I'm going down to Margate on Friday and have never drven it before, which way would be the best to go?

I would prefer to go the M6 way as I'm totally bored of the M40 but I would like to hear from anyone who drives it often. I'm really not sure which way would be quicker

Thanks!

there is no big difference time wise in the two routes but there are road works on the lower sections of the M1 at the moment 50mph speed limits etc.

There is a big difference time wise on when you travel. Anywhere where there are road works and the M25 snarls up to a crawl if you travel before... say... 9:30am and after 2pm on Fridays

Well I have Friday off so I can travel at anytime, I would prefer to not hit traffic as I'm going to see if I can get all the way there and back on one tank of petrol!

I appreciate the info re: the M1, thanks!

Be careful on the M1 near Luton. They have speed camera's that measure your average speed over a certain distance. Also traffic builds up quite quickly there about 07.00hrs..

M40 & M25 Everytime, day, night, or whenever.

Option 1

M6 Queues at Spaghetti.

M1 Possible horrendous delays around Luton.

M25 Clockwise, probable queues round to J31.

M25 Probable severe ( Friday PM ) delays to cross the QE2 bridge ( Dartford crossing )

Option 2

M6 Queues at Spaghetti.

M42 Can be busy depending on time of day, reduced speed limit, and use of hard shoulder works well.

M40 Usually clear.

M40 J4 Take A308M Down to M4

M4/M25 Junction can be busy, but moves.

M25 Anti clockwise. Build ups in Surrey to Surrey/Kent border.

I would suggest option 2 could save you hours/misery, depending on time of day.

There is NEVER a good time of day for option 1.

Good Luck.

Shame i'm not near Birmingham Airport this week. I could Fly you there. . .

Everyone tells me M40+M25 is easier. I go M6+M1+M25 cos that's where the sat nav takes me!

My friend said the other day about his sat nav.. .

"It is the only time i will allow a woman, to tell me what to do".

I just go where she tells me, she sounds hot.

She doesn't half start bitching at me if I go the wrong way though.

Thanks for the info folks.

I'll be taking the A435 south out of Birmingham, joining the M42 and then M40.

Thanks

M40 J3 Take A308M Down to M4

I can't see this on a map, is it correct?

TWO other alternative routes to definitely consider!...

1/......

M6 south to Jct 1/A14

A14 to Cambridge/M11

M11 to M25 clockwise etc

Try NOT to travel on the A14 East 07:30hrs onwards, sheer weight of traffic causes tailbacks + watch out for the frequent speed cameras after Huntingdon!

2/......

M6 south to M1

M1 Jct 15/A508 to A5 south

A5 south to M1 Jct 9

M1 Jct 9 to M25 clockwise etc

Bypasses motorway traffic around Luton area.

Try to avoid A5 through Dunstable from 08:00hrs onwards.

...

btw...I thought ONLY women needed Sat Navs???...

What's wrong with using a cheapo AA Road Atlas?!...

...lol...

I can't see this on a map, is it correct?

No, sorry, another 18 hour day.

Its J4, and has been re named A404.

STILL haven't managed to get back eh??...

Should have asked us all that question as well?!...

...lol...