Rugby to Reading - which route?

[Podie]

For the first time in a long time, I'll be driving at rush hour... need to be in sunny reading for 8am... question is, which route?

• M40 to High Wycombe and M4 back to Reading
• M40, A34, M4
• M40, B4009 through to A33

Thoughts? Any particularly bad spots to avoid?

[GravelBen]

1) Put down the Rugby ball
2) Walk off the field
3) Pick up a book
4) Proceed with Reading*




* Some rugby players will also need to add step 3.5) Learn to read

Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 22 March 11:00

[RobM77]

I used to do that run a lot, and often compared the A34 route with the A404M route. My conclusion was that there was not much in it, but the A404M was more reliable. All my journeys were off peak though...

[Sooty]

Podie said:

For the first time in a long time, I'll be driving at rush hour... need to be in sunny reading for 8am... question is, which route?

• M40, A34, M4

Thoughts? Any particularly bad spots to avoid?

I'd do that one. A34 should be ok past Oxford before 7:30.

[lordlee]

I wouldnt do that route personally as the A34 will be full o lorries at that time and when they start overtaking it's a real pain on a hilly dual carriage way. If however you don't mind travelling slowly then it's an easy route.

[nevgroom]

A34 routs is 12 miles longer (I measured it on Sunday). Also, A34 is prone to 'nasties' between Abingdon/M4 during that time.

Recommend the 404 route as you will be mainly going against the volume traffic

[schmalex]

lordlee said:

I wouldnt do that route personally as the A34 will be full o lorries at that time and when they start overtaking it's a real pain on a hilly dual carriage way. If however you don't mind travelling slowly then it's an easy route.

I'm pretty sure there's a trial on that stretch of the A34 that prevents lorries from overtaking at peak hour. I may be wrong through.

[Podie]

schmalex said:

lordlee said:

I wouldnt do that route personally as the A34 will be full o lorries at that time and when they start overtaking it's a real pain on a hilly dual carriage way. If however you don't mind travelling slowly then it's an easy route.

I'm pretty sure there's a trial on that stretch of the A34 that prevents lorries from overtaking at peak hour. I may be wrong through.

Do they actually pay attention to it though? They never seem to bother on the A14!

[nevgroom]

schmalex said:

I'm pretty sure there's a trial on that stretch of the A34 that prevents lorries from overtaking at peak hour. I may be wrong through.

There is - About 6 miles either side of Didcot