London to Leeds, M1 or A1(m)
Discussion
Hello,
I will be going up to Leeds on Friday, have used the M1 quite a few times, sometimes it is packed with cars if there is an accident, and heavily delays travel time.
I will be starting my journey in the south of london, and was intending to drive clockwise up the M25, then up the M1.
However google maps is suggesting that I take the A1m.
Has anybody here used these routes recently, and what would you suggest, M1 or A1? I am hoping to do the journey in under 4 hours, (even though google suggests 4h10).
Thank, any suggestions will be appreciated.
I will be going up to Leeds on Friday, have used the M1 quite a few times, sometimes it is packed with cars if there is an accident, and heavily delays travel time.
I will be starting my journey in the south of london, and was intending to drive clockwise up the M25, then up the M1.
However google maps is suggesting that I take the A1m.
Has anybody here used these routes recently, and what would you suggest, M1 or A1? I am hoping to do the journey in under 4 hours, (even though google suggests 4h10).
Thank, any suggestions will be appreciated.
Defcon5 said:
I went from Farnborough to Wakefield the other week, went down on the M1 and back up the A1, hitting rush hour midway both times.
A1 was miles better
Did both journeys take roughly the same time? A1 was miles better
I am under the impression that the A1 may take longer due to its lower speed limit.
I normally start at the Dartford tunnel and would use the A1 every time unless there was something major happening on it. M11, A14, A1. You'll occasionally drop down to 50mph for speed limits and lorries overtaking each other, but it's a shorter run and a much nicer drive than the dreary M1
golfdsg said:
Defcon5 said:
I went from Farnborough to Wakefield the other week, went down on the M1 and back up the A1, hitting rush hour midway both times.
A1 was miles better
Did both journeys take roughly the same time? A1 was miles better
I am under the impression that the A1 may take longer due to its lower speed limit.
what lower speed limit ?
does this poster need a copy of the HC i wonder ?
the A1 up to beyond Newcastle is entirely Dual carriageway so the NSL for cars is 70 same as the Motorways ... unless the journey happens to be in a 50 /60 /70 limited light commercial when your speed and risk of enforcement may vary.
both the M1 and the A1 have stretches where lower limits are in place some or all of the time ...
Edited by mph1977 on Sunday 29th March 15:16
mph1977 said:
what lower speed limit ?
does this poster need a copy of the HC i wonder ?
the A1 up to beyond Newcastle is entirely Dual carriageway so the NSL for cars is 70 same as the Motorways ... unless the journey happens to be in a 50 /60 /70 limited light commercial when your speed and risk of enforcement may vary.
both the M1 and the A1 have stretches where lower limits are in place some or all of the time ...
Edited by mph1977 on Sunday 29th March 15:16
I think i will be taking the A1 then, unless theres something major happening on it that day.
golfdsg said:
I will be starting my journey in the south of london, and was intending to drive clockwise up the M25, then up the M1.
Where exactly are you starting from and at what time?golfdsg said:
However google maps is suggesting that I take the A1m.
I would go M11/A14/A1(M) but the issue with going that way is the Dartford Crossing. Northbound still has the barriers in place and the tailbacks are as bad as ever. It was nearly back to J4 last Wednesday. There is a way to avoid it but it requires some local knowledge.Red Devil said:
golfdsg said:
I will be starting my journey in the south of london, and was intending to drive clockwise up the M25, then up the M1.
Where exactly are you starting from and at what time?golfdsg said:
However google maps is suggesting that I take the A1m.
I would go M11/A14/A1(M) but the issue with going that way is the Dartford Crossing. Northbound still has the barriers in place and the tailbacks are as bad as ever. It was nearly back to J4 last Wednesday. There is a way to avoid it but it requires some local knowledge.However if I use the M1, I would drive clockwise on the M25 joining it at junction 7.
I could go right through London as the crow flies, possibly not getting caught up in traffic as it'll be 7/8am and also its a Good Friday. not too sure though.
A1. All the bank holiday numpties will be following their satnavs up the M1, and there are major roadworks at the M6 junction.
There are also a lot of managed sections on the M1, which probably means you won;t be able to go 70 ( ish) all the way up anyway.
On the A1, there are some speed restrictions at the Elkesley Junction improvement. 40 mph for maybe 2 miles, this is normally a 50.
But you can now go from Biggleswade to Leeds without any roundabouts. There won't be as many elephant races on the two lane sections as it's a bank holiday.
just a thought....train? (sorry, very unPH, I know) or are there holiday works or four of you?
There are also a lot of managed sections on the M1, which probably means you won;t be able to go 70 ( ish) all the way up anyway.
On the A1, there are some speed restrictions at the Elkesley Junction improvement. 40 mph for maybe 2 miles, this is normally a 50.
But you can now go from Biggleswade to Leeds without any roundabouts. There won't be as many elephant races on the two lane sections as it's a bank holiday.
just a thought....train? (sorry, very unPH, I know) or are there holiday works or four of you?
golfdsg said:
I'll be starting my journey in Croydon at 7am, if I use the A1 I will travel east on the A232, A21, joining the M25 at junction 4.
However if I use the M1, I would drive clockwise on the M25 joining it at junction 7.
I could go right through London as the crow flies, possibly not getting caught up in traffic as it'll be 7/8am and also its a Good Friday. not too sure though.
if going across town be careful of the congestion charge zone ... However if I use the M1, I would drive clockwise on the M25 joining it at junction 7.
I could go right through London as the crow flies, possibly not getting caught up in traffic as it'll be 7/8am and also its a Good Friday. not too sure though.
talksthetorque said:
A1. All the bank holiday numpties will be following their satnavs up the M1, and there are major roadworks at the M6 junction.
There are also a lot of managed sections on the M1, which probably means you won;t be able to go 70 ( ish) all the way up anyway.
On the A1, there are some speed restrictions at the Elkesley Junction improvement. 40 mph for maybe 2 miles, this is normally a 50.
But you can now go from Biggleswade to Leeds without any roundabouts. There won't be as many elephant races on the two lane sections as it's a bank holiday.
just a thought....train? (sorry, very unPH, I know) or are there holiday works or four of you?
A1 it is then There are also a lot of managed sections on the M1, which probably means you won;t be able to go 70 ( ish) all the way up anyway.
On the A1, there are some speed restrictions at the Elkesley Junction improvement. 40 mph for maybe 2 miles, this is normally a 50.
But you can now go from Biggleswade to Leeds without any roundabouts. There won't be as many elephant races on the two lane sections as it's a bank holiday.
just a thought....train? (sorry, very unPH, I know) or are there holiday works or four of you?
I usually get the train, takes 2h15 from London Kings Cross to Leeds, however since Virgin trains have bought East Coast trains they have bumped the prices up, I use to book 2 weeks in advance for £30, now the price is around £60+ thats why I've decided to drive now.
btw, is it possible to do the journey in under 4 hours if driving at a constant 80, sorry i mean 70.
golfdsg said:
talksthetorque said:
A1. All the bank holiday numpties will be following their satnavs up the M1, and there are major roadworks at the M6 junction.
There are also a lot of managed sections on the M1, which probably means you won;t be able to go 70 ( ish) all the way up anyway.
On the A1, there are some speed restrictions at the Elkesley Junction improvement. 40 mph for maybe 2 miles, this is normally a 50.
But you can now go from Biggleswade to Leeds without any roundabouts. There won't be as many elephant races on the two lane sections as it's a bank holiday.
just a thought....train? (sorry, very unPH, I know) or are there holiday works or four of you?
A1 it is then There are also a lot of managed sections on the M1, which probably means you won;t be able to go 70 ( ish) all the way up anyway.
On the A1, there are some speed restrictions at the Elkesley Junction improvement. 40 mph for maybe 2 miles, this is normally a 50.
But you can now go from Biggleswade to Leeds without any roundabouts. There won't be as many elephant races on the two lane sections as it's a bank holiday.
just a thought....train? (sorry, very unPH, I know) or are there holiday works or four of you?
I usually get the train, takes 2h15 from London Kings Cross to Leeds, however since Virgin trains have bought East Coast trains they have bumped the prices up, I use to book 2 weeks in advance for £30, now the price is around £60+ thats why I've decided to drive now.
btw, is it possible to do the journey in under 4 hours if driving at a constant 80, sorry i mean 70.
mph1977 said:
I would suggest the fact it's Good Friday probably has a bigger impact on the availability of cheap advance tickets than the Stagecoach managed virgin branded take over of east coast ...
Ticket costs for journeys I used to make every month or so have risen since Virgin's takeover. It too has made me consider driving more, particularly with the lower fuel prices. A1 for me too, I can understand why others may choose M1 though.
Gassing Station | Roads | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff