Your favourite stretches of road

[61653 HTAFC]

Inspired by a two-part adventure on the Auto Shenanigans channel which covers the A19 (apparently voted Britain's favourite road), what are everyone's favourite bits of road to drive? This could be for whatever reason you choose... Is it fun to drive? Spectacular views? Happy memories? Any reason is acceptable...
Part 1:

Part 2:

Despite often being congested and prone to treacherous weather, my first nomination is the cross-Pennine section of the M62, particularly when heading East. Not only is the scenery spectacular, but after the summit at Rishworth Moor you get a long straight section where (if it's quiet and there are no patrols about) you can really open up the throttle a bit. It's also a "homecoming" road, and even now I have to remind myself not to leave at J23 as I no longer live in Huddersfield.

In second place I'll go to the other extreme and nominate Mortimer Road (aka The Strines), an unclassified route* linking Penistone with the A57 "Snake Pass"- in particular the section from the A628 Wood head Pass southwards. It certainly isn't a fast road, and won't do your MPG figures any favours, but the scenery is breathtaking as you dip in and out of forests to crest over patches of moorland.

In third place I'll put a road I haven't actually driven myself, but have only used as a passenger- the A9 between Perth and Inverness. Perhaps my opinion will change once I've been at the pointy end, but as a young passenger it was great fun trying to track when the Highland Main Line would next pop into view... We also had a caravan on the back, so we weren't being held up by anything!

*= The road may have a Cxxx designation but this isn't displayed on any signposts, or on any maps I've seen.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

I don't drive but my favourite stretch of road would probably have to be the A82 through Glencoe - absolutely spectacular scenery climbing up from Bridge of Orchy, across Rannoch Moor and through the mountains of Glencoe itself.

Have travelled along the route many times onboard the Scottish Citylink 915 service and it never ceases to amaze me.

The A87 between Dunan and Sligachan on the Isle of Skye is also a truly incredible section of road - funnily enough also on the 915 route, a very strong contender for the most scenic bus route in Britain in my opinion.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

A5 through the mountains of North Wales for me, every time. (Though it was even better when there was a scheduled National Express coach from Birmingham on it, back in the 1980s.)

 

[yorksrob]

I don't drive, but the A259 across the Romney Marsh is quite pleasent, especially first thing in the morning when the wildlife's still going about its business

 

[DelW]

I have family in west Wales, whom I visit two or three times a year (from the home counties). Rather than the endless drag along the M4, I go via Gloucester and Monmouth. The A40 from Raglan, though Abergavenny, Crickhowell, past Brecon and over the hills to Llandovery is just superb in good weather. It's a good road - mostly single carriageway but not usually too busy, and while either direction is good, going westwards the scenery just gets better all the way.

Last November I drove along it on a clear frosty morning with the tops of the Beacons clear and crisp against a bright blue sky. Unfortunately I didn't stop to take any photos (there aren't too many places where you can do so), so the best I have is of the Beacons under snow, taken from a layby where we'd stopped to use the loo!

 

[Snow1964]

For that open road feeling the A361 Devizes to Avebury and A4 Avebury to Marlborough is definitely up there, old turnpikes, widened before M4 and now relatively quiet

For B roads, B3081 which runs from Ringwood to Shepton Mallet (so one of the longest in the country) is interesting, some narrow single track sections, and the zig zag hill just south of Shaftesbury (I think auto schenanigans did video on this too, so as he doesn't normally do B roads, has to be seen as special)

 

[jfollows]

I liked the A515 from Buxton to Asbourne, it used to be part of my regular route to Nottingham, followed by A5012. The first is now 50mph; given one crazy overtaker once I perhaps see why, but means every side track has to have national speed limit signs. I think the A5012 has limits now also, it’s still pretty anyway.

 

[The exile]

Staying reasonably local, the B390 between the A36 and Stonehenge. Just watch out for tanks crossing!

 

[gg1]

A few of my favourites have already been mentioned (A5, A40, A82, A87), I'll also add:
A39 between Minehead and Barnstaple
unclassified road through the Elan Valley in mid-Wales
A2(NI) between Larne and Ballycastle
A686 between Langwathby and Alston

My favourite section of motorway is the M6 between Lancaster and Carlisle

 

[bramling]

Inspired by a two-part adventure on the Auto Shenanigans channel which covers the A19 (apparently voted Britain's favourite road), what are everyone's favourite bits of road to drive? This could be for whatever reason you choose... Is it fun to drive? Spectacular views? Happy memories? Any reason is acceptable...
Part 1:

Part 2:

Despite often being congested and prone to treacherous weather, my first nomination is the cross-Pennine section of the M62, particularly when heading East. Not only is the scenery spectacular, but after the summit at Rishworth Moor you get a long straight section where (if it's quiet and there are no patrols about) you can really open up the throttle a bit. It's also a "homecoming" road, and even now I have to remind myself not to leave at J23 as I no longer live in Huddersfield.

In second place I'll go to the other extreme and nominate Mortimer Road (aka The Strines), an unclassified route* linking Penistone with the A57 "Snake Pass"- in particular the section from the A628 Wood head Pass southwards. It certainly isn't a fast road, and won't do your MPG figures any favours, but the scenery is breathtaking as you dip in and out of forests to crest over patches of moorland.

In third place I'll put a road I haven't actually driven myself, but have only used as a passenger- the A9 between Perth and Inverness. Perhaps my opinion will change once I've been at the pointy end, but as a young passenger it was great fun trying to track when the Highland Main Line would next pop into view... We also had a caravan on the back, so we weren't being held up by anything!

*= The road may have a Cxxx designation but this isn't displayed on any signposts, or on any maps I've seen.

I always quite enjoy Bala to Trawsfyndd, quite bleak with a few bits of railway interest along the way. It also heralds nearing the end of a long drive when visiting Porthmadog.

More local to me, the B656 between Hitchin and Codicote is quite a nice drive, and also nice on a road bike, though spoiled by the large numbers of idiots who drive from end to end at 30-40mph dabbing their brake pedal every few seconds for no reason.

I also quite like the A4155 between Marlow and Henley-on-Thames, particularly passing a flint cottage on the east side of the road at Hambleden, which in the Henley-bound direction signifies the start of the adjacent “stretch of the gods” on the River Thames, and when leaving Henley signifies “that’s where I rowed to earlier”.

 

[Acey]

The road down Glen Nevis and always had a soft spot for the road from Eastbourne to Cuckmere Haven via Beachy Head !
For magnificent views coupled with solitude and empty roads the minor road from Shiel Bridge to Arnisdale takes some beating !

 

[Vexed]

I've only been driving for a few months now, mostly on motorways and A roads, but my favourite is probably the A34 between Winchester to around Oxford where it really needs 3 lanes instead of 2.

I like it because it's a nice dual carriageway, it's perfect for some journeys I've been making recently, and it avoids Cross Country!

Maybe the A1(M) stretch just south of Peterborough? No way it needs 4 lanes! Much better than the busy dual sections with roundabouts to the south.

Agree with a previous poster's Snake Pass - I've only done it as a passenger but good scenery.

I found the M6 toll a bit underwhelming, it was busier than I expected. I did regret not taking it on the way back - got stuck on the M6 for half an hour while an accident was cleared!

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I don’t drive, but I do like the M23 and M11. Similar countryside I suppose. And driving over Buelah Hill in South London is always nice.

 

[thejuggler]

My driving miles have taken in a lot of Scotland, so that dominates my favourites.

The main road across Islay from Bowmore to Port Ellen is spectacular for being straight, but undulating thanks to the peat.
'The String' across Arran
Bealach na Ba for the views
Gairloch to Lochinver on a sunny day and seeing the Torridon range get closer.
Glen Lyon from Aberfeldy to Bridge of Balgie and beyond. Never busy, but stunning.
A93 Perth to Balmoral
A701 'Devils Beeftub' from Moffat to Edinburgh along the Tweed valley.
A708 Moffat to Selkirk
A9 is OK, especially the arrival down the hill into Inverness, but usually too busy to enjoy the views!

A few others.

The A64 near Tadcaster has some high speed sweeping bends.
The A40 as it drops from Pencraig to Monmouth across the Welsh border. Stunning in autumn when the leaves are changing.
Blakey Ridge in N Yorks
Garrowby Hill for the views from high on the Yorkshire Wolds. York in the valley, the Pennines in the far distance.

 

[cactustwirly]

For me hands down is Military Road on the Isle of Wight l

Fantastic scenery, and lot's twisty corners

 

[Tetchytyke]

There's no shortage of fun roads here on the Isle of Man. The obvious one is the Mountain Road, a speed limit-free blast across the moors, although whenever I drive it I seem to be stuck behind a nana in a Honda Jazz doing 37mph. There's also the Tholt-y-Will Road, winding up through a pretty valley before climbing steeply through hairpin bends up to the moors. The Tholt-y-Will Road hasn't changed very much since this famous video of Ari Vatanen driving it in the Manx Rally:

I have only done it by bus, but the Cat and Fiddle from Buxton to Macclesfield is a beautiful road on a sunny day, with the moorland and views out to the Manchester skyscrapers glinting in the sunshine.

I have a fondness for the B6318 Military Road too, which follows the course of Hadrians Wall from Greenhead to Heddon-on-the-Wall. Straight but undulating, it is a very fun drive and much better than following a long train of HGVs on the A69.

 

[SuspectUsual]

For that open road feeling the A361 Devizes to Avebury and A4 Avebury to Marlborough is definitely up there, old turnpikes, widened before M4 and now relatively quiet

+1 for that - I used to live in Bishops Cannings and worked in Swindon, and driving down to Beckhampton roundabout first thing on a summer's morning with all the racehorses on the gallops alongside the road was great.

Also....

Pickering to Whitby. Nice driving, beautiful countryside, and up till a few years ago being on that road meant I was going to the seaside with my kids

M62 junction 22 down to Rishworth. Only a few miles, but a road I drove twice a day at least for nearly 20 years and when its quiet its great for some proper "racing line" cornering

 

[Russel]

Has to be either the Llanberis Pass via Pen-y-Pass or the Honnister Pass, both spectacular.

 

[Sun Chariot]

None sadly these days, given the embarrassing and utterly deplorable state of the UK's roads.
Wind back 30 years and my most captivating (and, due to dark night and fog, demanding) drives were Wrynose and Hardknott Passes.

 

[Russel]

None sadly these days, given the embarrassing and utterly deplorable state of the UK's roads.
Wind back 30 years and my most captivating (and, due to dark night and fog, demanding) drives were Wrynose and Hardknott Passes.

That's very true.

I've just brought a Dacia Sandero Stepway, I was sold on the fact that it was designed to deal with the roads in Romania and Morocco, that gave me the confidence that it should also just about be okay with the roads of the UK!

 

[Bald Rick]

In third place I'll put a road I haven't actually driven myself, but have only used as a passenger- the A9 between Perth and Inverness. Perhaps my opinion will change once I've been at the pointy end, but as a young passenger it was great fun trying to track when the Highland Main Line would next pop into view... We also had a caravan on the back, so we weren't being held up by anything!

In my opinion the A9 is a bit dull. Some nice scenery in places, but the road itself - dull. And busy.

The A87 between Dunan and Sligachan on the Isle of Skye is also a truly incredible section of road

Really? I’ve driven that a lot, perhaps I have immunity. It’s good, but not incredible.

I don't drive but my favourite stretch of road would probably have to be the A82 through Glencoe - absolutely spectacular scenery climbing up from Bridge of Orchy, across Rannoch Moor and through the mountains of Glencoe itself.

Similarly, driven it lots. Best early in the morning (pre 0700) in spring. When the Aonach Eagach comes into view it’s very satisfying to know I don’t have to climb it again!


Best road in Scotland for me is the A832 from Garve to Kinlochewe. Absolutely wonderful, usually empty, and the views down Glen Docherty are incredible.

I also love the drive south on the M74 / A74M from Lesmahagow to Lockerbie, and the M6 from Penrith to Lancaster. Similarly the A1 from Grantham to Stamford - largely unchanged since the 30s except for a couple of bridges in places.

More local to me, the B656 between Hitchin and Codicote is quite a nice drive, and also nice on a road bike, though spoiled by the large numbers of idiots who drive from end to end at 30-40mph dabbing their brake pedal every few seconds for no reason.

Not great on the bike, as there is a lot of traffic, but the time trialists love it. I imagine it is a decent drive though.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

In my opinion the A9 is a bit dull. Some nice scenery in places, but the road itself - dull. And busy.

From what I hear, it's better experienced as a passenger... too complex a road to enjoy the views much if you're at the wheel!
The dualling will improve it from a driver's perspective I expect... not least the safety aspect.

 

[GusB]

I don't drive but my favourite stretch of road would probably have to be the A82 through Glencoe - absolutely spectacular scenery climbing up from Bridge of Orchy, across Rannoch Moor and through the mountains of Glencoe itself.

I've only ever travelled that bit of road twice, on a family holiday when I was around 16 (not yesterday). We had beautiful sunny weather on the way down and misty/rainy weather on the way back; the return journey had a somewhat eerie feel to it.

Glen Lyon from Aberfeldy to Bridge of Balgie and beyond. Never busy, but stunning.

I'd forgotten about this one. Did you stop at the Glen Lyon Post Office for something to eat? They do a cracking bowl of soup!

A93 Perth to Balmoral

I've driven this a couple of times, once when I was about 19 and the second time was about 8 years ago. I'd completely forgotten how steep it was in places! Unfortunately the weather wasn't very favourable and I didn't enjoy it very much.

In my opinion the A9 is a bit dull. Some nice scenery in places, but the road itself - dull. And busy.

From what I hear, it's better experienced as a passenger... too complex a road to enjoy the views much if you're at the wheel!
The dualling will improve it from a driver's perspective I expect... not least the safety aspect.

I agree that it's better to be a passenger on the A9. It does have some nice scenery in places - around Druimachdar is probably one of my favourite parts - but there are too many idiots on the A9 to be enjoying the scenery as a driver.

One road that hasn't had a mention so far is the A939 - it's always one of the first roads to be closed in winter.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Really? I’ve driven that a lot, perhaps I have immunity. It’s good, but not incredible.

Maybe it's just that, in all fairness I've only been along that section twice and it's impressed me both times. Still, one of the (various) highlights of the A87 in my opinion. The bit through Glen Shiel also deserves an honourable mention.

I've only ever travelled that bit of road twice, on a family holiday when I was around 16 (not yesterday). We had beautiful sunny weather on the way down and misty/rainy weather on the way back; the return journey had a somewhat eerie feel to it.

Perhaps subjective, but I feel mist and rain is the one of the best weather conditions for taking in the scenery in that part of the Highlands, gives it a very atmospheric (and as you say, sometimes eerie) vibe.

 

[Ted633]

The B6255 from Hawes to Ingleby in the Yorkshire Dales. Relatively fast road thats not particularly busy with stunning scenery, including the Ribblehead Viaduct!

 

[Iskra]

Winnats Pass when it's quiet early on a summers morning or for motorway the M6 through the Lune Gorge/Tebay/Shap. The A66 is pretty decent too.

 

[Llanigraham]

Where to start??
The A4 west of Thatcham to Hungerford and Marlborough is nice as it seems so quiet nowadays.
The B road from Hungerford to Swindon, as the villages are pretty, and there's a nice pub to stop at, but the road surface was poor last time I did it.
The mountain road from Llanidloes, through Staylittle and Dylife to Machynlleth, with what Winford Vaughan-Thomas recognised as the finest view in Wales, just after the highest point, where on a good day you can see Yr Wyddfa.
The A road from the Cross Foxes pub, on the A470 west of Dolgellau down the valley towards Llyn Talyllyn and on to Corris. Part of the "Mach Loop" so if you time it right you can get buzzed by all sorts of aircraft.

 

[Gonzoiku]

It's a long time since I travelled it, but I imagine it hasn't changed much in the past 40 years :-
B6047 between Market Harborough and Melton Mowbray.

GZ

 

[izvor]

The Pentland Road, running due west for miles from Stornoway to the west coast of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

Many moons ago I cycled it with a friend, it was an unmade track then with fantastic, desolate scenery, not spectacular just miles and miles of peat bog with distant views to the mountains. There were old "black houses" along the way, some seemed to be in good nick, maybe used by peat cutters in season. The bonus was seeing a golden eagle take off at fairly close range. No traffic, not a soul to be seen the whole way.

I assumed it was an old military road but only recently learned that it was constructed to carry a light railway that was never completed. Looking it up now it appears to be properly surfaced and carry traffic - what a shame!

Favourite road in England, probably the well-known abandoned A625 over Mam Tor in Derbyshire. Similar reason, no traffic, this time because it kept slipping down the unstable hillside and was eventually deemed beyond repair. It's a unique site to explore. I like abandoned roads!

 

[LowLevel]

I quite like the Knotty Way between Stafford and Uttoxeter, the A518. Rolling countryside with a few challenging bits to keep you on your toes. Nothing spectacular, just a road to feel like you're actually driving rather than cruising along.