M6 vs M1

[Jdo]

Hi, I need to travel from Redditch (Worcestershire) to Appleby (Cumbria),

My Inicial thought was the M5/M6 however know both Motorways are super super busy especially round the edge of Birmingham through the likes of Walsall and Wolves

The M1 is longer but would it be more enjoyable?

I am traveling on a Sunday and returning on a friday

Thoughts?

[danfw194]

Barring incident or accident, you shouldn't have any traffic issues on the Sunday taking either route, therefore you may as well take M6. Friday would definitely be a case of following traffic updates very closely.

[Glenn A]

The M1 is much longer and the best route is the M5/M6.

[Bryn666]

Stick to the M6. If you're going from Redditch at peak times I'd just shell out for the toll if it's really bad along the Black Country squeeze.

That said, the east side of the M42 is hardly a picnic at the moment.

[Big L]

…
That said, the east side of the M42 is hardly a picnic at the moment.

Apparently the concrete barrier works around the M40 junction are all but done, ahead of schedule, and due to be lifted soon. Just leaves the work for the ‘upgrade’ to junction 6, and some bits of HS2 work around the toll road junctions.

[IAN]

For the Sunday journey, you should be fine on the M6. On the return journey, I'd still use the M6 (barring major incidents), then transfer to the M6 Toll if the traffic is heavy. The cost of the toll should be easily covered by the cost saved in fuel by not using the longer M1 route and also the extra fuel used by having to crawl on the M6 through the WM conurbation.