Three Scenic Road Trips from York: Routes, Timing and Where to Stay

Three loop drives from York through the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Dales and the coast, with honest notes on drive times, best months and which hotel to book for each.

The Moor Loop: York to Helmsley, Rosedale and Pickering

Head north out of York on the A19 and turn east at Thirsk for the A170 to Helmsley, roughly 50 minutes and 40 miles from the city walls. From Helmsley take the B1257 over the moors to Stokesley; the stretch across Bilsdale is the best driving road in the county. Loop back south via Castleton and the A171, then the A169 through Pickering. Allow a full day: 95 miles, around three hours of driving without stops. Blakey Ridge between Castleton and Hutton-le-Hole has the long views, and the Lion Inn at Blakey is the obvious lunch halt.

Best months are May, June and September. July and August bring coaches to Helmsley and Goathland, and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway steam services from Pickering fill the A169 at Pickering in high season. Skip the Whitby turn-off on this loop — you want the Pickering to Helmsley run back for dusk. For accommodation, book in Helmsley for a Saturday night: the market square inns put you 20 minutes from Rievaulx Abbey and the terrace above it, and you avoid the traffic queue at Pickering. For a heritage town with a station, Malton, 20 minutes from York on the A64, is the practical overnight if you are starting late.

The Dales Run: Ripon, Pateley Bridge and Grassington

Take the A59 west out of York, then the A1(M) north to Ripon — 45 minutes, 32 miles. From Ripon, the B6265 over to Pateley Bridge climbs through Nidderdale, and from there the B6165 and unclassified lanes lead to Grassington via Lofthouse and Kettlewell. Wharfedale's valley road to Buckden and Hubberholme is the highlight: single-track in places, stone walls both sides, pull in for oncoming traffic. Return via Skipton and the A59 or the A65. The full circuit is about 130 miles, three and a half hours of driving. Nidderdale's Dallowgill turn above Pateley Bridge is the quieter alternative to the main valley road.

Go between late April and early October; the Dales lanes flood and grit in winter, and some Hutton-le-Hole to Kettlewell-style hill roads close in snow. August weekends push walkers into Grassington and Kettlewell car parks by 10am. If you want a base rather than a long day, book Ripon: it is 40 minutes from York, has the cathedral and a good Saturday market, and the road west to Pateley starts on the doorstep. Grassington hotels are more atmospheric but harder to reach for a late arrival. Skip the A1(M) on the return if you are tired — A59 through Harrogate is slower but straight and well lit.

The Coast Road: Whitby, Runswick Bay and Staithes

The fastest coastal run from York is the A64 to Malton, then the A169 through Pickering and over the moors to Whitby: 55 miles, roughly one hour 20 minutes without a stop. From Whitby take the A174 north to Sandsend, Runswick Bay and Staithes, then loop inland to Guisborough and back down the A19. The 40-minute stretch between Whitby and Saltburn is the one to drive slowly; park at Runswick Bay's clifftop car park and walk down. Return via the A171 if you want the moorland light late in the day. Total: about 140 miles, three hours driving.

Book Whitby for a Friday or Saturday: the abbey, the 199 steps and the harbour are all walkable, and you escape the day-trip crush by staying over. July and August are busiest; May and September give you the same cliffs with fewer cars and easier parking in Staithes, where the village car park fills by 11am in summer. If you prefer space, Saltburn-by-the-Sea has a wider promenade and cheaper parking. Skip the A169 back to York on a Sunday evening in August — the Pickering level crossing queue at Malton Road can add 30 minutes. Of the three routes, I would book the coast first: one base in Whitby, two full days.

Questions, answered

Which route is easiest for a first-time visit to North Yorkshire?

The moor loop. Roads are wider and signposted, Helmsley and Pickering give you food and fuel, and you can cut it short at any point. The Dales lanes need more confidence, and the coast route is longer than it looks on a map.

Where should I stay for two nights covering both moors and coast?

Pickering. It sits on the A169 for Whitby and the A170 for Helmsley, so both loops start on your doorstep. Book early for weekends between May and September; malton and Helmsley are the fallbacks if Pickering is full.

When is the worst time to drive these routes?

August weekends and bank holidays. Expect slow traffic through Pickering, Grassington and Whitby, full car parks by mid-morning and queues at the A169 level crossing. Late April, May, June and September are much calmer.

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