M6,M42,M40 or M5,M42,M40?

Got into a debate with a fellow driver about which is quicker.

We both do it on a clear run at 3am ish. I’m firmly of the opinion that coming southbound, but I’m sure it’s no different northbound, the M6,M42,M40 way is slightly quicker since they finished the unintelligent roadworks around the top of Brum.

He is positive that it is not quicker, and in fact claims the other way is 6 minutes faster, he has been trucking for 25 years blah blah blah…

So which is it?

IMO M6 is quicker,but going N.Bound sat nav tries to send me on M5 :confused: :confused:

The M6 is shorter by around 5-6miles, both have a good downhill stretch if going south depends on roadworks , but before the managed M’ways i would gun for the m6/5/42/40

I’d take the M6 route…

Many moons ago i used to do a trunk Manchester - Warwick
It was 17k longer the m5 way but seemed better that way

The M6 is shorter so usually quicker but with the variable speed limits on the 42 and roadworks around Castle Bromwich at night I always think the M5 is a safer bet.

Always use m5, 42, 40 me. :grimacing: personal choice 26 years blah, blah, blah. :sunglasses:

For 6 mins who really cares

Depends on a lot of factors which motor pulls better
what trailer you have
Weight of load
Tyre pressure
Tyre tread
How you approach hills

Like I said though for 6 mins really

I think the m6 way there are more potential hazards
M38 main brum route m42 airport lot busy i think

Interesting that there is no clear consensus on this. I hear what people say regarding variable limits and certain junctions, but unless you are having a crap night these usually dont apply at 3am.

I guess people get used to going a certain way for one reason or another and stick with it.

I once compared both routes on my TomTom because I was also curious, and according to that the M5/M42 is 3 miles longer. However I prefer it because, as others have noted, that stretch of the M6 around Castle Bromwich is frequently down to 1 lane and is always busier, even in the middle of the night. Plus I like to have a 15 min break at Hopwood Park which I reckon is one of the nicer service areas. Going up the M40 then onto the M6 north, if you’re avoiding the M5 option then there’s a huge distance between Warwick services and Hilton Park, whereas if you go the other way via the M5 then you have Hopwood and Frankley to choose from.

Coming up the M40 last night heading for the north west, it was flashing on the matrix signs “M42 closed J6-9.” No problem I thought to myself, I’ll just go the other way along the M42, get on the M5 then join the M6 that way. But the buffoons at Highways England were having none of that, deciding to throw in an unannounced M42 closure J3-2, sending me on a lovely 15 minute diversion around the delightful back roads of Redditch. Don’t even get me started on the tedium of the M6 being closed J12-13 every night. Being in a van it doesn’t bother me as I can make up the lost time by putting my foot down, but I have no idea how you night trunkers on tachos with a tight schedule manage to do the job anymore.