m25

[jk30]

I'm driving to Oxford on Friday morning leaving from Essex and have to be there by 10.30am. As I never have to use the M25 at that time of day I was wondering what its like around 8-9am. Is it free flowing/steady/slow/at a standstill? I appreciate you cannot forsee accidents!

[ojread2]

I used the tunnel on Tuesday at 9.30 and then again at around 3.30 - on both occassions traffic was chock a block - not standing still but not free flowing either.

Give yourself plenty of time to get there if you are hitting the 25 at 8am

[jno]

that would be what they call 'rush hour', wouldn't it? This is probably not the best time to venture onto the world's longest carpark. Of course it can be smooth-flowing and fast; it's just that this (along with 5pm) would be the time it was most likely to seize up. I'd really advise finding some other way.

[hippyhoppy]

Are you nuts? NEVER go on the M25 on Friday..you will be there for hours..

[sddsddean]

You don't say whereabouts in Essex you are (ie how far from M25), but I can tell you the bit from M1 to M40 will be chocka from about 7am onwards. If I were you I would leave about 5 - 5.30am, aim to get on the M40 by 7.30 and stop at Oxford services for a break. According to where you are going in Oxford, be aware that the A40 running in from J8 is also a regular major holdup, but if you get there after 9.30am you should be OK.

[Trum48]

It's not just the M25 thats a problem its getting to it.

Depending on where you are in Essex, the A12 regularly backs up the length of the Brentwood Bypass back to the Shenfield turnoff, the A127 out of Southend is usually a nightmare, the A13 has roadworks on the Stanford-le-hope bypass and the M11 is very busy.
If you are further out, ie.Colochester or beyond, you will know how busy the A12 is down to Chelmsford

If it is vital that you are in Oxford by 10.30 the suggestion that you leave at 5.00/5.30 is sound advice

[sddsddean]

Success jk30?