Someone reassure me that this will be ok!

[drivemissdaisy]

I have to drive from Nottingham to the Lake District (Keswick) next weekend as something has unexpectedly come up that means I now have to drive instead of the original driver. I passed me test a year ago however I have only completed short journeys about town and I have only ever been up the motorway once 2 junctions. I am freaking out! Someone please reassure me that it won't be that bad. I will have a driver next to me he just can't drive my car. I have googled the directions, is the m1, M18, A1 and then A66 the best route to take?

You will be fine!! Look for a rest stop midway before you go, make sure you have a full tank of petrol and comfy shoes - the time will fly by with someone else with you.

I live in Nottingham, my DP drove us to the Lake District a week after passing his test, you will be fine, take breaks when you need them(and can)

Take it slow and steady. Take your time and take breaks. You won't win any medals for getting there quickly so don't fret if it takes you an hour (or more) longer or so than it should.

Alternatively, can you get the passenger weekend insurance or add them on your policy?

Your route looks the least faffy - avoiding going on the M60.

Have you got a sat nav to take so you don't have to worry about directions and can just follow it when announced?

FWIW, I've been driving for 13 years and I never drive long distance or on motorways - I have DH for that - I wish I had seized the chance early on and didn't still have the fear

I think if you can drive in Nottingham OP, anywhere else will be easy! Other than getting on and off the motorways, it should be very plain sailing. Just go steady and plan some breaks along the way. 😁

Yes it's the slip roads that are worrying me and getting in the wrong lane at big roundabouts. It's got to be done, I don't have a choice so I will have to put my big girl pants on.

One tip is to leave super early before there's much traffic around. Then if you do end up in the wrong lane there are fewer people around to stress you out.

Your passenger can navigate for you, can't he? Have you got a road atlas? Look at the route with him before you set off so he knows how you want to get there. You don't have to move out of the inside lane on the motorways at all. You can always go round roundabouts twice if you're not sure of the exit! Hope the journey goes well.

I want to make sure we are there before dusk so I definitely want to leave as early as possible as well as missing the early morning traffic as are actually travelling up on Friday, I was thinking of leaving about 11.

Get google maps on the phone of the passenger and get them to give you directions, but also print the maps out and have them there in the car. You'll be grand!

My birthday is on Wednesday and I mentioned to my grandma that I wanted a sat nav and she tells me that she's got me a surprise for my birthday so I'm hoping it's a sat nav. Fingers crossed.

You will be so fine. Just a note on the A66...it's a dangerous road (especially from the A1 to Penrith). Just try and hit it while it is light, and expect there to be a few slow bits along it, or maybe try to get across the country further down and come up the M6. The A66 from Penrith to Keswick is a great bit of road.

The drive through to the Lakes is epic, so scenic. Plan where you're going to stop, and leave with a full fuel tank, so no panicking on the motorway with the fuel light on!

Great if you have sat nav, but if not, have your passenger know the route and tell you where to go. This makes things so much easier, as you can concentrate on your driving instead of wondering where to turn. Factor in some stops, take your time and relax. You will be fine.

What's dangerous about it lonely?

I second the take it steady, leave early, use a satnav and take frequent breaks and you'll be fine.
I remember my first drive from near Nottingham to Newcastle and how terrifying it was (DH usually did the long drives but was too ill at the time to come).
Yes, it was scary but the sense of achievement when I'd done it! Coming back somehow isn't so bad.
You'll be fine OP. If you can cope with Nottingham traffic, you'll eat this!

If you have an iPhone the maps are much better than satnav. Use the satnav or iPhone map constantly on every journey before going to the Lake District so that you're used to the distances it gives when telling you to take a turning off. iPhone maps is very clear in showing you which lane you need to get into.

Main thing is don't panic if you miss a turning or take the wrong one the satnav will correct itself and tell you how to get back on route.

Look your route up on AA route planner and print it off for your passenger to read/check as you go along. Have at least one break. You'll be totally fine honestly and you'll wonder why you were so worried afterwards.

The good thing about roundabouts is if yiu go in the wrong lane it is easy to go round again!
With motor way slip roads i feel your pain but remember no-one wants to be in accident so drivers activly watch for cars coming on to move over.

If u have time maybe book a motorway driving lesson if that would help.

I would normally take the A66 but if the weather is bad/cold might be better to avoid that stretch. A50 across to the M6 is a reasonable alternative if you're avoiding rush hour.

Have a look at and print out your route on the Via Michelin website, it's very detailed and accurate. You can also log in various stops along the route where you can take a break. Your navigator will find it invaluable.
Have a good trip!

Navigation wise the A66 route is more straightforward than getting through Stoke onto the M6. It's basically head north on the M1/M18/A1 then turn left at Scotch Corner.

Take it slow and steady. You will be fine.
When I started driving on motorways I used to sit behind lorries. (Obviously a safe distance back)! Even on slip roads, stay behind a lorry and cars more likely to move over.
Take it slow round roundabouts too, most people panic when they are trying to figure out which lane to be in, your heart is going and so you accelerate! Just take it steady.

Don't forget snacks

It's just a hot spot for accidents. It's used as a major cross country route, yet isn't dual carriageway all of the way. Sorry I don't mean to frighten you, we use it a lot, but you do get caught in tailbacks of rubberneckers. Usually caused by lorries getting sick of being stuck behind tractors and doing dodgy overtakes and falling over.

We live a little further north, so cross higher up if we have to, its just a pita road sometimes.

Have your rest breaks or petrol stops at proper service stations where you can actually leave the car and stretch your legs in Costa or wherever, then the next bit will feel like a fresh new journey, rather than a dreary continuation. They also have proper slip roads to get back into the motorway, rather than having to find a gap and accelerate from a standing start, which you need to do from a petrol station or small services at the side of the road.

Hi OP, MN's resident HGV driver here. The route's fine. At the M18, when you get on it, stay the left hand lane all the way to the A1. There is a dedicated left filter onto the A1. Then grit your teeth past Doncaster, it'll be busy. After the M62 it's all motorway. Instead of using service areas, take your breaks at supermarkets. Morrison's at Boroughbridge has a good cafe. Fuel is cheaper too. Good luck, stay calm.