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Original poster

Long motorway drive tips

32 replies

ThisPinkBee · 31/03/2025 06:52

I think most I have done is around 1 hour 20m each way in a day.

This is South East (just south of m25) to Nottingham. Leaving around 6. Could leave earlier if I need to avoid rush hour.

Any tips?

OP posts:
Original poster
ThisPinkBee · 01/04/2025 16:21

Seeline · 01/04/2025 11:15

I've done that trip a few times for uni trips with DCs (from Croydon)

My tip - check the route the sat nav is sending you on very carefully. Took DS for an open day at Nottingham Trent. Decided to head up after school on the Friday night, stay overnight and get an early start for the open day on the Saturday. Happily switch the sat nav on and set off. The next thing I knew, it had decided the best route was directly north, and I was trying to navigate Hyde Park Corner at 5pm on a Friday evening!!!

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Nottingham looks a nightmare! I'm fortunate that my destination doesn't involve too much navigating round the centre. Got in pretty easily!

OP posts:
Original poster
ThisPinkBee · 01/04/2025 16:23

Flev · 01/04/2025 10:59

If its QMC you're heading to, definitely go to the tram stop/park and ride at Toton Lane and get the tram in, it's way less stressful than trying to drive on and park. The Toton Lane tram stop is about 5 mins drive from the M1 junction 25, and the tram then stops right on the hospital campus so its a shorter walk than from the car parks. The trams are step free, just make sure you buy a ticket from the machine before travelling.

In terms of services, Watford Gap are probably the best you'll pass on the M1, in my opinion.

I found it pretty stress free driving in and parking, maybe got lucky! I did know exactly which car park and set the sat nav for that. The tram is excellent though, I've done that before.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThisPinkBee · 01/04/2025 16:26

BlueandWhitePorcelain · 01/04/2025 09:52

If it were me, and you have to be at the hospital at 10.30 am, I’d book a room in a Travelodge or Premier Inn, near to the hospital for the night before. Then, it’s a nice cooked breakfast and an easy 10 - 20 minute drive to the hospital. Years ago, I stayed at a Premier Inn on the A52, going towards Derby - iirc, it was a 10 minute drive to the University, which is near Queen’s Hospital.

Travelling on motorways is ok, when nothing goes wrong. We travel regularly on the M1/M6 or M1 and come off just before Derby, go along the A50/A500 to the M6, to avoid going round Birmingham. It should take 3 hours and a bit. It can often take 5 - 8 hours, depending on how many crashes there are; and especially if they close the motorway.

I can’t recommend any service stations up the M1 from the M25. It’s just a personal preference which fast food outlet, you like best. Watford Gap has McDonalds, Costa, Chozen Noodle and Leon. Leicester Forest East has Chopstix, Taco Bell, Burger King and KFC to name a few. Rugby is supposed to be the best, but it’s on the M6. We use Google maps to look for cafes and restaurants, just off the M1. It’s usually better quality food, and better value for money imo. Alternatively, take your own food. Flasks and a croissant are certainly cheaper than Costa or Starbucks, the main offerings at service stations!

Take a map book too. When the motorway is closed, it’s very annoying if the satnav keeps telling you to go back to the motorway - especially if you are in a part of the country you don’t know at all, and don’t know where to go!

Watford Gap sounds good. Need to plan a dinner stop now I've broken down!

Lol I went up and stayed over the night before last time.

There was a fight in my Travel Lodge. The police were called and I honestly thought a gun was about to go off.

It turned out the police had 'raided' the wrong hotel/suspect. He was a regular guy but who also had ADHD so had lost his mind about being woken up in the middle of the night. The shouting (male and female) was insane.

I almost lost my mind with fear too as I was right next door and had no idea what was going on in the corridor.

So that's why I decided to drive 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
ThisPinkBee · 01/04/2025 16:28

BigDahliaFan · 01/04/2025 09:38

Honestly, I'd take the train and a cab. Parking is a nightmare in Nottingham for the hospital.

I managed okay in car park 3. Had to drive round a few sections but then saw someone leaving and slipped in. Though in future maybe I would try and arrive a little earlier.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThisPinkBee · 01/04/2025 16:31

RareMaker · 01/04/2025 09:36

If using m25 definitely leave before 6

Yes I was amazed how busy that was 😂

I left a bit later than planned at 6.25am. Did good though - arrived at 10.25am.

God knows what I've done to the car though 😂

I'm wondering if I left the lights on - would 4 hours flatten the battery?

I never normally leave them on but I was a) rushing b) it was unusually suddenly sunny again now its April so may not have seen the lights on the dashboard and though they were off.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThisPinkBee · 01/04/2025 16:36

safira · 01/04/2025 09:29

3hr20 from Reigate to Nottingham would be a good time, it could take longer. Is there any possibility of travelling the night before and staying over near to the hospital? That would be my preference unless you're a really early riser. The problem with the M25 is that if you get on at 5, you'll most likely be there by 8, but if you leave it until 6.30 it could easily be 11.

On the plus, I drove that M1 stretch yesterday and there were no active roadworks! It did look like an average speed check the whole way - even so it was nice not contending with miles and miles of 50 zone.

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I was amazed in the morning - I was watching Google Maps and every 5 mins I was getting ready was adding like 20 minutes onto the arrival time!

I've been caught out by that before so when I check journey times ahead I always put in the actual time and day. Sounds obvious I know.

M25 was a bit chuggy. Lots of 60 and some 40 stretches.

M1 was good - not very exciting.
Also I have a horrible feeling I was doing either 63 or 68 past one 60 sign with speed cameras and I am a little bit worried about that. It was just after I got off the M25 onto the M1.

OP posts:
minnienono · 01/04/2025 16:58

There’s two - three main routings to check Google maps. Easiest is round the m25 and straight up the m1. Plenty of services if you want a break though I find it find to drive 3.5 hours myself.

alternatively you can drive up the A1M and turn off at the A52, you can also take the M11,A14 then onto the A1M.

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