How busy is the M60 on a weekday morning - going to Wigan

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

I have to be in Wigan at 9:00 on a Thursday morning next month. Leaving from Grantham which according to routeplanner is a 2hr30min journey.

Route is up A1, m62, m60, m61, a58. Hubby says M60, M61 near Manchester will be worse than m25.

Will it take a lot longer than the quoted time? Thanks.

Stripey, one if my colleagues lives near Wigan and does the journey the other way every day as our office is just off the M60. Will ask him tomorrow if he's in the office.

Thank you so much - that would be fantastic. Have a feeling I might need to stay overnight beforehand.

Dh takes the 61 and 60 into Manchester each day and says that the traffic is not too bad coming the other way. Could get bad past the bit where he comes off iyswim.

To be honest, I would think about stopping overnight. You have to pass through too many places with potential blackspots to be able to guarantee arrival by 9 without setting off at 5. They are all busy roads that you mention, and it doesn't take much to make things back up, even before you get to Mchr. I travel a lot with work, although mainly by train/plane now, when I used to drive everywhere, would have considered that journey too risky for 9am appointment.

Yes Crocky, I was thinking that for the part of the journey travelling towards Manchester from the South, Stripey would be travelling in the same direction as all those commuting into Mchr from the South. It has taken me an hour to do 7 miles into Mchr city centre to arrive for a 9am meeting....

Hi Stripey, just spoken to a couple of colleagues who travel from the Wigan direction. They tell me that the traffic is unpredictable, but can be extremely heavy. Today apparently it was backed up due to a bump. If poss, would consider travelling the night before - will be less stressful for you and if you set off after your local rush hour, you'll probably have a much quicker journey.

OK, we have decided to stay overnight now. Thans for all the info.

Sounds like safest bet, just came on to say another colleague who actually lives in Wigan says it is really busy driving into Wigan anytime after 8. Sorry that means you'll have a night away from home, but think you'll be more relaxed as a result. Hope your trip goes well.