Newcastle - Liverpool

[jamei303]

I've never driven to Liverpool before, and was wondering; A1(M)+M62 or A66+M6?

Won't be in peak hours so something with less speed cameras, lorries overtaking each other and idiots would be nice.

[10 Pence Short]

A66 will see you heading north as well as east again (until you turn left onto the A685 and drop down to Tebay at jnc. 38). The M6 will be nice and clear until you hit just south of Preston.

I'd say the M1/M62 route would be more straightforward and logical, though less interesting. I'd probably say M1/M62 if it was me. Depending on whereabouts in Liverpool I was heading might swing it one way or the other, though. For example, north Liverpool or towards Southport, and I'd be tempted to go the A66 route and off at Leyland. South Liverpool near the airport, and it's M62.

[Sam.F]

Which side of Newcastle? If North/West I'd go A69/M6, not much difference in distance but you would avoid Leeds and Manchester. On the negative side you would have to keep an eye out for Cumbria Talivan but I'd say it's worth it for the scenery and avoiding the M60!

[A2Z]

For me it would be A69/M6. Nice drive on the M6 in these parts. As said though, set cruise to 70ish.

Another, pretty drive would be A1 to Scotch Corner, A66 then A685 to M6 Tebay.

I'd avoid the M62 around Leeds/Manchester there are some major roadworks that way as well.

Where are you going in Liverpool. May be easier to come off the M6 and take the M58 to Switch Island (N Liverpool)

[PaulR81]

I do this drive every week. 3 or 4 choices, in order of preference...

1. A1 - A66 - M6 - M62. Depending on what bit of Newcastle replace A1 with A19. 50mph Average cameras on A1 past Catterick and on M62

2. A1- M62. Shortest by mileage but most traffic. A ballache in any sort of rushour. Just about all of the M62 is 50mph with cameras.

3. A69 - M6. Prettiest route, chance of getting stuck behind a wagon or two on the (single carriageway) A69.



Or for most fun, over the A69 then over the Hartside pass. One for the summer but not on Sundays (too many bikes)

[g7jtk]

If you want fun then try the A686 from Hexham through Alston and join the M6 at Prnrith then south

[bennyboydurham]

I do this route every couple of weeks. I avoid the A1 M/M62 like the plague. It's infested with 50 average speed cams for miles and miles. M6 is usually lightly trafficked north of Preston so that's the way for me.

[jamei303]

Thanks for the replies, I'm off now. I'm a bit too far south of Newcastle to justify going up to the A69 so will go down the A1, A688, A66 to the M6. Sounds like it'll have less traffic and be more scenic.

[mmm-five]

Depending on what time I manage to leave, I'm planning to do the following route from Barnard Castle tomorrow afternoon:

• Barnard Castle to Reeth (B6277 to B6270)
• Reeth to Hawes (B6270 to A624)
• Hawes to Ingleton (A624 to B6255)
• Ingleton to Carton to M6 (A687 to A683 to J34 M6)
• M6 to M62 to home

It takes up to an hour longer than the 'fast' route - A67, A66, A685, M6, M62 - but it means I don't hit the M6 until near Lancaster.

If it's getting dark when I leave then I'll take the fast route.

[jamei303]

I did A66, A685, M6 in the end. The A66 was nice and scenic, and both it and the M6 had very little traffic in the evening.

Big mistake was taking the A688 "shortcut" via Bishop Aukland and Barnard Castle to get from the A1 to the A66, instead of following the A1 south to its junction with the A66. That road had like 784 roundabouts, I'm surprised my front tyres had any tread left. It seems the local highways authority decided that those driving that route couldn't be trusted with normal junctions.

[mmm-five]

It wasn't dark when I left so I took my favoured route.

Some of the roads have been resurfaced since I last took the same route so made the trip even more fun.

Only had to make one overtake on the scenic route, until I hit the M6 of course.

Didn't take nearly as long as last time either - only took 2h20m.

[Mostro]

Should've put a tenner on 2-0 after all!

Oh s..t, wrong forum

[bennyboydurham]

jamei303 said:

I did A66, A685, M6 in the end. The A66 was nice and scenic, and both it and the M6 had very little traffic in the evening.

Big mistake was taking the A688 "shortcut" via Bishop Aukland and Barnard Castle to get from the A1 to the A66, instead of following the A1 south to its junction with the A66. That road had like 784 roundabouts, I'm surprised my front tyres had any tread left. It seems the local highways authority decided that those driving that route couldn't be trusted with normal junctions.

Yes rookie error. Hammer on down the A1 and peel off onto the A66.

[Zara014]

jamei303 said:

I did A66, A685, M6 in the end. The A66 was nice and scenic, and both it and the M6 had very little traffic in the evening.

Big mistake was taking the A688 "shortcut" via Bishop Aukland and Barnard Castle to get from the A1 to the A66, instead of following the A1 south to its junction with the A66. That road had like 784 roundabouts, I'm surprised my front tyres had any tread left. It seems the local highways authority decided that those driving that route couldn't be trusted with normal junctions.

Ive made that mistake before coming home when I lived up there, never been so annoyed with myself in all my life :lol!