M1 or A1?

[vrsmxtb]

M1 or A1 for Kent to Bradford tomorrow morning (need to be in Bradford by 10.15am)?

Google maps says 3h49m, add another hour for the morning traffic?

[Brigand]

I'd go M1 personally, purely because it goes more in the general direction that you want to be, I couldn't comment on traffic level comparisons though, its been years since I last went 'Oop North'.

[knight]

I came back from Doncaster a few Sundays ago and used the A1 and the only problem was on the 2 lane section when lorries were overtaking. The M1 on the other hand always had hold ups when I've used that.

[GAjon]

I'd go A1, but check highways agency first for specific problems, better cafes.

[philmots]

The chances of the M1/M62/M606 section being snarled up are very very very high. It's always bad but at the minute we've the added bonus of miles upon miles of roadworks.

If it's an essential appointment I'd aim to get into Bradford a lot earlier and go for breakfast somewhere. Or even travel up the evening before and get a £30 Travelodge.

[Thurstonland]

M62 is now managed ( use of hard shoulder) from Tingey to Gildersone. which ever way you go you need the M62 at some stage

I'd take A1 personally more pleasant drive

[surveyor]

A1.

[Bill]

philmots said:

If it's an essential appointment I'd aim to get into Bradford a lot earlier and go for breakfast somewhere. Or even travel up the evening before and get a £30 Travelodge.

5am departure vs 7pm and a decent curry, and a leisurely breakfast.

[digger the goat]

I'd take the BMW rather than the Audi..... Much more fun .....

[vrsmxtb]

digger the goat said:

I'd take the BMW rather than the Audi..... Much more fun .....

Which one the 320d or the 118d?

[Thurstonland]

Bill said:

5am departure vs 7pm and a decent curry, and a leisurely breakfast.

Then finding the car nicked and burnt out in the RLD on Thornton Road

[GC8]

Id abandon route planning estimates and leave very early. You may be left with time to kill, but if you try to leave at an estimated departure time then youre far more likely to be late.

[numtumfutunch]

From Dartford Id take the A1 mainly to reduce your M25 exposure

From there randomly take your pick at which point you choose to veer west to hook up with the M1

Suspect Id go for the A57 at Worksop/Sheffield at which point it 'should' be freely flowing with no predictable jams to the M62
Its 12 miles of A road with a few lights and is usually good

I have no knowledge of likely traffic flow if you stay on the A1 till Pontefract

The smart money is still with the Travelodge and curry option if you need to meet a deadline

[digger the goat]

vrsmxtb said:

digger the goat said:

I'd take the BMW rather than the Audi..... Much more fun .....

Which one the 320d or the 118d?

You swear at me dear chap.....

[Zod]

I have done the journey (well, form North London, not Kent) quite often this yeas (ill father, then funeral). I prefer the A1 (more interesting drive), but it has the odd scamvan and, on average, takes longer. I've managed to get the M1 journey down to under three hours at night, but on a bad Sunday afternoon, it can take five.

[chrisw666]

I only use the M1 if I'm heading west before I get as far at the M25, if not the A1 is a much less boring road and the recent improvements (removal of roundabouts and more 3 lane Mway sections) have made it a lot quicker than it used to be.

Actually if you're going against the rush hour traffic the M11, A14, A1 then M62 would be the best route.

Edited by chrisw666 on Monday 20th May 17:09

[vrsmxtb]

digger the goat said:

You swear at me dear chap.....

Damnit, keep forgetting I'm still at 116i level in the repmobile world.

Yep, decided to Travelodge it and drive tonight, wise words.

Edited by vrsmxtb on Monday 20th May 17:09

[Gad-Westy]

I did a similar journey recently and went through Blackwell tunnel then up the m11 and a14 onto the a1. Seemed to work well but I guess it depends what time you negotiate east London. M62 is a nightmare either way but largely unavoidable unless you go around the north of Leeds.

[Zod]

Gad-Westy said:

I did a similar journey recently and went through Blackwell tunnel then up the m11 and a14 onto the a1. Seemed to work well but I guess it depends what time you negotiate east London. M62 is a nightmare either way but largely unavoidable unless you go around the north of Leeds.

You can go through Batley, but even if you avoid traffic, the roads are mostly 30s.

[jagracer]

Gad-Westy said:

I did a similar journey recently and went through Blackwell tunnel then up the m11 and a14 onto the a1. Seemed to work well but I guess it depends what time you negotiate east London. M62 is a nightmare either way but largely unavoidable unless you go around the north of Leeds.

If you go via the Blackwall tunnel make sure you're through by 6am or you'll be in a long queue. I'd go M11-A14-A1 and then possibly back down the M18 and up the M1 past Sheffield.