Going to edimburgh from northampton

Hi lads, I’ve been told to do this run starting on sunday evening, I’m fairly new as lorry driver and I was wondering which is the best way to get there. My sat nav and the AA route planner say taking m6 then all straight up, would you take this route?

Other question i have is that they said me I’m leaving the yard at 8pm, I know is a silly question and i should know it but, should I sleep on the way? if I start at 8pm it means that in the next 24 hours I can drive up to 9 (or 10) hours and I must rest at least 9. is that right?

so as i understand, I cant go and be back down here in 24 hours… can I ?

cheers

M6 is best. Last time I went up (which was Livingston) there was 2 drivers (double manned) and we both did 6 odd hours driving. Probably best to do 4 -4.5, have a 45 then get to drop and tip it, then head back, stopping after 4- 4.5 hours driving again, leaving an hours drive after that (assuming 10 hours max driving). Don’t forget waiting time adds to your working day, unless on poa, which I wont bother with.
Starting at 8pm, you should finish no later than 11am (15 hours max) if I’m right.

edit, you should be parked up no late than 11am.

There’s not really any “one route” for that run.
Apart from what you have already found out you could go M1 and A1 all the way, or take A66 at Scotch Corner then M6 / M8. Also scenic routes A702, A68. If you’re doing the run regularly I’d try all options then stick to one you like. :wink:

cheers mates, but my sat nav and the route planer say it’s 360 miles, which means it would be about 7 hours each way… so, both ways is 14 hours driving, or is there something that i’m missing of…

Northampton-Edinburgh is an 8 hour drive (assuming no delays on the way), so should be do-able with only one 45 minute break en route and still leaving you plenty of time to find a decent place to stop for your daily rest of 9 or 11 hours. You’re certainly not going to get there and back in one shift!

Alvk00:
cheers mates, but my sat nav and the route planer say it’s 360 miles, which means it would be about 7 hours each way… so, both ways is 14 hours driving, or is there something that i’m missing of…

Yes, you’re missing off the bit where you sleep in the lorry. :laughing:

If you can do it up in one shift then back in one shift then i suggest M1 A1 all the way,straight onto Edinburgh ring road
with access to all areas.
nice scenic route with good roads except round Newcastle ,after that enjoy the journey,take care on A1 PARTS WHICH ARE NOT MOTORWAY, PLENTY SPEED CAMERAS BUT ALSO SOME GOOD STOPS FOR BREKKIES.
As suggested m1/m6/cut across but incredibly boring.
stop occasionaly and enjoy the view…lindisfarne and holy island which you can see from the road,then past Berwick upon tweed,and on the approach to Edinburgh a nice view over to the city.
if you have time it’s well worth the trip.
either way just enjoy the trip.
If you can do a diary like this…viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56805&hilit=john+o+groats
would be interesting to see/hear your views.

Not used it but this site may help, ukhaulier.co.uk/hgv-route-planner.asp put your wagon details in :wink:

Scenic route worth looking at is:

A1/A697/A68 then onto edinburgh ringroad.

Not the best route at night but worth a look for the trip back down.

Boo9729:
Scenic route worth looking at is:

A1/A697/A68 then onto edinburgh ringroad.

Not the best route at night but worth a look for the trip back down.

Don’t know anything about the A1 or the A697 but the A68 is a great road, If you do use it, take care… Few speed cameras :frowning:

Where abouts in edinburgh you heading? In experiance quickest way would be up m6 then a7/A698/a68 then city bypass (a720) but again would depend which part of town you heading for

Scenic route? I thought it was being done at night?

Dented:
Scenic route? I thought it was being done at night?

Depends what sort of “scenery” you want to look at.
Thursday and Friday nights especially. :laughing:

My way would be M1 M18 A1M A1 all the way to the Edinburgh ring road A720. As you’re going at night forget the scenic routes as you’ll be more interested in getting there with no problems first time up. Once you’ve done it a couple of times you can experiment with different routes. Keep it simple.

Hiya…M1…M6…M8… you say your a new lad stay on the motorway especially
in the dark. i,ve done all the A roads before the motorway,s was joined up.
the A7 and A702 are good for rally cars, i was on the tippers and could knock
on a bit but you need to learn the roads first, been a new lad keep things easy
until you get the feel of things. A1 in the dark you’ll only see the field when you
go through the edge, as i said keep the trip easy. good luck
John

hi all

I’m going to go there tomorrow morning, so definitely Ill take scenic route, we’re heading to town centre. I will need to do the rest before I can tip as I’ve got the booking for next morning, can someone recommend me a good place to park, as close as possible of town centre?, I think we’ll be able to park near town centre as tomorrow is sunday. (is a rigid lorry)

thanks a lot for all the helpfull replies

There’s a truck park in Edinburgh. Cant remember exactly where but google will help you.

I would park up at Ikea at Straiton Junction.Sainsbury,Asda or Ikea for breakfast.

having in mind that tomorrow is sunday, could I park in any neighborhood close to town centre? as is a rigid lorry I think it shouldn’t be an issue to find a good place to spend the night… what do you think guys.

Don’t know if this is of any use to you, but I used to park up on the Homebase car park on St Leonard’s Street. I was usually delivering there, and this was ten years ago, but I don’t remember them having a problem with it. Easy walking distance to the town centre where there are plenty of good pubs and restaurants.