Hello - How can I avoid tolls travelling through Sydney from South (Bowral) to North ((Newcastle)? Thank you
Whenarewethere said
02:30 PM Apr 17, 2023
Various maps will show you.
But the main issue is go through Sydney between 9.30am to 3:00pm which is no real issue, after that, school runs & people leaving work & that is painful.
Are We Lost said
02:59 PM Apr 17, 2023
Use Google maps. In Options you can choose to avoid tolls. It shows about 15km shorter, but 30 minutes longer. There are multiple steps, too many to list here.
If your rig is either of:
greater than 2.8 metres high
longer than 12.5 metres
... it will be assessed as a heavy vehicle and charged at triple the standard rate. NSW residents with an account can get the excess refunded. If not assessed as heavy vehicle, the total cost is a little over $20, or $60 if assessed as heavy vehicle.
The most expensive section (North Connex tunnel) is around $8 (or $24) but the easiest to avoid. What I would choose is to travel M7 and M2, exiting at Carlingford, then travel Pennant Hills Rd to Wahroonga. Takes about 5 minutes or so longer than the tunnel.
Bicyclecamper said
05:57 PM Apr 17, 2023
Turn at Campbelltown, and take the Northern road to Windsor, then take the Putty road to Singleton, then you take the New England HWY to Newcastle, you will be on the north west side of it when you come in. No tolls at all, and a great drive. Use you gps traffic app so you don't get lost.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Monday 17th of April 2023 05:58:58 PM
Gundog said
06:04 PM Apr 17, 2023
I pulled out of sydney in January joining the M7 at the lighthorse interchange went all to the Pacific Hwy via the toll roads, I only got pinged on the M7 for a toll.
If I was towing a van that a different story, Camden Valley Way, Cowparsture Rd and Cumberand Highway, but I woud do it on a sunday morning.
Possum3 said
08:15 PM Apr 17, 2023
If you do the Putty Rd from Windsor to Singleton be aware that motorcyclists use it at speed for the enjoyment of the curves, but there is a great free camp at Walkworth (just before Singleton), amenities are usually well kept and clean
Whenarewethere said
12:19 AM Apr 18, 2023
Gundog wrote:
I woud do it on a sunday morning.
I disagree, on the weekend there are two types of drivers. Those who got the licence out of a cornflake packet & those who pack their brain away until monday morning.
During the week in the middle of the day people are driving with a purpose. Just so much easier to cope with.
Gundog said
07:33 AM Apr 18, 2023
Whenarewethere wrote:
Gundog wrote:
I woud do it on a sunday morning.
I disagree, on the weekend there are two types of drivers. Those who got the licence out of a cornflake packet & those who pack their brain away until monday morning.
During the week in the middle of the day people are driving with a purpose. Just so much easier to cope with.
But the Cumberland is like a car park weekdays..
Kebbin said
09:00 AM Apr 18, 2023
Sunday morning is by far the best time to go thru towing, next to no traffic.
RickJ said
04:34 PM Apr 18, 2023
My choice to avoid tolls is to take the Northern Rd to Windsor and the Putty Rd from there.
We generally break our journey and stay at Percys Place at Pitt Town for a day or so.
This is a convenient place to Windsor, The Blue Mountains and to Sydney if you jump on a train.
As possum said, watch those temporary Australians on the Putty Rd.
Last time I was on the M7 I think I actually purchased that section of road.
Just a quick note that Percys Place on the Hawkesbury will be closed during July and August. I have tried other spots but Percys is my favourite.
shakey55 said
06:49 AM Apr 19, 2023
In simple terms,
Bowral to Parramatta, up Pennant Hills Road, onto M1 to Newcastle.
But although they cost the M7 and Northconnex are a much better drive. Using them you will arrive in Newcastle in a much better state than the traffic and lights you will encounter avoiding tolls.
good luck
-- Edited by shakey55 on Wednesday 19th of April 2023 06:53:50 AM
There was nothing worse than getting caught up in traffic on Pennant Hills Road, burning the clutch and brakes and stopping at every set of traffic lights. Now it is a breeze. Straight through and none of the previous hassles.
As previously said by another poster, costs a bit more but saves the clutch, brakes, fuel and sanity or what is left of it.
Hello - How can I avoid tolls travelling through Sydney from South (Bowral) to North ((Newcastle)? Thank you
Various maps will show you.
But the main issue is go through Sydney between 9.30am to 3:00pm which is no real issue, after that, school runs & people leaving work & that is painful.
Use Google maps. In Options you can choose to avoid tolls. It shows about 15km shorter, but 30 minutes longer. There are multiple steps, too many to list here.
If your rig is either of:
... it will be assessed as a heavy vehicle and charged at triple the standard rate. NSW residents with an account can get the excess refunded. If not assessed as heavy vehicle, the total cost is a little over $20, or $60 if assessed as heavy vehicle.
The most expensive section (North Connex tunnel) is around $8 (or $24) but the easiest to avoid. What I would choose is to travel M7 and M2, exiting at Carlingford, then travel Pennant Hills Rd to Wahroonga. Takes about 5 minutes or so longer than the tunnel.
Turn at Campbelltown, and take the Northern road to Windsor, then take the Putty road to Singleton, then you take the New England HWY to Newcastle, you will be on the north west side of it when you come in. No tolls at all, and a great drive. Use you gps traffic app so you don't get lost.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Monday 17th of April 2023 05:58:58 PM
I pulled out of sydney in January joining the M7 at the lighthorse interchange went all to the Pacific Hwy via the toll roads, I only got pinged on the M7 for a toll.
If I was towing a van that a different story, Camden Valley Way, Cowparsture Rd and Cumberand Highway, but I woud do it on a sunday morning.
I disagree, on the weekend there are two types of drivers. Those who got the licence out of a cornflake packet & those who pack their brain away until monday morning.
During the week in the middle of the day people are driving with a purpose. Just so much easier to cope with.
But the Cumberland is like a car park weekdays..
We generally break our journey and stay at Percys Place at Pitt Town for a day or so.
This is a convenient place to Windsor, The Blue Mountains and to Sydney if you jump on a train.
As possum said, watch those temporary Australians on the Putty Rd.
Last time I was on the M7 I think I actually purchased that section of road.
Just a quick note that Percys Place on the Hawkesbury will be closed during July and August. I have tried other spots but Percys is my favourite.
In simple terms,
Bowral to Parramatta, up Pennant Hills Road, onto M1 to Newcastle.
But although they cost the M7 and Northconnex are a much better drive. Using them you will arrive in Newcastle in a much better state than the traffic and lights you will encounter avoiding tolls.
good luck
-- Edited by shakey55 on Wednesday 19th of April 2023 06:53:50 AM
There was nothing worse than getting caught up in traffic on Pennant Hills Road, burning the clutch and brakes and stopping at every set of traffic lights. Now it is a breeze. Straight through and none of the previous hassles.
As previously said by another poster, costs a bit more but saves the clutch, brakes, fuel and sanity or what is left of it.