Famous Roads
Snake Pass
A twisting road through the Peak District connecting Sheffield and Manchester, beloved by motorcyclists and driving enthusiasts.
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Road trip route · United Kingdom
Manchester to York drive time, distance, costs & the best stops
- Drive time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Distance
- 71 mi
- Fuel (est.)
- £12
- Tolls (est.)
- None
The Manchester to York drive
The drive from Manchester to York covers 71 miles (114 km) and takes about 1 hr 30 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 £12 one-way with no significant motorway tolls on the way. Prices shift monthly, so treat these as ballpark figures.
Best stops between Manchester and York
Within ~30 km of the driving route, worth the detour.
Scenic Viewpoints
Snake Pass Summit
The highest point on the A57 crossing the Pennines, with moorland views stretching across the Dark Peak landscape.
Cafes & Pit Stops
Bettys Café Tea Rooms, Harrogate
Yorkshire tea-room institution founded by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont in 1919, still family-owned and famous for Fat Rascals and its art-deco interior inspired by the Queen Mary liner.
Racetracks
Harewood Speed Hillclimb
The longest hillclimb course in England at 1,598 yards, climbing Yorkshire moorland on the Harewood estate with sweeping open views over Wharfedale from the spectator banks.
Cafes & Pit Stops
Seaways Cafe
Famous bikers' cafe at Fridaythorpe on the rolling B1251 through the Yorkshire Wolds, drawing hundreds of motorcycles and sports cars on summer weekends for its renowned breakfasts.
Manchester to York FAQs
How long is the drive from Manchester to York?
Driving from Manchester to York takes about 1 hr 30 min nonstop, covering 71 miles (114 km). Add time for breaks: most drivers stop every 2 hours.
How much does it cost to drive from Manchester to York?
Fuel for a typical petrol car (~40 mpg) costs roughly £12 one-way. There are no significant motorway tolls on this route. Estimates are indicative: prices change monthly.
Can I drive from Manchester to York in one day?
Yes, at about 1 hr 30 min of driving, Manchester to York is a comfortable one-day drive with a couple of breaks.
What are the best stops between Manchester and York?
Top-rated stops in the drive corridor include Snake Pass, Snake Pass Summit, Bettys Café Tea Rooms, Harrogate: see the full list of 5 stops on this page.
More drives from Manchester & York
Birmingham → YorkEdinburgh → YorkLondon → ManchesterLondon → YorkManchester → BirminghamManchester → BristolManchester → CardiffManchester → EdinburghManchester → GlasgowManchester → Liverpool
Planning a bigger trip? Try the free United Kingdom road trip planner, or read the driving in United Kingdom guide.