Driving to Gatwick during rush hour...

[ricochet1980]

This Wednesday morning I'll be driving from Osterley (West London near Heathrow Airport.) to Gatwick for a flight to Prague.

The flight's at 11:55 so we need to arrive at 09:55, my last experience took 1 hour although it was at 20:00, With that in mind we were planning to leave at 08:30 in case of traffic.

What I'm asking is; Is traffic heavy Southbound on the M25 between Junction 15 & 7 and on the M23 between J8 & J9a during the times stated above?

Should we be worried about getting there late?

Thanks

-Rob

[mushroom25]

this one is a bit "how long is a piece of string". ordinarily the traffic will be heavy but moving. but, because at that time of the morning the road is running almost at capacity, it only takes the slightest incident on (or near) the M25 to create big problems. you may be OK; or you may get delayed.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

as you live in osterley,why not cut through to the A316 and go on the M3 to the M25 at junction 12,which will cut out all the M25 around the airport area, it will save you a bit of time and traffic.

[Holidaylover]

I live about 10 mins from you and I reckon that you should do as I do. That is to be there before check in opens. In your case if the flight is 11.55 be there for 7.55. When check in opens at 9.55 your in. Do as Norman says and go A316/M3. If you are there early, so what, have a leisurely breakfast. If you are late, then goodbye Prague. Like Mushroom says it only needs 1 delay. Don't forget there are quite strict security measures now and it only needs 1 pillock to slow things up. You may have to open your own bags up.
just treat the airport as part of your holiday experience. Have a good time

[ricochet1980]

Thanks all for your help.

I know the question was one without a definite answer but you came up with some good solutions.

Cheers.

[Memore]

I live off A2 and use M25 most weeks and I would say that you need to allow so much time that not worth the risk when I lived West in Ealing I would get Gatwick express from Victoria you only need one accident on the M25 and it is like a car park I have taken 2 hours to go about 8 junctions south bound in the rush hour. How ever long you think it would take ona bad day double it! M23 normally ok its the M25 that is the problem and there are road works on it

I think 8.30 is too late to get from Osterley for 10am I would leave an hour earlier!

[ricochet1980]

ok, well....just to let you all know;

Got the boys to the airport in time and they're now enjoying themselves in Prague!

Picked them up from Osterley at 08:25 and headed down the A314 aiming to pick up the M3, took a right turn too early and ended up catching the A30 towards the M25. Bloody idiot I am!!!

M25 was quite clear southbound (northbound looked like a nightmare) until after Junc 9 when a congestion warning slowed us down to 40.

Kept moving though and soon hit the M23 and arrived at the Set-Down point at LGW at 09:45. Phew.

Guess I was lucky this time.

Thanks for all the advice.

-R