essential at the other end and it's possible to make the road trip part of the fun element then fly imvho.
Edited by FiF on Thursday 18th December 13:06
Where are you staying in Edinburgh? From what I remember, parking can be a real pain.
Also, justifying driving on cost grounds involves a lot of man-maths. You've costed the fuel, but ignored tyres, servicing and depreciation, all of which are affected by mileage.
Also, justifying driving on cost grounds involves a lot of man-maths. You've costed the fuel, but ignored tyres, servicing and depreciation, all of which are affected by mileage.
Edited by silentbrown on Thursday 18th December 13:06
silentbrown said:
You *will* be sharing the driving?
If not, I'd seriously consider another plan, because you'll be doing the bulk of the trip in the dark. Shortest daylight hours, don't forget. You'll spend most of your time in Edinburgh just recovering
Either have an overnight stop, or set off really early on the Friday.
I know this may sounds wimpy, but I've fallen asleep on the motorway once. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
We will. I usually drive during the light and he drives when it gets dark. We often visit his family in Sheffield so we're used to long(ish) hours in the car together. I think an early start makes the most sense and trying to plan where is the best to be during the morning rush (and maybe stop for breakfast during it).If not, I'd seriously consider another plan, because you'll be doing the bulk of the trip in the dark. Shortest daylight hours, don't forget. You'll spend most of your time in Edinburgh just recovering
Either have an overnight stop, or set off really early on the Friday.
I know this may sounds wimpy, but I've fallen asleep on the motorway once. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Edited by silentbrown on Thursday 18th December 12:57
And the plan to come back Monday was to give us a little longer to recover from whatever we get up to on Saturday night and also to leave at a reasonable hour in the morning and get the most of the daylight
Try and get cheap flights there is no pleasure in spending all day in a car when you could just fly for a few quid more.
If driving take M3, M40, M6 toll, M6, M74 then A702 via Biggar.
Its an 8 hour journey keeping a decent speed and no delays driving at night and going quick you will get it down to 7 hours (on a good run).
If driving take M3, M40, M6 toll, M6, M74 then A702 via Biggar.
Its an 8 hour journey keeping a decent speed and no delays driving at night and going quick you will get it down to 7 hours (on a good run).
Another vote for flying. It seems it will cost about the same as the train, with getting tot he airport etc, and be much faster than the train or car, and will be easy, not leave you shattered and less boring. Don't forget that along with the petrol costs on the car you are also putting almost 1000 miles on it, which costs in terms of servicing (10% of a service) and any brakes or traffic will up your fuel costs.
Lost soul said:
They are talking about Friday being the worst day to travel with even more chaos than a normal Friday
Oh st, I'm heading up north tomorrow. Leaving north London about 9:30 ish, does anyone reckon it'll be ok at that time? Planning to go up the A1. ETA I'm only going to Newcastle.Apologies for the thread hijack
I've done Edinburgh to places down south loads of times.
Drove Edinburgh to Cardiff a few New Years ago (shorter journey but on my own). Trip down was great, loads to look forward to etc. Arrived knackered to a party just starting, I wanted to just sit down and didn't really come to life. Had to take it super easy and still stayed until late afternoon to drive back, that was a LONG drive.
The area you're staying in a car won't be needed unless you're there for more than a few days, you'll have plenty to see and buses and taxis will be much easier to get around.
Trams run from the airport now into the city centre.
It tends to be trains that stop first for bad weather, then roads, then the flights. If you want to keep it flexible driving is a good idea but if you've got a set weekend the most reliable transport is a plane.
I much prefer driving and if costs and times aren't much different I'll always drive but a potential 20 hours in a car for a weekend away is a long way past the tipping point for me - and it's a long way past Sheffield, Blackpool is over 3 hours shifting from Edinburgh...
Drove Edinburgh to Cardiff a few New Years ago (shorter journey but on my own). Trip down was great, loads to look forward to etc. Arrived knackered to a party just starting, I wanted to just sit down and didn't really come to life. Had to take it super easy and still stayed until late afternoon to drive back, that was a LONG drive.
The area you're staying in a car won't be needed unless you're there for more than a few days, you'll have plenty to see and buses and taxis will be much easier to get around.
Trams run from the airport now into the city centre.
It tends to be trains that stop first for bad weather, then roads, then the flights. If you want to keep it flexible driving is a good idea but if you've got a set weekend the most reliable transport is a plane.
I much prefer driving and if costs and times aren't much different I'll always drive but a potential 20 hours in a car for a weekend away is a long way past the tipping point for me - and it's a long way past Sheffield, Blackpool is over 3 hours shifting from Edinburgh...
Should have also added, A702 is a great road on a good day, but if the weather is bad it won't be great (M8 will be better) and it can cause arguments after a long journey.
Coming back from Spa wanting to get home my sister wouldn't let me drive it even though I knew the road well and proceeded to do 30 to 40mph all the way.
And my mates have told me to slow down before on it as they were tired, grumpy and not keen to make progress to get home (which is absolutely fair). Remember you've been on a motorway probably on cruise for hours and a small road seems very fast for the passenger! Oh yeah it can also wake up a very hung over mate who had been fast asleep on the motorway and quite unwell on an A road
Coming back from Spa wanting to get home my sister wouldn't let me drive it even though I knew the road well and proceeded to do 30 to 40mph all the way.
And my mates have told me to slow down before on it as they were tired, grumpy and not keen to make progress to get home (which is absolutely fair). Remember you've been on a motorway probably on cruise for hours and a small road seems very fast for the passenger! Oh yeah it can also wake up a very hung over mate who had been fast asleep on the motorway and quite unwell on an A road
I drove Southampton to Edinburgh this year, and Southampton <> Blackpool regularly.
Soton to Preston is about six hours on average. Google Maps reckons 5 but add in some delays and at least one break and it's easily another hour.
Preston to Edinburgh is another four. Past Tebay/Penrith and the traffic levels drop right down.
I can happily do a twelve hour driving day on A roads via interesting bits of Wales, for example, but after six hours of motorway I've really had enough. More so in the dark.
I would suggest seeing if you can split the trip, or just fly. I've flown that route a few times too - it's a breeze. Less strict domestic flight arrangements - e.g. get there 45 mins or so before - and the small size of Southampton Airport almost make it a pleasure.
Soton to Preston is about six hours on average. Google Maps reckons 5 but add in some delays and at least one break and it's easily another hour.
Preston to Edinburgh is another four. Past Tebay/Penrith and the traffic levels drop right down.
I can happily do a twelve hour driving day on A roads via interesting bits of Wales, for example, but after six hours of motorway I've really had enough. More so in the dark.
I would suggest seeing if you can split the trip, or just fly. I've flown that route a few times too - it's a breeze. Less strict domestic flight arrangements - e.g. get there 45 mins or so before - and the small size of Southampton Airport almost make it a pleasure.
Edited by trashbat on Thursday 18th December 14:32
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