Travel Advice - am I completely mad?
Discussion
Hello
Am I completely bonkers for trying this?
Leaving London Friday night at 5 for Cheltenham so A1/M1/A41/M25/M40/A40 west/north.
Am I early enough to avoid really bad traffic or should I just eat the cost of the train? Taking husband for surprise weekend away and really do not want to start it with frustrating trip.
Really appreciate advice on any of these roads!
Am I completely bonkers for trying this?
Leaving London Friday night at 5 for Cheltenham so A1/M1/A41/M25/M40/A40 west/north.
Am I early enough to avoid really bad traffic or should I just eat the cost of the train? Taking husband for surprise weekend away and really do not want to start it with frustrating trip.
Really appreciate advice on any of these roads!
You haven't interpreted the OP's route correctly. It doesn't include the M1/M25 junction. The A41 in the middle means she is leaving the M1 at J5 then via the Watford by-pass, Langley roundabout, and the spur to J19 of the M25. There are two issues with that route.
On the by-pass, the Sainsburys/Adsa junction, Garston roundabout, and the single lane sections either side of it are a PITA at best. At the time she is likely to get there it will be horrendous. The other one is it's far longer than via the North Circular. Otoh, the latter has the joys of Hanger Lane (A406/A40). Getting there at any time after 4pm means battling with all the traffic exiting the Park Royal trading estate.
If I was taking the OP's route out if London I wouldn't bother with the M25. At the Langley roundabout I would stay on the A41 to Aylesbury then A418 to join the A40 at Wheatley. If I wanted to avoid Aylesbury I would leave the A41 at the Aston Clinton by-pass and take the A4009 to Wendover. From there head towards Ellesborough then right at the cross roads at Butler's Cross (signed Aylesbury) past the Russell Arms. At the roundabout with the A4010 head towards Stoke Mandeville then the next left to Bishopstone and the A418 at Stone.
That said, leaving London at 5pm on a Friday afternoon is going to be purgatory whatever route you take. I guess it depends what kind of weekend away is envisaged. Unless I was planning not to travel outside of Cheltenham for the whole weekend I would still rather take the car than go by train.
On the by-pass, the Sainsburys/Adsa junction, Garston roundabout, and the single lane sections either side of it are a PITA at best. At the time she is likely to get there it will be horrendous. The other one is it's far longer than via the North Circular. Otoh, the latter has the joys of Hanger Lane (A406/A40). Getting there at any time after 4pm means battling with all the traffic exiting the Park Royal trading estate.
If I was taking the OP's route out if London I wouldn't bother with the M25. At the Langley roundabout I would stay on the A41 to Aylesbury then A418 to join the A40 at Wheatley. If I wanted to avoid Aylesbury I would leave the A41 at the Aston Clinton by-pass and take the A4009 to Wendover. From there head towards Ellesborough then right at the cross roads at Butler's Cross (signed Aylesbury) past the Russell Arms. At the roundabout with the A4010 head towards Stoke Mandeville then the next left to Bishopstone and the A418 at Stone.
That said, leaving London at 5pm on a Friday afternoon is going to be purgatory whatever route you take. I guess it depends what kind of weekend away is envisaged. Unless I was planning not to travel outside of Cheltenham for the whole weekend I would still rather take the car than go by train.
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