Driving into central Manchester to break a journey - doable?

[LoblollyBoy]

I'd like to stop for a night around this area, and am considering actually going into Manchester itself. I'm coming generally from the north, from the direction of the M6. Do the big roads get quite close in, or is there a lot of start-stop suburb to do after a long journey? I've noticed that you can pre-book a space in the NCP! Does this indicate general levels of traffic insanity in the city centre that ought to be avoided in all circumstances?

Go for it! The city centre isn't large and you can get to the inner ring road via the M602 if you are coming off the M6 onto the M62 (the M62 turns into the M602.
There are some one way systems but nothing too daunting especially with a sat nav. I'd avoid coming into the city centre between 4.45 and 6 pm as you will crawl in.

Thanks for this, it sounds fine. I've never been to Manchester, and there would be time in the morning to have a quick look.

I live here and would say its easy. If you're coming from the north you probably head m6, m61 then I think m602 should bring you in through Salford or hit the ring road.

In the morning around 9am there will be slow traffic but it's ok compared to London or Birmingham nightmare traffic.

I say plan your viewing of the city so you can park in the best way to see what you want. Do you want to shop or wander and eat? There's all sorts of bits to manchester city centre and it's best to just do a bit of it.

What were you looking to do?

Zen I don't know! I'm just planning to drive in, stay a night and then drive off, I thought I might get a better meal than on the motorway and a chance to see the city.

I'd go M6, M61 and into Manchester from there. I find it more straightforward than the M602 and it brings you into an area with plenty of parking. I suppose it depends where your hotel is though.