Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Overnight M25 route from M3 to Stansted and back Please Help

36 replies

IHateGoogleandTheM25 · 18/08/2026 18:00

Please Help. I've looked at the maps but just wanted a second opinion.

I need to use the M25 overnight, but it looks like it is all closed. Right now I could cry, every time I use it it is closed.

I'm coming from the M3, going up and back to/from Stansted.

Can anyone please help

OP posts:
socialdilemmawhattodo · 18/08/2026 22:20

IHateGoogleandTheM25 · 18/08/2026 18:05

I did that last time and it was awful.

Google sent me towards the closure, then kept trying to reroute me onto the closed section.

It didn't give me any warning that the road was closed and didn't seem to know.

I've downloaded Waze as well, but I've lost faith.

Show quote history

I had this a couple of years ago. M11 overnight clearly long planned closure, on one Junction, Google Maps and ways directed me constantly towards that Junction. Despite the closure. I did complain to both mapping companies that their knowledge was not good enough. No response. Just avoid if you suspect. It took me an extra 2 hours to get home at 11pm on a Sat eve. No accountability at all from anyone.

WindyBeech · 18/08/2026 22:50

If you want to be 'safe' take the A1M north to Hatfield then head East on the A414 to Hertford, you briefly head south on the A10 then continue on the A414 to Harlow and onto the M11.

It's quite windy so my personal preference would probably be A1M/A414 to Hertford then:

head north on the A10 to Standon then take the A120 east to Bishop's Stortford and you cross the M11 into Stanstead.

Have a good drive

Original poster
IHateGoogleandTheM25 · 18/08/2026 23:55

Fifthtimelucky · 18/08/2026 22:00

From what I can see on the National Highways website, there are various problems going clockwise but you should be ok going anticlockwise because the only problems are between junctions 24 and 25 and you won’t be going that way (you will go from junction 12 to 1a, then cross the river and go from 31 to 27).

When you approach the M25 make sure you follow signs for Gatwick rather than Heathrow.

And don’t forget to pay for the Dartford Crossing toll (from memory you have up to 24 hours to do that once you have crossed, but don’t take my word for it)!

Thanks. I think this what I'm going to do as the time is better providing it works.

Helpfully part of the M3 is also closed!

Dartford tunnel -which I've never been in- seems to be free overnight

OP posts:
Original poster
IHateGoogleandTheM25 · 18/08/2026 23:57

BillyBites · 18/08/2026 22:14

Google maps did this to me the other night, going to Luton airport. The M1 southbound J8-6 is shut at night for the next couple of months and that was trumpeted from the rooftops. Couldn’t fail to miss it. But as I was travelling north to J10, Luton, there was absolutely zilch warning that that was closed too until I saw all the cones blocking the exit. The blue line going off the slip road was still showing on my screen as I had to continue on past the exit. I had to go all the way to J11 and come back (the south junction was open). Annoying so I sympathise.

Thanks, honestly I was furious. Had I realised I could have come off earlier and gone a different way, as it was I got completely lost and then ended up in London which a. Took forever b. Ruined my back as the pot holes were crazy c. Cost me £12.50!

OP posts:
EBearhug · 18/08/2026 23:57

Ah yes, J9 works. M27/A3, maybe, depending where you're coming from.

Original poster
IHateGoogleandTheM25 · 18/08/2026 23:58

socialdilemmawhattodo · 18/08/2026 22:20

I had this a couple of years ago. M11 overnight clearly long planned closure, on one Junction, Google Maps and ways directed me constantly towards that Junction. Despite the closure. I did complain to both mapping companies that their knowledge was not good enough. No response. Just avoid if you suspect. It took me an extra 2 hours to get home at 11pm on a Sat eve. No accountability at all from anyone.

Show quote history

I'm impressed you complained - I came on here and moaned instead 😂

It is infuriating when it is a planned closure.

OP posts:
EBearhug · 19/08/2026 00:11

EBearhug · 18/08/2026 23:57

Ah yes, J9 works. M27/A3, maybe, depending where you're coming from.

Or get off the M3 at Winchester at J10, go through Winchester and up the A33 to Basingstoke, back on at J7.

BillyBites · 19/08/2026 07:33

Our town is full of closed roads at the moment.

@OP,I hope you don’t live further south or west of the New Forest because the A31 is still closed until at least Thursday due to the fire on the forest.

countrygirl99 · 19/08/2026 07:38

LoserWinner · 18/08/2026 18:59

Alternatively, use Waze, which gives you real time updates and reroutes you as you travel.

I've had a few issues recently with Waze not reflecting planned closures. That included the Menai bridge so fairly significant!

Fiddlesticks1 · 20/08/2026 09:15

Try A3

Original poster
IHateGoogleandTheM25 · 20/08/2026 09:52

Just wanted to say thanks for all the help- the journey was pretty bad and overall took 50% longer than usual but much better because of the help on here.

At one point I came to a massive roundabout and wasn't sure but remembered the post 'head towards Gatwick not Heathrow ' and was great having trust in the sat nav.

Both Waze and Google Maps still completely missed a planned closure, but I planned around it so it was ok.

Thanks again

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread