The A1, the UK’s longest road that runs approximately 410 miles (Image: Getty)
Stretching approximately 410 miles (660 kilometres) from London in the south to Edinburgh in Scotland, the A1 is the UK’s longest road. The picturesque road passes through 17 counties and serves as a vital transport route connecting major cities and towns in the country.
The route starts from St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and traverses Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Northumberland.
The end point of the journey is Edinburgh in Scotland.
The A1 follows the path of the Great North Road, a historic coaching route dating back to Roman times. It was the primary road linking London to the north of England and Scotland.
However, it’s not always free from traffic. While approaching London and major cities like Leeds and Newcastle, the A1 experiences heavy traffic, increasing the travel time for travellers.
The route covers London to Edinburgh (Image: Getty)
It passes through Hatfield, Stevenage, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Stamford, Grantham, Newark-on-Trent, Worksop, Doncaster, Pontefract, Wetherby, Ripon, Scotch Corner, Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Morpeth, Alnwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed.
The road is also a key route for transporting goods and for daily commuters in the north and Midlands.
Continuous upgrades are carried out to improve safety and reduce congestion. Recent works include bypasses and junction improvements.
Some stretches are planned for further modernisation to meet growing transportation needs.
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The A1 travels through 17 counties, making it a major connector for towns, cities, and rural areas (Image: Getty Images)
A spokesperson on the National Highways website says: “The A1 takes the route of the Great North Road, the main highway connecting the capital cities of England and Scotland.
“The A1 covers 410 miles and is the longest numbered road in the UK. The importance of this connection is why it was given the number ‘1’ when it became Britain’s first numbered road in 1921.
“The A1 not only connects the UK, but is also part of a key route providing access to international destinations. It links several airports, including Heathrow and Stansted, as well as vital trade ports such as Felixstowe.
“Passing through 17 counties and supporting many businesses that flourish alongside it, the A1 is an essential corridor, used by commuters, hauliers and holiday makers alike.”