Looking for a shorter drive in North Yorkshire, England? These routes have estimated driving times of up to 90 minutes, excluding stops. Allow extra time for viewpoints and breaks.
Climb west from Pateley Bridge towards Greenhow and cross the higher country into Wharfedale. The drive links two contrasting valleys through open, often exposed Dales scenery.
Take the B6255 from Ingleton across the Three Peaks country, passing Ribblehead before continuing to Hawes. Open limestone scenery and the high watershed supply the character of this point-to-point drive.
Follow the B6270 west through Swaledale, linking Richmond with Reeth and the upper dale around Muker. Stone walls, riverside country and the narrowing valley give the journey a steady change of scale.
Make the B1257 through Bilsdale the centrepiece of a North York Moors circuit, returning by Osmotherley and Hawnby. The familiar Helmsley–Stokesley road is paired with smaller moorland roads for a more rounded drive.
Cross the North York Moors from Hutton-le-Hole towards Castleton, then return through the Rosedale side of the hills. Open ridge roads contrast with the more enclosed valley approaches on this moorland circuit.
Follow the B6160 north through Wharfedale, passing Kettlewell and Buckden before crossing towards Bishopdale and Aysgarth. The route moves from settled valley country into a more enclosed upland crossing.
Travel along Wensleydale between Leyburn and Hawes, passing the Aysgarth area on the A684. This is an unhurried valley drive with market-town approaches and open farming country.
Link Whitby and Scarborough on the coastal side of the moors, then return through Pickering and the A169 uplands. This longer circuit combines seaside approaches with a broad inland moorland crossing.
Climb out of Wensleydale and cross the high road into upper Swaledale. The exposed pass, limestone country and changing valley views make this a compact drive with a distinctive upland character.
Head north from Pickering on the A169 over the North York Moors before descending towards Sleights and Whitby. The open upland road is the focus, with the coast providing a natural place to finish.
Head north from Settle along Ribblesdale through Horton, finishing at the Ribblehead road junction. This shorter drive follows the valley into open Three Peaks country without adding a long return leg.
Driving times exclude stops. Leave time for the views, check each route’s notes and make the journey your own.
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