Getting to M40 from J4 M25

[Cotty]

Had a nightmare trip on Saturday getting from J4 M25 to the M40 going anticlockwise. I don't drive much and most of that is at the weekends. I was wondering what peoples experiences were and whether clockwise would be better than anticlockwise in the future. Ignoring accidents etc

[ridds]

Clockwise, no brainer. No tunnel, shorter, traffic flows better (most of the time).

[RenesisEvo]

I do M25 J29 to M40 quite often across Fri/Sat/Sun. You really don't want to go across the Dartford crossing, as that can be a total nightmare queueing for the tolls. Having said that the northern stretch is mostly 4 lanes now, the 50mph average stretches gone and it's easier to make progress than the southern stretch. But it's the M25, things often do happen and there's queues all over the place from time to time. I'd stick with the shortest route (clockwise) - by going clockwise you have further to drive on the M25, and therefore are at more risk of running into trouble. Also bear in mind with all the kids getting away for the summer holidays, Saturday would have been worse than normal.

HTH

[Cotty]

ridds said:

Clockwise, no brainer. No tunnel, shorter, traffic flows better (most of the time).

I always get held up clockwise from J10 onwards. I don't mind a a longer trip if I keep moving. In hot weather I am forever watching the temp guages in both cars so don't want to get held up in traffic.

The tunnel is not really an issue as I will be hitting it at roughly 8am on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

[stevejh]

At that time on a Saturday or Sunday I would definitely go clockwise. If you really don't want to get held up just leave an hour earlier and you'll probably sail through junction 10 without any problems. The M25 can be so unpredictable particularly at this time of the year when there seem to be loads of people on it who only drive on motorways when they're off on their hols.

[Monkeylegend]

Cotty said:

ridds said:

Clockwise, no brainer. No tunnel, shorter, traffic flows better (most of the time).

The tunnel is not really an issue as I will be hitting it at roughly 8am on a Saturday or Sunday morning.

It will be just as easy clockwise at this time and a lot shorter.

[Cotty]

stevejh said:

If you really don't want to get held up just leave an hour earlier

Nice thought but 7am leave

[Cotty]

I had to get to the hogs back on saturday about 11am. AAroadwatch said clockwise from J6 M25 stationary and slow moving traffic. I decided to avoid the M25 all together, though Croydon, Sutton, Cheam to jump on the A3.

Sunday J10 to J4 M25 was fine but the traffic clockwise was solid all the way.

It just seems that the the southern clockwise section is constantly bad these days.