Barry LLoyd
If I am going early morning then i avoid The M6 in Cheshire / Staffordshire like the plague. Usually running parallel on the A34 then joining M6 briefly north of the Toll. Wizz round the toll, M42 M40 and A40 into London, my destination is near Northolt.
If its an overnighter then I leave about 8pm using motorway all the way.
I also have a satnav with live traffic updates, which usually gives me plenty of warning to avoid hold ups.