Reading to Wembley commute - anyone done it?

[John D.]

Looks like my next project will be in Wembley. RAC route planner reckons it'll take 45 to 50 minutes, seems a bit optimistic to me with normal traffic. I'll be getting there for 8am, leaving 5:30pm.

Any experiences?

[Stig]

John D. said:

Looks like my next project will be in Wembley. RAC route planner reckons it'll take 45 to 50 minutes, seems a bit optimistic to me with normal traffic. I'll be getting there for 8am, leaving 5:30pm.

Any experiences?

At that time of the morning it's not unrealistic. The bits that will soak up the time will be getting out of Reading onto the M4 and then getting into N.London on the A40 which is completely unpredictable.

Don't be fooled by the light traffic at the mo due to summer hols!

[John D.]

Stig said:

John D. said:

Looks like my next project will be in Wembley. RAC route planner reckons it'll take 45 to 50 minutes, seems a bit optimistic to me with normal traffic. I'll be getting there for 8am, leaving 5:30pm.

Any experiences?

At that time of the morning it's not unrealistic. The bits that will soak up the time will be getting out of Reading onto the M4 and then getting into N.London on the A40 which is completely unpredictable.

Don't be fooled by the light traffic at the mo due to summer hols!

I was thinking the run in would not be too bad. I currently leave home at 6:50am (commute via train to London) and getting out of Reading will be no problem at that time, so could aim to arrive at work early to dodge the London traffic.

Its coming home that will be slower. Getting back into Reading at rush hour will be bad enough I know for sure.

[Turbofun]

How about a nice Scooter, i'm sure it will be pleasent ride through Wembely

[John D.]

What is that on fire? Looks more like Afghanistan than Wembley!

Have been considering a proper bike today. Saw my mates new Suzuki GSXR (I think!) 1000 last night......tempting Not certain I have the balls for bikes though!!

[Puggit]

Whereabouts in Reading and Wembley - surely the train has to be an option. I used to commute Wembley Park -Reading on the train, and it was easily doable in an hour, although average journey was 1hr15...

[Twit]

I used to do that run every day albeit on a bike most of the time. Some times I could do it in 40-60 mins, other times well over an hour. If you go M4 then up past ealing to wembley the M4 bit will be fine til the bus lane... The rest of the journey is ste as its just traffic. The driving round wembley is truly shocking...

In your position... Pass your bike test (if you havent done already)and use a bike, it is certainly the best way to do that run.

[Rob_J]

John D. said:

Looks like my next project will be in Wembley. RAC route planner reckons it'll take 45 to 50 minutes, seems a bit optimistic to me with normal traffic. I'll be getting there for 8am, leaving 5:30pm.

Any experiences?

Honestly I can't see it.That would seem OK for a mid morning non-rush hour timing. When I'm in the UK I do a 28 mile commute from just outside Bracknell into Hammersmith. On a good day this will take about 40mins, most of the time it's around an hour, but 1hr 20 is not unusual.

Assuming you'd go M4, M25, A40, the M4/M25 junction can be a nightmare even at 7 in the morning with traffic tailed back to the previous junction.

It'd doable, but I wouldn't want to do it every day.

[John D.]

Puggit said:

Whereabouts in Reading and Wembley - surely the train has to be an option. I used to commute Wembley Park -Reading on the train, and it was easily doable in an hour, although average journey was 1hr15...

I live in West Reading (off Oxford Rd), the project is next to Wembley stadium. You're right train is an option. I currently use train/tube to Holborn everyday in 1hr to 1hr15 door to door.

To be fair I'll probably get a better deal using the train as all my tickets are paid for. Using my car (allowance, non-company) I'll be incurring more running costs etc which the milage rate won't compensate fully.

Twit said:

I used to do that run every day albeit on a bike most of the time. Some times I could do it in 40-60 mins, other times well over an hour. If you go M4 then up past ealing to wembley the M4 bit will be fine til the bus lane... The rest of the journey is ste as its just traffic. The driving round wembley is truly shocking...

In your position... Pass your bike test (if you havent done already)and use a bike, it is certainly the best way to do that run.

Hmmmm...would give me an 'excuse' to learn to ride.


Thanks for the input guys

[VerySideways]

John, no chance you'll do that in an hour, morning or evening.
If i leave Lower Earley at 6:30 i can get to Brentford for 7:15 but by that point the traffic is already pretty bad.