How long to get from Newcastle to Manchester on a morning?

[TameRacingDriver]

Hello chaps, long time no speak.

On Thursday this week I've got to drive from Lemington (near A69) to Manchester city centre. I need to be there for 10am sharp. I was proposing going the A69 / M6 as I've heard the M62 is a bit of a mare on a morning. How long should I allow for this journey? I check google and it says about 3 hours but I doubt thats taking rush hour traffic into account.

[sawman]

I'd get the train

[Ebo100]

I used to do a similar journey every Monday morning but from the Middlesbrough area round to Cheadle Hume (in the days before the M60 orbital) and that used to take me three hours setting off at 7:00am. I only did the M6 way once but using the A66 rather than the A69 like you, and that was no quicker. Depending on if there are any penalties being late I would be allowing four hours for you.
The area of the M62 wasn't called 'death valley' for nothing; it was really easy to lose half an hour sat in traffic.

[TameRacingDriver]

@ sawman - its worth my while driving as I get overtime and travelling expenses.

@ Ebo100 - thanks for the advice

[sawman]

TameRacingDriver said:

@ sawman - its worth my while driving as I get overtime and travelling expenses.

@ Ebo100 - thanks for the advice

I think ebo is about right with 4 hours each way - I have done newcastle to huddersfield a few times over the last year or so - usually meet my co workers at the angle of the north at 6.30 to get to huddersfield at about 9. (A1, M62)

the train is an hour and a half less each way, plus it gets you bang into the middle of town, which saves you the bother and cost of parking.

Much as I like driving I'd let the train take the strain, and keep your receipt for expenses

Edited by sawman on Saturday 24th January 18:30

[TameRacingDriver]

sawman said:

I think ebo is about right with 4 hours each way - I have done newcastle to huddersfield a few times over the last year or so - usually meet my co workers at the angle of the north at 6.30 to get to huddersfield at about 9. (A1, M62)

the train is an hour and a half less each way, plus it gets you bang into the middle of town, which saves you the bother and cost of parking.

Much as I like driving I'd let the train take the strain, and keep your receipt for expenses

Edited by sawman on Saturday 24th January 18:30

I checked the train, it takes 3 hours to get to Manchester (you can shave maybe 15 minutes off if you're prepared to change = more potential to go wrong). Also when I account for the time it takes to get to the train station, its added an extra half hour at the least on top of that time. I also prefer to have my own space, and as I say, I will profit (v's the train).

[bennyboydurham]

The Trans Pennine Express is anything but. I can drive to my parent's place in Cheshire in half the time the train takes. Can they not put an HS3 across that way?