Manchester by train or car? Peak District afterwards

[LadyAgripina]

I have to travel for work to Manchester from London (where I live). After one day of work, I'll spend 5 days in Buxton in the Peak District with my DD (teen). Originally my DH, was coming with us for 3 of the days, from day one and return by train. But something happened with work and he has to come later on the day (by train). That means that I should go alone with my daughter by car. Now I started thinking about going by train and renting a car once there, to avoid the trip to Manchester alone and in an accident prone highway (or so they say, I've never gone to Manchester, I am not from here). At the same time, I find it super practical going by car and have all my things with me and have a week in the Peak District with my car (that I know and I am familiar with). What do you think? I would be grateful x any advice, including best moment of the day to travel (everybody says none )

Manchester traffic is nowhere near as bad as London, that's for sure. What part are they saying is accident prone? There's sometimes a few bumps & the odd crash but I'd say not as bad as the M25. We've got lights & everything .

Travelwise - really early, after rush hour or early afternoon may be better to avoid jams.

@iklboo 😁
They say the M40 always has car crashes and constructions etc. That I'll spend 5 hours there etc 🤷🏻‍♀️

The M40 isn't anywhere near Manchester ...

Who is 'they"?

Yes, the M40 is London / Oxford / Birmingham. Did they mean M60? That can be a bit of a pain sometimes.

I drive up to Macclesfield fairly often as I have family there (it's near Buxton and south of Manchester). It's not a difficult drive for us , up the M1 to Derby then we take the scenic route via Leek and Ashbourne. It's not nearly as busy as driving in London or parts of the south east. Usually takes us just under 3 hours (we're junction 18 of the m25) and can't say I've ever been stuck in a 5 hour jam.

It's a beautiful part of the the world and, as much as I enjoy travelling by train, I think you'd get more out of it with a car.

Personally I'd rather travel in my own car. If you go to Manchester by train you'll avoid the need to drive that journey alone but if you hire a car in Manchester you'll need to drive through Manchester traffic and to Buxton in a car you're not familiar with. Or you'll need to get the train to Buxton and hire a car there (if that's even possible)- I happen to know that this is a very slow line with busy trains that are old and prone to delays. You'll also all have to get the train home presumably.

I'm not a hugely confident driver but have driven from London to Manchester quite a few times, and also driven around the Peak District. I'd much rather have my own car- especially in Manchester traffic and the country roads around Buxton.

And yes, the M60 is bloody awful but with a bit of planning can be avoided if you don't mind the scenic route

Depends where you live in London and where you are staying in Manchester. When we lived in NW london we could do the journey in 3 hours up the M1 and cutting across at Stoke. When we moved southwest london and had to go on m40 it added an extra hour on at least
But as you need a car for peaks makes mush more sense to drive. Leave either 5am or 7pm and you’ll be fine!

Thank you for al the replies! It's probably me mixing M40 and M60. Sorry 😞

"They" are people from my office!

@littletinyboxes yes! I prefer my own car. How can I plan? I would like the scenic route! I only have to be there at 7 pm, I planned to leave mid morning just after the rush hour. Give me tips for the scenic route! 🙏

Thank you all

peaks makes mush

What?

@ceeveebee 5AM 😳😱

I live southwest and go to picadilly gardens. The worst nightmare?

@Erwhathuh she meant if I go to Peaks, car makes much more sense

@frg124 you say that I tell the GPS to go to Derby and from there, I tell "him" to go to Manchester vía Leeks?

Is there a reason why DH can't come later by car while you go ahead by train?

Oh yes sorry for the typo - meant “much more sense!!”

If you don’t need to be there till evening then you could leave after the morning rush hour at about 10am and amble your way up, probably don’t want to be arriving in Manchester City centre after about 430 or you will get stuck in the evening rush hour (although traffic is a lot lighter at the moment as many people still working from home). Piccadilly is on the south of the city centre so not too bad.

@Arthurianna he doesn't drive

The drive up is straight forward and well signposted (you don't hit the M60 - turn off the M60 at J19 / A560/ M56/ Princess St takes you into town). Driving around Manchester city center can be a little annoying b/c they have changed the road layouts recently and added bus lane cameras.

Getting to Buxton from town - follow signs to Stockport and then to Buxton (A6) all the way. At rush hour it is a slow journey.

Train to Buxton - Piccadilly to Buxton runs 3 times an hour, but not necessarily every 20 minutes.

I'd do Motorway all the way as much as possible personally. What are you going to do for toilets if you're meandering around A roads? Just put your location/end location into Google maps and go for the best motorway route.

M25, M40, M6, M56 depending where in London you're leaving from.

I do that journey (not from London I go to near London for work and near Manchester) regularly. Both by train and car.

Depending on which part of London you are coming from your route would be M40 yes always seems to be an accident Monday morning going to London, and a one going out of London towards the end of the week.

Then M42 which drives me up the wall always speed restricted and stop starting a bit like the M25

Then you have the bliss of the M6 I always go the toll road which is the best part then there's the ongoing eternal road works does get queues at certain Manchester junctions.

I like the trains for being able to do stuff but they if there's a problem be a massive faff and huge delays it's taken me 6/7 hours rather than 3 to get home. But I've had that driving as well every time I make the journey I decide what I fancy car delays or train delays 🤣

I'd take the car. Lived in London for 8 years and now back in Mcr - the M60 is much better than the M25; less dog eat dog to be honest.

Drive to Buxton down the A6 is slow but safe. Once you get past Hazel Grove it's fine. When you're in Buxton the car is the best bet - the Peak District isn't great for buses but fantastic to just jump in the car and explore all the villages. Can recommend the Royal Oak pub at Hurdlow at the start of the Tissington Trail, or the Barrel at Bretton for great food. The bikers breakfasts at the Yonderman Cafe just south of Buxton are a sight to behold - utterly amazing.

Ah, gods bless the M6 toll road. Worth every penny.

Are you staying overnight in Manchester? If do, whereabouts as parking can be a nightmare / expensive depending where you are.

[quote LadyAgripina]@frg124 you say that I tell the GPS to go to Derby and from there, I tell "him" to go to Manchester vía Leeks? [/quote]
If you have a look at google maps, it's probably easier to see. You take the A52 from Derby to Ashbourne, and then the A523 to Leek etc or straight up to Buxton from Ashbourne.

That said, Macclesfield is 20 miles south of Manchester so there are probably quicker routes to Manchester via other motorways. We like the drive through the hills as it's pretty and easy.

Ah, gods bless the M6 toll road. Worth every penny.

Oh yes it zooms by far to quickly for my liking.

Thank you for all the replies! I'll go by my car, definitely. I fancy car delays, more than train ones. Thank you for all the advice and suggestions, including pubs! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻