M1 vs M40

[Aiminghigh123]

Ok I know this has been debated in the past but I couldn’t find a thread on the topic in the last 2 years.

Going to North Wales from West London and I’m thinking M40 route. Haven’t used either route for over a year. Last time I used the M1 was years ago and it was painful, 50 limit for miles and miles. Have the road works all finished now?

M40 has always been good to me and have managed to make good progress at 9leptons without a speed camera in sight.

[Brainpox]

M1 still has road works. Haven't been on the M40 for a while but, like you, has been my preferred choice for a long time.

[Haltamer]

M1 Is like pulling teeth for any destination; Perhaps if you've got very good LKAS / Self driving.

Take the M40 and you'll have a much nicer time. - Better views for one.

[Portofoni]

M40 every time .

Surely it's shorter distance to N Wales too ?

[bimjim]

It's a journey I made regularly when I lived in West London, heading back home to North Wales, and the M40 wins every time.

I'm not so familiar with the M1 beyond where it meets the M6, but it must be one of the most boring roads around. The M40 on the other hand has corners and even the occasional vista.

[Pica-Pica]

From West London, no question, take the M40.
Then M42, M6, M54, and then,
A5 or A41/A55 depending on final destination.
Done it many time.

[Portofoni]

Portofoni said:

M40 every time .

Surely it's shorter distance to N Wales too ?

I put random selection of Acton to Shrewsbury into maps and it's actually 3 miles less on the M1

[chris116]

Portofoni said:

M40 every time .

This.

[Pica-Pica]

Portofoni said:

Portofoni said:

M40 every time .

Surely it's shorter distance to N Wales too ?

I put random selection of Acton to Shrewsbury into maps and it's actually 3 miles less on the M1

No. As my post take M40, M42, M6, M54, A5 to Shrewsbury, but last time I looked Shrewsbury was in Shropshire,
OP where in North Wales are you going?

[Portofoni]

I know where Shrewsbury is Picapedant .

[Pica-Pica]

Portofoni said:

I know where Shrewsbury is Picapedant .

So why is it relevant? It is only one of many routes to North Wales, and distance is not that relevant here.

Edited by Pica-Pica on Friday 23 July 21:10

[Ninja59]

As I grew up in Chester and live down in Kent I regularly have had this debate.

I tend to go M1 and cut across on the A50 then M6.

[Disco You]

Whichever way google maps takes you. Discussing which motorway / A road is better than another should be left to boring reps in the 90s. You could know every inch of the M40 but unless you are a psychic you won’t know the traffic conditions as well as google maps.

[Aiminghigh123]

Pica-Pica said:

No. As my post take M40, M42, M6, M54, A5 to Shrewsbury, but last time I looked Shrewsbury was in Shropshire,
OP where in North Wales are you going?

Heading to Snowdonia area.

M1 was coming up a few minutes quicker but that can change!!!

[Aiminghigh123]

Disco You said:

Whichever way google maps takes you. Discussing which motorway / A road is better than another should be left to boring reps in the 90s. You could know every inch of the M40 but unless you are a psychic you won’t know the traffic conditions as well as google maps.

Yes agree to a point however I have found many times I can find quicker ways better than google maps.

[Pica-Pica]

If the destination is anywhere along the North Wales Expressway. Then the A55 is the route to end up on. A55 has been quick recently, there are roadworks on the East bound carriageway, but no real delays. West bound is freer, there is a 50mph stretch, there are average speed cameras, there are also patrol cars, so speeding would be ill-advised here, but it fairly fast-flowing. If South or West of Snowdonia (Yr Eryri) then the M40, M42, M6, M54 and A5 and A458 and A470 is best. There are some steep climbs and drops on the A458, and possible overtakes there, but beware of stray sheep, they do like to perch on top of the banks to graze!

[mintmansam]

Personally living right near Shrewsbury I would have assumed M40, M6 , M54. But when I look on a map I can see why the M1 is a good choice, from memory they might have completed the M1 to M6 (A14 to the east) upgrade. Personally I haven’t travelled down the southern part of the M1 in years.

The M40 is the fastest motorway I’ve been on though. The issue you have is the M5,M6 interface with the M1 you can hop onto the M6 toll and head North easier

[Cyder]

M1 currently has 60mph average speed roadworks from Northampton to Milton Keynes. However the outside lane society generally seem to sit at 65-70mph, so it’s not much slower than usual.

[stogbandard]

Cyder said:

M1 currently has 60mph average speed roadworks from Northampton to Milton Keynes. However the outside lane society generally seem to sit at 65-70mph, so it’s not much slower than usual.

I think they have been there for three years and have almost another year to go before they are being completed. A bit of excavation for the [very] occasional lay-bys, reinforcing the hard shoulder, barrier, signs and paint That whole first stretch of M1 was built in half the time - why almost 4 years?

Anyway I prefer the M40. One of the newer motorways that now feels more old school not being a smart motorway. I always found the M1 worse, even before being “upgraded”. I always find standards decline rapidly south of J19.

Edited by stogbandard on Saturday 24th July 18:34

[stogbandard]

Cyder said:

M1 currently has 60mph average speed roadworks from Northampton to Milton Keynes. However the outside lane society generally seem to sit at 65-70mph, so it’s not much slower than usual.

I think they have been there for three years and have almost another year to go before they are being completed. A bit of excavation for the [very] occasional lay-bys, reinforcing the hard shoulder, barrier, signs and paint That whole first stretch of M1 was built in half the time - why almost 4 years?

Anyway I prefer the M40. One of the newer motorways that now feels more old school not being a smart motorway. I always found the M1 worse, even before being “upgraded”. I always find standards decline rapidly south of J19.

Edited by stogbandard on Saturday 24th July 19:07