Scotland’s North Coast 500 named best road by drivers

Planning a road trip over the Easter break but not sure where to go? If you want smooth roads and stunning scenery, you may want to choose Scotland’s North Coast 500 route.

In a recent survey commissioned by National Geographic, drivers named the 500-mile circular route the best road in the UK.

Scotland stuns with its natural beauty

Scotland’s North Coast 500 starts and ends at Inverness Castle, boasts some incredible scenery, and takes drivers to the northernmost point of the UK at John O’Groats.

With views of both mountains and coastlines, it may not come as a surprise that drivers named the road their favourite.

Cheddar Gorge in Somerset also made the upper end of the list, as well as Snake Pass in Derbyshire, and the A591 road from Kendal to Keswick, in the Lake District.

The survey found that the experiences most enjoyed behind the wheel included picturesque countryside scenery, smooth surfaces, and as few traffic lights as possible.

Lakes and streams, mountains and cliffs, as well as the ocean, were all included in the most breath-taking views.

Here’s the full list of the top 10 best roads (routes) to drive in the UK:

1. The North Coast 500 route, starting from Inverness in Northern Scotland
2. Cheddar Gorge through the Mendip Hills, B3135, in Somerset
3. Snake Pass in Peak District National Park
4. Kendal to Keswick, A591, in the Lake District
5. Snowdonia’s Llanberis Pass, A4086, in Wales
6. St Ives to St Just, B3306, in Cornwall
7. Best of the Moors, A169 and A170, in Yorkshire
8. The Cotswolds, Cheltenham to Stratford
9. Cat and Fiddle route, A53 then A54, followed by the A537, in the Peak District
10. The Black Mountain Pass, A4069, in the Brecon Beacons, Wales

Road trips to remember

Tim Shaw, presenter of Car S.O.S, said: “The research has highlighted some of the most spectacular locations to drive in the UK, celebrating some of the roads we should all enjoy at some point in our lives.

“The North Coast certainly feels a worthy winner, with its absolutely spectacular scenery – however, as a Yorkshire lad myself, the Snake Pass will always have a special place in my heart.”

For more impressive roads, read our blog which shares eight routes showcasing the true beauty of the UK.