A14 - M6 Cambridge - Glasgow

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I have a relative I visit in Cambridge a couple of times a year. Until now I always went M6 - A66 - A1. Aside from a few slow sections on the A66 it seemed good. A bit of holdup on the A1 with lorries getting past each other. But as I usually went down Thursday and back on Sunday there was usually a clear run going home at least.

I was forced to try an alternate this week. Going down there were roadworks on the A66 which caused a 25 minute delay.

So going home Google maps suggested A14 - M6. Maybe 20 miles longer but no 25 minutes at a standstill. What a relaxed Drive! Left Cambridge just after 9am to miss the morning rush hour. Smooth travel the whole way. Hitting Birmingham at around 11am I just stuck to the M6 rather than the toll road. Busy but moving the whole way. Down to 50 or 60 in the variable sentions at times. In retrospect I'll just pay the toll next time. May not save many minutes but 30 miles of a quiet motorway is probably worth it.

Stopped at couple of decent services for walking the dogs. Stafford and Tebay.

Will definately be going that way next time. On the clear sections I was sitting at a satnav 70-73mph. Wasn't passed much. I think the prevelance of speed cameras and the cost of fuel have reduced the number of high speed motorway drivers.

When we got home the car computer was showing a 60mph average including a few slow miles from Cambridge centre and off the motorways at the Glasgow end.

Boring story but when I was considering what options there were last night a google didn't find much.

[Canon_Fodder]

I regularly do Epping to Keswick and we call the A1/A66 the Scenic Route and the A14/M6 the Quick Way

I strongly advise the toll road next time OP as regardless of traffic it's nice and smooth, unlike the expansion-joint bump fest of the Brum M6.

The 'Smartening' of the Cheshire section of the M6 has made a really big difference as that was always slow before

The long new section of the A14 has of course also made an enormous difference, giving the extra lane and the removal of the two roundabouts

[Glenn63]

M6 is almost a delight from Preston onwards. I often travel to the in-laws in Scotland and can set cruise to 85 and not touch it till I leave the motorway. Unless it’s bank holiday then it’s busy up to the lakes.

[stogbandard]

Bit of a geeky fact but when your on the A14 after the M11 you don’t have to turn off until you get to Glasgow. You can do this from the start of the M11.

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stogbandard said:

Bit of a geeky fact but when your on the A14 after the M11 you don’t have to turn off until you get to Glasgow. You can do this from the start of the M11.

I noticed that. I didn't even set the sat nav for guidance. Just looked at google maps and remember A14 the whole way then a choice of M6 all the way or use the toll. All well signposted.

[towser44]

I drive a HGV and my usual run is Crewe to Basildon every night. I love doing the A14 and M11 and just 2 junctions of the M25 rather than the M1 (with all the roadworks) and then 8 junctions on the M25. The A14 was closed overnight for about a month in September though so didn't get the chance to do it for a while!