M25 rush hour

[eggo_007]

Hi all,

New member here, requesting a bit of advice. I live in the South-East and and have to make a trip tomorrow to Milton Keynes, leaving at around 5pm and arriving at around 7pm. The most obvious route would be M25 J2 to J21, then the M1. However, i'm conscious that it means travelling during a Friday afternoon rush hour. Would it be better to leave earlier, or later, or just brave it and hope for the best?

Cheers!

[Planet Claire]

Anytime on a Friday afternoon is rush hour on the M25. I would suggest that you set off mid morning but that means you're going to arrive hours early (if you're lucky!), unless someone can suggest an alternative route (I would come off the M1 at J9 and go up the A5) then you might have to just brave it.

I travel on the west side of the M25 on an evening and I always check out the Highways Agency before I set off. Zoom into the area on the map and click on the Roadside Messasge Signs to see what messages are on the overhead gantries and that should give you an idea to the traffic flow.

[dazerc]

I travel up the m3 then round the M25 every friday. sometimes i'm on the M25 at 3pm and its busy and sometimes i'm on there between 5-7pm and its busy.
i was driving on the M25 last sunday nite at 8pm and it was busy.
so no matter what time you go there it will be busy.
Normally its moving traffic though 30mph-50mph so you still get there.

[theboss]

I don't have any suggestions but if it's any consolation I have to make a similar journey tomorrow night... the widening works on the lower stretch of the M1 are still playing havoc I presume...

[duff]

Unless you have to be in MK by 19:00, I wouldn't leave until about 19:00-19:30, should avoid most of the trouble. BBC London 94.9 have regular travel updates.