Durham to Southampton

[JustDerv]

Hi all,

Anyone know what's the best way to drive from Durham to Southampton? Will be going down on Friday 25th.

Since we're catching the ferry on Saturday morning, I've booked into a Travel inn for Friday night, which is located at junction 13 of the M3.

Options considered so far:
A1, M1, M25, M3
A1, M1, M25, M4, A34, M3
A1, M1, Daventry - Banbury, M40, then A34 past Oxford, Newbury, then M3.

Any other options? Anything I should be aware of on the journey (apart from the scameras!)? It must be 10 or 11 years since I drove that far south.

Thanks

Iain

[JustDerv]

Planet Claire said:

When I was at uni along the south coast I used to drive back home to N Yorks on the A34, M10, A43, M1.

Now, living in Berkshire I swear by the A1, I never venture onto the M1 at all. Too much traffic, too many accidents/hold-ups, too many cops.

So now I would suggest M3, M25, A1.

Doesn't the A1 have loads of speed cameras on it though, with limits dropping to 50 and then back to 70? At least on the M1 I'd be able to use the cruise and just set it to 70 all the way (until I hit the inevitable trafiic jam!)

Now looking again at A1, M1 to J18, A361 to Banbury, M40, A34 and then M3.

[JustDerv]

Thanks! I used to live/study in Oxford years ago when the M18 was the way to get from the A1 to the M1, used to drive that route every week. Looks like despite all the 'improvements' and new A1/M1 link road that the old way is still best!

So that's the route I'll take then...A1, M18, M1, A361, M40, A34, M3...

Thanks for the input!
Iain

[JustDerv]

Thanks 10p, that's another alternative route then (A42, M42, M40, A34...). Haven't been that way before, but it looks a viable option if there's any problems en-route and I need to divert.

So the M25 should be avoided on Friday? If that's the case then I may be better diverting to Banbury and the A34, or as 10p said, try the A42 et al.

There's plenty of choice, and at least with the overnight stop I'm not in much of a rush. Only problem is I'm taking my 2 (young) Daughters, and don't want to be stuck in traffic jams for hours!

Iain