super slider

going to Edinburgh for a day! Leaving Leeds at about 5AM so should get to Carlisle using motorways at about 7AM (138 miles). Anybody know how long will it take me to go to Edinburgh the scenic route (93 miles) using the A7? Will come back via M74. If the A7 will take too long is the M74 still pretty empty (by normal motorway standards ie should be able to do 70-80mph all the way up) or is it like any other motorway now?
Hoping somebody has done this!
Thanks
michael

SiPie

The AA Routeplanner recommends 1 hour 59mins but in all honesty it depends where exactly you are going in Edinburgh... as you'll hit rush hour and it could take you 40 mins to travel the last 5 miles into the city centre.....

ChrisB

A7 isn't bad.

Alternatively, the A701 north from Moffat is a belter or the A708 across to Galashiels and then A7 from there. The A708 is superb passing St. Mary's Water.

Johnny50

Travelled up lastnight.

Filled up at Gretna lastnight on the way home from Bristol.
That was at 7.10pm.
Was back in the house for 8.30, not bombing it up the road, but a good clear run.

M74 was dead. Then took the Biggar road A702.

Hope that helps a little.

Richard_P

Takes 2 hours from kirkcaldy to carlisle driving normally.

So should take about 1 hour 20 mins to 1.5 hours but thats on the M74 then up through biggar etc, i guess the scenic route depends very much on the traffic, speeds are much more varied, harder to predict than motorway.

4X4BOB

No No No . . .

If your driving from Leeds to Edinburgh you want to go up the A1 to just past Scotch Corner and come off onto the A68 then enjoy the quiet scenic fun driving route up to Edinburgh (its a bit like a roller coaster inplaces)

I've done that route loads and its great unless its winter and there's snow.

I was going from Doncaster area and if leaving around 4.30 - 5.00 am on a weekday I would be in Edinburgh by 8am - and that was in the fastest vehicle known to mankind - A Turbo Diesel Vauxhall Astra Van!

Alternative route for me was up the A1 to Scotch Corner then off onto the A66 to Penrith, then hop onto the M6 which turns into the M74 then if going to Edinburgh I use the M73 Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Got my wife to drive to Glasgow the other weekend and used the A1 - A66 - M6 - M74 route and she couldn't believe how easy it was!


Bob

SiPie

...whilst counting the A68 speed cameras as you go

4X4BOB

Never caused me a problem, still got my clean licence to prove it

I thought a scenic route was the order of the day not a rally drivers day out?

Bob

imlach

Just in case anyone follows your instructions to the letter, it is the M74 -> M73 -> M8 to Edinburgh. The M73 ends in Strathclyde before you join the M8 to Edinburgh.

super slider

I am driving a 1996 306 diesel (non turbo) so not doing it for the fun of driving! Autoroute says 2.5 hours, but it all depends how you set it up. Would like to go on any scenic route to Edinburgh so thanks for the various suggestions, just no idea of the time. The main reason is to visit the city with my friends but would like to show them some great Scottish scenery providing we have time. Been on an awful lot of those roads in the good old days when the Scottish Rally was on (and was worth watching). Fantastic roads, fantastic scenery, oh do i miss that June rally, my favourite of all the rallies. Thanks again for the replies