Terry Harper wrote to uk.transport.london on Wed, 9 Feb 2005:

If I go to Sheffield, I find that the best route is to take the
Dartford Tunnel then M25, M11/A14 to the A1(M). Leave the A1 on the
A57 through Worksop and on to Sheffield. It's much less congested than
the M1, except around Cambridge.

We do this when going to York, only obviously staying on the A1 until
the correct turn-off for York - but last time I swore "Never Again" as
the A14 had roadworks and was so-o-o slow. So was the A1, that
particular day.
--
"Mrs Redboots"
http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/
Website updated 23 January 2005 with new photos