Would I be crazy to drive an extra hour to avoid the motorway?

[pyjamaramadrama]

I want to go somewhere soon, no easy train or coach route. Weekend away with my son.

It's 2 hours on the motorway, 3 on the a roads.

I've got very little motorway experience/confidence and it's the M40 which I've never done.

I'd like to deal with my motorway skills eventually but it won't be in time for this.

Does anyone actually do a roads for long journeys like this? Will I be completely knackered by the time I get there?

I find motorway driving far less stressful than towns/ country roads. For a start there are no pedestrians, traffic lights , vehicles stopping in front of you to turn right etc etc.

Just take your time and plan your journey and you will be fine. Ignore the "you shouldn't be driving brigade". Perfectly acceptable to share rational / irrational fears on Mumsnet. I don't like lifts ( the elevator type) but no body has told me I should never leave the house.

I know it's one of those things where once I master it, which means on my own, unknown journey, I'll wonder what I was ever worried about.

Sorry, I mean this in the nicest possible way, but I find it concerning you have been driving 10 years and are still so scared of motorways that you would drive an extra hour to avoid them.

I would definitely invest in some motorway lessons with a driving instructor (mine was great, got a free hour after you passed your test and it was really helpful), and also get on them and practice as much as you can to help build your confidence. They really are nothing to be scared of.

Set off early, motorway will be quoted then

As others have said m40 is a quoted motorway.

From m42 to get onto m40 is never busy (I do this one often) stay on the near side lane and take your time

There are two easy stops, one at Warwick/gaydon and then another near Oxford, you can stop at both and have a drink, use the loo and chill if you are nervous

Just remember if you start of on the m40 there are regular junctions you can exit the motorway

Sit at 60mph if you want and sit on the nearside lane, there isn't a rush

You can do it, it is safer to drive on motorways than A roads, it is cheaper easier in the long run on fuel

We often do long drives motorway free as DH has PTSD and finds them really stressful as a driver or passenger. After a childhood being driven up and down the country as quickly as possible with 5min stops at identical service stations I really enjoy our mini road trips with lunches in pretty towns and nice scenery. Our 400mile journey to my family last Christmas was the quickest and easiest I've ever had.

Motorways make your journey easier and quicker but they aren't compulsory. Blimey.
If you have the time the scenic route will still get you there.

You can get an hour or so motorway tuition easily enough. I would do it this way to build confidence.

You're not alone, lots of people hate motorways.

Leave it for now and do the more relaxed 3 hour drive.

You're not as bad as the people who avoid turning right on busy roads!

What do you think is going to happen?
I prefer motorways in the UK because traffic is only going one way.

I do the M40/M25/M23 once a fortnight - sometimes more often with two children under the age of 5. I can do 2 good hours with no problems at all. All you need is some audio CDs to keep children amused and a few snacks to hand. M40 is a great motorway - and there are services if you need to stop. Just time the journey so you leave soon after a meal - for me and my children it's usually after breakfast or sometimes after an early lunch - that way the children or in your case your son won't be hungry!

I've always found motorways much easier than driving round towns tbh, trying to figure out one way systems, people, cyclists! On the motorway it's simple, all one way and much better sign posted.

I'd always take the motorway, and if you're happy on dual carriageways there's no reason whatsoever to avoid them, it's the same principle, just give it a go

I 'm always nervous about motorways. I'd happily travel longer to avoid them.

I really cannot understand all this won't go on motorway stuff. If you've passed your test, then you should be able to go on the motorway. Can you imagine any man saying they're scared of motorway driving?

Please, just drive on the motorway if that's the most direct route. You will save yourself time and probably fuel and be much more green. Just do it!

Do Pass Plus, it's excellent, and will really help your motorway confidence. I'm also a nervous and new driver, but I did PP after my test, and have driven quite often on motorways since; I was petrified the first time, but then realised how much easier they are than other roads and now actively seek out motorway routes!

I'd rather overtake on a motorway where there's a lane for it and no oncoming traffic than try and nip round a bus in town where there are stupid people crossing the road, traffic lights, road signs, roadworks etc etc.

You'll be ace! Go for it! I swear, motorways are fun. And you can take the opportunity to put on some great music and have a singalong with your DS. Ideal. My mum lives right by the M40, pop in and have a cuppa with her if you get tired

If you don't have a decent sat nav then I would recommend getting one. Mine tells me which lane to get into on the motorway which prevents OH and I arguing about his shit navigating.

The only difficult bit on motorways is getting on, once you are there then it's easy to keep going because all the traffic is moving in the same direction.

Take the motorway, use the hour saved to go to Bicester outlets

Can you imagine any man saying they're scared of motorway driving? What on earth has that got to do with anything?

I bet there are men that are scared of driving on motorways. They may not say so.

Motorways are vastly safer. Maybe practice with an experienced passenger? You gotta break this irrational fear.

I know of a chap who will not go on Motorways, at all, ever
it took him over two hours to do what on the motorway takes 35 minutes
and he arrived stressed to high heaven
he's been driving for 30 years but has allowed the no motorways to become an irrational fear

OP
go to your nearest motorway, get on for one junction, come off, round the roundabout and go back
the exists are the worst part after all

My DH doesn't do multi storey car parks.

I'm terrified of motorways but I find that once I've done it then I'm fine. Then I leave it a while and the fear is back to what it was :/. I'd avoid it on this occasion, to me anything that involves taking my DS anywhere needs to have me relaxed and in control.

You should address the issues with motorways before you are too scared to ever go on them. But this is far more common than you think.

I routinely do Wiltshire to Denbighsire and never do motorways I find the drive easier nicer and less stressful, on times when we have been split into two cars the other driver always does motorway I don't.

The difference in it is rarely more than 30 mins due to moterway traffic

i don't think it's a case of people being scared of motorways, just of the idiots that sometimes drive on them.....

Do what you feel comfortable with. When the right time comes you will do the motorway and it will be fine.

Totally disagree with the 'you have a licence, you should drive on mway' mentality. Do what you feel safe with.

It is like saying 'call yourself a horse rider, unless you do 6ft jumps you shouldn't be on a horse'.

Have a good journey.

I agree the M40 is a great one to start with. There aren't the motorways merging or dividing like the M25 has. It is also a sensible 3 lanes.

You are worried about what will happen if you miss your junction? Well what will happen? You will go a bit further, have to come off and double back on the motorway or take A roads back. Sat Nav would make it even easier.