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.
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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.
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.
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
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
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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.
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Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
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.
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.
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.
