Leeds to Folkstone

[Bugsy73]

How long would we need to give ourselves to get from Leeds down to the Eurotunnel first Friday of August? Google maps is telling me 4 hours, but I am assuming this will not be the case.
Thanks

I do this regularly as a commute! I stay overnight for work a couple of times a month. I allow 5 hours and I'm usually there before that. There aren't usually Qs to get through to eurotunnel (unlike the ferry crossing) but you should allow yourself some time for check in etc.

That's great, thank you. What time would you advise leaving if we wanted to get to the tunnel at 12ish? Thanks again.

It’s hard to say now what will be going on in August. You will need to check the week before for major roadworks, and the day before for road conditions S of the M25, the M20 becoming a lorry park / ferries or customs strikes which affect the roads, etc etc.

And I always add time to Google maps prediction.

Getting there for 12 ish is difficult because it's likely that you'll hit the morning rush somewhere, whether getting out of Leeds, or around somewhere like Cambridge. Plus there's the risk of an accident somewhere causing delays.

Is a cheap Travelodge in the area an option seeing as you're planning so far in advance? You'd then be able to travel down the day/evening before and then have a leisurely breakfast and make a short journey mid morning to the ferry port. You'll also have a contingency in case of strikes, accidents etc.

We could definitely do this, but would rather get to France in one day and then have the night somewhere over there on our way down the country. Will have to have a think. Maybe will just set off very, very early.