London to Edinburgh by car, route advice needed

warehouse

Hi all, driving from London area, (Watford), on Saturday morning to Edinburgh. I'd love a bit of advice on the best routes as we've not had to do it by car before.

The only stipulation is that at no time will any part of the M6 be used. I know the suggested route by TomTom is M40, M6, but I hate the M6 with a passion I usually only reserve for Big Brother contestants. Plus the fact that the M1 is so easy for us to get to. So I'm thinking M1 up to York then I'm stuck due to never going past York on the M1.

ANY advice is greatly appreciated. Speed is probably highest priority but any good suggestions for getting there stress free, (3 kids in the back), will be taken on board

xxlaurissaxx

Go to York, then from there, go onto the A1 and then its a straight road up to Edinburgh. I've never driven to London before but have driven to York and its a straight, simple road. Good luck xx

Mark_Hewitt

London to Edinburgh is the simplest of all routes. You join the A1 at London, and .. that's it! It takes you all the way to Edinburgh.

The only caveat is to avoid the A1 around Gateshead at 7-9, 4-6 ish if you can.

KeithP

From Watford area, go clockwise round M25 to South Mimms, J23, and turn left signposted A1(M) and the North. Keep following A1 or A1(M).

warehouse

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I assumed that to stay on a 3 lane M1 as far as possible would be better than the A1 which is dual carraigeway and has quite a few roundabouts early on?

KeithP

Yes, you could do that if you like.

Mark_Hewitt

Yeah but the M1 is busier than the A1 and has many road works to make your way through.

Plus there has been a lot of recent works to get rid of the roundabouts on the A1, now the Black Cat roundabout just north of Sandy is the last one you'll encounter until the Berwick-upon-Tweed bypass.

jebervic

imf Watford, definately M1 as far as you can, then A1, did this route quite recently. allow 10 hours

The_Banker_5

jebervic wrote: »

imf Watford, definately M1 as far as you can, then A1, did this route quite recently. allow 10 hours

PMSL.........10 hours:D:D

What are you driving, a milkfloat?:D

warehouse

jebervic wrote: »

imf Watford, definately M1 as far as you can, then A1, did this route quite recently. allow 10 hours

Thanks jebervic but I reckon I can make York in 3 hours from here for breakfast

dwsjarcmcd

As a (very) regular driver to Edinburgh, I hate the A1 with the same passion as you hate the M6 (which I understand - around Birmingham at least) . After a long drive, the last thing you need is a single track road north of Newcastle to Berwick, then similar into Edinburgh for large frustrating stretches with either caravans or lorries in the way or perhaps even jebervic in the milk float!

Personally I would go M1/M6/M74 then take the A702 at Abington. Once past Brum, the M6 is usually fine.

Just me though!