Sheffield to Edinburgh Airport. Go East or West?

[Slowboathome]

Doing this journey on Tuesday. Need to be at the airport by 4 pm.

Not sure whether to go M1 then A1 or A57/M60/M6/A74.

Anyone done it and can recommend a route which includes decent stopping place for lunch?

[Fusion777]

Think I’d be tempted to go M1 and A1, keeping clear of Manchester.

[FredericRobinson]

East, definitely

[Bill]

It wouldn't have occurred to me to go west TBH but I can see it's viable (now I've looked...) Plan to go east but check traffic on the day as I expect either route could get snarled up.

[GAjon]

I’d be tempted to go M1-A1, but then go A66 across to the M6 up to Glasgow then across to Edinburgh.

[Mouse Rat]

Go A1.
Then at Newcastle you have a dilemma. Either take the A69 / A68 via Jedburgh. Or continue up A1.

Not much in it time wise. The Jedburgh route is one of the most scenic diving routes around. But if you or your passengers aren't up for a hoon, continue up A1

[Mouse Rat]

To add. Train from Doncaster maybe more convenient.

[ConnectionError]

Whatever Waze recommends

[Slowboathome]

GAjon said:

I’d be tempted to go M1-A1, but then go A66 across to the M6 up to Glasgow then across to Edinburgh.

That's the route I take when I'm heading for the West of Scotland. Lovely scenery. Bit too much of a zigzag for Edinburgh though.

[Slowboathome]

Mouse Rat said:

Go A1.
Then at Newcastle you have a dilemma. Either take the A69 / A68 via Jedburgh. Or continue up A1.

Not much in it time wise. The Jedburgh route is one of the most scenic diving routes around. But if you or your passengers aren't up for a hoon, continue up A1

Cheers. Not really planning on hooning, but I do like a scenic route.

[Rozzers]

East every time, too many snarl up points Westbound in addition to the EW and WE crossings that are often slow.

[Sheepshanks]

Are you catching a flight, or meeting someone?

If it’s the former, I’d be minded to drive up the day before.

[Alorotom]

ConnectionError said:

Whatever Waze recommends

THIS in spades.

it'll most likely be M1/A1 but Waze will know best.

There are some roadworks on the beginning section of the single lane part of the A1 at the moment (just after Morpeth) which slows things down somewhat for a few miles then its all as normal from there. I do Newcastle to Edinburgh reasonably often and rarely does it bring the Jedburgh route as a quicker option than the A1 (for reference, its recommended this once in the past 20-30 journeys)

[FredericRobinson]

GAjon said:

I’d be tempted to go M1-A1, but then go A66 across to the M6 up to Glasgow then across to Edinburgh.

If the OP follows the this route they’ll be needing a breakfast recommendation as well as a lunch one

[PorkInsider]

Sheepshanks said:

Are you catching a flight, or meeting someone?

If it’s the former, I’d be minded to drive up the day before.

Am I missing something?

You can comfortably leave Sheffield at 11am and arrive at Edinburgh airport at 4pm with a break on the way, so very doable in the day even leaving a good margin for traffic.

[Slowboathome]

PorkInsider said:

Sheepshanks said:

Are you catching a flight, or meeting someone?

If it’s the former, I’d be minded to drive up the day before.

Am I missing something?

You can comfortably leave Sheffield at 11am and arrive at Edinburgh airport at 4pm with a break on the way, so very doable in the day even leaving a good margin for traffic.

Mini-break in Edinburgh. Parking at the airport then taking the tram in.

[Slowboathome]

Alorotom said:

ConnectionError said:

Whatever Waze recommends

THIS in spades.

it'll most likely be M1/A1 but Waze will know best.

There are some roadworks on the beginning section of the single lane part of the A1 at the moment (just after Morpeth) which slows things down somewhat for a few miles then its all as normal from there. I do Newcastle to Edinburgh reasonably often and rarely does it bring the Jedburgh route as a quicker option than the A1 (for reference, its recommended this once in the past 20-30 journeys)

Thanks - appreciate the inside knowledge.

[CanAm]

GAjon said:

I’d be tempted to go M1-A1, but then go A66 across to the M6 up to Glasgow then across to Edinburgh.

This is currently marginally the fastest route per Google maps, compared with the A1 east coast route. West via the Manchester area does not feature at all. As suggested above check on Waze or Google Maps for the best route on the day to avoid roadworks or delays.

[PorkInsider]

FredericRobinson said:

GAjon said:

I’d be tempted to go M1-A1, but then go A66 across to the M6 up to Glasgow then across to Edinburgh.

If the OP follows the this route they’ll be needing a breakfast recommendation as well as a lunch one

There's very little in it, to be fair.

It's pretty much the same distance and average speeds are about the same on both routes in my experience.

[Sheepshanks]

PorkInsider said:

Am I missing something?

You can comfortably leave Sheffield at 11am and arrive at Edinburgh airport at 4pm with a break on the way, so very doable in the day even leaving a good margin for traffic.

Well, directions are saying 4hrs 39mins leaving now, so 5hrs on Tuesday isn’t enough with a break and a good margin.

However now the OP has said his arrival isn’t time critical I wouldn’t be concerned.