Commute Planner, traffic?

[Andehh]

I am looking at starting a new job about 30 miles away from home. It is a fairly easy route, but I want to know how long it will take me during rush hour. I will be traveling from Crawley to Brighton (Shore-on-sea), and should be on the road before rush hour (ie on the road for 7.15am).

Are there any route planners like Google maps, which show traffic, but will be able to calculate the route based on the average traffic density at a time of day you dictate?

Cheers guys

[MX7]

I doubt it'll take long. The M23 is a good road most of the time.

I'd have a look on Google Earth at the times you will be travelling. It shows how fast the traffic is going, which might give you an idea of what to expect.

[PulsatingStar]

Going south from Crawleys usually good as long as youre route to the M23 is good. I wouldnt think it would take much longer than a clear run, especially heading off for 7.15

Edit: They do have mobile speed cameras on the M23 quite often though! Mainly on the Bridge around Bolney.

[Andehh]

PulsatingStar said:

Going south from Crawleys usually good as long as youre route to the M23 is good. I wouldnt think it would take much longer than a clear run, especially heading off for 7.15

Edit: They do have mobile speed cameras on the M23 quite often though! Mainly on the Bridge around Bolney.

Thanks for the heads up! I would be sticking to the A23 and going south through Crawley to join it. I am hoping that i am going against the flow of traffic (everyone heading into London) and skirt just aroudn the outside of brighton enough to miss the traffic piling into it.

I was hoping there would be a road planner that could simulate the traffic at a time fo day of your choosing but looks like ill have to jump on google maps on Monday morning!

Cheers guys

[Deerfoot]

I`d try a dummy run to be honest.

Time taken on recce is rarely wasted.....

[alock]

The TomTom route planner uses current traffic data if you are about to leave, or their IQ routes statistical data for future journeys.

[PulsatingStar]

They are meant to be starting work on Handcross Hill in October:

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/3998.asp...

That has some scope to mess up the journey.

[voicey]

TomTom HD Traffic - £50 a year and you need a compatable sat nav but I think it is worth it. The service monitors the location, speed and direction of all Vodafone mobile phones and can quickly spot jams forming. The unit updates every few mins and will re-route you if it can.

[Andehh]

PulsatingStar said:

They are meant to be starting work on Handcross Hill in October:

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/3998.asp...

That has some scope to mess up the journey.

Yep, that is a sure fire way of ruining my life. Thanks for the heads up! Will look into these Tomtom units, thanks guys

[Stedman]

PulsatingStar said:

They are meant to be starting work on Handcross Hill in October:

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/3998.asp...

That has some scope to mess up the journey.

Easy enough to get around though. Plenty of fun roads that can divert you around it back onto the A23.

[rayny]

Google maps gives you the option to 'show traffic',
You can Change from Live Traffic to historic traffic by clicking 'Change' which is written in blue,(next to Live Traffic which is written in black) and selecting the day and time.

Depending on where you live, it might be quicker to get onto the M23 at Jn 10 rather than drive through Crawley itself.

[va1o]

rayny said:

Google maps gives you the option to 'show traffic',
You can Change from Live Traffic to historic traffic by clicking 'Change' which is written in blue,(next to Live Traffic which is written in black) and selecting the day and time.

Don't think it provides the facility to predict journey times based on the forecasted traffic levels though?

[MX7]

va1o said:

rayny said:

Google maps gives you the option to 'show traffic',
You can Change from Live Traffic to historic traffic by clicking 'Change' which is written in blue,(next to Live Traffic which is written in black) and selecting the day and time.

Don't think it provides the facility to predict journey times based on the forecasted traffic levels though?

No, but it gives you an idea of the traffic flow at any given time.

Having said that, I had a look at the Dartford crossing, and it suggests that it might be a slight problem on a Friday afternoon for an hour or so. In reality, it's a nightmare for hour upon hour on a Friday, and can clog up to J4/5 frequently.

[miniman]

To get to Shoreham you won't go anywhere near the centre of Brighton. The junction at the end of the A23 where it joins the A27 is pretty mediocre to be honest - at least on your morning direction - involving a roundabout which slows things down. However once on the A27 its an easy blast over the top of the hill and down past Hove, then through Southwick tunnel.