Manchester to Sidcup - how long???

[Fastra]

My daughter's got an audition at the Rose Bruford College in Sidcup (DA15 9DF) on Thursday 26th January.

Going on the train is going to cost £200+ (need to be there for 1pm) so we're going to drive down the day before and stop at a Premier Inn.

But how long would you reckon it would take to drive down at mid day - google is telling me it's 220 miles and 3 hours 51 mins.
This seems a bit pessimistic to me???

[Superhoop]

I would say that's probably not far out TBH.

By leaving Manchester at midday, you'll avoid the worst of the traffic on the M6 and M25. It's pretty much motorway all the way too, so if anything, it'll be less than 3,51

[Fastra]

Cheers - I was thinking 3 hours ish really.

[lady topaz]

We live in Sidcup and my OH regularly drives to Manchester on business. The mileage you quote is about right. It usually takes him 3.5 hours but can be considerably longer depending on traffic.
He also does the southern route via M6 Toll M42 and M40 to avoid a lot of the current roadworks.

Di

[Fastra]

lady topaz said:

He also does the southern route via M6 Toll M42 and M40 to avoid a lot of the current roadworks.

Di

Would he then go straight through the centre(ish) of London or track round the M25?

[lady topaz]

Fastra said:

Would he then go straight through the centre(ish) of London or track round the M25?

The southern M25. Its usually ok mid morning unless you are unlucky. Guess that could be said about most motorways. I would definately allow time for the unexpected. Going the south route you take the Swanley junction onto the A20 which is 10 mins from Sidcup.

[Deva Link]

Fastra said:

Cheers - I was thinking 3 hours ish really.

I haven't done that specific journey but I do drive Chester to SW quarter of the M25 quite a lot and 3 hours would be really going some. Even if I leave at 4AM and drive like the clappers it's amazingly difficult to get the average speed for a journey, door to door, over 60MPH.

As you're staying overnight you've got no time contraints so I would suggest going with the flow - if I do these journeys pushing against the clock they often seem to turn into frustrating nightmares. With a girl in the car she'll probably want to stop about 3 times anyway!

[Fastra]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I know, just a touch naive then....

[lady topaz]

There is also a brand new Premier Inn opened just outside Swanley. No idea what it like but no more than 10 mins from where you need to get to in Sidcup.

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/SWANLE/swanley

[Fastra]

Deva Link said:

With a girl in the car she'll probably want to stop about 3 times anyway!

- I don't know who's looking forward to it the least!
Some quality time together

[Fastra]

lady topaz said:

There is also a brand new Premier Inn opened just outside Swanley. No idea what it like but no more than 10 mins from where you need to get to in Sidcup.

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/SWANLE/swanley

Thats the one!

£39 for a twin room, so quite decent really.
Though I'll be spending most of my time out of the way in the lounge whilst she gets ready and rehearses...!

[ReaperCushions]

For something that important would it not be sensible to build in a significant amount of contingency time?

Yes you might get there an hour early, but better than being a few minutes late. You can always grab a coffee somewhere.

[Fastra]

You're quite right - important and expensive at £45 for the privilege of an audition!!!!

I'm thinking of perhaps leaving at 11am on the day before, which should allow most of Englands looneys!


... and I'm putting my snow chains in the boot too!

[lady topaz]

Fastra said:

Thats the one!

£39 for a twin room, so quite decent really.
Though I'll be spending most of my time out of the way in the lounge whilst she gets ready and rehearses...!

Good luck to her.

Di

[Fastra]

lady topaz said:

Good luck to her.

Di

Thanks!

I'll tell you, this month is an absolute nightmare for her.
She's got 5 auditions in the near future with 3 of them (31st Jan, 1st Feb & 2nd Feb) in Central London.

[Superhoop]

ReaperCushions said:

For something that important would it not be sensible to build in a significant amount of contingency time?

Yes you might get there an hour early, but better than being a few minutes late. You can always grab a coffee somewhere.

What like, maybe driving down the day before and staying in a hotel somewhere near? Just like the OP said he was doing?