What is the general consensus on the best route out of SE23 when heading West/South West (towards the M3)?

What time of the day/week are you planning on travelling?

Over years of experience, the cricket club has built up recommended routes to all its away grounds. A lot of them involve this start, though admittedly these are based on Saturday lunchtime traffic.

South Circ, nip down Lancaster Avenue and across Norwood Road. Cut through Nollys Rd/Leigham/all those other roads I can't remember the names of, emerging onto Streatham High Rd just north of Streatham station. Onto Mithcam Lane, through Mitcham, then jump across through Morden and Merton onto the A3 at Raynes Park.

Go early or late and use the south circular - very quick. don't try it at any other time though unless you like sitting in traffic!

Generally travel on the Thursday or Friday afternoon. Reason I have asked is that opinion seems to be polarised. Have used the south circular to get to the A3 and then onto the M25 for a short stretch. Although this goes through Clapham and is apparently a no no. Have also been recommended getting onto the M25 either via the A20 (via Bromley) or the A2.

Via A20 and M25 at Dartford to go on M3. Have you seen the cost of fuel recently.
Some of the back doubles are very complicated but two easy routes are S C to Wansworth , then A3 , then short section of M25, or SC to Cheam then A316 direct to M3
Depends on time of day

From SE23 then very early or late and the South Circular is probably the best. But on a Friday afternoon I don't think there's such a thing as a "best" route. All routes out of London are really busy.

On a Thursday afternoon if motorway traffic is flowing ok then you could go out the Bromley route to M25 and then around to M3. The only problem with any motorway route is in the event of roadworks or accident slowing you down to a crawl, then you're completely stuffed until the next exit. So check up on traffic news first etc.

If time is not important (ie, a pleasant drive) and you are happy to avoid the motorway, then one of the nicest routes is out through Biggin Hill and down to Westerham where you can pick up the A25.

This runs parallel with the M25 and will take you through Godstone, Redhill, Reigate, Dorking, Guildford and then you go over the Hogs Back and down to Farnham. From Farnham you cut across to the M3. But then you're only on the M3 for one or two Junctions before you turn off again for either the A30 or the A303 for the South West. It's a very relaxed drive and great if you don't like motorways.

It all depends on whether your "best" is the quickest or nicest route.