Driving to Cornwall

triumph750

We are driving to Padstow from Yorkshire at the end of the month. Normally we drive down the M6/M5, but find the frequent delays and roadworks a bit of a bind. According to the route planners, the M1/M42 is only about 15 miles further. Would we be less likely to encounter problems using this route? We plan to set off at about 3.00 am.
Thanks.

Sandtree

We used to drive the M1 London to Yorkshire frequently and there was extensive roadworks for years... less gridlock than say the M6/M5 interchange but miles of average speed cameras and 50mph roadworks.

Do you not have a route planner that takes live traffic situations into account? I personally allow them to chose on the day unless I need to plan EV charging or something.

daveyjp

I've driven to south wales from Yorkshire for 30 years.  We are on the cusp of the GPS selecting M1/M42 or M62/M6.  One is shorter by a few miles, one is slightly quicker, GPS also takes into account 50 limits in roadworks which changes the route.

I have never used the M6, much preferring the M42, but at 3am I doubt it makes much difference.

Barny1979

Check here https://one.network/ and http://www.trafficengland.com/

Barny1979

daveyjp said:

I have never used the M6, much preferring the M42, but at 3am I doubt it makes much difference.

The M6 sections of it has Smart Motorways being constructed, so may have overnight closures in place.

Norman_Castle

If you leave Yorkshire at 3AM you should be passed Birmingham and the M42/M5 junction before the worst of the traffic.

macman

But you'll be right in time for the A30 queues at Carland Cross, where the dualling is finally underway, assuming you are headed for west Cornwall.

WeAreGhosts

Same here.
Last time we drove down using the M6  - had a nightmare at the junction with the M5. Decided to return via M42/M1 and that was stop-start all the way.
I'd decide on the day based on roadworks, but you'll probably miss the bulk of the traffic in the usually bad areas if you're setting off at 3am.

triumph750

Many thanks for all your suggestions. I'll let you know what we decided to do and why, and how we did.

triumph750

We set off at 11.00 Thursday night and arrived at 06.00 Friday after a completely trouble free run using the M6/M5. I think the return journey will take rather longer as the part of the M5 reduced to a single lad will delay us a bit. 

twopenny

Good going.

This is similar to how I used to travel across country.

Started around 4am having eaten breakfast and packed a second. Would stop for rush hour, eat, stretch legs and set off again after 9 before the shoppers came out. Got a good drive out of it.

I also used a 7pm run as town centres were often clear in the earlier hours and I could be through easily and well on my way.