What time to Leave....
Discussion
Leaving at 5 I reckon by 6.30 you'll be well round the M25 so should definately make that ferry. You should be there an hour before remember to be safely on. Remember the traffic build up on the 25 after 7 will be extensive so I'd be tempted to leave earlier and get there rather than try to time it to the letter.
I would aim to get there early.
Coming up the M4, you are very likely to encounter heavy/congested traffic from Jcn 12 onwards. This quite often continues, right into the Surrey section of the M25.
From Bristol to Dover, you must be looking at a good 210 miles. I think if you aimed for a 6 AM leave, you would be ok.
If you get as far as Clackett Lane and haven't been held up, take a break at the filling station area and see some of the cars come through.
We meet there at 5.00 AM on the way to the 07.00 ferry. As long as you have 2 hours from Clacket Lane to departure, you should be all ok.
Coming up the M4, you are very likely to encounter heavy/congested traffic from Jcn 12 onwards. This quite often continues, right into the Surrey section of the M25.
From Bristol to Dover, you must be looking at a good 210 miles. I think if you aimed for a 6 AM leave, you would be ok.
If you get as far as Clackett Lane and haven't been held up, take a break at the filling station area and see some of the cars come through.
We meet there at 5.00 AM on the way to the 07.00 ferry. As long as you have 2 hours from Clacket Lane to departure, you should be all ok.
RemaL said:
to catch the 10:45 speed ferry in dover. leaving from Bristol?
I was thinking 5-6AM
Leave the night before at 7ish, arrive 10ish, few beers in a nice local boozer, full english in the morning and fresh for the run. Also gives you an opportunity to recover should you forget some essentials.I was thinking 5-6AM
I've used a B&B in Dover a few times with secure parking and costs about £30, well worth it for those extra hours kip.
What day? The difference between travelling on a weekday and a weekend is huge on this trip (which we do often!).
We bank on it taking us just about 3 hours (from W-o-T with a short stop at Reading services) but on a weekday you've got to factor in getting past Reading and then getting around the M25.
On a weekend we usually leave around 6am and then get to Dover at 9.10am ish - just in time to miss the 9.30am Sea France sailing!!
On a weekday for 10.30am I'd probably still go for leaving at 6am at the latest, this should see you clear Reading and the M25 before it gets too nasty and should get you to Dover for 9.30ish which is just about enough. If you're going Speedferry though you might want to leave even earlier as if you miss that sailing on a busy day you're probably at risk of being stuffed until the evening crossing!
We bank on it taking us just about 3 hours (from W-o-T with a short stop at Reading services) but on a weekday you've got to factor in getting past Reading and then getting around the M25.
On a weekend we usually leave around 6am and then get to Dover at 9.10am ish - just in time to miss the 9.30am Sea France sailing!!
On a weekday for 10.30am I'd probably still go for leaving at 6am at the latest, this should see you clear Reading and the M25 before it gets too nasty and should get you to Dover for 9.30ish which is just about enough. If you're going Speedferry though you might want to leave even earlier as if you miss that sailing on a busy day you're probably at risk of being stuffed until the evening crossing!
E36GUY said:
Leaving at 5 I reckon by 6.30 you'll be well round the M25 so should definately make that ferry. .
main thing I want to miss is any problems on the M25. so at least I know I am on the right lines for leaving and getting there early. As for leaving the night before, can't do as ther is a few car's/vans leaving in the convoy and soem of us cannot leave till wed
thanks for the posts guys.
Remal, I live in Surrey quite near to the M25 and I travel on it regularly between J9 and J6 at times between 7:00 and 8:30. In one sense this is travelling against the traffic. In my experience the traffic can be heavy and sometimes slow moving...say 40 mph..which is OK for a few miles. Incidents are quite rare in the mornings on this stretch and in this direction, but when they occur they always cause very long delays. The previous PHers' advice to travel early is definitely the best, and if you can get through here by, say 7:30 you should be fine if there's no accidents etc. If you're really early you can always stop at Clacket Lane services, or get to Dover, for breakfast etc. R.
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