M25 north or south?

[RosscoPCole]

I'm travelling from Poole to Basildon reaching the M25 at the M3 and was wondering if going north or south of London was quicker?

Is there a significant difference in the mileage or is it about the same?

Any ideas?

[KrazyIvan]

What junction are you getting off at (assuming you are getting on at J12 which is the M3 junction) and what time of day will you be travelling ?

[RosscoPCole]

KrazyIvan said:

What junction are you getting off at (assuming you are getting on at J12 which is the M3 junction) and what time of day will you be travelling ?

Yes J12 to J29. I think we will be hitting the M25 at roughly 11am.

[hyperblue]

Only 5 miles difference in mileage (anti-clockwise is shorter) and you'll have to pay for the Dartford crossing. I'd avoid either route around rush hour though.

[KrazyIvan]

Id go anti-clockwise (north towards Heathrow from where you come on), that time of the day it should be easy, its a little longer but you wont have to pay or slow down for the tunnel. But, and its a big butt, I would be keeping a close eye (or ear in this case) on the traffic reports as you approach the M25 and be ready to head the other direction if there are reported delays.

[hornetrider]

KrazyIvan said:

Id go anti-clockwise (north towards Heathrow from where you come on)

You mean clockwise, right?

[Rgee]

I would come off the M3 and head towards Heathrow then M1 on the M25 and come off at the A127 (junction 29).

[Mobile Chicane]

I would honestly do the southern route.

The Heathrow section of the M25 can be a nightmare any time of day.

Yes there can be a bit of a queue for the tunnel if you do the southern route, but most regular users have DART tags so it all moves pretty quickly.

[mrmr96]

I'd go north.

[RosscoPCole]

North of London it is!

Will keep the traffic reports on the radio.

Thanks

[SimonMaidenhead]

Why not continue on the M3 and then go straight through the centre? It's school holidays and there's next to nothing on the road by comparison to a normal working day.