Could the M40 be the best bit of motorway in the UK?

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Had to go to Manchester yesterday. Refuse to use the M1 point blank. Took the M40 from the m25 as i have done numerous times in the past.

On the way up wasnt really paying attention to my surroundings.
However on the way south to the m25 I noticed how free flowing it was.
I then got thinking about my drive up and it was very much the same.

It really is like the UK's version of the autobahn.

The average speed is pretty awesome though not going to mention my average speed on a public forum.

Best of all is lane discipline. I have no way to prove it of course but people seem much more aware and disciplined which i truly believe is due to the high speeds on the road.

People keep left they move out of the way and are even considerate enough to delay overtaking if they see you approaching on their left at a higher speed than them so you arent forced to scrub speed.

Really the UK's police and government could learn from observing the traffic flow.

It really is just marvellous 70+ miles of pure bliss.

Granted there was one sticking point on the way south where an italian decided to sacrifice itself at the side of the road (alfa 156) and that slowed people down a bit as they were leaving lane 1 free due to the hard shoulder fire.
But even then traffic still flowed really well and everyone was really aware of and considerate towards each other.

Anyway not sure the point of this post but felt the need.

Ps the M6 toll is awesome too.

[Gizmo!]

Nah. M5, Clevedon to Exeter. Lovely.

[anonymous-user]

That and the Western section of the M42 are both very pleasant roads to drive on. Which makes it even more of a shame that they're connected to the Northern section of the M42, which is embarrassingly bad.

[Thankyou4calling]

There is a superb stretch where the road cuts between the hills after High Wycombe where I hit some serious speed in my 996 Turbo. Superb view and sweeping bends allowed it.

[Tallbut Buxomly]

Gizmo! said:

Nah. M5, Clevedon to Exeter. Lovely.

Whats the plod both in cars and mobile cameras situation like though?

[DamienB]

The M40 has its fair share of ditherers, MLMs, unmarked coppers and snarl-ups - OP just got lucky.

M45 from Northants/A14 to near Coventry, now that's a different matter, and far faster than the M6 that "replaced" it.

[Tallbut Buxomly]

DamienB said:

The M40 has its fair share of ditherers, MLMs, unmarked coppers and snarl-ups - OP just got lucky.

M45 from Northants/A14 to near Coventry, now that's a different matter, and far faster than the M6 that "replaced" it.

I disagree. I have used it numerous times over the last few years and cant really remember it ever being anything other than bliss.

Unmarked plod? Havent seen any yet though was expecting to see them on the M6.

[theironduke]

Gizmo! said:

Nah. M5, Clevedon to Exeter. Lovely.

Good shout! The M5 from Worcester down is pretty good and gets better and better, especially Stroud ish and below!

[CampDavid]

No where near.

The M6 through the lake district and the M73 in Scotland (I think I've got the right one, near Castle Douglas) are both awesome.

Get off the M40 and see some of the scenery round the cotswolds though - that's awesome

[peaktorque]

I'd have to agree, I do a fair bit of travelling up north and will always favour the M40 over the M1 even if it's a slightly longer detour to use it. Hate the M1.

Coming back home early evening on a virtually empty M40 is actually quite pleasant (until you hit the M25 )

[Hub]

I use the M40 when heading north but then come off at Warwick/Coventry and use the little M69 which has always seemed a nice quiet bit of motorway when I've used it.

[Gizmo!]

Tallbut Buxomly said:

Gizmo! said:

Nah. M5, Clevedon to Exeter. Lovely.

Whats the plod both in cars and mobile cameras situation like though?

A few years ago when it was my regular stomping ground: none.

Favourite part has to be the long sweeping bends between J28 and J29 - no bridges or sliproads for Plod to hide in.

[littlebasher]

bks!

Without a shadow of a doubt the M180. 3 lanes, flat and practically deserted no matter what time of the day

Good Tarmac surface too, what's not to like!

[Burnham]

Always love a blat up the M40, for all those reasons. Agree fully with the OP.

Always seem to make good progress when it's dry.

[twazzock]

littlebasher said:

bks!

Without a shadow of a doubt the M180. 3 lanes, flat and practically deserted no matter what time of the day

Good Tarmac surface too, what's not to like!

Its proximity to Shorpe.

[Gad-Westy]

M74. Empty, lovely scenery, sweeping bends and west coast main line trains up for a race. What more could you ask for?

[tr7v8]

littlebasher said:

bks!

Without a shadow of a doubt the M180. 3 lanes, flat and practically deserted no matter what time of the day

Good Tarmac surface too, what's not to like!

One of my work colleagues was camera'd at 80MPH on this motorway & given 3 points & £60!

[covmutley]

DamienB said:

M45 from Northants/A14 to near Coventry, now that's a different matter, and far faster than the M6 that "replaced" it.

+1. Always empty, flat, and nice long straights where you can see all bridges from miles back. Great motorway!

[wackojacko]

M40 is great for all the reasons the OP mentioned.

[AlexS]

The M50 from the M5 all the way down to Ross-on-Wye. Lightly traffic and nicely bendy.

Also the M48 from Chepstow towards Magor. It's not unusual to see cars driving carefully up towards Chepstow checking out the bridges for plod and cameras, turn round at Chepstow and then nail on the way back.