Edinburgh To Essex

[Vroom101]

Right, here we go...

On Friday I will be driving from Kirkcaldy, just north of Edinburgh, down to deepest darkest Essex - from the land of orange hair to the land of orange ladies, if you wish. Keep an eye out in the Readers' Cars section in the near future for the reason.

Google has provided me with this route:



Do any PHers have any alternatives, or tips on things I should look out for and avoid, or some nice roads that won't take me too far out the way?

Obviously given the fact that I'll be traveling about two thirds the length of the UK, and battling Friday traffic in the process, the route I've been given may (read: undoubtedly will) change. I'll be using Waze to try and avoid the traffic hotspots, so a lot of my route will depend on that.

Over to you lovely people...

[Massey135]

A68 then 697 to Morpeth.
A1 and A1M to A14.
Then M11 and perhaps A120 depending on where in Essex

[Vroom101]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look.

Google has thrown up another route, which follows the east coast for a bit, but I don't know how that will be on a Friday lunchtime/afternoon.

I'm guessing it could either be heaven or hell. I've never driven in this part of the country, so it's all new to me.

[Red Devil]

Vroom101 said:

Do any PHers have any alternatives, or tips on things I should look out for and avoid, or some nice roads that won't take me too far out the way?

Try this - https://goo.gl/maps/L9gmQptqTv32
The section from Jedburgh to Barnard Castle is petrolhead heaven.
It will take a bit longer but the upside is it will be much more fun.

There isn't a great deal of choice for the second half.
https://goo.gl/maps/eMJKQoLrVgv

I have made a couple of guesses re your starting and finishing points btw.

Vroom101 said:

Google has thrown up another route, which follows the east coast for a bit, but I don't know how that will be on a Friday lunchtime/afternoon.

I'm guessing it could either be heaven or hell. I've never driven in this part of the country, so it's all new to me.

Can't think of any reason to go that way.
More traffic that close to Gateshead/Newcastle.

[rgw2012]

Apologies if this is a stupid suggestion or not feasible for some reason - why don't you fly? It's only a two hour flight from Glasgow into City Airport and then the train into Essex is under an hour (depending on where you are going to). Cost is approx. £130 return so not prohibitive (plus you might only be going one way by the sounds of it), assuming you will burn a reasonable amount of fuel on a 400mile plus journey, plus you get several hours of your life back!

Edited by rgw2012 on Wednesday 13th July 15:59

[Vroom101]

Red Devil said:

Vroom101 said:

Do any PHers have any alternatives, or tips on things I should look out for and avoid, or some nice roads that won't take me too far out the way?

Try this - https://goo.gl/maps/L9gmQptqTv32
The section from Jedburgh to Barnard Castle is petrolhead heaven.
It will take a bit longer but the upside is it will be much more fun.

There isn't a great deal of choice for the second half.
https://goo.gl/maps/eMJKQoLrVgv

I have made a couple of guesses re your starting and finishing points btw.

Vroom101 said:

Google has thrown up another route, which follows the east coast for a bit, but I don't know how that will be on a Friday lunchtime/afternoon.

I'm guessing it could either be heaven or hell. I've never driven in this part of the country, so it's all new to me.

Can't think of any reason to go that way.
More traffic that close to Gateshead/Newcastle.

Thanks for the heads up about avoiding Newcastle. That looks a really good route, cheers. I reckon that's the winner

rgw2012 said:

Apologies if this is a stupid suggestion or not feasible for some reason - why don't you fly? It's only a two hour flight from Glasgow into City Airport and then the train into Essex is under an hour (depending on where you are going to). Cost is approx. £130 return so not prohibitive (plus you might only be going one way by the sounds of it), assuming you will burn a reasonable amount of fuel on a 400mile plus journey, plus you get several hours of your life back!

Edited by rgw2012 on Wednesday 13th July 15:59

Not a stupid suggestion at all, as you're halfway right - I'm flying up from City airport to Edinburgh airport at stupid o'clock in the morning, getting public transport to Kirkcaldy and then driving back down to my home in the Essex badlands. And I expect I'll be burning a thoroughly unreasonable amount of fuel

[Red Devil]

Vroom101 said:

Thanks for the heads up about avoiding Newcastle. That looks a really good route, cheers. I reckon that's the winner

My pleasure. Watch out for speed cameras on the A68 though.

There is another reason I always go this way. A stop for refreshment/ comfort break at the visitor centre here - https://goo.gl/maps/NzitWN2aUBM2

I was lucky enough to be there on a glorious sunny day earlier this year.

Not a cloud in the sky.


From the outside seating on the terrace.


Utterly still and nobody else to disturb the wildlife: about 6 feet from where I was sitting.


I made the mistake of turning my back for a couple of seconds.
Next thing I know this cheeky one had stolen a bit of my cake and is daring me to reclaim it!

[rgw2012]

Vroom101 said:

Not a stupid suggestion at all, as you're halfway right - I'm flying up from City airport to Edinburgh airport at stupid o'clock in the morning, getting public transport to Kirkcaldy and then driving back down to my home in the Essex badlands. And I expect I'll be burning a thoroughly unreasonable amount of fuel

Aha - a fellow Essex Badlander

Sounds like a fun trip, hope it's successful and look forward to seeing a new ride cruising the Badlands of home!!

Cheers
Rick

[Vroom101]

rgw2012 said:

Vroom101 said:

Not a stupid suggestion at all, as you're halfway right - I'm flying up from City airport to Edinburgh airport at stupid o'clock in the morning, getting public transport to Kirkcaldy and then driving back down to my home in the Essex badlands. And I expect I'll be burning a thoroughly unreasonable amount of fuel

Aha - a fellow Essex Badlander

Sounds like a fun trip, hope it's successful and look forward to seeing a new ride cruising the Badlands of home!!

Cheers
Rick

Thanks Rick . As you can see from the time I'm posting this, it is stupid o'clock in the morning, and I'm about to leave to get a train to the airport. I see from your profile you're a fan of a fast estate - me too! I'll be driving back in something not quite as fast as yours, but mine can carry more crap essential family clobber

Edited by Vroom101 on Friday 15th July 05:05