Bury (Manchester) to Bedford, best route?

[James2593]

I'm traveling to Bedford and back on tuesday, from Bury to collect some items. I've opted to leave at around 8.45-9am, to avoid the morning rush, which will get me to Bedford around 12-12.30pm. Quick collection and hitting the road back home to arrive home around 4pm, to miss the evening rush.

This brings me to the route, should I use the M6, or go over the woodhead pass to the M1, and down the M1 from Sheffield?

Which has the best (or most predictable) traffic conditions? I'm very inclined to dodge the M6 as i've used it plenty, and been stuck in traffic plenty. However, i'm not familiar with the M1.

[Jezzerh]

Tons of roadworks on the M1 Sheffield to Mansfield. 50 SPECS all the way through. If you do take that route, use Snake Pass instead of Woodhead, less HGVs on there.

[Thankyou4calling]

M6, M1 to j 13.

Simple.

[Northernchimp]

M6, M62, A1.

A1 has roadworks around Biggleswade but should be fairly quiet when you hit it.

[itcaptainslow]

Thankyou4calling said:

M6, M1 to j 13.

Simple.

This. A1 route takes you too far over, M6/M1 should be fine.

[James2593]

Decision made, M6 it is.

I'd rather sit in traffic than waste away in average speed camera zones for miles on end.

Thanks all

[Magog]

http://goo.gl/maps/J4eGi
.
33% longer journey time, infinitely more enjoyable.

[gavsdavs]

M6 to J16, A500/A50, Stoke, Burton.
Pick up the M1 just north of Leicester.
There are works at the m1/m6 junction so you could keep going east and pick up the A1....

[CampDavid]

Best route is actually M6 then A14

(having lived in Bedford forever and travelled to Birmingham for most of my life)

[Shurv]

gavsdavs said:

M6 to J16, A500/A50, Stoke, Burton.
Pick up the M1 just north of Leicester.
There are works at the m1/m6 junction so you could keep going east and pick up the A1....

This.