Allow yourself about five hours. The easy bit is up the M1 / M6 to Stoke-on-Trent, but what they don't tell you is tha Alton Towers is sited in a country village, miles from anywhere. the access is one country road, which gets really jammed, so aim to be arriving at the Towers around 9.30 a.m. on the morning of your visit, to avoid the worst of the crush - compounded by dozens of large coaches which jame the road even more. it is worth the trek though - have a good time.