By Road

Travelling to Scotland by car from England is straightforward but please remember that we drive on the Left Hand Side of the road in the UK and, if you are from North America, you will have to get used to our “roundabout” system!

Allow yourself at least 7 hours to travel from London to Edinburgh or Glasgow. The quickest route to Edinburgh from London follows the A41, M1, M6, A74, M74 and A702. The quickest route to Glasgow also follows the A41 out of London and the M1, M6, A74, M74 and the A749. Both trunk routes are well signposted.

The main routes within Scotland are the M74 and A74 from Carlisle to Glasgow; the A7 from Carlisle to Edinburgh via Hawick and Galashiels; the A68 from Scotch Corner to Edinburgh via Jedburgh; the A697 from just north of Newcastle to Edinburgh via Wooler and Coldstream; the A1 and A1M from London to Edinburgh via Newcastle and Berwick.

The main arteries north of the central belt include the A/M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow; M9 Edinburgh to Stirling; M90 Edinburgh to Perth; A9 Perth to Inverness and then to Wick and Thurso; A82 Glasgow to Inverness via Fort William; A92 Dundee to Aberdeen; A96 Inverness to Aberdeen.

Mileage and Journey Times to Scotland

London to:
Glasgow (406 miles, 650 km, 6.25 hrs)
Edinburgh (412 miles, 659 km, 6.5 hrs)
Aberdeen (549 miles, 878 km, 8.5 hrs)
Inverness (573 miles, 917 km, 9.5 hrs)

Manchester to:
Glasgow (210 miles, 338 km, 3.5 hrs)
Edinburgh (214 miles, 345 km, 4 hrs)
Aberdeen (345 miles, 556 km, 5.5 hrs)
Inverness (370 miles, 595 km, 6.5 hrs)

Birmingham to:
Glasgow (286 miles, 461 km, 4.5 hrs)
Edinburgh (290 miles, 467 km, 5 hrs)
Aberdeen (421 miles, 687 km, 6.5 hrs)
Inverness (446 miles, 717 km, 7.5 hrs)

Newcastle to:
Glasgow (159 miles, 254 km, 3 hrs)
Edinburgh (112 miles, 179 km, 2.5 hrs)
Aberdeen (244 miles, 390 km, 4.5 hrs)
Inverness (274 miles, 438 km, 5.5 hrs)


Mileage and Journey Times in Scotland

Glasgow to:
Aberdeen (152 miles, 243 km, 3 hrs)
Edinburgh (45 miles, 72 km, 1 hr)
Fort William (108 miles, 173 km, 2.5 hrs)
Inverness (178 miles, 285 km, 3.5 hrs)
Perth (61 miles, 99 km, 1 hr)

Edinburgh to:
Aberdeen (131 miles, 210 km, 2.5 hrs)
Fort William (138 miles, 221 km, 3 hrs)
Inverness (162 miles, 259 km, 3 hrs)
Oban (125 miles, 100 km, 3 hrs)

Inverness to :
Ullapool (63 miles, 101 km,1.5 hrs)
Thurso (109 miles, 176 km, 2.5 hrs)
Oban (112 miles, 181 km, 2.5 hrs)
Aberdeen (118 miles, 189 km, 2.5 hrs)

Car Hire services are available all over the country. Just search for Transport - Car Hire in YesScotland's search facility and all will be revealed!