What's the Driving Time from Manchester to Cardiff?

RealGem

Hi,

Some of my relatives are coming down from Manchester to Cardiff. They haven't made the trip before. I have done it many times. There are currently roadworks on the M6 near the Manchester end, til 2019, slowing traffic down to 50mph (if you're lucky - often as slow as 30mph).

In my experience, on a good day, it has always taken me 4.5 hours on average each way to do the trip, but I do always stop at least once. Since the M6 roadworks have been in place the last year or so, it has taken an average of 5.5 hours each way.

Google says 3 hours 40 minutes, but that's if there are no traffic issues.

My relatives insist it will take no more than 2 hours, and they plan to drive down to Cardiff, attend my party and then drive back the same Saturday night.

I personally think it's physically impossible to do it in 2 hours, and if they set off 2 hours before my party I think they'll arrive just in time for last orders!

Am I wrong? What has been other people's experience of this journey please?

How long do you reckon it will take?

Thanks a lot

gettingtheresometime

I'm with you on that one!


Why don't they book into a premier inn if they don't want to inconvenience you?

RealGem

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

I'm with you on that one!

Why don't they book into a premier inn if they don't want to inconvenience you?

I think funds are tight. I have offered to put them up. They say they're working the next day.

I'm worried they'll be on the road all night going back.

I'm also worried that I'll spend my whole party worrying about them!

Iceweasel

Depending of course on which part of Manchester and which part of Cardiff the journey distance is approx 200 miles - do your relatives actually know that?

You say they haven't made the trip before - that's pretty obvious as for them to take no more than 2 hours means that they would have to average 100mph for the entire journey.

Good luck with that :eek:

I suggest that you ask them if they understand how far it is.

Your offer to put them up and them leaving very early the next morning is the only sensible solution if they don't want to book a cheapy hotel.

RealGem

Iceweasel wrote: »

Depending of course on which part of Manchester and which part of Cardiff the journey distance is approx 200 miles - do your relatives actually know that?

You say they haven't made the trip before - that's pretty obvious as for them to take no more than 2 hours means that they would have to average 100mph for the entire journey.

Good luck with that :eek:

I suggest that you ask them if they understand how far it is.

Your offer to put them up and them leaving very early the next morning is the only sensible solution if they don't want to book a cheapy hotel.

Thanks, I have just messaged them to tell them this.

I think they forget South Wales is a LOT further than North Wales!

EssexExile

Don't forget the roadworks at the top of the M5 too.

RealGem

EssexExile wrote: »

Don't forget the roadworks at the top of the M5 too.

Thanks yes, I remember - 50mph for an eternity!

They're still responding saying not to worry about them. I don't know where they got "2 hours" from.

daveyjp

I've done Leeds to Cardiff , 230 miles, dozens of times.

The fastest I've done it without risking my licence is 3.5 hours, that's without a stop early in a Sunday morning and no 50 limits, variable speed limits weren't installed.

Last visit I came back on August Bank holiday Sunday, leaving at 3pm and with a stop it was 4 hours. There was one short section of 50 on the M5.

It has however also on occasion taken 6-7 hours!

Iceweasel

RealGem wrote: »

Thanks yes, I remember - 50mph for an eternity!

They're still responding saying not to worry about them. I don't know where they got "2 hours" from.

Fair enough - you've done all that can be done.

'There's none so blind as those who will not see.'

Rolandtheroadie

They're happy to come to your party and want to travel home again, I'd leave it at that.

RealGem

Rolandtheroadie wrote: »

They're happy to come to your party and want to travel home again, I'd leave it at that.

Yeah thanks, I know what you mean. I just didn't want to be worried at my party thinking they're speeding along the motorway.

They're saying OK, and sending me hearts and kisses via text! So they might have got the message!