travelling xmas day

[Thunderchild]

I'm going from Rushden to Essex on Xmas day, I have the option of the M1 at 72 miles or the M11 at 92 miles, the obvious choice is the M1 but i know thats a busy motorway and if I'm going to sit in ques I might as well go another 20 miles. any thoughts suggestions ?

[chas2008]

shouldnt be to busy on the M1 i would go for it...i believe the roadworks are all but finished.

[Brooksy]

I`ve been doing Sarf London to Ruz & Higham Ferrers for 17 years. Tried every route, A14 & M11 can`t be beat. Merry Xmas & safe journey(s).

[Thunderchild]

why is the A14 M11 unbeatable ? its 20 miles longer in my case any particualr reason why its better ?

[Rollo]

You will finf the roads almost empty on Xmas Day morning. They don't tend to get busier until after lunchtime.

[Thunderchild]

I'll be setting out about 12

[ChuckFickens]

Essex is quite a large county you know... it would largely depend on what part of Essex your planning to end up in.

[Thunderchild]

buckherst hill

[sddsddean]

If it was me, I'd go down the A6 to Bedford, nip through town and out on the A603 to Sandy, straight down the A1/A1(M), then round the M25 to the M11 and in towards Buckhurst Hill.

[sddsddean]

...or you could even come off at J26 M25 and go down the A121 into Buckhurst Hill.

[sara3]

I assume you know that the M1 doesn't go to Essex.. what was the rest of the journey plan? M25?

[Thunderchild]

I looked into the bedford/luton A1 route and its the same as the M1 in distance, considering it means going through both Bedford and luton its probably not a good idea, if theres not alot of traffic xmas day I'm not too worried about one route versus another

[sddsddean]

You only have to go straight through Bedford, which shouldn't be too bad and then out to Sandy on the A603 and down the A1...no where near Luton. Rushden (from the new roundabout at the south end of the bypass) to Sandy should only take about 40 minutes tops (and probably nearer 30 mins).

[Panic Button]

I just googled for directions, and it comes up with your M1 route as the quickest. I would go for that.

I can confirm that the M1 from Luton to the M25 is now fully open with no speed restrictions.

Barring a catastrophe, there will be no queues.

[sara3]

I would go for the M1 and M25.

if you have a problem give me a shout. I'm in St Albans (you'll virtually be passing) and I will save you a bit of turkey.

[Thunderchild]

thanks Sara but I will surely be passing you by ;-) the by joining the M1 at milton keyns its the most direct way and the same as going through bedford, yea i went through bedford before at a so called quite time (according to a lorry driver that rekoned he did it regularly) and it was packed, the people I was taking to the luton airport insisted on going that way (bedford is the centre of the universe to them) but I came back via the M1 much quiker and got off at northamptong rather tan milton keyns from where I cut across country straig to Irchester where I live which is just before Rushden

[Brooksy]

Grandpa George lives in Prospect avenue Irchester, I`ll be up there in about a week. Small world, innit!?

[Toleman]

I live just across the road from the rugby club (A6) in Rushden.

I had to read your post title a couple of times to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

When we have gone to visit family in essex (Basildon, Rochford, Canewdon) We go A14 way.

Chris

[Toleman]

Also i get on and off the A509 at irchester rather than bozeat (Sp?) when comuting between Rushden and MK.

[Thunderchild]

hello Brooksy yes its a small world hehe

my main worry is how will the M25 be ? I'd have to do part of it if I use the M1