M6 toll or not on a Saturday?

NowRetired

I shall be going down the M6/M42, Scotland to Oxford on Sat 22th June, probably reaching Birmingham early afternoon.

Will the M6 toll or the M6 be better at that time of the day?

Last time I did that journey on a Sunday there was a football match or something on and I was held up for ages and yet the toll road was practically deserted when I decided to take that when I reached that junction.

OddballJamie

No football on that weekend. Although check for local music festivals.

Chorlie

I was down that way last week (Monday), SatNav tried to direct me onto the Toll Road, but I didn't want to pay £5.50, so suck on th M6.

Just after the Toll Road; it was 50mph with average speed camera for miles, there was some road works (but as normal very little seemed to to be happening), the hard shoulder was in use and it took an age crawling along at 45/50mph.

On the way back-up I suck with the SatNav and went up the Toll Road, it was nearly empty far less stress, until Plod and a Handheld Speed Gun (l was in lane 1 with the cruise control was locked at 75mpg, others were passing me, so I'm hoping I'm ok).

So to answer your question, yes the M6 should be quieter on a Saturday, but that stretch isn't the best at the moment with the Speed Limits, Road Works & Average Cameras. If you don't mind paying the toll, than I'd pay & go down the Toll Road....I have to go down (and back) twice more this month (in the week) and I'll be using the Toll Road.

wba31

There are 50mph cameras from where the M5 joins (8) down to junction 4a (M42) due to roadworks, so factor that into your decision making.

Personally, if time and relaxation is your thing, jump on the toll road, it's a beaut.
If we're being MSE, have traffic news on the radio (if you have it) and if you have anyone travelling with you, have them keep an eye on the traffic setting on maps of a smart phone, and if you're approaching the junction, if it looks clear, take the free road...

The flip side if heading to oxford is jump on the M5 at junction 8, then take the M42 at 4a of the M5, then M40 off there? go round the west/south of the city... it's never as busy round that was as the M6 due to the M6 serving the city centre and the airport/NEC

opinions4u

Sat 20th June

20th June is a Thursday.

Lum

Agree with the M5 suggestion. When I lived in Aylesbury (also accessed via the M40) M6 -> M5 -> M42 -> M40 was pretty reliable.

M6 Toll means you still end up doing M42 J6 -> J3a which is always congested.

Just be aware that if you do the M5 route, exiting from M42 -> M40 is a bit weird... keep right to go onto the M40, exit left to stay on the M42.

ioscorpio

opinions4u
You need to look at the OP's post, it says Sat 22th June! I always keep off the Toll Road, too tight to pay.

Bennifred

Have you considered M6 -M5 - A40, approaching Oxford from the west? I find the M5 and A40 a more enjoyable route than the M42/M4. This route avoids the M6 toll route, too.

opinions4u

ioscorpio wrote: »

opinions4u
You need to look at the OP's post, it says Sat 22th June!

You might want to read the time of edit and check out the reason given too.

interstellaflyer

Chorlie wrote: »

I was down that way last week (Monday), SatNav tried to direct me onto the Toll Road, but I didn't want to pay £5.50, so suck on th M6.

Just after the Toll Road; it was 50mph with average speed camera for miles, there was some road works (but as normal very little seemed to to be happening), the hard shoulder was in use and it took an age crawling along at 45/50mph.

On the way back-up I suck with the SatNav and went up the Toll Road, it was nearly empty far less stress, until Plod and a Handheld Speed Gun (l was in lane 1 with the cruise control was locked at 75mpg, others were passing me, so I'm hoping I'm ok).

So to answer your question, yes the M6 should be quieter on a Saturday, but that stretch isn't the best at the moment with the Speed Limits, Road Works & Average Cameras. If you don't mind paying the toll, than I'd pay & go down the Toll Road....I have to go down (and back) twice more this month (in the week) and I'll be using the Toll Road.

I used that stretch of the M6 yesterday, 50mph with average speed cameras from just after J5 M42 right through until not far short of J10 M54 heading north, heading south the 60mph limit started at J10, dropped to 50mph within a couple of miles and stayed that way until not far short of J5, I think I will use the Toll road next time, at least while the road works are going on.

Hintza

Nice service area on the Toll road makes it worth it.