From North to Folkestone round M25 advice

[GMak57]

Heading to France in Sept and it’s been many a year since I’ve driven round the M25, so looking for some advice on best way. I’ll becoming down from Aberdeenshire and stopping off somewhere north of Birmingham, then heading to Folkestone for train on the Friday from there. So 2 options as far as I can see, and my current first choice looks like, M6 toll, M42, M40, M25 (round the bottom) and on to M20, but google maps showing M6 toll, M1, M25 (round the top using Dartford Crossing) M20. Only 10 mins difference so just wondering if any regular M25 users have advice or indeed a completely different route !

Cheers
Gmak

 

[rod_vw]

Well you have had almost every option known to mankind so another won't hurt...

We live in Shropshire and travel to Le Shuttle usually twice each year outbound we go for a crossing around 16:00hrs return is usually around 09:30hrs (European time). Crossings are usually on a Wednesday.

Outbound we use the M54 to join the M6 @ J10a then via the M1, M25 clockwise, M20 and into the tunnel terminal. We never use the M6T.
.
Return exactly the opposite.

However Google maps traffic conditions is your friend, best looked at before joining the M1 & M25. If the M1 is really horrible there is always the A14, M11 but that it equally dangerous due to accidents and hold ups.

There are a couple of overnight options at Penkridge by simply leaving the M6 @ J13 and rejoining @ J12 the next morning obviously vice versa on the way home. Search for Sites will show you where

 

[Guigsy]

I think the replies tell you everyone has their prefered route and none are ideal or guaranteed to be free from problems or holdups.
I'd decide on a prefered route in advance, then check Google maps on the day of departure for delays or problems and be prepared to make amendments accordingly.
And keep your co-pilot checking enroute

This is what I do. I've time, we left Birmingham to head to the tunnel. M1 was the quickest, so we set off. By the time we got to Northampton, there'd been a smash near the Dartford crossing, 2 hours of delay, so we cut across to the M40. Then got stuck in stop start traffic near Heathrow and diverted off the M25 early for a closure... Ended up taking 5 hours. I think sticking to plan A would have taken about the same.

 

[BikerGraham]

A1 down to Ferrybridge then east on the M62 for 2 junctions, this takes you to the M18 then back onto the A1 which bypasses all the roadworks. Its 10 mile longer but an hour quicker.

Then head towards Canterbury to the park n ride and 30 mins next day to the tunne, this is our forever route unless we go via superspeed hoverhome and I doubt you'll beat it

That’s unlucky Al

I just go through the Darrington roadworks. Go through many times a year with work and the van and longest it’s ever taken me going south has been about 30 minutes. Coming north it’s less for some reason.
Of course it feels longer as your crawling but in reality it hasn’t been.

 

[Bonsaiman]

That’s unlucky Al

I just go through the Darrington roadworks. Go through many times a year with work and the van and longest it’s ever taken me going south has been about 30 minutes. Coming north it’s less for some reason.
Of course it feels longer as your crawling but in reality it hasn’t been.

Wow you’ve been lucky, thought I’d give it a go about 6 weeks ago and spent nearly an hour getting through, so will stick to my divert in the future

TBF 30 mins is still quite a delay

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[BikerGraham]

Wow you’ve been lucky, thought I’d give it a go about 6 weeks ago and spent nearly an hour getting through, so will stick to my divert in the future

TBF 30 mins is still quite a delay

That’s the worst I would say. Usually much less.

Have more or less went through with a few minutes delay many times heading north and when heading south usually maybe 10-15 minutes.

Very rarely have I been stationary.

Have considered bypassing it in the past but then when worked things out it wouldn’t be any quicker.

The in overall over the 2 plus years it’s been in operation I must have done the return journey 20 to 30 times. Mainly with work.

Having said all this, next time I’ll probably get a two hour delay