I've been up m6 regularly these last few weeks ...up and down...joing at 15 which is the stoke on trent junction...its been fine mate no hassle...come off for Liverpool or preston....in the main no issues...
When I travel Appleby way it's always A1 A66...but I live close to A1...being just east of Nottingham....mind you there is a bridge repair on A1 just north of Doncaster and before the M62 junction that holds you up 10 mins or more depending on the time of day..