Brighton to Manchester tomorrow - M6 toll?

[Blue Oval84]

I'm travelling from Brighton to Manchester tomorrow afternoon, setting off at about 14:30.

Google suggests - https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Brighton,+The... This is route involves the M6 toll.

I'd thought about doing this instead-
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Brighton,+The...

For those that know the area, is my alternative a good way to avoid the cost of a toll or is it going to open me to a world of pain?

Thanks in advance

[CB2152]

Should be ok in my (limited) experience. Whenever I've gone that way from Bristol I've joined it at the same place you would and not had any issues. Not sure whether you'd hit commuter traffic by the time you get there though...

[Blue Oval84]

Forgot to say, based on Google Maps, it'll take me about 3 hours to reach the area around Birmingham, so should be about 17:30 when I'm hitting the M6... :/

[David87]

Whether or not you use the Toll rather depends on if you're in the mood to max out your car or not.

[Steffan]

I do think that the tollroute will be quicker. Depends whether time ot cost is your primaty concern.

[Blue Oval84]

To be fair, time will probably be my primary concern.

Toll it is then!

[CB2152]

I'm afraid that's where my knowledge ends. I've only been round that way at 10 ish, so it hasn't been too busy. I do know that the hard shoulders are employed as extra lanes on some bits though.

I have always joined from that dead straight bit where Wakemans Woods are.

[Siscar]

At 17.30 the toll will be quicker. Could be a lot (30 mins or more) quicker but there is no way of knowing in advance.

[NH1]

Whenever I've driver darn sarf using the M40 I have got to it via the m42, without using the tolls. Its a couple of years since I've driven it though, those roadworks on the elevated section through Birmingham (near star city I think) must have gone by now though surely.

[GAjon]

This will sound crackers, but at that time I'd seriously consider M25 anti clockwise through Dartford tunnel then
M11, A1, M62 - Manchester.

[Countdown]

A minor point....

Rather than going up the M62 I would come off at M62 J18, turn right o to the M60, and then come off at M60 J20, turning left to head towards Middleton.

[New POD]

Nah, that's all wrong

Try this http://goo.gl/maps/tnjc6

[Blue Oval84]

GAjon said:

This will sound crackers, but at that time I'd seriously consider M25 anti clockwise through Dartford tunnel then
M11, A1, M62 - Manchester.

New POD said:

Nah, that's all wrong

Try this http://goo.gl/maps/tnjc6

Both of those options show up as being over an hour longer than the route via the M6 Toll? Are they really likey to be that much quicker? (Especially the Dartford Crossing one!?)

[340600]

NH1 said:

those roadworks on the elevated section through Birmingham (near star city I think) must have gone by now though surely.

Nope. They're scheduled to last until April or June next year.

[Bohemianesque]

I pretty much go up and down the country every week. I have an M6 toll tag. Wouldn't consider any other route.

[Flipatron]

M6 north of Birmingham is a nightmare ATM, average speed cameras and 40-50 mph speed limits for mile after mile.

I'd take the M1 up to Jnc 24A at Loughborough and cut across the A50. You'll eventually meet the M6 at Jnc 16.

[Blue Oval84]

Flipatron said:

M6 north of Birmingham is a nightmare ATM, average speed cameras and 40-50 mph speed limits for mile after mile.

I'd take the M1 up to Jnc 24A at Loughborough and cut across the A50. You'll eventually meet the M6 at Jnc 16.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Brighton,+The...

That says it's only 15 minutes slower than the toll, but obviously it seems to cut out all of the nasty bits near Brum, this could be the winning route!

[iva cosworth]

Re which way to tackle the M25.

Check traffic news just before you leave as you could hit traffic queuing for Dartford

as far back as J3-4 at 3.30pm.

Western section has been pretty awful lately too.

Take your pick....

[CB2152]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

That reads like a briefing from a bank heist film

[MarshPhantom]

Dartford northbound shouldn't be too busy at the time you are going.