United Kingdom · road trip
London to Edinburgh by car
≈ 660 km / 410 mi · ~7 h driving · 4 stops
London to Edinburgh is ≈ 660 km (410 miles), about 7 hours of driving direct. With the stops below it makes a relaxed 3-day road trip.
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The A1 and M1 run the spine of Britain from the Thames to the Firth of Forth — York's walls, Durham's cathedral and the Northumberland coast make the seven hours fly.
Where to stop between London and Edinburgh
- 1
London
Head north on the M1/A1 — the Midlands give way to Yorkshire by lunchtime.
- 2
York
Medieval walls, the Shambles and one of Europe's great gothic minsters — the perfect break.
- 3
Durham
A Norman cathedral and castle on a wooded loop of the Wear — a UNESCO stunner just off the motorway.
- 4
Edinburgh
The castle on its crag, the Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat — Scotland's capital, made for wandering.
Good to know
Motorway all the way (no tolls on this route). York and Durham are a few minutes off the A1(M); allow a full day if you stop at both.
London to Edinburgh — FAQ
- How far is Edinburgh from London?
- London to Edinburgh is about 660 km (410 miles) by road.
- How long does it take to drive from London to Edinburgh?
- Roughly 7 hours of driving direct, before any stops.
- What are the best stops between London and Edinburgh?
- York, Durham — all easy to add on the way. Open the drive on the map to see them.
- Is London to Edinburgh a good road trip?
- Yes — with the stops above it makes a 3-day trip. Stopful maps the whole route, drive times and where to stay.
More drives
Or start from a blank map and plan any drive — Stopful shows drive times and distance for every leg, finds hotels and EV chargers along the route, and tracks the budget as you go.