Avoiding elevated section (very long flyover) of M4 into London

[M4driver]

Can anyone with local knowledge help me avoid driving onto the very long elevated section of the M4 as you come into London from the West?

The last few times I've done it, I've felt rather queasy. I think it's something to do with the angles as it swings round bends, very close to the high-rise office blocks and it goes on for miles! So I'd rather just avoid it in future.

There must be a route which stays on the ground, but I can't work it out from my map. Anyone know?

Thanks.

Where are you coming from and what part of town are you aiming for?

M25 - M40 - A40 will take you into west London

I know exactly where you mean ... And hate it too!

Uou can use the A4 .... It joins up again approx Hogarth roundabout... If coming from west.

If you can't face it all get off at 312 and follow signs to Hounslow... Then just stay on a4..
If comjng from east get off at Chiswick and use a4 and rejoin at 312 ...

Or come off the M4 at junction 3, and head south to join up with the A4 to go further into London.

Depending on where you are coming from , but assuming somewhere west as you are on the M4, the easiest, but not quickest, thing to do is just pick up the A4 somewhere west of the elevated section of the M4 - Colnbrook is an easy place to pick it up (last Slough exit on the M4) It'll add a chunk of time to your journey though as you'll have to go past the airport and through Hounslow to Brentford then Chiswick!

I should have said I'm coming from the West of the UK and into Hammersmith!

Thanks for your ideas so far, which I will now read.

Sorry I've not been very clear have I! I'm starting around Swindon and wanting to go to Hammersmith.

Agree with the others - get off just after Swindon and use the A4 to the Hogarth Roundabout. It’s much longer though, it could add anything from 15 mins to an hour to the journey depending on the traffic.

So some of you are suggesting leaving the M4 at jn5 (Colnbrook) and some at jn3 (onto A312 Parkway.) I can't see where the elevated section starts, but presumably if I leave at jn3 that'll be quickest and I'll still avoid all of it?

Yes, leaving at J3 will avoid the elevated section, which starts between J3 and J2.

Thank you.