Travelling to Edinburgh by car

[seaplanty]

Hey! I'm new to driving and I'm visiting Edinburgh (form near London) this Thursday. I'm planning on hiring a car to drive there alone but would appreciate some company/guidance about motorways if someone else is also heading to Edinburgh?

I'd appreciate any advice too!

Sorry just saw london

Sorry, I edited it just as you asked from where!

Do you need to drive? It’s not a great trip and the parking in Edinburgh is awful. The train is better. However, if you must drive, I’d go M6, M74 towards Glasgow, then M8 to Edinburgh. I wouldn’t go via the A1, or cut across Scots Corner.

Yes I agree with this, we live fairly near Edinburgh and did the trip in reverse last year, motorway across to Glasgow and then down south from there via Birmingham. Traffic in Edinburgh city centre is an absolute nightmare though, I'd avoid it and take the train if possible.

I do this journey 2 or 3 times a year. In general, M1, M6, M74, M8 is the best route but there are almost always roadworks or an accident on the M6. Check on Google maps before you leave the M1 for the M6. If it looks bad, head up the M1 to Scotch Corner and cut across to the M74.

Getting into the centre of Edinburgh may be the slowest part of your journey.

I agree, if you don't have to drive when you're there, get the train or even a cheap Easyjet flight.

Finally, if you're new to driving, be warned - this is a LONG drive. You'll be lucky to do it in 8 hours and that's a lot of driving on your own.

I’ve been driving for over 20 years and drive in the centre of Edinburgh regularly. If I had a choice I would get the train. Parking is an absolute nightmare, tram regulation's and the amount of traffic.
If your’e determined to drive, try the party and ride https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/parkandride

Plan to stop every couple of hours. Leg stretch, bite to eat, toilet etc.

I would definitely consider train though.

Flying is very often cheaper than the train.

Hey! Thanks so much for your reply, but unfortunately I'm moving there so I've got two suitcases and some miscellaneous things which would be easier to transport by car haha

Also when you say "near London" where do you mean exactly? I'm in north London so start on the M1. If you're west, you'd be better going up the M40 to the M6. If south, round the m25 and onto the M40.

One final tip, if you're going on the M6 - USE THE TOLL ROAD!

(I'm now somewhat depressed by how much this thread has turned me into my father...)

DH is doing a similar move soon, and will be overnighting halfway. (He's starting further south). Experienced driver... he says its just too much in one day, once you account for breaks and traffic.

If it's this Thursday, as in the 15th, it looks like there may be quite heavy rain especially in the western half of the country. It's worth checking the weather before deciding on the route.

It's a long slog of a drive and doing it midweek means you're on the road with a lot of lorries and trucks. If it's wet there will be a lot of spray which can make driving even more tiring. I wouldn't drive that distance myself in one day, I'd look for the cheapest premier inn and book an overnight somewhere along the way as by the time you've loaded up, driven, unloaded and returned the hire car it's going to be a VERY long day!
If you're relocated I'd even consider a courier service for a couple of boxes and take yourself and a suitcase on the train.
Are you sure you can hire a car if you've got a fairly new license?