NE to London

[c00ky83]

Does it take any longer to take the A1/A1(M) all the way London rather than the M1?

[KebabMeister]

Depends if you live closer to the A1 or the M1. I always used the A1 and found the traffic flow very good.

[c00ky83]

Well I said NE...so it's the A1 up here anyway. But I figured A1 is less miles but maybe less suitable for excessive speeds ;) so it depends on how I drive.

[Grunty]

I find that it is often quicker to leave the M6 and go onto the A14 and then either A1 or M11 (depending on where I am going in London). The M1 is often congested at Northampton or Luton, and the diversions go through towns unless you know the local area. Holdups on the A14 are usually signposted by queues of heavies on the M6 and plan B can then be used.

[grizzly bear]

Traffic

[gary baldy]

The A1 is an A road (never!) and therefore is not only not grade separated, it only has two lanes at many points but also has speed cameras at various intervals.
All this adds up to a slower journey. The M1 was closed after a serious accident one night (and therefore weight of traffic wasnt an issue)and i had use the A1 and it was much slower.

[KebabMeister]

Although I haven't driven the A1 for a couple of years there weren't many speed cameras - there was a section south of Newark and then a couple south of Peterborough and that's it. I won't say what speed I used to drive but lets say I never ever used to have any hold ups. (north of Newcastle there were a few speed cameras too.) far better than the M1 imo.

[gary baldy]

My experience was just before Christmas.
I joined the A1 at Huntingdon and got off at the A57 near Worksop. There are plenty of cameras along this particular stretch but ironically from that point on it is plain sailing to the north, camera free, as far as Newcastle.
During the day on weekdays the M1 south of Watford Gap can be horrible and if i was travelling from the NE i would consider staying on the A1. Otherwise i wouldnt bother.

[bob57]

I travel to london every so often from aberdeen I go to glasgow then penrith then to scotch corner down the a1/a1m and a14 onto m11 for the eastend o london.

for the west end of london it is straight down the m6.

but when coming from m1/m25 junction it is shorter going up m1 to m18 onto a1 and straight up to scotch corner than going up the m1

[sddsddean]

When I used to have my artic, London to Newcastle was always M11, A14 , A1 & A1(M). Its nearly always an easier journey, there are more cafes etc to stop at and if there is a problem on the road ahead, it is much easier to get off on to a diversion route, but Friday nights northbound are murder!!