Commuting - Motorway vs Town

Deru

Hi all

I have to make a regular commute, distance about 25 miles using the shortest route. Croydon to Langley.

I'm using my own car. Petrol all paid by employer.

Is it better to go down the M25 or through town?

A. M25 route works out to around 45 miles. M25 takes about an hour and a half (unless there's an accident or something) but I'm worried about the extra mileage. Cost of insurance / car wear and tear.

B. Town route + M4 works out to about 25 miles. Seems great in terms of mileage BUT the roads are absolutely attrocious. Takes about 1:30-2:30hrs. At the minute, I think road works at adding about 30 mins to journey time.

Now, taking everything into consideration, what's the better in your opinion?

Clogged up London Roads or more distance?

It's only a Corsa and I don't really want to put too many miles on it. What's better in terms of fuel economy? (from an environmental perspective seeing as my petrol is covered)

casper_g

Of the two options you give, I'd go for the motorway every time. Comparing the times of 45 minutes vs. 1.5-2.5 hours, I wouldn't even have to think about it. Are you really contemplating spending an extra 45 mins to 1 hr 45 mins (each way!) on your commute, and not seeing this as a no-brainer? The motorway will put much less wear and tear on the car too, compared to stop-start town driving with lots of braking and gear changes. Sure, the car will be clocking up the miles faster but the increased time on the town route, not to mention the higher variation in the time taken, would rule it out for me.

smjxm09

Motorway for me if it is flowing. Take the route that gives you the least stress. Maybe once a week take the other route to convince yourself that you have done the right thing.

You might well use less fuel using the M25 seeing that your car is just cruising along. Town driving stuck in traffic will kill your MPG figures.

Kilty_2

So at best the town route is exactly the same and at worst it's an hour longer?

Motorway.

boyse7en

Buy a motorbike. Or even a pushbike 2:30hrs to do 25 miles is only 10 mile per hour. You could easily be quicker than that pedalling!

Kilty_2

boyse7en wrote: »

Buy a motorbike. Or even a pushbike 2:30hrs to do 25 miles is only 10 mile per hour. You could easily be quicker than that pedalling!

Quite hard to use a pushbike on the M4 though

Deru

That's sort of what I thought. Thanks all. Oh and as for journey time, works out almost the same when the road works are gone. Maybe 20-30 mins different but definitely lots more starting and stopping.

I thought clocking up the miles on the motorway would mean I'd need to take the car in for more repairs. Less braking, sure, but thought more miles causes other problems like clutch although I'm clueless with car mechanics.

I was listening to a colleague complain about all the extra mileage he had to do on the M25 and him needing loads of work done on the car as a result. i.e. clutch needing replacing and him spending £400 to get it done, etc, etc.

boyse7en

Kilty wrote: »

Quite hard to use a pushbike on the M4 though

True!

I wasn't serious about the bicycle bit, but a motorbike or maxi-scooter would be able to go on the M4 and get through the traffic much quicker than a car.

Mind you, if they did cycle, after a few weeks of 50 miles a day they ought to be able to go much faster as they get fitter!

Kilty_2

You put a LOT more wear on a clutch in town traffic.

Deru

Ah ok. Fair enough. M25 it is then. Just hope I don't get stuck on it for hours when there's an accident. Thanks!