How to beat the Brussels ring road traffic?

[stef1808]

I can't do another trip and get stuck on that damn ring road again

Leaving from London to the 'Ring which takes roughly 8 hours. 5 hours into the trip I'm around Brussels area

My thinking was if I left uk at say 7am - would get on the ring road 1 local time

Is this still rush hour time there? Does anybody know what times it's most/least busy

Will be driving down on a Friday
Thanks

[Lost soul]

It is always horrible

[stef1808]

Maybe the best bet is to do a night run?
Aim to be there 9-10ish

[chilistrucker]

It is just 1 of those places.
how about a different route altogether, if your using Calais?
How about Lens, Mons, Namur maybe?

[mmm-five]

We get the 6am Dover/Dunkerque ferry specifically so that we just beat the Friday 'early getaway'.

Coming back is usually worse even though we're hitting it at 3pm on Mondays.

Going on Thursday this year though.

[Lost soul]

mmm-five said:

We get the 6am Dover/Dunkerque ferry specifically so that we just beat the Friday 'early getaway'.

Coming back is usually worse even though we're hitting it at 3pm on Mondays.

Going on Thursday this year though.

The early get away in Belgium starts Wednesday morning

[sixspeed]

Strange, I go this way often and very rarely get caught up in the R0 traffic.

But I do usually go either early doors, or early evening. 7am crossing like you suggest should see you get round there relatively pain free.

[dcb]

sixspeed said:

Strange, I go this way often and very rarely get caught up in the R0 traffic.

+1

I've been doing the R0 for over 20 years and I can think of only
once or twice where I've been held up to any significant degree.

Busy, but moving, usually. It is the capital city, after all.

Southern route via Lille, Mons and Namur for those that find
Brussels a bit much, although Lille can be somewhat busy occasionally.

[nutsytvr]

chilistrucker said:

It is just 1 of those places.
how about a different route altogether, if your using Calais?
How about Lens, Mons, Namur maybe?

+1. Came back that way from the 'Ring specifically to avoid Brussells.
Paul

[stef1808]

chilistrucker said:

It is just 1 of those places.
how about a different route altogether, if your using Calais?
How about Lens, Mons, Namur maybe?

Thanks for the tip
Might give this a try

[MarvGTI]

I try to avoid the areas around the Leopold tunnel as in my experience that's where the worst happens.

[Philbar]

Recent trips we've had to Spa and the Nurburgring, as we always got stuck in the madness of Brussels ring road chaos, we decided to go along the E42..

[tgr]

I would also avoid Brussels. Not only is it often gridlocked, the standard of driving is appalling and unpredictable

[chilistrucker]

Plus new roadworks at Gent are a pita

[chilistrucker]

Plus new roadworks at Gent are a pita