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Original poster

Motorways tomorrow

29 replies

Srsly · 24/08/2018 18:46

Would we be mad to travel down to Bristol on the M5 tomorrow? We'd need to go from just south of Birmingham. Normally it takes us 1hr 15/20 or so.

Really want to take advantage of the last weekend before DS goes back to school and have a day out together. But we have a little baby too so really don't fancy getting caught in traffic jams.

Is it likely to be horribly busy? If I check the traffic before we go, it should be fine right? I know it's a weekend when people go away, but I reckon most people will go tonight. Or will tomorrow be a day for loads of families to head down to Devon and Cornwall? DH thinks I'm mad. I don't think it'll be too bad.....

OP posts:
JimWilsonBell · 24/08/2018 18:47

Madness to go anywhere near the motorways in the West Country this weekend. It's horrendous now!!!!

FlibbertyGiblets · 24/08/2018 18:53

Have you visited Whitley Court in Worcestershire? Great play areas. No traffic! Take a picnic. Or are you hankering for the seaside really?

Original poster
Srsly · 24/08/2018 19:05

No, we live rurally and it's the city we fancy! I have done loads of play area places with DS as I've mostly been on my own. Not been brave enough to take both of them into a big city by myself yet, hence why I want to go this weekend as DH is around to help. I would get the train, but Temple Meads isn't in the town centre and not sure I can face the bus/boat in and it costs a lot more.

OP posts:
WorriedMumUpset · 24/08/2018 19:09

Get Waze app on your phone.
It's brilliant, free and will bypass the queues.

Dermymc · 24/08/2018 19:09

You're officially insane to contemplate this.

Get the train to Birmingham.

FlibbertyGiblets · 24/08/2018 19:10

Oh! I reckon you'll be alright. You'll be further south than spaghetti junction/Ikea turn off and will be off the motor way before the Gordano Pinch. I say go for it!

madeyemoodysmum · 24/08/2018 19:12

Judging by my journey today most people went tonight!!

isseywithcats · 24/08/2018 19:15

last year we went from Yorkshire to Cornwall on the same weekend Saturday we left home at 6am and only really hit traffic jams when we got near to Cornwall

FuzzyCustard · 24/08/2018 19:19

The weather forecast for Cornwall for the weekend is pretty rubbish (especially Sunday) so maybe many people will choose to stay away.

It is pretty busy here now on the whole, but this afternoon the beach had few people on it and there was room in the sea to get some clear waves. (So it rained a bit. I got wet in the sea anyway!)

Original poster
Srsly · 24/08/2018 19:23

Yeah definitely off the motorway before I know the queues start...

We have Google maps which I think uses the Waze info? If not, I'll get it!

Also, we could bypass the motorway completely and come down via the A38 past Gloucester if Google says it's looking busy.

Mixed opinions so far then 😆

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 24/08/2018 19:30

Or come down the A46 from Evesham area to Bath and then pick up the A420 into Bristol once you've crossed over the M4 at Tormarton.

Original poster
Srsly · 24/08/2018 19:34

@MrsMoastyToasty

We might well do that (we are just south of Evesham!) Is it a decent enough route?

OP posts:
MrsMoastyToasty · 24/08/2018 19:47

I'm at the Bristol end of the route. It can be a bit slow through Stroud as far as I can remember and the A420 has a couple of one way systems once you're in the city.

emwithme · 24/08/2018 20:17

If you're just south of Evesham, I'd suggest going A46 and A38 rather than the M5.

Eminybob · 24/08/2018 20:23

Oh no Sad we are travelling from Cheshire to Weston super mare tomorrow. And we can’t leave until lunch time as I’m working in the morning. I knew it was going to be bad but this thread is making me very stressed indeed Sad

chopper2311 · 24/08/2018 20:25

I've not long got in from travelling back from Dorset to Cheshire M5/M6..... 7 & a half hours!!!!! And that's going north, south looked even worse

ThanksHunkyJesus · 24/08/2018 20:27

Google maps app is brill, keep it on the go and it offers you alternative routes and tells you roughly how much quicker it would be. You do need to keep your eye on it though. Saved us a couple of hours coming back from our holidays the other week.

Original poster
Srsly · 24/08/2018 20:28

Emimy, I don't think it'll be that bad at all. It'll be busy round Birmingham, but not manic. We have decided that we will definitely be going, just that we will check the traffic first. Google seems pretty accurate.

OP posts:
Eminybob · 24/08/2018 20:30

Do you think that by the time Saturday afternoon comes round people will have already go to where they are going

Eminybob · 24/08/2018 20:33

X post srlsy thank you, I hope you’re right.
Good luck to you!

ForalltheSaints · 24/08/2018 21:03

Take the train.

Original poster
Srsly · 24/08/2018 21:19

Train means taking DS2's buggy (which is unfoldable as it has the carrycot on it) on the train and then a bus. Its also really pricey! £30 for the 4 of us vs £12 to park all day.

OP posts:
meadowmeow · 24/08/2018 21:28

What’s the significance of tomorrow?

Original poster
Srsly · 24/08/2018 21:35

Just that it's the bank holiday weekend. Traffic is usually bad on a bank holiday, especially on the M5 going south towards Devon and Cornwall. Saturdays in the summer usually heavier than normal traffic anyway as it's a changeover day for all the holiday makers.

OP posts:
meadowmeow · 24/08/2018 21:55

Ah, didn't realise it was a bank holiday.

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