M25 on Saturday

Paradiso · 5 Aug 2015 at 17:16

I'm taking a friend to sodding Stansted Airport this Saturday, coming from Portsmouth. Anyone here frequent the M25 daily and can let me know if going clockwise or anti is the best to get there. There seems to be roadworks on both routes lol. Will be travelling on it around 3-4pm I reckon

I never really go up this way so looking for a heads up.

randal · 5 Aug 2015 at 17:19

Clockwise between M3 and M1 will likely be a stinker at that time of day on a Saturday, it'll move but factor in a delay to your journey and keep close tabs on the traffic reports.

scorza · 5 Aug 2015 at 17:27

Anti-clockwise would probably be quicker with less risk of jams, but don't forget you'll have to pay the Dartford toll.

[TW]Fox · 5 Aug 2015 at 17:27

Use Google Maps, set a custom start time for Saturday at the time you want, then see estimated journey time for both directions based on historical traffic conditions. Job done.

cainer · 5 Aug 2015 at 17:32

check here before you set off http://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/8714998/incidents/road

ExRayTed · 5 Aug 2015 at 17:48

[TW]Fox;28405128 said:
Use Google Maps, set a custom start time for Saturday at the time you want, then see estimated journey time for both directions based on historical traffic conditions. Job done.

I have learnt to trust Google Maps - has beaten both Waze and CoPilot (with live traffic addon) several times in routing me round jams.

Lord-Jaffa · 5 Aug 2015 at 17:53

M3-M40 stretch is always horrendous, good luck

Paradiso · 5 Aug 2015 at 17:56

Nevermind, told her to get the train

Not wasting my whole day when i could be playing Fallout 3 GOTY

Never knew about that historical traffic though, that'll come in handy.

Phantom Shadow · 5 Aug 2015 at 22:22

ExRayTed said:
I have learnt to trust Google Maps - has beaten both Waze and CoPilot (with live traffic addon) several times in routing me round jams.

I was amazed with tomtom live traffic when it told me to get off the motorway, only to follow the bit of motorway that followed alongside that skipped the queue and joined back up just as traffic started to move again. Got to watch the stationary traffic whizz by without dropping below 50mph

Used to just check google maps and memorise the general route if it wasn't too complicated. Having an app with live traffic can be so useful these days though.

Hades · 5 Aug 2015 at 22:57

Anywhere near the M3/Heathrow part of the M25 will be attrocious. Expect 50mph or 40mph variable speed limits and frequent parking.

swain90 · 6 Aug 2015 at 08:16

scorza said:
Anti-clockwise would probably be quicker with less risk of jams, but don't forget you'll have to pay the Dartford toll.

In advance!

Methods of payment can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge

scorza · 6 Aug 2015 at 08:27

swain90 said:
In advance!

Methods of payment can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge

You don't have to pay in advance - as your link says you have until midnight the day after you used the crossing to pay

beachBOYken · 6 Aug 2015 at 11:22

Take a sleeping bag and plenty of food and drink with you.

wildman · 6 Aug 2015 at 11:26

beachBOYken said:
Take a sleeping bag and plenty of food and drink with you.

exactly, just watch the doctor who episode called gridlock and know what awaits you !!!

Cosimo · 6 Aug 2015 at 11:30

Paradiso said:
Nevermind, told her to get the train

It might take a couple of days for that journey with all the rail works...