Driving from London to Bristol via southern M25/M4

[Six Fiend]

I've often used M3 J5 for Hook to avoid the Bracknell traffic and queues for the M4 from the M25 (granted that's mostly evenings at rush hour).

I head up the A3349 to the A33 and hop onto the M4 and home to Bristol.

[HarveyM]

MG511 said:

but getting off at jct 18 (Bath) and going A46/A420/A4174 is the way to go

Swotisaid

[Six Fiend]

HarveyM said:

MG511 said:

but getting off at jct 18 (Bath) and going A46/A420/A4174 is the way to go

Swotisaid

Not forgetting the short cut along Gorse Lane to avoid the 46/420 roundabout and get to Tog Hill rest area

[TallbutBuxomly]

NiceCupOfTea said:

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?

If you can do it the other way round aim to hit the m25 after 9.30 and allow till 1.30 to get there. Also check the weather forecast. Its not cast in stone correct but if its raining add an hr to the time you have already allocated.

ETA: Also i would avoid using the cut through down the m3. Its a fking nightmare road at anything near rush hr. Its a safer bet time wise to stay on the m25/m4.

ETA2: The m3 seems to be the place to go to crash and shut a motorway. I avoid wherever possible. I have never had more delays than when on the m3.

Edited by TallbutBuxomly on Thursday 19th April 21:55

[ewenm]

Six Fiend said:

Not fogetting the short cut along Gorse Lane to avoid the 46/420 roundabout and get to Tog Hill rest area

Although in busy periods turning right onto the A420 out of Gorse Lane can be slower than going to the A46/A420 roundabout.

My rule of thumb is that if you're following someone doing less than the NSL from the M4 down the A46 and they go down Gorse Lane, don't follow them (unless you can overtake them straight away on the lane down the initial hill).

[Six Fiend]

ewenm said:

Six Fiend said:

Not fogetting the short cut along Gorse Lane to avoid the 46/420 roundabout and get to Tog Hill rest area

Although in busy periods turning right onto the A420 out of Gorse Lane can be slower than going to the A46/A420 roundabout.

My rule of thumb is that if you're following someone doing less than the NSL from the M4 down the A46 and they go down Gorse Lane, don't follow them (unless you can overtake them straight away on the lane down the initial hill).

Oh so true! Although I have managed the odd cheeky overtake on the first stretch when they've been deathly slow. Used to drive out and back around lunchtime several days a week on time sensitive jobs

[Dilligaf10]

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.

Saves 12 miles!

[Big News]

elvismiggell said:

My commute is Jct 8 to 15 (A217 to M4)

Are you a Reigatian too?

[TorqueWench]

I used to drive from Earls Court to Bristol in the morning. Id leave London at 6am and arrive in Bristol at around 8:30

[leggly]

J18/A420 is a much nicer way to Keynsham than the ring road and it puts you on right side to find Jamsaab

[MG511]

Six Fiend said:

Not forgetting the short cut along Gorse Lane to avoid the 46/420 roundabout and get to Tog Hill rest area

It was only worth going that way when Farbio Sportscars were based out that way, now production has switched to Ginetta in Leeds I always go A46/A420, the two right turns and the chance of getting stuck behind a pensioner in a Yaris on their way home from Dyrham Park is too much of a pain.

[miniman]

Six Fiend said:

Not forgetting the short cut along Gorse Lane to avoid the 46/420 roundabout and get to Tog Hill rest area

"Rest area" not sure I've heard it called that before...

[Six Fiend]

miniman said:

Six Fiend said:

Not forgetting the short cut along Gorse Lane to avoid the 46/420 roundabout and get to Tog Hill rest area

"Rest area" not sure I've heard it called that before...

Depends what you want to rest and where you want to rest it

[NiceCupOfTea]

Well that was easy!

Left just before 8, had cruise set to 65 most of the way round the M25, only traffic was just before the M4. Arrived just after 11, now sat in coffee1 with a nice cup of tea and a raspberry muffin!

Thanks all!

Only downer is that the rust is worse than I thought

[Six Fiend]

Hurrah and Boo Hiss in suitable measures!