Aberdeen to Englandshire

[scz4]

Doing this (again)tomorrow. Now I've ALWAYS gone via Perth, Stirling, Glasgow and on the M74 from there.

But my mate says he always goes via Edinburgh and across the M8 to Glasgow. Sure enough this is the way the AA and RAC route finders also show.

So is there much time to be gained by going via Edinburgh? Which way do you tend to go?

[Famous Graham]

Depends where in England you're going. The A1 goes straight from Edinburgh down the east coast.

[scz4]

Bristol, so down the west coast hence cutting over to Glasgow

[lozriva]

Do the Mofat road A702 will save an hour if you are coming from east side! andcan keep the speed up on the road. Probably one of our best roads!

[scz4]

I've often thought of that road, it's certainly more direct, but lower average speed. Now how do I get the SAT Nav to take me that way I'll be hitting Edinburgh around 7:30am, so the road should be quiet at that time on a Sat.

[Famous Graham]

scz4 said:

Bristol, so down the west coast hence cutting over to Glasgow

Fair enough, definitely an M74/M6 job then. No idea about the original question then, seeing as I'm IN Edinburgh, not north of it

[gdr]

Quickest way to Englandshire, certainly west and also east south of Scotch corner is via M74/M6 (and A66 if you are heading across to east). Not necessarily the nicest drive though, there are some good roads through the Borders. Never sure if you are better to get from Perth to M74 via Stirling or via Forth Bridge and then M8, depends on traffic and roadworks I think.

[scz4]

I'm definitely going down the M74\M6 route, it's more of a case of which way is best from Perth, Stirling or Edinburgh. On this trip it's about the quickest route, not the best drive

[1BJ]

scz4 said:

I've often thought of that road, it's certainly more direct, but lower average speed. Now how do I get the SAT Nav to take me that way I'll be hitting Edinburgh around 7:30am, so the road should be quiet at that time on a Sat.

Add a via point to somewhere near Moffat if possible.

[justin220]

I'd go the Glasgow way. I came up from Southampton that way.. Was really simple

[TimR69]

Whichever way you go make sure it's via the Forth Road Bridge.

We went from Perth to Glasgow along the A80/M80 last night and had the 'pleasure' of sitting in a traffic jam for 2 hours due to the roadworks.

[Ian974]

I'd agree with that, although I usually head down the glasgow way, depending what time you're going down it may actually work better going down the forth bridge and along the m8 to glasgow. The roadworks look like a massive project.
'delays until 2012'

[CERBIE]

Have been doing trips to Englandshire 6 to 10 times a year for the last decade. There isn't much in it mileage wise but I go via Edinburgh at the moment it's more motorway so slightly safer on the licence when pushing on.

I think there is a major section of roadworks just outside Glasgow covered by those lovely average speed cameras....

[neilV8]

The Moffat road is the A701.

The trip depends on whether you want to drive or motorway cruise.
At that time of the morning both routes should be quiet enough and if you want to do some corners then follow the A720 Edinburgh city bypass to the A702 cut off at Hillend and follow the 702 to Abington via Biggar (stop for coffee here. It's a good route to the M74 at Abington but avoid the temptation to try to beat the 166mph record on Dolphinton straight.
All in all it's a bloody long way to Bristol so good luck and stay safe.

[S2red]

Yes

Forth Bridge M8 M74 best way

Avoid A80 at all costs

[sherman]

Take the A706 through Forth, round the outside of Lanark ( just before Carstairs) and down to Abington services and join the M74 from there.

That should save you about 40- 60 mins on your journey time

[RDM]

The Scotland bit is the easy part...
The M6/M5 is currently the longest road work in the world! (Allegedly)
I drive this every week and the roadworks just keep getting added to,
they've even had to start putting up the "roadworks in 1 mile" signs
in the middle of other roadworks as they are now converging into one long
continuous hell. There should be a sign at Carlisle "Roadworks for the
next... forever"

[S2red]

Thats a bit optimistic saving 40-60 mins via forth

Its probably no more than that on the Mway from where you would leave M8 to where you rejoin M74

[Who me ?]

RDM said:

The Scotland bit is the easy part...
The M6/M5 is currently the longest road work in the world! (Allegedly)
I drive this every week and the roadworks just keep getting added to,
they've even had to start putting up the "roadworks in 1 mile" signs
in the middle of other roadworks as they are now converging into one long
continuous hell. There should be a sign at Carlisle "Roadworks for the
next... forever"

(And possibly a sign at Dover "Welcome to the UK -we have the best carparks in the world ,aka motorways")
Now some alternatives -possibly not as fast as motorways ,but good driving (apart from Herr Gatso, and his sidekick scameraman)
M6/M5 -there is an alternative to getting off M6 at Jcn 8 to take M5 -LOOK ON A ROAD MAP at getting off M6 at Jcn 2(Coventry south) ,taking A46 past M40 and Stratford on AVON to pick up M5 south of Evesham .Only roadworks are around M40 (Longbridge island).Got the advantage of letting you use the M6 toll south and missing out the delights of the M6 J11-5 section .
As for the nothern end -cut accross to Inverness,down the A82 ,then you've got the choice of Erskine bridge or the Clyde tunnel to get you onto the M8,then M73/74.
(Alternate routes -possibly longer/slower ,but then I prefer to be moving -less chanceof some southern ejit trying to open yer boot with his bonnet)

[VetteG]

Take the A701 to Moffat, I know for you it will be dark and you dont know the road, but once you do its about an hours 'spirited driving'. Much faster than the M8 route and more fun

G