Kent to Carlisle - Friday PM

[vikingaero]

I can't leave Maidstone until 4pm at the earliest, so I'm looking for advice on routes/times.

Should I leave at 4pm and:

(1) Take the M20/M25/M1/M6

(2) Take the M20/M25/M11/A14/A1/A66/M6

or

leave at 6-7pm on one of the above routes?

We have a Premier Inn booked and don't need to be up mega early the next day.

Thanks.

[Jazoli]

Its probably the worst time of day and the busiest day of the week, the later you leave the better, getting north of the m25 can be a massive challenge on a Friday, I'd be leaving at 10pm and driving through the night, it will be a million times less stressful, but that probably doesn't suit your plans!

[Matt UK]

Jazoli said:

Its probably the worst time of day and the busiest day of the week, the later you leave the better, getting north of the m25 can be a massive challenge on a Friday, I'd be leaving at 10pm and driving through the night, it will be a million times less stressful, but that probably doesn't suit your plans!

Totally agree - you could lose 3 hours just trying to escape the evil clutches of the SE!

I would leave at 9pm, easy run up there, check in, late alarm Saturday morning.

And seeing is there little traffic, I'd go the M11/A14/A1/A66/M6 route.

Edited by Matt UK on Wednesday 23 July 22:55

[williamp]

Yes i agree, leave late and take a cue from the traffic (whose radio reports stop at 7pm remember).

'm11 also gives the option of carrying across the A14 to the m1 if needed. Less time on the M25, afterall..

i would look at the A50 to cross from 'M1 to the M6, which is a usually fast and clear road.

[greygoose]

It is the start of the school holidays in many places this week too so I would leave it later as traffic will be awful.

[Megaflow]

Considering the mess that os the A14/M1/M6 junction, I'd be going M11-A14-A1-M62-M6

[chilistrucker]

As others have said, sadly the worst day to make that journey.
I'd leave as late as poss, 7pm should just see you ok and as long as the tunnel is ok you should get a decent run as long as there are no big accidents. I would take your 2nd route.

[rallycross]

Leave after 7
M25
M40
then M6 toll to M6


If you leave between 4 and 6 it will take twice as long due to M25 Friday hell from J9 to J18 plus made worse by start of main holiday season.

[MYOB]

I would leave at 19:30. The journey to dartford tunnel should be clear til you get to m25. By then, it's 20:00 and baring any major accidents, the rush hour is over.

This is the time I leave when doing similar journeys. Just don't leave before this time if you want to keep your sanity!

[Pit Pony]

I am planning to Leave HEMEL Hempstead at 12 noon on Friday and Drive EXACTLY 204 miles to North Miseryside (L37).

Typically this M1, M6, (M6 Toll) M6, M62, M57 journey takes 4 to 5 hours. Once I leave the M6, at the M62, I find it take 40 mins, so you are looking at 3:20 to 4:20 from the M25 to M62.

The M6 from Stoke to Preston is a PITA on a Friday Evening (But not as bad as southbound)

Last Friday I drove from L37 to Hawkhead on Windermere leaving at 5pm. Once past the M55 turnoff to Blackpool, you are on the "open road"

I reckon that if you budget 9 hours you'll be pleasantly surprised. Take lots of water. Tis gonna be hot.

[vikingaero]

My normal holiday departure time is 4am! I'm used to getting up early so the half hour ballache waking the missus and kids at 3.30am is well worth it. Normally we are at our destination by breakfast time/mid-morning but this time I've been called into work.

[cossy400]

Seriously OP re-think your plans. Doin this any fri is madness. as has been said leave late and drive thru the night.

[mygoldfishbowl]

vikingaero said:

I can't leave Maidstone until 4pm at the earliest, so I'm looking for advice on routes/times.

Should I leave at 4pm and:

(1) Take the M20/M25/M1/M6

(2) Take the M20/M25/M11/A14/A1/A66/M6

or

leave at 6-7pm on one of the above routes?

We have a Premier Inn booked and don't need to be up mega early the next day.

Thanks.

Check a traffic site before you leave as this Friday will be busy. Traffic permitting take option number 2, you should be fine leaving 6.30/7.00. I use that route a lot & in my mind it is the easiest & best. Why waste £5.50 on the M6 toll when you don't need to.

[El Guapo]

cossy400 said:

Seriously OP re-think your plans.

I agree. Carlisle is dire.

[ewenm]

An alternative on the eastern route is to use the A50/A500 to get from the M1 to the M6 avoiding Birmingham entirely.

[tenpenceshort]

I used to live in Cumbria south of Carlisle and drove up and down to London and the south East regularly. I'd take the OP's option 2 every time. You're at the mercy of accidents, but that applies to every route pretty equally.