Driving from London to Bristol via southern M25/M4
Discussion
Hi folks,
I have to do the above journey on Friday morning to drop off a car and need to book a specific return train - any idea how long I should allow? Google Maps says 3 hours or so - thinking of setting out at 8.30am and hoping to arrive by 12.30pm. Am I being realistic? Hoping the M25 won't be too bad by 9am when I hit it...
I have to do the above journey on Friday morning to drop off a car and need to book a specific return train - any idea how long I should allow? Google Maps says 3 hours or so - thinking of setting out at 8.30am and hoping to arrive by 12.30pm. Am I being realistic? Hoping the M25 won't be too bad by 9am when I hit it...
chilistrucker said:
ouch. you have to do the all of the worst bits of the southern side then.
i'd hit your bit of the m25 at 9am and hope for the best. its a never can tell road.
Even that is little guarantee. Keep in mind it's a weekday and liable to heavy traffic at that time.i'd hit your bit of the m25 at 9am and hope for the best. its a never can tell road.
Good luck, OP. I regularly did that very journey (thankfully been several years now though) and it was a real hit & miss story.
Chances are good you'll have M4 roadworks too.
troc said:
rallycross said:
Its worth coming off M25 at M3 and going via Bracknell, to join the M4 at J10, misses out a chunk of M25.
+1MG511 said:
Agree with this, often visit friends in Kent/Surrey and always go M3/A329(M), came back home from Gatwick that way last week too. I live in Keynsham, if you need any local traffic tips let me know.
Usually this would be a good time saver, however, I wouldn't use the M3 / A322 / A329 to get on the M4 between 8:30 to 10 as traffic going throuh Bracknell is standstill. I do the commute from SW London to Reading everyday and the odd trip to Bristol a couple of times a month...I always opt for leaving early and avoiding all the hassle and getting a coffee once I get on the M4 closer to Bristol. Allow 3hours for the trip.
911Ads said:
Usually this would be a good time saver, however, I wouldn't use the M3 / A322 / A329 to get on the M4 between 8:30 to 10 as traffic going throuh Bracknell is standstill.
I do the commute from SW London to Reading everyday and the odd trip to Bristol a couple of times a month...I always opt for leaving early and avoiding all the hassle and getting a coffee once I get on the M4 closer to Bristol. Allow 3hours for the trip.
Never done the trip at that time but that sounds logical. So, either stick to M4/M25 or leave early, get to Keynsham early and visit our very nice new coffee shop http://www.coffee1.co.uk/about/our-locations/keyns...I do the commute from SW London to Reading everyday and the odd trip to Bristol a couple of times a month...I always opt for leaving early and avoiding all the hassle and getting a coffee once I get on the M4 closer to Bristol. Allow 3hours for the trip.
Are you going to drop off one of your SAABs at JamSAAB?
Yes, the 900 needs a bit of welding and I've heard very good things about JamSAAB!
Thanks for all the help guys. I know how treacherous the M25 can be round the south of a morning rushour. I am hoping if I leave at 8-8.30 that should give me plenty of time and I should be able guarantee getting there by 12.30 or so.
Or do you guys think it might be worth leaving at 7am or something?
Thanks for all the help guys. I know how treacherous the M25 can be round the south of a morning rushour. I am hoping if I leave at 8-8.30 that should give me plenty of time and I should be able guarantee getting there by 12.30 or so.
Or do you guys think it might be worth leaving at 7am or something?
If you hit J3 M25 by 8.30, you will be round to M3 at around 9.30, if no traffic then M4 by 9.45 and then c1h30m to Keynsham. Friday is the lightest day traffic-wise as there is a culture of "working at home" which conveniently happens most often on a Friday.
All this of course is if you discount the likelihood of some numpty doing some numptyish thing that creates havoc which happens all too frequently on the M25 during the rush hour!!
The Bracknell option is a good call too, M3/J3 and up to A329m and onto M4 - Anything that reduces time on the M25 is good
All this of course is if you discount the likelihood of some numpty doing some numptyish thing that creates havoc which happens all too frequently on the M25 during the rush hour!!
The Bracknell option is a good call too, M3/J3 and up to A329m and onto M4 - Anything that reduces time on the M25 is good
Not sure which junction of the M4 you're planning on getting off at, some sat navs and internet directions have sent people to jct 19 when they come and visit us, but getting off at jct 18 (Bath) and going A46/A420/A1474 is the way to go, when you get to the bottom of the A1474 (A4 roundabout) go straight on towards Keynsham, drive a couple of hundred yards, Jam are down a very narrow road on your left (easy to miss) just before the cemetary.
rallycross said:
Its worth coming off M25 at M3 and going via Bracknell, to join the M4 at J10, misses out a chunk of M25.
Just to let you know, road works going on in Bracknell on some pretty major roundabouts in the area so that will add some time to that trip if your going to be passing through before 9 ish (the bits between M3 & A329 are hit quite hard at times) I would try and get on the M25 about 9 and go from there, all being well should be in bristol and on the train back by 1?Thanks all, just booked my ticket for just before 2pm. My paranoia will probably see me leaving the house before 8am - I'd rather grab a coffee at the other end than get an extra half hour's sleep!
MG511 said:
Not sure which junction of the M4 you're planning on getting off at, some sat navs and internet directions have sent people to jct 19 when they come and visit us, but getting off at jct 18 (Bath) and going A46/A420/A1474 is the way to go, when you get to the bottom of the A1474 (A4 roundabout) go straight on towards Keynsham, drive a couple of hundred yards, Jam are down a very narrow road on your left (easy to miss) just before the cemetary.
Perfect, thanks!If you fancy a drink or lunch before getting your train this place is about 2 mins from the train station in Keynsham and is highly recommended http://www.lockkeeperbristol.com/
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff