Discover The Top Driving Roads in Yorkshire

We know how lucky we are to be based in Harrogate, with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North York Moors on our doorstep, and plenty of fantastic driving opportunities just a stone’s throw away. With rolling countryside, charming farms and those iconic drystone walls to see, it’s no wonder that so many Carlingo cars zip off to explore when they drive away from our showroom. 

But where to head first? Whilst the possibilities are pretty much endless for stunning routes around Yorkshire and scenic stops along the way, we’ve put together a list of some of the standout driving roads in Yorkshire, which are as follows… 

Harrogate to Grassington

Why not kick things off right here in Harrogate, the spa town we call home at Carlingo. From here, head north towards Craven Moor and Pateley Bridge, enjoying 28 miles of open countryside, crossing Greenhow Hill and eventually ending in Grassington. 

Once in Grassington, there’s plenty to explore - there’s a reason it’s been so popular for filming over the years; it’s beautiful. Cobbled streets, tiny shops and a wide expanse of the River Wharfe all await in this typically Yorkshire village.  

Pickering to Whitby on Whitby Road 

Planning a trip to Whitby for unbeatable fish and chips and some Dracula-inspired sight-seeing? If you can, travel up from Pickering via the A169, which is a 20-mile stretch of road that provides a fantastic opportunity for your car to perform as you head towards the coast. There are a couple of hairpin bends as well as open road to really enjoy driving on. 

While you may think of Whitby as the destination, Pickering has enough about it to be on your Yorkshire must-see list too. There’s plenty of market town history, independent shops and restaurants, and its own castle, it’s surrounded by countryside, and looks picture-perfect in pale Yorkshire stone.

Buttertubs Pass 

Despite the quaint name, this road is an exciting ride, featuring steep ascents, corners to squeeze around, and views to take in on the way back down. It’s so-called because of the 65-foot-deep limestone holes near the summit, where it’s rumoured that local farmers used to store their butter to keep it cool on hot days.  

A popular start point is at Thwaite, which is just off the B6270 and heading south along Cliff Gate Road - get ready for some serious climbs in the first couple of miles! Of course, with big climbs come big rewards, so on the descent, you get to enjoy the views over the surrounding fells. 

The pass ends (or starts in reverse) in Hawes, a cute market town famous for producing Wensleydale Cheese. 

Wharfedale Circuit 

This circular drive is the definition of taking the car for a spin, taking in Skipton Castle, Bolton Abbey, and a whole load of beautiful Yorkshire views. It’s recommended that you start and end in Grassington, taking the B6160 alongside the River Wharfe, where you can stop at Bolton Abbey, a town home to a 12th-century Augustinian monastery, now known as Bolton Priory, which we recommend as a historical place to pause along the way.  

From there, you can head west along the A59 before turning right onto the A6131 (divert into Skipton prior to this if majestic historical castles are your thing). The loop completes up to Grassington, where you’ll be flanked by dry stone walls through unspoiled countryside. 

The B6255 at Ribblehead 

There’s little more impressive than a viaduct cutting across the Yorkshire landscape, and the B6255 allows you to enjoy this spectacle from the comfort of your car. Start from either Ingleton or Hawes and get ready to cross the Yorkshire moors, stopping off on the way at Ribblehead, where there’s an opportunity to park up and take in the view, though the viaduct itself is visible from a fair section of the route. 

Find the perfect car for driving in Yorkshire 

You’ve got your Yorkshire driving itinerary, you just need the perfect car to enjoy it all in. We mean it when we say there’s something for everyone; we have over 200 cars in stock. Browse them all online, or pop into our Harrogate showroom, where you’re free to browse, and chat to our knowledgeable team when you find one you like.