Got to drive from Inverness to London next week but planning the route now and the sat nav, iphone and AA Route Finder on-line all suggest different routes.

Seems I can come down the M90 and A1 on the right hand side of the country or follow the A74, M6 and M40 on the left side.

Any one done either and recommend a route? I'm travelling on a Friday, too annoyingly and can't leave Inverness until 11am.

It's a new BMW 4 Series I'm driving so comfortable car to do miles and my fuel is being paid for, so not bothered about the shortest route, just the quickest to get back from and avoid traffic.

Cheers!

 

You'll hit traffic entering London, and A1 may be crap at some points there and back! I'd find the quickest way to the A1 and then jump to M1 straight down to London

 

The quickest route once you get away from the North of Scotland is M74, M6 m42 then M40 used to do this once a week and M74 m6 then M40 is the quickest and least frustrating route.

 

Have you ever been that far North before Si? You'll get a nosebleed!

 

 

Interesting, thanks!

Don't, it's a real concern

I bet I've been further North than you have South though

 

the m40 is one of the better routes ALSO if you are ANYWHERE NEAR RUSH HOUR at Birmingham USE THE TOLL ROAD! as roadworks and tunnels closed at the moment!

 

So you'll be fairly late getting South if you have sensible breaks....
Pick your favourite route from Perth to M74, I'd probably stick to A9/M80/M73.
Use the Toll to get past Birmingham unless you're well after rush hour, then M42, M40 to London, unless you really need to go to the deep East.

 

 

As said, avoid the M6 Brum area on a Friday, any days a nightmare really but Fridays are worst.

 

Leave at 9pm lol

Nice easy drive through the night

Steve

 

i came back to sussex (around m25) from newcastle the other week and we had advice from a local to instead of the A1 take the A19 to Thirsk then A168 onto A1 and then stay on A1 instead of joining M1 until running into the M18 and then the M1 and that was quite good.

 

Avoid the A1. I always go M1, M6, M74. Although, I'm told the M40 is quicker. M1 can get a bit busy I suppose, but it's closer to my brothers house...

The A1 is still 2 lanes at some parts, and when you get 2 hgvs racing each other, you can be behind them for months

 

Where about's in London? M40 is miles better than the M1 but it's no use if you're going to Harlow etc..

 

Not necessarily. My son lives in Tower Hamlets and we're near the M40/M25 junction. He always travels via M11/M25 to/from us as it's quicker and easier.

As for the A1, not really relevant when coming from Inverness - too much of a diversion.

 

Interesting, cheers for the advice!

I'm going to East London but that's not really an issue, I use the M25 everyday and know it well so don't mind what side I come out at.

Think I'm going to try M74, M6 and M40 route.

 

I live in Inverness so if you have any questions with regards to hotels or anything give me a pm if you want.

I'll try to help as best I can