We'll be driving down from the North West to Dover in July to catch the ferry to Bologne. Which is the best route? across country and down or down then accross (if you get me?) and how long does is usually take? we're going on a sunday, ferry it 2.45pm.
THanks
Deb
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We're further west than you (nr Skipton) so we always go down the M1. I would have thought that M6, M5, M42, M40, M25 (anti-clockwise), then M20 to Folkestone & A20 to Dover would be your best bet. Your timing should be OK on this route, the M6 just north of Birmingham can be a pig during the week. I'd think you should probably allow a good five to six hours plus stops. Why not try the RAC route planner, that will give an idea of how long, and also how far it is. Don't forget you need to allow for check-in time, and also for possible hold-ups on the motorway. Better to allow yourself bags of time, if you get there a bit early, often they will put you on an earlier crossing. Have a good trip
Same route as Bryn except for M5. You will need to leave home around 07:00 to be certain of the ferry including a break.
Take this as timing. Home to Birmingham around 2 hours. Birmingham to M25 around 2 hours, M42/M25 to Dover 2 hours. These timing don't allow a lot of hanging about times but that are the ones I tend to do it in. I have actually made port from home within 5 1/2 hours. I am a bit farther south than you but have the best part of an hour of slower roads before hitting the motorway at Sandbach.
Beware though, I was stopped on the M6 for 3 hours last Friday lunch time owing to an accident.
we're now thinking of setting off rreally early....4am ok maybe 5...we deliberately chose not to travel on a weekday because of the dreaded traffic around Birmingham. We live 5 mins from the M6 so that'll help too...most concerned about the traffic on the M25 to Dover, hoping everyone will be going home (in the opposite direction!) after holidays/weekend.
M25 shouldn't be too bad - you should probably be planning to go round it between 10 and 12 in the morning, so I wouldn't expect a major snarl up on a Sunday. We travel down from Cairnryan, and I usually plan to hit the M25 at 4AM on a Sunday morning - always dead quiet. That said, I did get held up for 2 hours near Brum last year (just after midnight )
We'll be driving down from the North West to Dover in July to catch the ferry to Bologne. Which is the best route? across country and down or down then accross (if you get me?) and how long does is usually take? we're going on a sunday, ferry it 2.45pm.
THanks
Deb
Hi Deb's, if you want to mail me I'll forward you a couple of alternative MS AutoRoutes directions, including same to Bologne if you want them.
Craven
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Thanks for the offer Craven, that wood be great...However, I have no idea how to email other members....I must be missing something really obvious. i click your name but your profile comes up and can't see an email there.
Hi BB, what on earth goes on at Birmingham, the M6 is just a complete mystery to me...
Anyone travelling up to the lakes today will have a nice bit of congestion arouind preston, just come past it in the opposite direction, thank goodness!
Thanks for the offer Craven, that wood be great...However, I have no idea how to email other members....I must be missing something really obvious. i click your name but your profile comes up and can't see an email there.
The M25 anticlockwise has been subject to roadworks/road widening for some months now, especially in the area where the new Terminal 5 for Heathrow is being constructed. There are 40 or 50 mph speedlimits in force, and in our experience, the situation is now somewhat improved. Barring accidents, it is usually possible to keep up a steady 30-40 through the roadworks. Heading for Dover, some of the extra lanes are now finished and in use. We last used it on Monday at 6.15pm-ish (ie rush hour) and traffic was heavy but kept going. Think M6 will be the worst bit for you, not the M25!! Remember, too, that there are speed cameras on most of the overhead gantrys where the variable speed limit section is marked up (unless you are a police officer, of course!)
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
thanks for the info minicamper, hopefully we'll be through the m6 for about 8am and it's a sunday so should be a quieter than during the week. It's been a few years since I drove on the M25, well I was parked most of the time!
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Topic: Driving from the north west to ferry port
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