Whats the traffic like on the way to Whitstable? #cantwaittilthechamps

If you set out now you should make the first race.

If operation stack is in place at J9 on the M20, and coming from the M25 via the M26 J8 to Whitstable can be 1 hr, but if travelling in the thick of it can take up to 3 hrs. Suggest avoiding 1600 - 1830 hrs for this stretch if you can. However, I'll be in it as a commuter on Fridays with the boat on the back sometimes. If coming through the tunnel and heading down the M2, allow 45 minutes on a good run and then if as above up to 1 hr 40 mins. When you come off at Whitstable (A299 turnoff), if during the day, do not go down the hill as the town is very busy. Go straight across the big roundabout (second one) and head round to Tescos on the outer ring road heading towards Herne Bay (3,000 m. from turnoff), go over that one as well and take the next left into Church Street. Stay on this road to the end, about 1500 m. You are now at what we call 5 ways. You can turn left into Northwood Road or go straight over. If boat on the back, straight over and up the hill is probably better. At the T junction turn left and head down the hill to the harbour and club taking the harbour entrance past the Goral Tank car park and traffic lights.

Thank you Mark, most helpful.

Well, I'm in Whitstable now and travelled from West Sussex yesterday.Took me 1 hour and not a single sign of Stack only because you shouldn't go anywhere near it or the M20. M25, M26, M2, depending on which part of the country you live. Enjoy it really is a lovely place:-)

Hi Richard, thanks for that but we'll be coming from Dorset so quite difficult to avoid  the M25/20 thing. Yes Whitstable is a lovely place.

Hi Ben,
 
I go down to Kent a couple of times a week including Margate and Canterbury for which I pass Whitstable. I go M25-M26-M20 but you don't reach the bit where the stack is. It is normally pretty good going and I rarely get stuck in traffic.
 
I get off the M20 at J7 and go up the A249 to join the M2, Follow the M2 until it becomes the A299 (J7) which is just past Faversham. Then take the first exit signed Whitstable as there are about 4 (So don't worry if you miss it). It takes me about 2 hours so should take you about 3.
 
See you there, don't forget your cocktail costume!
 
Jez

I thought we weren't going to talk about our costumes in public Jez...

I drove to France and back via Dover and didn't experience any problems. M2 on the way, M20 on the way back, sailed through (excuse the pun), just the M25 was a pig! 

 The description of the traffic problme ont eh M20/M2 and A249 primarily applies when operation Stack is in place. The M2 is opnly a 2 lane motorway and struggles to handle the traffic when it happens
 
See all in a couple of weeks. Hot and sunny tomorrow, so The Bubble will be mad on the beach :)