Scared of motorway - what shall I do?

[Isitfine]

Going on holiday and my partner doesn’t drive so I’m the driver. I’ve only been driving a year and because I was pregnant didn’t drive much and haven’t gone on the motorway yet.

Going away for two nights and leaving baby with grandparents who live in Greater London.
we could get the train but would mean lugging all her stuff and there’s quite a few changes, or I could drive to grandparents which would take half the time near enough but the only thing is I need to go on motorway for 40 miles which I’ve never done and I’m petrified.
But it would be a lot easier.

No chance to practice, I’ve left it too late. Do I just do it or get the train? Any advice to make me less scared?

Stick to the A roads until your confidence increases, it might take a bit longer but you'll get there and you'll feel more comfortable, dont introduce anxiety if you dont need to

You'll be fine, everyone is terrified of driving on the motorway for the first time. I find motorways easier than normal roads, yes speeds are higher, but you don't really have people suddenly breaking, turning...etc, traffic is generally steady and a lot calmer. Have you looked into alternative routes that avoid the motorway?

I'm sure loads of people will come on with advice about motorway driving - I hate them too - but have you tried looking at the route on Google maps and clicking on the 'no motorways' option to find an alternative route?

Motorway is way easier than it looks. You judge the speed of the other traffic, keep up and slot in. If in doubt stay left. Its just a big dual carriageway. Once you're on there it's really rather relaxing.

My advice is to just do it. Go for it and get it done, next time will be easier. The more you avoid the more scared you'll be.

Recognise that it’s normal to feel anxious about it. I remember the first time I couldn’t work out how to get off so I had to go an extra junction on and off there, back on the other side and then off at the correct junction. It’s fine- it meant I had a bit more practice and at the end of the day nothing bad happened, I just took an extra 10 mins!

I was the same and avoided motorways for years. For me it was the joining rather than being on the motorway I hated. I decided the only way to get over it was to do it and so I made myself go on motorways regularly. Now it's absolutely fine.

Motorways are fine. Just be aware of where other cars are. Stick in the slow lane on the left. Move over to the middle if you have to overtake something slow, then back to your left. Check blind spots when moving lane/exiting.

I find it easier than normal roads. No stop start, no junctions. No pedestrians about. You’ll be fine.

The standard of driving on motorways is so poor. Tail gating, inside overtaking, lane hogging, speeding not to mention "smart" motorways...I hate driving on them

From experience, the longer you avoid the motorway the worse it will be and the more panicky you will become. The only way to get over the fear of motorway driving is to just do it. I know that's probably not the answer you want, it's not the answer I wanted, but it is the answer!

Just chill in the left hand lane and let everybody else race past you

Have a motorway driving lessons. Driving instructors offer these on a one-off basis to qualified drivers.

There's nothing to motorway driving. It's the easiest type of driving because you just drive in a straight line.

Ive learnt this over many years and it makes such a difference to how relaxing it is

I completely empathise OP. I was and still am to a certain extent like this. I went to visit a friend a few months ago who lives a couple of hours' drive away from me, and instead of using the motorway I took the A roads which added an hour to my journey.

After much (good natured) mocking from this friend and another, I managed to pluck up the courage to drive home on the motorway. And it was fine! Best advice I can give is to stay in the slow lane and plonk yourself behind a lorry. You don't have to drive at mad speeds or use the faster lanes if you don't want to. And I know the thought of exits is a bit intimidating, so check your route beforehand so you have a vague idea of what you're doing and aren't just blindly following the satnav.

Good luck. You can do it!

When are you going? Could you contact a driving instructor and ask for a one off motorway lesson?
I did pass plus years ago when I first passed and I was taught that you're okay to change lanes/get onto the motorway as long as you can see the vehicle in the lane you're moving into in your rear view mirror. Once you're on you can stay in the slow lane if you want to.

That doesn't always work on big motorways where the left hand lane is frequently interrupted by becoming a feeder lane to exit at the next junction.

I’m leaving tomorrow. I was set on getting the train but seeing her car seat/buggy/clothes on top of ours to also carry is making me wonder if it will just be easier to drive to the grandparents and then train it to the airport. Or if I was being really brave drive again to the airport but that’s another 70 miles and again on motorway.

My driving instructor took me on a motorway on the way home after passing my test. I found it quite dull actually.

What time are you going tomorrow? I've found outside of rush hour, motorways are generally quite quiet. Getting on is the 'hardest' bit but people tend to see you coming on and move out the way anyway. Then once you are on, stay in the left unless you need to overtake a slow lorry or something. Once on, I find it much easier than A roads

Going lunchtime

Get at least a couple of motorway driving lessons. Stick to the slow lane. You'll be fine.

Motorway driving is actually quite easy. Very simplistic rules. Go back to your driving instructor and ask specifically for a motorway lesson.

Have you ever done dual carriageways? A motorway is very similar.

Do you know what bit you are scared of exactly?

Motorways are loads easier than driving along A roads imo. Stay in the slow lane and you'll be fine.

I’m leaving tomorrow.

Ah, left it a bit late for a lesson then.

Just make sure you know which number junction you need to exit, get your DH to remind you, indicate when going into the slip road onto the motorway, and watch out for lorries. Be prepared to slow down but for God's sake don't stop on the slip road. Drivers will move over into the next lane if they see you indicating to move onto the motorway.