London to Edinburgh - west or central route?

[parabolica]

Need to do this at the weekend; I've always driven the M40/42/6/74 route to the A702 and then gone cross-country to the south of Edinburgh.

Is the M1/A1 route any quicker? One of those things I've always wondered but decided against as I know the other route better. The west coast route will take me around 6-7 hours allowing for traffic.

[lostkiwi]

Where are you leaving from?

[parabolica]

I live just a few minutes from the A40, hence my preference for the M40 route. Getting to the M1 would be maybe 30 mins.

[Drummond Baize]

parabolica said:

I've always driven the M40/42/6/74 route to the A702 and then gone cross-country to the south of Edinburgh.

I used to do a similar journey many moons ago and took exactly the same route, which is pretty much motorway up until the very last bit (which is very scenic). Remember that the A1 is still cobbled north of Newcastle.

[keith333]

M1 is deadly dull and I think still has a large section of 50mph. I prefer the A1 as its far more interesting.

If you go this route watch out for average speed cameras at Great Ponton near Grantham. I was doing a steady 85mph on my speedo and got done at 81mph :-(

[parabolica]

That's my fear about the central route. Great thing about the west route is from Manchester to the A702 the road is usually pretty quiet and you can make progress.

[motco]

It's a fabulous road from Newcastle to Edinburgh over the Cheviots, through the Kielder Forest area, and onwards to Carter Bar. In winter Carter Bar can be a a bit dodgy with drifting snow though.

[E31Shrew]

We always take the route that you do. Then again we are in Shrewsbury!

[Drummond Baize]

There's about 15 minutes difference, according to Google.

[Riley Blue]

Speed isn't everything; turn off the A1 at Wetherby and go over t'moors via Tan Hill.

[aeropilot]

I was contemplating doing just this on Thursday last week for a family funeral as funeral was Friday afternoon, and a lot of Scottish schools broke up for half term on Friday and flights back to London were stupid money because half term
Just couldn't be arsed in the end and paid robbing BA a shed load of money as I wanted to be back by Saturday.
If I wasn't bothered about how long it will take, I'd go the east coast route, but M40/M6 etc will be the quicker route in all reality.

[lostkiwi]

motco said:

It's a fabulous road from Newcastle to Edinburgh over the Cheviots, through the Kielder Forest area, and onwards to Carter Bar. In winter Carter Bar can be a a bit dodgy with drifting snow though.

Totally agree. Just watch the speed cameras!
Speed cameras is an issue with the east coast route too.

For hassle free driving the west coast route is hard to beat. Motorway or dual carriageway all the way to the A702.

[parabolica]

Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of time; need to make it to Edinburgh by late afternoon in time for sister's birthday celebrations. Might come back south (in a few weeks) via Newcastle etc when I don't have any deadlines to worry about.

[motco]

lostkiwi said:

motco said:

It's a fabulous road from Newcastle to Edinburgh over the Cheviots, through the Kielder Forest area, and onwards to Carter Bar. In winter Carter Bar can be a a bit dodgy with drifting snow though.

Totally agree. Just watch the speed cameras!
Speed cameras is an issue with the east coast route too.

For hassle free driving the west coast route is hard to beat. Motorway or dual carriageway all the way to the A701 (or 702 if you prefer).

I have to admit that it was late 1980s when I last did that route. I had my boss in my company car (Capri 2.8i) and he was petrified! No speed cameras then. Those were the days!

[JM]

The only reason to take the A1/M1 route would be to take the A696/A68 or A697/A68 to Edinburgh from Newcastle.
The A1 is terrible north of Newcastle.

Other options of A701 or A708 are better 'drives' than the A702, if you have time.

[DRFC1879]

If you're going up the A1, the A66 Scotch Corner to Penrith isn't at all bad these days. Lots more dual carriageway than there used to be. If it's a nice day and I've got time on my hands the A1 up to Edinburgh is a lovely drive.

[DavidJG]

parabolica said:

That's my fear about the central route. Great thing about the west route is from Manchester to the A702 the road is usually pretty quiet and you can make progress.

Many times I've driven that route, and frequently spotted mobile speed camera vans on bridges....... I don't try to make progress up there any more.

[All that jazz]

keith333 said:

If you go this route watch out for average speed cameras at Great Ponton near Grantham. I was doing a steady 85mph on my speedo and got done at 81mph :-(

Interesting to learn. That's an average speed area and it's been generally assumed that they weren't active as the illumation lights to light up the reg plates at night are never on.

[MDMA .]

I always take the train

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfare...

[MJG280]

The A1M at Scotch Corner was severely restricted last weekend. Absolute chaos day and night. I think it may be the same this weekend.