M25 traffic in the morning

[polo54]

I'm starting a new job tomorrow and need to drive from Wembley to Guildford every morning and be there before 9. What's the traffic normally like at this time? Will I be better off getting a train which takes around 2 hours each way?

[hyperblue]

If you're aiming for 9, I'd forget it. You'd be better off aiming for 8 and getting in early. Or get the train.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

You'll be hitting the worst section, the bit from the M4 round to the A3. The other alternative is the N Circular and through Kingston?
Either way - it'll be hell, unless you buy a Motorbike.

[Vixpy1]

Tube to Waterloo, Fast train to Guildford.

[Superhoop]

How's your luck?

The M25 in the mornings/evenings is a bit like the lottery, only without he good things that the lottery would present you with...

Basically, it's either st, or really st

I travel regularly from junction 4, out to the M4. On a good day, that's about an hour, on a bad day, it can be at least 2.... When there was a fuel spill the other week, it was 3, and I was one of the lucky ones

[Deva Link]

polo54 said:

I'm starting a new job tomorrow

...and you post at quarter to ten the night before asking about travel!

[obscene]

Deva Link said:

...and you post at quarter to ten the night before asking about travel!

£10 says he's late tomorrow unless he leaves really early. It takes me 20 minutes to go Wokingham > Bracknell in the morning by motorbike, sod what it'd be in the car.

[Flying Fish]

I call troll.
Dude on a motoring website claims not to know about how st and inadequate the M25 is less than 12 hours before taking over another directorship in the morning. Probably too busy in the gym sculpting his powerfully built guns and trimming his goatee ready for all the fems he's likely to have to fend off in the new office.
Are you sure your MX5 / 335d (mapped) will be up to the journey? Wouldn't you like us to help you decide which dealership to buy the 348 from first?

[polo54]

How about if I aim to get there for around 8.15 to 8.30, will the traffic still be bad? I had to get the train twice when I had my interviews because my car wasn't running at the time and both times on the way back I missed the fast train (which I think comes every hour) and had to get a slow train which took 1 and a half hours. I'm not sure what's worse, sitting in a car in traffic or on a train!

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

The morning commute starts [i.e traffic slows down considerably / jams start building] at around 6:30-7am and continues until just after 9am. If there is an accident, it's game over.

[rottie102]

polo54 said:

I'm not sure what's worse, sitting in a car in traffic or on a train!

Easy.

On a train you can:
- chat up women
- watch a movie
- sleep
- text as much as you want
- eat
- read a book

If it's this or a traffic jam, I know where I'd rather be.

[Thankyou4calling]

Top post from flying fish. I can't see this bloke holding the job down if he needs to ask what time to leave to get there. Perhaps his mum dies him a packed lunch and he wants to be home for cubs. Seriously, everybody must know, the M25 is a lottery. I'd leave at five for my first day and be at thd door first, shaved, shoes shining and ready for business. I'd be last to leave too.

[Deva Link]

Thankyou4calling said:

I'd leave at five

I was going to say five as well.

I have to go to Weybridge quite a bit for meetings that start at 10. I usually get there at 8. And I live in Chester.

[Dogwatch]

Vixpy1 said:

Tube to Waterloo, Fast train to Guildford.

At least from Waterloo you'll be going against the main flow.

Long time since I lived there but the A3/Guildford isn't a haven of peace and tranquillity in the rush-hour either.

[Pcot]

He's not home yet!

[marcosgt]

rottie102 said:

polo54 said:

I'm not sure what's worse, sitting in a car in traffic or on a train!

Easy.

On a train you can:
- chat up women
- watch a movie
- sleep
- text as much as you want
- eat
- read a book

If it's this or a traffic jam, I know where I'd rather be.

True, but you might also get:

- no seat
- squeezed between two hot fat people sweating all over you
- amongst a group of foul mouthed chavs
- sat next to a self-important salesperson or middlemanagement, unaware that their voice travels wirelessly through the phone and that there's no need to shout continuously about their meeting with Gerry tomorrow and how they need to be in Leeds on Thursday.
- sat amongst a group of airhead fashion students who will make you wonder how they remember to breath...

I think it's swings and roundabouts

M.

[va1o]

I do the J21 to J16 on the M25 every day, its just about bearable. All of that section is 4-lanes which seems to improve the flow a bit. Does get very slow on approach to the M4 though with all the Heathrow traffic. Trick is to leave early and allow lots of extra time in case of traffic.

[Mr serge]

i do it 3 times a week and try and aim to be on it by 9.30 i whenever i leave early i end up sitting on it for ages, get the train or leave at 7 am