Gatwick to Milton keynes during evening rush hour?

[Hedders]

I am doing the dreaded gatwick run for a mate on thursday and thought i would seek advice

I have to pick him up from Welwyn Garden City and drop him at gatwick, so i am assuming on the way to Gatwick i have no alternative but to sit on the M25 for half a lap and hope it is ok.

On the way back it will be in rush hour and i am heading straight back to MK. Is it ridiculous to consider heading cross country from Gatwick and picking up the A34Northbound and coming back up through oxford/banbury and then, back across to MK??

Or would it be quicker to just sit on the M25/M1, for what i assume will probably be about 3 hours to go 100 miles?

Cheers

[Solitude]

Take plenty of water....for you and the car !!
Its a lose lose.

[dougc]

Pick up from WGC. Put on train at Luton to Gatwick.

Go to the pub.

[Hedders]

dougc said:

Pick up from WGC. Put on train at Luton to Gatwick.

Go to the pub.

This, i like!

I might suggest it, but it is a mate with a kid and two months luggage..

[Solitude]

Train/pub.....lets face it, the term "mate" is banded around willy nilly nowadays.
Mind you, a trip back from Gatwick to MK in rush hour is something only a REAL mate would do !!!

Did i mention i need picking up and bringing back to Rickmansworth the following wednesday at the same time MATE !!