Britpick Question

[amberfocus]

Does anyone know how long it takes to drive from London to Cardiff on a typical weekend day and then a weekday evening leaving Cardiff around sevenish and heading back?  I know it's 132 miles, but I'm more concerned with time than distance.  Time depends on speed limits, rush hours, traffic and road conditions, so if anyone has experience with it could you let me know?  Also is there a good midway point where you'd stop and stretch your legs or get a bite to eat?  A restaurant, a park, something like that?

Comments

[morgaine-nicely.livejournal.com]

132 miles probably i'd say atleast 2 1/2 hrs? i dont know what the speed limit is there, but i have a good friend who lives in London, and they've gone to cardiff several times and it usually doesn't take them long to get there. it's about 75 miles to my mom's house and it takes about 2 hrs so maybe even 3 hrs give or take to get there? i'm just guessing. you can always google it too :)

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[sigmastar79.livejournal.com]

the pot kiln off the road from Chieveley station is a pretty good place to eat. and it takes 3 hrs with good traffic, 3 1/2 to 4 with bad traffic, watch out for the traffic cameras on the M4

[morgaine-nicely.livejournal.com]

ooh i was close in guesstimating lol :)

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I think they are going to go there!

[galadriella1.livejournal.com]

Don't be daft, who'd do that journey lol

But, it's all motorway from Cardiff to London - M4 and no, no where nice to stop unless you're up for a service station in Wiltshire.

Google maps recokons 2hrs 46mins, but I'd say about 2hrs 15mins - lets face it, most people do put their foot down when they can. Goggle does like to err on the side of caution. However, yes, beware of speed traps and for some reason the Wiltshire section of the M4 is always slow moving or there's a crash - only last week it was closed for a few hours after a lorry over turned carrying pigs, some of which died.

Also, beware of cues at the toll booths on the Severn Bridge and that they do have speed cameras GOING IN to Wales.

[sigmastar79.livejournal.com]

its been a few years since being in the UK, i really want to go back, most of my family is there. And Wittshire was always having some form of problems. I remember the pot klin because of my father and me went there. it was nice and peaceful and the food was awesome. a little bit of a drive off the motorway but worth it. Oh i forgot about the bridge, toll booths are a pain

[galadriella1.livejournal.com]

Wiltshire's biggest problem is they think that Horse and Cart is the main form of transport (can I just say that having been brought up in Wiltshire, and specifically a town that is the back end of nowhere in Wiltshire, I can say that with confidence)

But Wiltshire is beautiful, and I got back often as my family is still in the back end of nowhere.

But my dad had to do London to Cardiff a couple of times, he's also the only person I know to be caught speeding INTO Wales.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that's good to know.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Lots of helpful info here, thanks.

Severn Bridge Tolls

[runbeagle.livejournal.com]

Just to add information - you have to pay a toll at the Severn Bridge to get INTO Wales, but no tolls so free to leave! London also has Congestion charges, from the centre. Chieveley Service Area is often mentioned on travel bulletins, and service station companies include Moto, (who I believe on a quick check on the internet are the providers at Chieveley - about 60 miles from London) Little Chefs are another provider. Motorway service stations are often complained about - expensive but poor quality food. I rather like the Severn bridges, good engineering.
I often read your log, first time commenting! Hope this helps.

Re: Severn Bridge Tolls

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Thank you, this has been very helpful in the chapters I'm currently working on.

[amanda-shatirah.livejournal.com]

usually the speed limit on the motorway is 70 mph, but it can be restricted to 50 in places, especially accident hot spots and construction works (prevalent on the weekends).

Queues for the tolls into Wales are usually minimal, esp if you have the coins to just chuck into the bin.

Just a thought though... surely a Torchwood vehicle could, *ahem*, ignore the speed limits... and have prepaid access across the bridge (considering where the rift is)?

And oh yeah, service stops are horrible (£3 for a coffee????). But you could conceivably get off the motorway somewhere and go off the beaten track.

[amberfocus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, a Torchwood vehicle could but they'll be in John's convertible. Thanks for the info.