If you've searched this, you already know the honest answer isn't a single number — it depends on the day, the time, and what's happening on the roads around Crawley. Here's what actually goes into the calculation, so you can work out your own buffer rather than guessing.
The Route Itself
The most direct route runs south from Wadhurst through the Weald towards Crawley, Horley, and Redhill, joining the M23 at Junction 9 for the final approach into Gatwick. The M25 sits about 10 minutes further north at Junction 7, which matters if you're coming from further afield, but isn't part of the direct Wadhurst route.
Why It's a Range, Not a Fixed Time
The 45–55 minute range reflects normal traffic. It stretches on Friday and Sunday afternoons, during school holidays, and in the general morning and evening rush hour around Crawley and Redhill — all periods when a lot of other people are heading to or from the same airport. If your flight falls in one of these windows, build in extra time rather than cutting it close.
What Happens Once You Arrive
Gatwick's forecourt drop-off system is barrierless and camera-based (ANPR) rather than ticket-and-barrier — it currently charges £10 for the first 10 minutes, then £1 a minute up to a 30-minute maximum. This applies at both North and South Terminal. If you're being dropped off rather than pre-booking a transfer, it's worth knowing this charge exists before you're waved through the forecourt. Gatwick's own Long Stay car parks offer up to 2 hours free, which is useful if you're picking someone up rather than dropping off.
Our Take
We build the traffic variability into every pickup time we quote rather than working off a single fixed estimate — and if you give us your flight number, we track it and adjust your pickup to your actual departure window rather than a generic one. That's really the practical answer to "when should I leave": not a fixed number, but a pickup planned around your specific flight and the day you're travelling.