Castles & Palaces
Hever Castle
Romantic 13th-century double-moated castle that was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, set within award-winning gardens and a 38-acre lake.
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Road trip route · United Kingdom
London to Brighton drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 1 hr 38 min
- Distance
- 53 mi
- Fuel (est.)
- £9
- Tolls (est.)
- None
The London to Brighton drive
The drive from London to Brighton covers 53 miles (86 km) and takes about 1 hr 38 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 £9 one-way with no significant motorway tolls on the way. Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
Best stops between London and Brighton
Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.
Museums
Brooklands Museum
The birthplace of British motorsport and aviation, featuring the world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit from 1907.
Cafes & Pit Stops
Box Hill National Trust Cafe
The hilltop cafe at the summit of Box Hill offering sweeping views across the Surrey Hills, a classic destination for drivers and cyclists alike.
Cafes & Pit Stops
David's Cafe at Box Hill
A popular roadside cafe at the base of the Box Hill zig-zag road, serving as the unofficial meeting point for the Surrey biker community.
Landmarks
Thorpe Park
Thrill-focused theme park near London catering to older children and adults with intense roller coasters.
Racetracks
Brands Hatch Circuit
Legendary undulating British racing circuit in Kent hosting major motorsport events and offering car racing experiences.
Racetracks
Brooklands
The world's first purpose-built motor racing circuit, opened 1907, where surviving sections of the towering concrete Members' Banking rear up out of the Surrey woodland. The museum holds racing cars and aircraft on the original site.
Landmarks
Dunsfold Aerodrome (Top Gear Test Track)
The famous airfield test track used by BBC Top Gear for its power laps and celebrity challenges.
Landmarks
Caterham Cars
Home of the legendary Caterham Seven where visitors can see lightweight sports cars assembled and even build their own.
London to Brighton FAQs
How long is the drive from London to Brighton?
Driving from London to Brighton takes about 1 hr 38 min nonstop, covering 53 miles (86 km). Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from London to Brighton?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly £9 one-way. There are no significant motorway tolls on this route. Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from London to Brighton in one day?
Yes, at about 1 hr 38 min of driving, London to Brighton is a comfortable one-day drive with a couple of breaks.
What are the best stops between London and Brighton?
Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include Hever Castle, Brooklands Museum, Box Hill National Trust Cafe: see the full list of 9 stops on this page.
More drives from London & Brighton
London → AberdeenLondon → AmsterdamLondon → BarcelonaLondon → BathLondon → BirminghamLondon → BristolLondon → BrugesLondon → BrusselsLondon → CambridgeLondon → Cardiff
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free United Kingdom road trip planner, or read the driving in United Kingdom guide.