Driving on M6/M5.

[Gef]

Any local knowledge would be appreciated. I will be driving from Glasgow to Gloucester on Thursday 5th April. Hope to be in Gloucester mid afternoon so will be leaving early. Obvious route seems to be M6 then M5. Is this the best or should I consider M6 (toll) and M42 before M5?

Thanks.

[dzug]

If it wasn't the Thursday before Good Friday I'd say M6/M5, no doubt. It's still probably better but less clear cut. The M42 is a long way round and can get pretty clogged as well.

[sddsddean]

Agree with dzug. Thurs before Good Friday is a nightmare! Leave plenty of time! Main problems will be Preston - Manchester area,( but not a lot you can do about it), and Birmingham area. You have a few options here, but keep an ear out for travel reports. You could cut west to the A449 (accesible from M6 J's 13 or 12 ) and follow it through Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and Kidderminster to join the M5 at J6 near Worcester, but this route could be just as bad! You will just have to make the decision on the day.

[spudqueen]

Don't bother with the toll road - it doesn't take you in a direct route to Gloucester, and though the toll road is usually clear the M42 its self can be a nightmare. As sddsddean has said the main problem areas are Preston- Knutsford, round Stoke and then Birmingham. Just give yourself plenty of time.

[Gef]

Many thanks folks. Looks like it could be a long day. I'll be listening to the traffic news on the radio and take it as it comes.

[bubbles4920]

just to warn you that when you are slowing down from m6 jct 11 through to 10 and 9 to get onto the m5 this is due to the fact that there are roadworks and lanes closed off at jct 9 to get off and back on. it really does seem as though it looks jammed but it isnt, you get through quite quickly. best advice would be to definitely set out early to avoid teatime build up generally, have a safe and good trip! just thought, i drove from prestwick airport to jct 10 of m6 as had plane diverted from rome. stopped off once for coffee at carlisle i think. we set off at half past midnight and got home at half past 6 in the morning, there was nothing on the roads admittedly but it was exhausting! from jct 10 to gloucester about another hour and a half. know this route very well. do this section quite often.