Up to what time to avoid M25 to Heathrow

socks_uk

On Friday 3rd April we are travelling down to Heathrow from 'up north', a journey that would take approx 4 hours. There is no worry about what time we get there as we are not flying until Saturday lunch time and we are staying overnight in a hotel close to Heathrow.

We will leave our area at about 2pm and will take the steady journey down south, stopping for tea in a pub (or Nottingham IKEA) and try to time it to hit the M25 when it is less busy.

So, can anyone tell me when the traffic on the M25 tends to die down? 7.30pm still busy? I've no idea how long it will take to go from J23 or J21 to Heathrow (depending if we go down A1(M) or M1, we're not fussed either way) but we don't want to be getting to the hotel much later than 10pm.

Thanks in advance.

stoneman

I work down London a lot and there is really no good time to get on the M25, especially Friday!! Anyway, I have found that the M40 tends to be quieter than the M1(and the drivers less nutcases). I live in Nottingham and I sometimes take the M1, M69, A46 to the M40 and just keep going. that way you cut out a big chunk of the M25 before the Heathrow turnoff. On Friday from J25 M1 I would say about 2 1/2 hours. Do not go down the A1M you are just spending longer on the moving car park.

spiro

M25 J21 to Heathrow approx 22 miles (depending on were you are staying), for M25 J23 add about 5 miles, M25/M40 Junction to Heathrow about 10 miles. Agree Friday is the worst day but never on it late afternoon/early evening so can't comment on when the traffic start to get lighter.

socks_uk

Thank you to you both... I'll have a read of what you put with a map next to me to work it out. We don't really mind what time we get to the hotel (Holiday Inn, Sipson Road) as we just wanted to be down near the airport the night before our flight rather than be one of those people you see on Airport that is late to check in due to a pile up on the motorway!

Thanks again.

Nice avi stoneman... I had forgot all about 'in n out' burger until I saw that. Must visit my sister in San Diego and have a good burger!

daveyjp

Friday evening on UK motorways is a nightmare. If you don't mind getting to the hotel by 10pm why not leave at 6pm?

I'd also recommend the M40 to reduce the distance you are on the M25.

From my experience of going South a lot from Yorkshire waiting until 6pm or so virtually guarantees an easy trip.

thelawnet

socks_uk wrote: »

On Friday 3rd April we are travelling down to Heathrow from 'up north', a journey that would take approx 4 hours. There is no worry about what time we get there as we are not flying until Saturday lunch time and we are staying overnight in a hotel close to Heathrow.

We will leave our area at about 2pm and will take the steady journey down south, stopping for tea in a pub (or Nottingham IKEA) and try to time it to hit the M25 when it is less busy.

So, can anyone tell me when the traffic on the M25 tends to die down? 7.30pm still busy? I've no idea how long it will take to go from J23 or J21 to Heathrow (depending if we go down A1(M) or M1, we're not fussed either way) but we don't want to be getting to the hotel much later than 10pm.

Thanks in advance.

I shouldn't worry too much.

You're missing some of the busiest bit by getting off at Heathrow, but at least you've got a night's grace before catching the flight.

As noted you can get off the M25 at the M40, and go via Uxbridge and Cowley. There'll be bad commuter traffic 5-6:30pm and tailing off after 7pm. But really you'll be in the rush hour somewhere on your journey, unless you leave home at 6pm.

APV1

socks_uk wrote: »

Thank you to you both... I'll have a read of what you put with a map next to me to work it out. We don't really mind what time we get to the hotel (Holiday Inn, Sipson Road) as we just wanted to be down near the airport the night before our flight rather than be one of those people you see on Airport that is late to check in due to a pile up on the motorway!

Thanks again.

Nice avi stoneman... I had forgot all about 'in n out' burger until I saw that. Must visit my sister in San Diego and have a good burger!

Make sure you join the Priority Club Rewards at the Holiday Inn - free to join and start clocking up the points.

I haven't been on the M25 at that time for a long time - I avoid it. But I agree with Stoneman.

Good luck and have a good holiday!

worried_jim

come off the m1 @ northampton and follow the signs for silverston/m40. take m40 south and will cut out most of m25 (which is not as bad now the lanes have been widened and roadworks finished- esp at 7is in evening). this route will add 19 miles to your journey but will save loads of time and hassle.

socks_uk

Thank you for all your replies.

We thought we'd leave at 2 pm (I finish work at 1.30pm) because we can drive for a couple of hours and then stop somewhere nice on the way at about 4pm, have a look around and then have tea whilst the 'rush hour' is happening. We can then be back on the road about 6.30pm when things should have calmed down a bit.

I work in a school so I know there will be lots of people heading down to the airports which is why we will take our time and stop whenever we feel like it. No hurry. We're coming from the direction of Hull so it looks like M1 until we stop for tea and then route along the A43 and M40. Thanks for that. :beer:

Isn't it great to have such helpful people on MSE! :j

worried_jim

good route- have a good trip !

dacouch

The M25 is quietish for the M25 after about 730, the speed limit around some of part of the M25 will be 50mph (It actually helps the traffic flow).

The route via the A43 does work and will bring you out on the M25 just near the m4 junction. If the radio says the M25 is stationary there are back roads you can take, your sat nav should be able to find them.

You have to allow a lot of time to get to Heathrow as the traffic can be bad around there all the time and if there is an accident etc it become gridlocked.

Be aware that there are road works on the M1 around the nottingham area and the traffic can be a nightmare. It might be worth setting off early and then having your tea break after about junction 23