Hatfield to Swansea no M25

Hatfield to Swansea no M25

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Samrooster

Original Poster:

12 posts

112 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
Hi all,

Heading to Swansea from Hatield on Friday at around 1600 (can't avoid the time) to see my ladyfriend. I'm trying to plan a route that misses out a chunk of the M25 that will no doubt ruin my day. I'm thinking to head up to Aylesbury then back onto the M4 at Swindon, good plan?

Traffic on the M25 will mean heaters up to max in the Golf, overheats otherwise, don't think GF will appreciate a sweaty thing turning up.

Thanks for any suggestions on routes

Sam

Blayney

2,948 posts

185 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
I did similar a few weeks ago. Left Cranfield University (where I am studying) and satnav sent me towards M25 on M1, pulled off ASAP (toddington) and wiggled my way across. Went north of Aylesbury though.

Oxford ring road clockwise was fine and A420 down to M4 was busy but flowing. M4 was fine until Newport (as usual).

I am at Cranfield again and will be leaving around that time on Friday. Might see you out there! Look out for a black Twingo GT with white PH stickers on the back and rear side windows.

robemcdonald

8,716 posts

195 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
At that time anti clock shouldn't be that bad. My advice the: the quickest route is to tough out the 25. Even if there is really bad congestion you should make the m4 in an hour.
The other choice is down the m1 to boreham wood, under the m1/a41 skirt round Stanmore and Harrow, through hatch end, Northwood, Ruislip, Ickenham, Hillingdon and pick up the m4 at the Heathrow spur. (Approx 1 hour)

M25 would be my choice though.

Samrooster

Original Poster:

12 posts

112 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
Thanks guys.

I think I might try and get on the road as soon as I can after my lecture and raz down the M25, I'll still look out for your Twingo though!


Samrooster

Original Poster:

12 posts

112 months

Wednesday 5th November 2014
quotequote all
Apologies for the angry face haha, it was next to the thumbs up! D'oh!

Blayney

2,948 posts

185 months

Monday 10th November 2014
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How did it go? Didn't spot you...

Samrooster

Original Poster:

12 posts

112 months

Tuesday 11th November 2014
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Fine yeah, road works near Slough but I can deal with that!

mcgandalf

654 posts

154 months

Friday 14th November 2014
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Blayney said:
I did similar a few weeks ago. Left Cranfield University (where I am studying) and satnav sent me towards M25 on M1, pulled off ASAP (toddington) and wiggled my way across. Went north of Aylesbury though.

Oxford ring road clockwise was fine and A420 down to M4 was busy but flowing. M4 was fine until Newport (as usual).

I am at Cranfield again and will be leaving around that time on Friday. Might see you out there! Look out for a black Twingo GT with white PH stickers on the back and rear side windows.
When I bash down to South Wales from the Oxford direction I actually avoid the M4 entirely and either take the A40 past Gloucester and on to Ross-on-Wye - or, if I'm pushed for time, take the M5 then M50 from Gloucester.

As long as you don't get stuck behind Nissan Micras on the A40 you can make decent progress, and then from Ross you can absolutely bash it all the way down the A449 to Newport, where you may have bypassed some (not all of the jams).

Stunning scenery, quick and you save yourself £6.40 or whatever the Scotsman in me refuses to pay for the Second Severn Crossing.

If you find the M4 past Newport is snarled up, you can always take the A48 skirting the south of Newport to save yourself some more time and frustration.