Motorway Services

Perhaps there's space as no-one wants two stop there.

We use two Service Stations when going to and from Eurotunnel.

We stop at Toddington southbound on the way down the M1, for a drink and change drivers over, and park among the HGV with no problems. The stench of urine on the car park means we stay for as little time as possible.

Then we stop at Maidstone to change drivers again. The bays are often filled with cars and the width of the bay means its virtually impossible to open the MH habitation door without damaging it or the vehicle parked alongside.

On the return journey from Eurotunnel we again stop at Maidstone for a few minutes to change drivers and allow the dog a short walk.

The stop at Toddington north bound in the 'Caravans Only' section, to swap drivers again, is rarely trouble free due to lack of space and non-Caravan/Motorhome vehicles filling many of the few spaces available.

The Motorway service areas we use are not fit for purpose for the amount of traffic on the roads today and extra Service Areas, whether full services or 'Aire' type stops, should be put in place to alleviate the congestion and overcrowding.

The Services on our Motorways are overpriced cash cows for the operators and places best avoided, if possible, for the rest of us.

Have a look at the Aires in France, posted on my Youtube channel -  www.youtube.com/user/keithchesterfield - and see the difference between our sad Motorway stopovers and the French equivalent.

We have our own method of selection... which ones have an M&S shop, which have a Waitrose, and which don't have either.

I have not stopped in a motorway services for the last 7 years I think (other than for fuel). Had very little problems with the ones that I used and mainly parked amongst HGVs. If I wanted to change over drivers I think I would do it whilst refuelling.

We rarely stop at motorway services, but if we do we never leave the van as we have all we need on-board.

EasyT - we change over at the Service Stations because the distance is from home to Eurotunnel is 230 miles with 99.9% Motorway driving (MI, M25, M20).

A stop for a drink and change driver at about 110 miles and again another 100 miles further on seems reasonable to us.

And as for refuelling at a Motorway Service Station - no way at the price they charge - first stop for fuel is the cheaper option of France.

We use motorway services frequently. Mostly for a rest break. I was surprised at the survey results but it probably doesn't include many leisure vehicle users. Maybe we should post photos of what we find, good or bad when we try to park up.

If I need to refuel on a trip I choose motorway as access usually good with caravan on tow. Probably only happens once a year so cost is not a big factor on half a tank of fuel. 

I try to keep mostly to maximum of 3 hours drive as if driving much more than 1 and 3/4 hours I take pain killers before the off. After 3 hours they start to wear off. 

I am afraid that my days of 5 hour drives ave gone. After 200 miles of motorway OH would be a nervous wreck as she hates being on motorways. 

We used Corley northbound on the M6 this summer, pulled into the dedicated caravan parking to find it was full of cars & vans. Took some photos and emailed them to the services but heard nothing. I tried to upload them onto this site but no success had to give up.

Corley is not far from where I store my van and on three occasions I have wanted to stop there for a quick break on my way home from a trip. Always I have failed because there was absolutely nowhere to leave the motorhome (this was going southbound). It is always very heavily congested and badly needs some improvements.