For the past several years travelling from Aberdeen we have been using the A74/M74/M6 route then crossing over at Stoke on Trent via Uttoxeter to the M1 then down from there. (via the London North Circular to the QE Bridge/Dartford to avoid the worst of the M25 problems) That route is pretty good and avoids Birmingham area.
Last week we were driving up the East side of England and tried the A1 all the way to Edinburgh. We virtually sailed up the road without holdups although we may just have been lucky? There's a few stretches of single carriageway which makes me wary. There's also the A68 single carriageway route but I haven't tried that for years. I know it can be down to timing, luck and listening to road reports but can anyone pass on their experiences please?
We often go down from the north of England to beyond London and always use the A1 now. We find it much quieter and a very enjoyable journey, and very rarely are there any holdups. Just avoid the M25 at rush hour! The A1 round Gateshead is slow at rush hour too.
Quote: Originally posted by dave8858 on 01/7/2010
Ahh freeatlast you have discovered the 'Western Car park' otherwise known as the Gateshead Western Bypass!
A1 is much less trouble than M1 and doesn't have 14 miles of average speed camera policed roadworks at present either!
D
Yup! Made this afternoon's trip to Ikea a little slow.
Mind you, a new set of pans for the van for under £2 in their sale.
went up the A1 to Dunbar 3 weeks ago smoothest tow I've had in a long time left Peterborough (ferry meadows site) at 5.10 am pulled on to Dunbar Camping and caravaning club site at 1205 with 2 short stops on the way ,love the A1 now the roundabouts have been taken out .
Some interesting and perceptive comments and I would agree that travelling dow the east side is far better than the west. Don't be put off by the reputation of the M25, it's no worse than anywhere else all the time there are no accidents or narrow lane road works. When you come off the M11 you only have a short stretch to do do on the 25 to the bridge and once over you can come off imediately onto A2/M2 which is shorter than M20 route..Mick
I think I would prefer the M25 any day to the North Circular, particularly with a caravan! I would also be cautious of using the A14 on a weekday as regularly on our local news there are often reports of long hold-ups due to accidents (just dual carraige way, no hard shoulders) Just for information there are road works on the M1 from about junction 13 to south of Luton but having travelled both ways in the last week with a caravan the traffic does keep moving but not always up to the speed limit of 50mph.
Re the M25 I am reproducing this as I have tried it myself and if the M25 road reports are bad I'd recommend it.
Quote:
Originally posted by welshwyn on 19/8/2009
Just thought, best way to avoid M25 heading towards bridge, do as other's have said use A14 then down M11, but do not turn off onto M25, carry on down M11 until the end and then branch off onto the A406 (North circular) heading towards south, follow signs for city airport, when you reach bottom of A406, you will see signs for A13 east bound, which will be signposted M25, Dartford etc. Keep to left inside feeder lane and take the A13 and then just follow signs for M25 and Dartford crossing. This will bring you out just before the bridge and will save loads of time if there are any queues. In fact it's the route I always use now as I find it quicker than using the M25" End Quote
And thanks to you all for your comments and replies. I am going to give the A1 a try this year and if I remember, I will post on here the result. I can't decide whether to take the A68 route from Edinburgh to Newcastle or the A1. Can any experienced users recommend?
An alternative from Aberdeen that I'd be tempted with is A74/M74/M6 untill junction 30, then take the M61 to the end where it joins the M60, go East along M62 to junction 32A then A1M South.
I sometimes find the A1 from Newcastle to Edinburgh slow going.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Scotland - Dover - Best Route?
