Driving from Holyhead to Durham

tobsey

I'm getting the ferry to Holyhead in the morning, arriving at 10:45 or so. Then need to drive to Durham. Google maps gives two options, one east of the midlands around Manchester and Leeds, and one west of the midlands up along the Irish sea:

http://tiny.cc/lzn7yx

Anyone any recommendation on which is better? They both come in at 4hrs 15mins and we'll be stopping around half way. We could stop in Manchester if we take that route or else need to find somewhere near the west coast if we take that route.

landmarkjohn

If you don't get a better local knowledge answer I would stick to the route with most motorway.

suchafunkymonke

I used to live near Durham and I have driven this route many times.

Don't go via the A1 route. On a good day, there aren't many holdups, but on a bad day, its a right pain in the backside. In parts, its not even a motorway, but still has motorway-volume levels of traffic. It just takes one accident and you're stuck.

My preference is to use the M6 (more lanes and generally faster moving traffic) and cut across the A685/A66 past Barnard Castle which is generally quiet. This route is also more scenic than the A1.

tobsey

suchafunkymonke wrote: »

I used to live near Durham and I have driven this route many times.

Don't go via the A1 route. On a good day, there aren't many holdups, but on a bad day, its a right pain in the backside. In parts, its not even a motorway, but still has motorway-volume levels of traffic. It just takes one accident and you're stuck.

My preference is to use the M6 (more lanes and generally faster moving traffic) and cut across the A685/A66 past Barnard Castle which is generally quiet. This route is also more scenic than the A1.

Thanks! Any suggestions on where to stop to break up the trip?

suchafunkymonke

The services on the M6 near Kendal. But to be honest, they're all pretty much the same (overpriced).