Can you get from Leicester to Gatwick avoiding the M25?

[madmumof2]

My mum is taking me and we weren't going to get to the Sofitel until about 8pm anyway, but we'll get to the M25 in rush hour. She has to work in the morning and I don't want her having to be driving in the early hours in the morning to get back.

Is there any way to by pass the M25 to get to Gatwick?

 

[Dimplenose]

I can't see an obvious route. If you try to avoid the rush hour on the M25 you'll hit it in every town you pass through on the way instead.

 

[natalielongstaff]

no its not possible without a major re-route

 

[tony64]

Libby's right, the only alternative is to run down the A34 then take the M3, which will miss the worst of the traffic in the M1 to M3 sections. But it's a long way round and there are currently roadworks on the M3 anyway.

Personnally I'd cut across country to the M40 and then just take your time on the M25.

Have a great holiday.

 

[madmumof2]

Aww thanks everyone. I'll have to make it up to my mum if she ends up getting back late. Shouldn't imagine it'll be too bad on the way back though (9pm ish).

 

[suzybear6]

Gem, your Mum should be fine on the M25 at that time of night (as long as there's no big accidents etc..). We regularly travel on the M25 in the evening and find it's usually ok after 8pm

hth
Luv Suzy

 

[Goofyish]

You can minimise the time on the M25 by going down the M40 instead of the M1.

You could use the north circular road but that would be even worse than the M25

First time we went down to Gatwick from Leicester was on a Friday afternoon and we left about 4pm. I can remember not getting into 3rd gear from High Wycombe on the M40 until we turned off the M25 to Gatwick!

The variable speed limits do tend to keep the traffic flowing (if a little slow) unless there is an accident or a breakdown.