Good Driving Roads in the UK - Mapped on Google Maps

[kusuka]

Hi all,

Since I got my 981 Boxster, I have an urge to drive more in country roads. Living in London, there are not many empty roads nearby to enjoy so I generally use weekends to find new nice country roads.

I always look for route recommendations online, but i’m not good at following written road instructions from others, so when someone shares a Google Maps route, it’s very helpful for me. But Google Maps routes has their own problems, like not being able to follow exact route on mobile. So if you create a custom route online, specifically drag the route to some roads, it's ok on desktop, but Gmaps App on the phone won’t use your exact route but will calculate the shortest route, which doesn’t help in my case.

I think I’ve come up with a solution. First, I’ve found some nice Google Maps routes online, mainly from Piston Heads ‘Dream Drive’ articles and some other threads here. I’ve extracted their exact navigation data and created a custom Google Maps Map which has it’s own navigation layer printed on map.

Now when I want to follow a specific route in the weekend, I run the navigation, and my custom layer is also printed on the map, so I can follow the custom route if I want.

You can also import this map to your Google Maps account and toggle the layer.

Access the "Good Driving Roads in the UK" map here:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=17EUmwPH9...

If you click on desktop, you can click on a route and then click the Navigation link to go to the exact navigation route.

If you click on your mobile, Google Maps App will open, and It will be possible to show the overlay always, which is great sometimes. Go to ‘Saved’>’Maps’(At the very right) to toggle.

On the mobile app, 'Nav Link' button is not clickable, this is the limitation of the GMaps App.
But you can use the web only version to open navigation links on mobile browsers. Access the web version here:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=17EUmwPH94g4rlo_F...

In the map, you can click on a route and then click ‘Nav Link’ in the description. It will open the navigation in the Gmaps App, and your overlay will be visible.
Or you can just bookmark this thread, and launch the navigations using these links:
Route A - https://goo.gl/maps/98L36oDzhvTVDLVE7
Route B - https://goo.gl/maps/yQziJfqvUm6U6FGNA
Route C - https://goo.gl/maps/8KbTSj1JA2nzocbJ8
Route D - https://goo.gl/maps/y2EMnTYKfYDwmYmw7
Route E - https://goo.gl/maps/Xk4mgpLFz771N6xH7
Route F - https://goo.gl/maps/nUixHkmv2wnLXauX9
Route G - https://goo.gl/maps/YELDCUUdRgfCco8FA
Route H - https://goo.gl/maps/rSjy91T8uDaaLiNAA
Route I - https://goo.gl/maps/K39qw64v6wH6LzLfA

You will notice that route lines are very thick and has ugly color, this is to make them visible when it's rendered over a navigation route on the mobile apps.

I know it’s a lot to get used to, but once you get going, it’s really helpful. I know there are already some apps and websites offering especially biking routes, but I wanted to create something directly on Google Maps so I can open it easily on a spontaneous trip.

Just created a quick video to show how I use it: https://youtu.be/vXmGndjeoH8

There are just 10 routes on the map for now, around London and Cambridge.
If you'd like, Please share your favourite routes in the UK as Google Maps links and I can add them to the map.

Edited by kusuka on Monday 17th February 08:42

[Crippo]

Can you use an Ordnance Survey map? The good roads are easy to identify on them. They are coloured orange and have a number next to them beginning with the letter B. Use those roads and keep away from towns and you’ll be fine.

[JM]

Crippo said:

Can you use an Ordnance Survey map? The good roads are easy to identify on them. They are coloured orange and have a number next to them beginning with the letter B. Use those roads and keep away from towns and you’ll be fine.

That is not necessarily true.

They are often green or red and begin with A.

A82, A83, A84, A85, A86, A93, A835, A837, A894, A939. To name just a few.

[FiF]

https://goo.gl/maps/3zgNudrTb8i4oj4Y8 Peak District: Ashbourne Market Place to Picory Corner A6 nr Rowsley, via Tissington, and Tissington Ford.

OP comment if that's the sort of thing you are after and link is OK.

[TB404]

Wow really cool effort! Well done!

Does google maps show speed cam? I usually 'drive' with Waze for this reason but it's a hassle to set up route there so I usualy arraneg them in points from own vollage to the other.

Also IMO the classic one lane, can't see around bends B road ISN'T safe or suitable for spirited driving, A roads much better.

[kusuka]

Crippo said:

Can you use an Ordnance Survey map? The good roads are easy to identify on them. They are coloured orange and have a number next to them beginning with the letter B. Use those roads and keep away from towns and you’ll be fine.

First time hearing Ordnance Survey map, but it looks like default layer style is just similar to Google Maps with slightly different colour scheme? I actually wanted this to be a community collaborated approach based on the real life experience of good roads.

[kusuka]

FiF said:

https://goo.gl/maps/3zgNudrTb8i4oj4Y8 Peak District: Ashbourne Market Place to Picory Corner A6 nr Rowsley, via Tissington, and Tissington Ford.

OP comment if that's the sort of thing you are after and link is OK.

Yes, that's exactly what i'm after. Thank for contributing. I've added the route to the map.
On mobile, you may need to go to "My Maps" and force reload.

[kusuka]

TB404 said:

Wow really cool effort! Well done!

Does google maps show speed cam? I usually 'drive' with Waze for this reason but it's a hassle to set up route there so I usualy arraneg them in points from own vollage to the other.

Also IMO the classic one lane, can't see around bends B road ISN'T safe or suitable for spirited driving, A roads much better.

Thank you.
With the last update, Google Maps is showing Speed Cams. I'm not sure how the data compares with Waze.
I generally use Google Maps with Waze in the background for extra caution. Google Maps visuals are much nicer and has lane suggestion on ramp to off ramp.

[scottos]

https://goo.gl/maps/nMVEZi3Nj9DMTti37

My favourite road to drive. Haydon Bridge down to Penrith via Alston and Hartside Pass.

https://goo.gl/maps/s3w77yWn1fG1jc9j8

Thwaite to Hawes (Buttertubs Pass) Getting to either location will be via great roads too and you can extend either way for more enjoyment. Ribblehead Viaduct isnt much further south of Hawes and is a great road and Tan Hill pub (highest in great britain) isnt far north of Thwaite.

This is a great idea!

[kusuka]

scottos said:

https://goo.gl/maps/nMVEZi3Nj9DMTti37

My favourite road to drive. Haydon Bridge down to Penrith via Alston and Hartside Pass.

https://goo.gl/maps/s3w77yWn1fG1jc9j8

Thwaite to Hawes (Buttertubs Pass) Getting to either location will be via great roads too and you can extend either way for more enjoyment. Ribblehead Viaduct isnt much further south of Hawes and is a great road and Tan Hill pub (highest in great britain) isnt far north of Thwaite.

This is a great idea!

added those, thanks!
I bet there are more great roads around that area.

[FiF]

Tagging onto that Hawes Buttertubs route.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YsLTaxc1x7r3G1PX8

[jdizz]

Need the A32 from Alton down to Portsmouth, also the A339 from Alton to Basingstoke.

[scottos]

kusuka said:

added those, thanks!
I bet there are more great roads around that area.

There really are, the Pennines and the North Yorkshire dales are fantastic!

FiF said:

Tagging onto that Hawes Buttertubs route.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YsLTaxc1x7r3G1PX8

Good shout, need to explore more roads to the south of the a66. I live north of it so always stick to the Pennines historically!

[deggles]

FiF said:

Tagging onto that Hawes Buttertubs route.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YsLTaxc1x7r3G1PX8

That road through Oughtershaw can be pretty sketchy in winter, it's single track and prone to flooding in places, we nearly got stuck a few years ago in the Lotus. I always keep right at the fork at Buckden and head into Hawes that way now!

[kusuka]

FiF said:

Tagging onto that Hawes Buttertubs route.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YsLTaxc1x7r3G1PX8

Added thanks.

[kusuka]

jdizz said:

Need the A32 from Alton down to Portsmouth, also the A339 from Alton to Basingstoke.

Thanks, tried to map this, please let me know if it looks good so I can add it:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/50.8692805,-1.1811...

[FiF]

deggles said:

FiF said:

Tagging onto that Hawes Buttertubs route.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YsLTaxc1x7r3G1PX8

That road through Oughtershaw can be pretty sketchy in winter, it's single track and prone to flooding in places, we nearly got stuck a few years ago in the Lotus. I always keep right at the fork at Buckden and head into Hawes that way now!

True, I once went that way and ended up in a cloudburst, by the time I'd got to Hawes the River Ure was completely across the road past the National Park Offices and the caravan site. Needed to get to Kirkby Stephen, and reckoned following Wensleydale along the Ure valley was just asking for trouble, so like a nutter headed into the storm over Buttertubs and then on the B6270 towards Kirkby. Although it was afternoon it was black as night and the wind was blowing the rain upwards off the ridge tops. Someone coming up the M6 from West Midlands got stuck in a flooded section of the M6.

Problem with recommending driving roads is that what one person thinks is an ace road, someone else in an entirely different vehicle just doesn't get it. Bit like that Billy Connolly saying, it's not the wrong type of road, just the wrong type of car.

[mythdat]

jdizz said:

Need the A32 from Alton down to Portsmouth, also the A339 from Alton to Basingstoke.

Must admit I don't see the appeal of the A32, outside of the villages I can't think of a single corner you actually have to slow down for

[kusuka]

FiF said:

True, I once went that way and ended up in a cloudburst, by the time I'd got to Hawes the River Ure was completely across the road past the National Park Offices and the caravan site. Needed to get to Kirkby Stephen, and reckoned following Wensleydale along the Ure valley was just asking for trouble, so like a nutter headed into the storm over Buttertubs and then on the B6270 towards Kirkby. Although it was afternoon it was black as night and the wind was blowing the rain upwards off the ridge tops. Someone coming up the M6 from West Midlands got stuck in a flooded section of the M6.

Problem with recommending driving roads is that what one person thinks is an ace road, someone else in an entirely different vehicle just doesn't get it. Bit like that Billy Connolly saying, it's not the wrong type of road, just the wrong type of car.

well, it might be a good idea to only suggest roads those are not prone to flooding
I mean roads those are good for a regular cars, or a sports cars, not SUVs.

[FiF]

kusuka said:

well, it might be a good idea to only suggest roads those are not prone to flooding
I mean roads those are good for a regular cars, or a sports cars, not SUVs.

Driven over them in regular cars without issue. The comment that the road mentioned is prone to flooding is misleading in my opinion as it's only in extreme conditions, it was even clear in the cloudburst conditions that later caused the Ure to flood.

The point I was making that roads that someone in a 'normal' car would find interesting could be a nightmare for someone in say a Lambo. People found that on the PH event last year. Equally a road that a sports /supercar finds a good driving road could to others be as boring as hell.

Either people do a bit of homework on the area they are heading towards, bearing in mind the vehicle, prevailing weather or they make appropriate decisions and adapt and accept what they get when they get there. For example someone could suggest good roads in the highlands only for another to complain that they got stuck as they'd headed out when snow forecast. You'd never get HardKnott or Wrynose recommended for example, even ignoring the weather issue.

If that sort of sanitisation of recommendations is necessary then I'm out.