Which way to Grangemouth from Wakefield pulling weight?

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Scania

Scania

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On the road....
I'm wondering which way to get to Bonny Scotland in the morning (start @2AM) starting from Wakefield where I'm currently parked for the night.
I should have set off earlier today but - typically - my load was not ready! :(

My head is saying M1,A1,A66 etc etc but google maps also gives the option of the A1, A696,A68 bringing me up towards Edinburgh.

I am tempted to take the latter route as I have a 6 hour travelling time window to get there, its longer than the former route but I'm sure a lot nicer.

Thing is, I'm not sure about the topography, I will be running @ full weight - circa 44tons and thus,ideally, don't want too many hills - I have a 420BHP 6-pot rather than a 620BHP V8 alas....

So I thought I'd ask the question here to see what you guys would do (please bear in mind I'm limited to 40MPH on single carriageways and 50MPH on Duals, 56 on Motorways and the weight I will be pulling)

I'll log in prior to me setting off and see what the OC/UK collective advises......

I regard this thread as getting the best value for money from my dongle and for once, using OC/UK for work purposes! :D

Thanks. :)
 
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Biggles Biggles says: with the week beginning with a Scottish bank holiday, and the A66 running into the Lakes, the A68 will be the better route.
 
Here's me thinking if you're A1 bound you'll be trundling past the bottom of my road in the small hours of the morning.

Then I realised if you're headed northbound it would be silly to come down through Barnsley and across to the A1 at Pontefract.

Ah well, no surprise package left at the side of the road for you!
 
parked up at the wakefield 41 estate ?

I live just round the corner :D

A68 is far from flat, its very hilly in fact, google streetview shows it goes through the northumberland national park so lots of hills. Looks quite tight as well, solid white lines as far as the eye can see.

Take the A1.
 
Unless you like country roads I would go A1 > A66 > M6 > M74 > M73 > M80 > M876 > M9

Although the 74 from Gretna is like a country road except with 6 lanes. :D
 
In light of what you need to do, I would take the path of least resistance. I do not know those roads at all, so I can't be of any practical help I'm afraid. You might be able to take the more scenic route back, I guess that depends on where you are going from Grangemouth and whether you'll be running empty or light or not.
 
Whilst this may not be your primary consideration, a lot of the 696 and 68 are single carriageway with little room for overtaking, you'd make life hell for folk wanting to make progress :D

They're both very hilly to boot in all honestly.

Stick with the 66, it's more of a trunk road.
 
You're the expert ;)

Personally i'd just take the A1 all the way to Edinburgh but in a car from Middlesbrough that's around 3.5/4 hours. It may not be the fastest but it's a pretty flat road and definatley suitable for heavy goods.
 
If it was me I would take the 66 anyday of the week. I havn't done the 68 for a long time, but I seem to remember it being a pain in the arse. Are you off to the docks btw?
 
LewisStuart said:
Unless you like country roads I would go A1 > A66 > M6 > M74 > M73 > M80 > M876 > M9

Although the 74 from Gretna is like a country road except with 6 lanes. :D
Click to expand...

This is the best route imo.

Dull a hell but you could read a bloody book whilst running the M74 :p I swear there was something like 6 cars once I crossed the border :D


The other route my parents used a few times when we went on holiday - fun for small children but very hilly :(
 
fozzy said:
Are you off to the docks btw?
Click to expand...

Asda distribution centre at West Mains.

MrLOL said:
parked up at the wakefield 41 estate ?

I live just round the corner :D

A68 is far from flat, its very hilly in fact, google streetview shows it goes through the northumberland national park so lots of hills. Looks quite tight as well, solid white lines as far as the eye can see.

Take the A1.
Click to expand...

Thats the one. :)

LewisStuart said:
Unless you like country roads I would go A1 > A66 > M6 > M74 > M73 > M80 > M876 > M9

Although the 74 from Gretna is like a country road except with 6 lanes. :D
Click to expand...

Having taken into consideration the comments re the 68 being a bit unsuitable (which it certainly looks on Streetview) I'm going to opt for the above route.

I'll post an update in about 6 hours to let you know if I got there alive!

Cheers Guys. :)
 
The single carriageway of the A1 through Northumberland into Scotland seems to attract HGVs and Cement Mixers. :D
 
MrLOL said:
parked up at the wakefield 41 estate ?

I live just round the corner :D

A68 is far from flat, its very hilly in fact, google streetview shows it goes through the northumberland national park so lots of hills. Looks quite tight as well, solid white lines as far as the eye can see.

Take the A1.
Click to expand...

I used to live just round the corner from there too, in Outwood. I live a touch farther away now though...
 
I think you should set up a google latitude when you're driving the trucks so that we can see in real time where in the world you are

Just don't make any online enemies ¬_¬
 
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