Going home on Sunday night
Discussion
We have left on the Sunday on a number of occasions before, but have always waited a good few hours to allow the normal post-race traffic to dissipate.
Best bet (if you can wait that long) is to leave it until about 11pm-12am - no one else seems to leave at that sort of time and so you're more or less guaranteed a straight shot at whatever port you're aiming at, providing you can stay awake...
Best bet (if you can wait that long) is to leave it until about 11pm-12am - no one else seems to leave at that sort of time and so you're more or less guaranteed a straight shot at whatever port you're aiming at, providing you can stay awake...
There is talk about more traffic around Rouen this year.
If you were to leave at 4:30pm and drive to Calais at a law abiding pace, any idea how long it's likely to take? I've only ever gone back on Monday morning before. Google seemed to reckon about 4.5 hours before tolls or hold ups.
Call it 5.5 hours for traffic I guess that still means the earliest you're likely to be in Calais is 10pm for an 11pm crossing?
If you were to leave at 4:30pm and drive to Calais at a law abiding pace, any idea how long it's likely to take? I've only ever gone back on Monday morning before. Google seemed to reckon about 4.5 hours before tolls or hold ups.
Call it 5.5 hours for traffic I guess that still means the earliest you're likely to be in Calais is 10pm for an 11pm crossing?
We have ALWAYS left on the Sunday. Years ago the traffic was murder as all the roads were 2 way as normal. In the last few years they have finally woken up and made the roads to Arnage from MB, Bleu etc one way temporarily.
We normally get up on Sunday morning, pack the tents first thing and watch the rest of the race. We always stay in MB and watch the finish from the banking by the pit entry and then get straight in the car and go - no hanging around. Arnage takes about 10 minutes and then its a trouble free run. Rouen doesn't cause too many issues however we normally stay in the IBIS there on Sunday night.
Its a pretty easy run to Calais, should easily get a ferry or tunnel in daylight.
We normally get up on Sunday morning, pack the tents first thing and watch the rest of the race. We always stay in MB and watch the finish from the banking by the pit entry and then get straight in the car and go - no hanging around. Arnage takes about 10 minutes and then its a trouble free run. Rouen doesn't cause too many issues however we normally stay in the IBIS there on Sunday night.
Its a pretty easy run to Calais, should easily get a ferry or tunnel in daylight.
We've gone back overnight Sunday for the past couple of years, i.e. taking a relaxed drive to Calais and getting a crossing very early Monday morning. This year we are intending on arriving back in Dover late Sunday night and have as such booked a 9.45PM crossing from Calais. I reckon its do-able, trick will be to pack up the tent early and leave straight after the race.
Chrisgr31 said:
I am booked on the 9.45 ferry this year, because last year we would have made it. This year as we are booked on it I suspect we'll miss it!
Packed up Sunday morning in Beausejour, loaded the car, drove it in to Le Mans, parked in a public car park and caught the tram pack to the circuit. Watched the race end from the grandstand on the main straight. Left just before the podium ceremony walked to the tram station, straight on to a tram and up to the car. Slight queue at the toll at the end of the A28, diverted round Rouen via Yvetot (will be using that route in future years). Stopped at Airre du Somme for fuel, coffee and cake arrived at Calais at 20.40.Basically had cruise control set at 130kmh on the motorways slowed through the heavy showers. Averaged 65mph.
Friends we were with moved their car to near the entrance to Beausejour, left the circuit same time as us, and got to the Eurotunnel shortly after we got to Calais.
Left MB at 15:13, turned right out of campsite (mistake as the road to Arnage was not yet opened) so turned around and headed out via the Super-U. 45 Mins to do 6 miles, arrived at Eurotunnel at 20:15.
No stops at all, kept it to 80mph most of the way, slowing down for rain and other reduced speed areas.
Rouen was fine, the N150 route worked well.
Was offerred an earlier crossing, so moved from 22:20 to 21:50. Was called around 21:10 and as we were near the front, got on the 21:36 crossing.
No traffice problems, other than the usual escape from the camp sites affecting the traffic on the roads.
No stops at all, kept it to 80mph most of the way, slowing down for rain and other reduced speed areas.
Rouen was fine, the N150 route worked well.
Was offerred an earlier crossing, so moved from 22:20 to 21:50. Was called around 21:10 and as we were near the front, got on the 21:36 crossing.
No traffice problems, other than the usual escape from the camp sites affecting the traffic on the roads.
Edited by ukcobra on Monday 24th June 14:53
ukcobra said:
Was offerred an earlier crossing, so moved from 22:20 to 21:50. Was called around 21:10 and as we were near the front, got on the 21:36 crossing
Us too, arrived at the tunnel around 2100 it offered us 2150 (booked for 2220) which printed a 'J' ticket and as soon as we were through the customs/passport check it was listed as boarding so we went straight to the queue and ended up as first car on the top deck of the 2136 train. Well worth the extra fare compared to the boats.
We got the P&O 9.45 ferry last night. Left the campsite at about 4.15 and took a few stops along the way, arriving in Calais just after 9 and back in the UK 10pm GMT thanks to the time difference. Definitely prefered this to travelling back overnight or Monday during the day as it doesn't disrupt the week so much.
Left the circuit at 16:15 after watching all 5 podium ceremonies. Car was parked 30 mins up the road near the Rotunde so was on my way about 16:45 and in Brussels for 22:20. About an hour behind the ETA on my GPS with one stop for fuel. Getting across Paris was a bit of a mare but I made up good time on the Le Mans Paris and Paris Brussels autoroute legs.
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