Drive time to M25 on Friday afternoon/evening?

[alieh]

[Posted in Family Room section as well but adding here for more views]

We are going to Devon this weekend and trying to decide whether to leave Friday straight from school or early Saturday AM.

Does anyone have any sense of how long it will take to get to the M25 if we leave on Friday around 3:30/4:00 pm? And would you imagine it will be worse this weekend with the start of the school holidays, or just standard Friday hellishness?

[worldwiser]

Absolutely without question go Saturday AM. Friday at that time will be hell on earth. We often do this on a Saturday and can do ED to M3 in about 45-50m if we leave before 9.

[kford]

Go Friday after 7pm.

[????]

Saturday, why you going via the M25??

[alieh]

Hmmm...no idea why via the M25. That was our friends suggestion. But I take it that, regardless, we should either go late Friday or early Sat. Thank you!

[BeccaL]

See thread in Family room - I'd go via M4/M5 (which will take you past the M25 junction but not onto it) rather than M3/A303 because the 303 route is very long and slow, especially the further you get into Devon. M4/5 is more miles but generally quicker roads (with exception of M5 on a Saturday morning)...

[milk76]

I go to Cornwall regularly. Going on Friday afternoon the trip will be 30 mins to 1hr longer. If you know this then for the extra night and waking up by the sea that is always my choice. From ED i go Tulse Hill, Streatham, Tooting bec, Wimbledon, Raynes Park, A3, M25, M3 then A303.

Have a good weekend

[alieh]

Thank you so much everyone! Think we're going to brave Friday night but a bit later than after school - 6 or 7 pm. And hope the kids sleep most of the way. Will take the routes suggested here.

[Townleygreen]

Leave it till after 715 if you possibly can!

[worldwiser]

If you're set on going on Friday, I really would wait until after 9. I've foolishly tried to go earlier in the past and I end up gaining nothing having sat in traffic half the time. And being the start of holidays, it will be infinitely worse. Good luck!

[alieh]

Many different opinions! We've decided on leaving about 7/7:30 pm on Friday and if the kids are screaming and we're still in greater London at 9 pm we'll get a Travelodge somewhere! Wish us luck. With 3 kids, including a 3 month old, stuffed in the back of a Ford Focus we'll need it!