Driving from Ipswich to Luton

Pistol_Pete6969

Hi all

I'm gonna by flying out from Luton airport for my hols at 10am on Monday 7th July and was hoping for some feedback on what people think the best/quickest route from Ipswich would be?

The default that AA route planner gives me is A12, M25, M1 - taking me a somewhat indirect route and onto 2 of the roads most notorious for god awful traffic jams! -Especially considering the time of day I will be on them!

The route I am considering is A12, A120, A10, A602 past Stevenage, nip onto A1(M), back onto A602 then onto A505 at Hitchin the rest of the way to Luton.

Whilst that may seem a complicated route, on a map its pretty simple and seems the most direct route, although I know it means lots of single carriageway driving which is always a gamble, but I just hate M25/M1 so wondered if anyone who drives a lot has any suggestions?

Cheers for any help.
Pete.

rikbar

Hey there,

have you thought about trying
A14 (Dual Carriageway busy around Cambridge from around 7.30am onwards)
A11(Dual Carriageway normally OK)
A505 straight through (Dualled for some parts and normally quite quiet except when crossing the M11 and when at Hitchin)

Would be my first thought, but I am sure others may have better ideas.

Cheers

Rikbar

Pistol_Pete6969

Did consider an A14 based route but not exactly that one.

Route planner is telling me that's a longer route than the long winded one I mentioned but is better roads and avoids the risky motorways.

Ultimately, the M25, M1 option may well be quickest if I'm that early, shouldn't it?

When does Monday rush hour start on M25?

tanith

Can you not consider using the A12, M25 and M1 route but just do it really early, means getting to the airport way before time but I would far rather be early than risk getting caught in Rush hour traffic.. I would plan to get to Luton by 7ish , (for the last leg on the M1 most of the traffic will be coming into London and you will be going out).... I know thats early but at least it will avoid the worst of the rush hour..... and they will probably advise you arrive 2hrs before flight anyway...

You never know whats going to happen on narrow road, one accident can cause chaos on single carriage roads... JMO I am sure others will have alternative favourite routes...

Pistol_Pete6969

Just been looking at my likely long term parking company's site and they say to allow 50 minutes for transfer from their place to terminal from when you get there so I'd be aiming to get there for around the 7 o'clock mark anyway.

At that time in the morning the AA route planner's predicted time of 2hrs 7mins should be easily achievable (especially the way I drive ) so leaving Ipswich at 5am will do me.

Cheers for the help everyone.

Pete.

Biggles

rikbar wrote: »

have you thought about trying
A14 (Dual Carriageway busy around Cambridge from around 7.30am onwards)
A11(Dual Carriageway normally OK)
A505 straight through (Dualled for some parts and normally quite quiet except when crossing the M11 and when at Hitchin)

That's the way I always do it from here.

Deliberately choosing to use the M25 and M1 when there was another (any other!) option, when a motorway delay might cost me my flight, would be an absolute no-no.

suffolkb

For peace of mind - you could stay at the Hatfield Travellodge on the Sunday night. 20 miles from Luton airport and only £9 for a family room with free parking. Only £5.40 if you book through Quidco. Have a nice lie in and arrive unstressed.

mumoftwins

Try and avoid the M1 at the moment as between junc 8 and 10 there are MAJOR roadworks which have traffic delays at all times, admittedly some worse than others. Last week it took me 25mins to drive 2miles in Hemel (where I live) because there had been an accident on M1 between junc 8 Hemel and junc9 Redbourn. The traffic is horrendous at times!

I would agree with suffolkb about staying overnight somewhere.

Good luck and have a lovely holiday!

Pistol_Pete6969

Cheers Suffolkb, I may well go with that if it is that cheap.

Bloody typical that the Travelodge website isn't working at the moment so can't do it straight away!

lackingwedge

I too would second the travelodge reccommendation.

The A11 going into london from Ipswich is a potential accident hotspot due to people driving too fast and the number of lorries coming from Harwich.

The M25 beween J28-j25 can get choked up as well. The the M25 slows between J23 and 21 M1 then there is the roadworks which has a 50mph speed limit but you would be doing well if you average 30mph.

The rush hour on the m25 starts about 6:30 onwards.