Route Planning - Antwerp or Brussels to avoid ??

[Driver15]

Route Planning - Antwerp or Brussels ??

Just after some comments from experience from you guys on the best route to take..

Heading out to Holland - got 2 route options via Antwerp or via Brussels... (Brussels add around 30 miles to the overall route)

Will be hitting either edge of the cities via the E17 or E40 at around 11am on a Friday.

Just looking for opinions on which you would choose ??

Done Brussels a few times when heading more south east and its always been busy as you would expect, but heard some nightmare route times via Antwerp.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[Charles Morgan]

At that time of day go via Antwerp. I've only ever had a problem once, and that was an accident.

 

[ChrisHampshire]

I've done both routes a few times and can't say I've had any particular problems with either. I'd go the Antwerp way if it's quicker/shorter

 

[automaniaman]

I would suggest Antwerp, but its been some years since I've done it.

 

[Benzowner]

My experience of driving to Holland, I would avoid Antwerp at all costs. There is basically two or three motorways converging on the Kennedy Tunnel which is three lanes each direction. Best case took 30 minutes to get through worst case took over two hours. Forgot to say, you could also take the toll tunnel, but that is quite a long way round.

Have a nice trip

 

[Palfrem]

Used to drive to Brussels a lot until about 2008.

It was, without exception, always dire.

 

[Lotiman]

If you don't intend stopping and sightseeing then at all costs, avoid Brussels.

 

[gaz_l]

I've no idea about Antwerp, but Brussels empties for the weekend. Trying to get out on a Friday afternoon or in on a Sunday evening is an exercise in misery.

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Scooby_Doo]

Went to Mechelen last summer (just north of Brussels) . Outward journey was towards Brussels and then north a few miles short of the centre, no problems at all,sailed round. Coming home , by accident, went north from Mechelen and then west skirting Antwerp. Went through the tunnels at about 8.00 am during rush hour but still sailed through in very heavy traffic on three/four lane motorway. During our stay there went into Brussels centre by coach, OMG, 3.00 pm in the centre absolute gridlock everywhere.

 

[BTB 500]

The R0 round Brussels is much like the M25. We go round it at least twice a year on the way to Germany ... in the rush hour traffic is heavy but normally moving well. If there's a pile-up then it can grind to a halt. Off peak it's usually fine.

 

[PenelopePitstop]

I prefer to go through Antwerp but I must say, I got stuck there once for almost 2h due to accident. Tried to go through the city but it was as bad as ring road.

I usually stop for petrol before Antwerp so it's my default route in most cases.

 

[Codger49]

I used to drive from Calais to The Hague quite often. I never went via Brussels on that journey and only used the Liefkenshoek toll tunnel when I knew of roadworks through Antwerp.

 

[Driver15]

Thanks all - very helpful..

I will be coming from "le shuttle", but from the sounds of it, its pretty much similar either or if its a clear run.

Maybe have to let the sat nav route traffic guidance take control of this one as there's so many factors with traffic flow.

thanks