lansbury

Has anyone any current knowledge on what the drive is like between the two locations in the title. Leaving B'Ham around 1:30PM.

We normally fly PDX-AMS-MAN, but going PDX-AMS-BHX reduces the ticket price, for next April, by $1200 a ticket. I would think it's about another hour to drive from B'Ham but I have no personal knowledge of the area or traffic conditions at all.

Englishmum

I find that the best map for planning driving routes in the UK, mainland Europe and the US and Canada is ViaMichelin. It usually gives at least two results of route choices, driving time and even how much fuel is likely to be used. You can choose miles or km:

Here: www.viamichelin.com

Hope this helps!

Btw; BHX is a small airport but they can be very slow at immigration (best to use a British passport) and baggage to get to the carousel. Their website is www.birminghamairport.co.uk

I flew from BHX to Belfast earlier this month....on a Friday afternoon and all the stag and hen groups were checking in for their flights to Majorca etc. I found it well worthwhile to pay 5 pounds and skip the long, long security queue - there are a couple of machines just to the left of WH Smith just before going to security (had no status for Fastrack as was flying Easyjet).

PS: that is an amazing price for your tickets if you are saving $1200 per ticket! Which airline(s) are you flying with - KLM?

mrken30

Birmingham can get quite congested during rush hour. There is a toll road you can use, I have never used it, but it may be less congested.

We drove down from the Lakes to BHX couple years ago and it took around 3 hours ish.

I would say the traffic is similar to M1 or M4 traffic. It can take 20 to 30 mins to get out of Birmingham. Maybe close to 217 traffic in Portland.

Google maps is quite useful as it gives traffic information. FYI We found Waze did not work so well in the UK. I don't think many people use it.

We paid $500 for direct flight to PDX-LHR (Delta) last year in April/May.

There is an amazing curry house opposite the Tolkien hotel in Birmingham.

DaveLovesDee

You'll be taking the M42, A42 and M1 north. Journey should take around 2hrs 30 mins and there should be average traffic until you get close to Sheffield and again closer to your destination (when the school runs will be at their peak).

You can check planned roadworks at the AA, and Google Maps can also be useful for live traffic. I always find local independent radio stations useful for traffic reports as well.

mrken30

Is the traffic any lighter on M6, M62? (apparently there are road closures on M62) I remember traffic being a lot lighter on the M1 north of the M6, so maybe that would be the better option.

Also 95% of cars in the UK have RDS. Our last rental car in the UK came with built in dual screen GPS.

lansbury

Yes it does thanks, it confirms what I had found online that the best route looks to be using the M1. What I was hoping someone might have knowledge of how prone the M1 is to jamming up in the afternoon.

Appreciate the extra info about the airport


It's Delta/KLM business tickets. One paid for, one with miles, but the number of miles is linked to the ticket price.

lansbury

Thanks I thought the journey time that was showing up on Google maps was a bit optimistic at 2 hours. It seems from what you say that unless there is an accident that stretch of the M1 is unlikely to jam up just because of the volume of traffic?

mrken30

I used to be able to do Milton Keynes to Leeds (Pudsey) in 2 to 2/12 hours. So 2 hours may not be that far out. That part of the M1 was not too bad above the M6.

Also if you don't have a GPS app you normally use, I would recommend Here maps. You can download offline maps so you don't need to get a SIM card as soon as you land.

DaveLovesDee

The only other place I'd expect a fair bit of traffic is the roundabout at the exit from the the airport to the M42, as there is a industrial estate nearby.

The A42 is still only 2 lanes in each direction too, so traffic will bunch a little more.

And yes, barring a major accident, it should be an easy journey if you aim to get to where you're going before about 4.30pm (before the rush hour traffic gets too busy).

yellowroom

avoid m6/m62 like the plague anywhere near rush hour. M1 gets busy, but keeps moving. M6 gets busy and stops.

lansbury

Thanks I appreciate the advice given. Mrs L doesn't like driving in heavy traffic in the UK so I'm hoping Delta will again drop the fares into Manchester, as they have done the previous 4 years around 24 weeks out. If not BHX looks like a reasonable plan B.

mikelincs

The is also the National Exhibition Centre very close, so, depending whether they have anything on the day you may find the area very busy.

lansbury

Thanks something else to consider.

chawkins99

My vote is also on M42, M1 but be aware that the M42 (just north of the M6) converges and then diverges with the M6 Toll road. This can be very confusing, particularly after a 12+ hour flight.
If you stick in the right hand lane(s), it will take you on the toll road.
Pay attention to the overhead signs. The M42 actually forks off to the left at that point.

lansbury

That is exactly what Mrs L worries about me getting confused, especially after a long flight.