Which do you prefer? For me it has to be the A1. It has far more character and goes all the way to Edinburgh whereas the M1 gives up at Leeds. It also has a far superior interchange with the M62.

I agree. There seems to be loads of roadside diner type things, but theres more too see on the A1, goes past quite a few airfields, Wittering comes to mind. I have always wanted to vist Berwick, but havent got round to it

M1 owns all.

I prefer the M1...more interesting places to stop and it's quicker than the A1 / A1(M).

what if they had a ruck?

The A1 is longer despite being a (relatively) lowly A-road; it's such a pity that it gives up near Morpeth and decides to finish it's journey in Edinburgh as a mere dirt track (compared to the mighty expressway it was prior to this). The A1 rules Britain's roads.

I can't diss the M1 though. They're both smashing, as Steve McClaren would say.

The A1 is longer despite being a (relatively) lowly A-road; it's such a pity that it gives up near Morpeth and decides to finish it's journey in Edinburgh as a mere dirt track (compared to the mighty expressway it was prior to this). The A1 rules Britain's roads.

I can't diss the M1 though. They're both smashing, as Steve McClaren would say.

IMO, the whole of the A1 north of the M62, right the way up to Edinburgh should be upgraded to a motorway (I know it is a motorway between Scotch Corner and Newcastle). It's pretty crap that there's only one motorway connecting England and Scotland (the M6/M74). When I drove on it last (a few years ago), it wasn't even a complete motorway either as the M6 became the A74.

Less speed enforcement on the M1, so it gets my vote :)

A1(M) really should be upgraded to full M status. It is stupid that one of the poorest regions in the country (NE) doesn't have a complete motorway link down the country. The M6 becomes an A-road for a while just after Carlisle.

The longest distance I've ever travelled on the A1 was to Musselburgh :lol:

Whereabouts in London does the A1 begin? It's the roundabout at Leith Walk & (you guessed it) London Road where it begins up here.

A1(M) really should be upgraded to full M status.

The A1(M) is a full motorway - that's what the (M) means! If you mean all the bits that are still just A1 should be converted to motorway, it's all planned, and happening in stages (Darrington to Hook Moor opened this year, Hook Moor to Bramham opened as part of the A1/M1 Link, consultation is well under way for Bramham to Wetherby, Wetherby to Walshford opened recently, Walshford to Dishforth opened about 10 years ago, and plans are at an early stage for Dishforth to Scotch Corner)...

Whereabouts in London does the A1 begin?

St. Paul's Cathedral.

I use the M62 / A1 (M) from Manchester to Newcastle and over the past few years the A1 from Leeds up to Newcastle has been greatly improved. There are still sections that must be upgraded, the DfT should be aiming for a full 6 lane motorway standard highway all the way from London through to Edinburgh.

The A1(M) is a full motorway - that's what the (M) means! If you mean all the bits that are still just A1 should be converted to motorway, it's all planned, and happening in stages (Darrington to Hook Moor opened this year, Hook Moor to Bramham opened as part of the A1/M1 Link, consultation is well under way for Bramham to Wetherby, Wetherby to Walshford opened recently, Walshford to Dishforth opened about 10 years ago, and plans are at an early stage for Dishforth to Scotch Corner)...

That very encouraging news, CharlieP I think Prestonian may be refering to the 2 lane sections of the A1M. I consider "motorway standard" to be at least 3 or 4 lanes each way. Look at the bottom end of the M40 south of Oxford to London it varies from 3 to 2 to 4 to 2 lanes, crazy set up.

Many motorways have sections that are two lanes, examples that spring to mind are the M1, M6, M11, M42, M55, M61, M67. I think having a hard shoulder and grade separated junctions that mark them out as motorways.

I think the main reason for the A1 being upgraded north of Leeds is because it really is acting as an extension to the M1 because of the A1/M1 East Leeds Orbital link. You can see that the design of this junction encourages people to use the M1 rather than the A1(M).

The A1 north of Newcastle is a fucking disgrace - period. I lived just north of Newcastle for 17 years and have driven the road to Berwick dozens of time. It should be D2 to Berwick all the way. It can suffer from atrocious weather in the winter too. I dont know if the traffic levels justify D3 but maybe that would change if the route was a viable alternative to the truly superb M74. I'll tell you what pisses me off though - the signs saying ' XX accidents on this stretch of road in the last XX months' - tell you what why dont you build us a fucking adequate, well designed road and maybe less people would lose their lives.

If a grade-separated dual carriageway route is to be built between Newcastle and Edinburgh, there's no reason for it to go the long way following the coast, when a more direct route through the Borders is available...

Is it possible to upgrade the A68 to a dual-carriageway? That would help greatly.

Next week I might be going to visit someone just north of Dundee. From Sheffield, what route would people recommend?

The A68 runs through some tricky countryside especially the rise to Carter Bar. The A1 is mostly flat and I should think much easier to upgrade. There would probably be much local opposition to an upgrade of the A68 as it runs through some very beautiful and unspoilt areas.

Sheffield - Dundee. Well the only problem spot is the A1 north of Newcastle to Dunbar. From Dunbar in youre laughing as its almost a motorway grade road to Edinburgh City By-pass. Then youd head round and onto the Forth Road Bridge via the shitty little A8000 ( single lane but motorway replacement has started costruction ) - you could be looking at over half an hour waiting here.

You either do the M1/A1 then up the M90 to Perth then zip across to Dundee. Or you head up the M6/M74/M73 skirting Glasgow on to the A80/M80 then M9/A9 to Perth. Only question being where do you cut across? Zip over past Huddersfield then onto the M62/M61 onto the M6 or go across the A66 from the A1? If you want an easy cruise then I'd say head up the M6/M74 way north of Preston there will be zero traffic till you reach Glasgow and it is considerably safer and less frustrating to drive than the dodgy section of the A1 - be warned the A1 between Newcastle and Edinburgh is crawling with speed cameras and there not all blatantly obvious - I think theres 30 plus last time I counted. If I was you I'd go up the M6 way - it works out about twenty odd miles longer if that and you are on good open road. Your probably best cutting across to the M62 or just go straight up the M1 onto the M62 - the A66 isnt all dual carriageway and is fairly notorious too. Just keep your on the traffic situation regarding the decision how to get over to the M62 and you'll be fine.

Speed cameras I can do without, thats the main reason I avoid the A1 south of Doncaster as well.

Partly i'm looking for a way to avoid travelling through Manchester (i'm bored of going that way) so I might take the M1 to Leeds, the A1 to Scotch Corner, then across to the M6/M74 etc. I dont mind a bit of single carriageway so long as its better than the bloody A57 Snake Pass (Sheff to Glossop).

If you dont like speed cameras then avoid the A1 at all costs. Thats a lovely pleasant drive over the A66 and up the M74 whenever people are with me from the south there like man this is what driving should be like.

I remember going to Scotland with my parents years ago and liking the drive from Lancaster to Glasgow. I know which ways I can go, i'm just after the most enjoyable/least arsey way of doing it :D

Once your on the M6 its motorway or grade seperated dual carriageway all the way to Dundee.

Go on the train :) Its much better. Although I'd say go A1/M90. The part north of Newcastle is annoying but you can't have it all- the A66 is worse. Going M74 means cutting right across to come back east- the time it would take is more than the A1- the A66 is equally dangerous, if not more.

Driving on the M6 through Cumbria is truly spectacular.

The M1 is fantastic right up to J37. Well, why would you want to go any further north?