Racetracks
Knockhill Racing Circuit
Scotland's national motorsport centre, a compact but thrilling circuit with sharp elevation changes near Dunfermline.
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Road trip route · United Kingdom
Liverpool to Edinburgh drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 4 hr 29 min
- Distance
- 217 mi
- Fuel (est.)
- £36
- Tolls (est.)
- None
The Liverpool to Edinburgh drive
The drive from Liverpool to Edinburgh covers 217 miles (349 km) and takes about 4 hr 29 min without stops. That makes it a comfortable one-day drive. Leave in the morning and you'll arrive with the day ahead of you.
Expect fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) to cost around £36 one-way with no significant motorway tolls on the way. Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
Best stops between Liverpool and Edinburgh
Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.
Waterfalls
Aira Force
A 65-foot waterfall plunging through a wooded gorge near Ullswater, with stone bridges framing the cascade.
Ancient Ruins
Castlerigg Stone Circle
A 5,000-year-old stone circle set on a fell with a 360-degree mountain panorama, free and roadside near Keswick.
Scenic Viewpoints
Ullswater
A graceful Z-shaped lake with steamers, the lakeside road and Glenridding making it the perfect Lakes touring base.
Museums
Lakeland Motor Museum
Riverside museum at Backbarrow with 30,000 exhibits including 140 classic vehicles and a dedicated exhibition on the Campbells' Bluebird land and water speed record machines.
Famous Roads
Trough of Bowland
Remote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.
Photo Spots
Culross
Scotland's most complete 17th-century burgh: ochre-coloured Culross Palace, cobbled wynds and white-harled cottages on the Firth of Forth, preserved by the National Trust. Doubles as Cranesmuir in Outlander.
Mountain Passes
Hartside Pass
The A686's grand sweep over the North Pennines between Penrith and Alston, climbing to 580m through wide hairpins with views across the Eden Valley to the Lake District fells. A celebrated drivers' and bikers' road.
Cafes & Pit Stops
Hartside Cafe
A remote hilltop cafe at 1,904 feet on the A686 in Cumbria, one of England's highest road cafes and a bucket-list stop for bikers.
Liverpool to Edinburgh FAQs
How long is the drive from Liverpool to Edinburgh?
Driving from Liverpool to Edinburgh takes about 4 hr 29 min nonstop, covering 217 miles (349 km). Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from Liverpool to Edinburgh?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly £36 one-way. There are no significant motorway tolls on this route. Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from Liverpool to Edinburgh in one day?
Yes, at about 4 hr 29 min of driving, Liverpool to Edinburgh is a comfortable one-day drive with a couple of breaks.
What are the best stops between Liverpool and Edinburgh?
Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include Knockhill Racing Circuit, Aira Force, Castlerigg Stone Circle: see the full list of 9 stops on this page.
More drives from Liverpool & Edinburgh
Birmingham → EdinburghEdinburgh → AberdeenEdinburgh → Fort WilliamEdinburgh → GlasgowEdinburgh → InvernessEdinburgh → NewcastleEdinburgh → YorkLeeds → EdinburghLiverpool → CardiffLiverpool → Glasgow
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free United Kingdom road trip planner, or read the driving in United Kingdom guide.