How long should I allow to get from Stowmarket to Heathrow?

[satans worm]

I'm guessing, under good conditions, it should be about 2 hours, however my flight is 9.40am on a Monday.
I currently have a car picking me up at 5.30am allowing me 3 hours plus the 1hr 'checking in' time, but I am concerned about the M25 to Heathrow bit.
Obviously you cannot account for all unknowns, but what would be a reasonable allowance for that time in the morning, assuming I come off the M11 onto the M25 at around 6.30am?
I could book the car for earlier but I want to maximise my sleep, especially as this is for business anyway!
Any M25 regulars on here who can help?

[Famous Graham]

satans worm said:

I'm guessing, under good conditions, it should be about 2 hours, however my flight is 9.40am on a Monday.
I currently have a car picking me up at 5.30am allowing me 3 hours plus the 1hr 'checking in' time, but I am concerned about the M25 to Heathrow bit.
Obviously you cannot account for all unknowns, but what would be a reasonable allowance for that time in the morning, assuming I come off the M11 onto the M25 at around 6.30am?
I could book the car for earlier but I want to maximise my sleep, especially as this is for business anyway!
Any M25 regulars on here who can help?

There's a Travellodge at Heston - about 5 miles away?

[Mutley]

Did this from Braintree on a friday a few weeks ago. At the time of day you are thinking of travelling I doubt you'd hit much of a problem on the M25 (2 sets of road works) the ones on the West side - M1 > M40 are the real ones to worry about, but i'd aim to be through them before 6, as it was stationary for about 10 miles by 7am.



edit - can't read directions!

Edited by Mutley on Monday 26th July 13:44

[GTIR]

Firstly don't go M11, M25. Roadworks from J21 mean traffic backs up to the A1 on some mornings! (just looked online and it backed up to that point, at 13:50!) I allow 2.5 hours from Newmarket on a Monday so really you should leave min 3 hours.

I'd go A14, A11, A505, A1 (do not join M25 at bottom of A1), cut across A414 and go straight across over the M25 on A405 all the way to J19 of M25.

I fo this journey a lot and in fact I'm upset you didn't ask (pay) me to do it.

[Mutley]

GTIR said:

Firstly don't go M11, M25. Roadworks from J21 mean traffic backs up to the A1 on some mornings! (just looked online and it backed up to that point, at 13:50!) I allow 2.5 hours from Newmarket on a Monday so really you should leave min 3 hours. ...

At 5:30 in the morning, the only travel "issue" will be the west M25. The time you quote (13:50) means that the OP woulda missed flight by 4+ hours!

3 hours is fine, and at that time, the roads will be flowing nicer than around 8>9am

[spikeyhead]

Mutley said:

GTIR said:

Firstly don't go M11, M25. Roadworks from J21 mean traffic backs up to the A1 on some mornings! (just looked online and it backed up to that point, at 13:50!) I allow 2.5 hours from Newmarket on a Monday so really you should leave min 3 hours. ...

At 5:30 in the morning, the only travel "issue" will be the west M25. The time you quote (13:50) means that the OP woulda missed flight by 4+ hours!

3 hours is fine, and at that time, the roads will be flowing nicer than around 8>9am

Except that if he leaves Stowmarket at 5:30 he'll be getting to the really knackered bit at 7:30. By this time on a Monday morning, nothing, repeat nothing round there will be moving at more than 5mph.(possibly 10mph as it's school holiday time)

[Neil H]

Famous Graham said:

There's a Travellodge at Heston - about 5 miles away?

Do this ^ much less hassle.

[Amused2death]

GTIR said:

Firstly don't go M11, M25. Roadworks from J21 mean traffic backs up to the A1 on some mornings! (just looked online and it backed up to that point, at 13:50!) I allow 2.5 hours from Newmarket on a Monday so really you should leave min 3 hours.

I'd go A14, A11, A505, A1 (do not join M25 at bottom of A1), cut across A414 and go straight across over the M25 on A405 all the way to J19 of M25.

I fo this journey a lot and in fact I'm upset you didn't ask (pay) me to do it.

I'd very much agree with this route, when HGV'ing it was a good way back as well.(Heading for Norfolk)

[Mutley]

spikeyhead said:

Mutley said:

GTIR said:

Firstly don't go M11, M25. Roadworks from J21 mean traffic backs up to the A1 on some mornings! (just looked online and it backed up to that point, at 13:50!) I allow 2.5 hours from Newmarket on a Monday so really you should leave min 3 hours. ...

At 5:30 in the morning, the only travel "issue" will be the west M25. The time you quote (13:50) means that the OP woulda missed flight by 4+ hours!

3 hours is fine, and at that time, the roads will be flowing nicer than around 8>9am

Except that if he leaves Stowmarket at 5:30 he'll be getting to the really knackered bit at 7:30. By this time on a Monday morning, nothing, repeat nothing round there will be moving at more than 5mph.(possibly 10mph as it's school holiday time)

Agree, which is why i originally suggested being through the area by 6

[satans worm]

Its a company trip so i dont have much flexibility re staying in a travel lodge the night before or choosing who will drive me unfortunatly.

I think I might suggest that alternative route to the driver and keep off the M25 as much as possible, after all I want time for a decent breakfast at Heathrow before I fly

[GTIR]

Mutley said:

GTIR said:

Firstly don't go M11, M25. Roadworks from J21 mean traffic backs up to the A1 on some mornings! (just looked online and it backed up to that point, at 13:50!) I allow 2.5 hours from Newmarket on a Monday so really you should leave min 3 hours. ...

At 5:30 in the morning, the only travel "issue" will be the west M25. The time you quote (13:50) means that the OP woulda missed flight by 4+ hours!

3 hours is fine, and at that time, the roads will be flowing nicer than around 8>9am

No you numpty. I was just pointing out the road was blocked now, even though it's 13:50!

[Monkeylegend]

GTIR said:

Firstly don't go M11, M25. Roadworks from J21 mean traffic backs up to the A1 on some mornings! (just looked online and it backed up to that point, at 13:50!) I allow 2.5 hours from Newmarket on a Monday so really you should leave min 3 hours.

I'd go A14, A11, A505, A1 (do not join M25 at bottom of A1), cut across A414 and go straight across over the M25 on A405 all the way to J19 of M25.

I fo this journey a lot and in fact I'm upset you didn't ask (pay) me to do it.

Same here, do this journey many times each month from Bury St Edmunds using this route. Sometimes cut across to the A10 at the Flint Cross motel on the A505, come off at Hertford and follow the A414 to Hatfield. This brings you out at the tunnel missing the tailbacks on the A1(M) at this time of day due to the tunnel refurbishment.

Rule of thumb. Leave Bury at 05.00 get to LHR about 07.00 ish. Leave at 05.30 get to LHR about 08.00 ish, leave Bury at 06.00 get to LHR about 09.00ish.

Add a bit on for Stowmarket to Bury and bob's your uncle. HTH

[satans worm]

Monkeylegend said:

GTIR said:

Firstly don't go M11, M25. Roadworks from J21 mean traffic backs up to the A1 on some mornings! (just looked online and it backed up to that point, at 13:50!) I allow 2.5 hours from Newmarket on a Monday so really you should leave min 3 hours.

I'd go A14, A11, A505, A1 (do not join M25 at bottom of A1), cut across A414 and go straight across over the M25 on A405 all the way to J19 of M25.

I fo this journey a lot and in fact I'm upset you didn't ask (pay) me to do it.

Same here, do this journey many times each month from Bury St Edmunds using this route. Sometimes cut across to the A10 at the Flint Cross motel on the A505, come off at Hertford and follow the A414 to Hatfield. This brings you out at the tunnel missing the tailbacks on the A1(M) at this time of day due to the tunnel refurbishment.

Rule of thumb. Leave Bury at 05.00 get to LHR about 07.00 ish. Leave at 05.30 get to LHR about 08.00 ish, leave Bury at 06.00 get to LHR about 09.00ish.

Add a bit on for Stowmarket to Bury and bob's your uncle. HTH

Damn it, im gonna have to change to pick up to 5am as i live 15 minutes from Bury

[Puggit]

Shhhh everyone, you're giving away a well kept secret

[Monkeylegend]

satans worm said:

Monkeylegend said:

GTIR said:

Firstly don't go M11, M25. Roadworks from J21 mean traffic backs up to the A1 on some mornings! (just looked online and it backed up to that point, at 13:50!) I allow 2.5 hours from Newmarket on a Monday so really you should leave min 3 hours.

I'd go A14, A11, A505, A1 (do not join M25 at bottom of A1), cut across A414 and go straight across over the M25 on A405 all the way to J19 of M25.

I fo this journey a lot and in fact I'm upset you didn't ask (pay) me to do it.

Same here, do this journey many times each month from Bury St Edmunds using this route. Sometimes cut across to the A10 at the Flint Cross motel on the A505, come off at Hertford and follow the A414 to Hatfield. This brings you out at the tunnel missing the tailbacks on the A1(M) at this time of day due to the tunnel refurbishment.

Rule of thumb. Leave Bury at 05.00 get to LHR about 07.00 ish. Leave at 05.30 get to LHR about 08.00 ish, leave Bury at 06.00 get to LHR about 09.00ish.

Add a bit on for Stowmarket to Bury and bob's your uncle. HTH

Damn it, im gonna have to change to pick up to 5am as i live 15 minutes from Bury

Think that would be a wise move, better to sit for a while at the airport than on the motorway wondering if you are going to make it.

[F i F]

Quick question are you specifying the pick up time or the "I need to be at LHR for a flight at hh:mm with check in x hours earlier" and leaving it to the profssionals to decide a pick up time.

I know you want to maximise the time in your scratcher but if you are doing the former then the onus (blame) is on you if you miss the flight, the latter then you are persil white.

Just my 2p.

No advice on route tbh.

[Monkeylegend]

F i F said:

Quick question are you specifying the pick up time or the "I need to be at LHR for a flight at hh:mm with check in x hours earlier" and leaving it to the profssionals to decide a pick up time.

I know you want to maximise the time in your scratcher but if you are doing the former then the onus (blame) is on you if you miss the flight, the latter then you are persil white.

Just my 2p.

No advice on route tbh.

05.00 would be my professional advice