UK City Distance Calculator
UK City Distances — Straight Line (Miles)
| From → To | Straight (mi) | Road (approx mi) | Drive | Train |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London → Manchester | 163 | 200 | 3–4 h | 2 h 0 m |
| London → Birmingham | 101 | 120 | 1.5–2.5 h | 1 h 25 m |
| London → Edinburgh | 332 | 400 | 6–7 h | 4 h 20 m |
| London → Glasgow | 345 | 415 | 6.5–7.5 h | 4 h 30 m |
| London → Cardiff | 131 | 155 | 2.5–3.5 h | 2 h 0 m |
| London → Bristol | 103 | 120 | 2–2.5 h | 1 h 35 m |
| London → Leeds | 170 | 210 | 3–4 h | 2 h 10 m |
| London → Liverpool | 178 | 215 | 3–4 h | 2 h 10 m |
| London → Newcastle | 248 | 295 | 4.5–5.5 h | 2 h 45 m |
| London → Sheffield | 162 | 195 | 3–4 h | 2 h 10 m |
| Manchester → Birmingham | 80 | 88 | 1.5–2 h | 1 h 30 m |
| Manchester → Edinburgh | 189 | 220 | 3.5–4.5 h | 3 h 45 m |
| Manchester → Leeds | 36 | 43 | 45–75 m | 55 m |
| Manchester → Liverpool | 28 | 35 | 40–60 m | 45 m |
| Birmingham → Edinburgh | 236 | 295 | 5–6 h | 4 h 30 m |
| Birmingham → Cardiff | 87 | 110 | 2–2.5 h | 2 h 10 m |
| Edinburgh → Glasgow | 41 | 46 | 50–70 m | 50 m |
| Leeds → Newcastle | 73 | 100 | 1.5–2 h | 1 h 30 m |
| Bristol → Cardiff | 26 | 45 | 50–70 m | 50 m |
Road distances are approximate via primary motorway/A-road routes. Train times are typical fastest services and may vary. Drive times are estimates without major traffic delays.
UK City Distances — Key Facts
Straight-Line vs Road Distance
Straight-line distance (also called as-the-crow-flies distance) is the shortest possible distance between two points on the Earth's surface, calculated along a great circle. Road distances are always longer because roads must follow terrain, avoid obstacles, and connect through urban areas. In the UK, road distances are typically 15–25% longer than straight-line distances for inter-city journeys.
For example, London to Edinburgh straight line = 332 miles, but via the A1(M) the road distance is around 400 miles — 20% longer.
London — The UK's Hub
London is the largest city in the UK with a population of around 9 million people (Greater London). It sits in the south-east of England and is the hub of both the motorway network and the rail network. All major UK motorways eventually connect to the M25 London Orbital motorway.
London to Manchester: 163 miles straight / 200 miles road
London to Birmingham: 101 miles straight / 120 miles road
London to Edinburgh: 332 miles straight / 400 miles road
London to Glasgow: 345 miles straight / 415 miles road
London to Cardiff: 131 miles straight / 155 miles road
London to Bristol: 103 miles straight / 120 miles road
UK Train Journey Times
The UK rail network is operated by multiple franchises. Key train times for popular routes:
- London Euston → Manchester Piccadilly: 2 hours (Avanti West Coast)
- London Euston → Birmingham New Street: 1 hour 25 minutes (Avanti)
- London King's Cross → Edinburgh Waverley: 4 hours 20 minutes (LNER)
- London King's Cross → Newcastle: 2 hours 45 minutes (LNER)
- London Paddington → Bristol Temple Meads: 1 hour 35 minutes (GWR)
- London Paddington → Cardiff Central: 2 hours (GWR)
- London Euston → Glasgow Central: 4 hours 30 minutes (Avanti)
UK Driving Times
Average driving speeds in the UK are affected by road type and time of day. On motorways, the legal speed limit is 70 mph but average speeds including congestion are around 55–60 mph on busy routes. As a general rule, plan for:
- Under 100 miles by motorway: 1.5–2.5 hours
- 100–200 miles: 2.5–4 hours
- 200–400 miles: 4–7 hours
- Over 400 miles (e.g. London to Inverness): 8–10 hours
Add extra time during morning rush hour (7–9am), evening rush hour (4:30–6:30pm), and bank holiday periods. Christmas, Easter, and August bank holiday weekends cause the worst travel delays on routes including the M5 (to Cornwall/Devon), M25, and M6.
Land's End to John o'Groats
The iconic end-to-end journey across Great Britain covers 874 miles (1,407 km) by road. The straight-line distance is approximately 603 miles (970 km). The route typically uses the A30 from Land's End, the M5 northward, then the A9 up through Scotland to John o'Groats. By car the journey takes 14–16 hours of driving, usually spread over 2–3 days. Cyclists completing LEJOG (Land's End to John o'Groats) typically take 9–14 days.
Northern Ireland and Channel Islands
Belfast in Northern Ireland is approximately 135 miles (217 km) by sea from Cairnryan in Scotland (ferry crossing 2.25 hours) and approximately 325 miles from London by ferry from Holyhead. The Channel Islands (Jersey and Guernsey) are approximately 80–100 miles off the Normandy coast and are reached by air from several UK airports or by ferry from Poole or Portsmouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is London to Manchester?
London to Manchester is approximately 163 miles (262 km) in a straight line. The road distance via the M6 motorway is around 200 miles (320 km). Driving typically takes 3 to 4 hours depending on traffic, particularly around the M6 through Birmingham. By train (Avanti West Coast from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly) the fastest journey takes about 2 hours.
How far is London to Edinburgh?
London to Edinburgh is approximately 332 miles (534 km) in a straight line. The road distance via the A1(M) is around 400 miles (640 km). Driving takes around 6 to 7 hours with stops. LNER trains from King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley do the journey in approximately 4 hours 20 minutes, making it the fastest practical intercity route in the UK.
What is the total length of Great Britain?
Great Britain is approximately 874 miles (1,407 km) from Land's End in Cornwall to John o'Groats in Scotland by road. The straight-line distance is around 603 miles (970 km). By road this journey takes approximately 14 to 16 hours of driving. The Land's End to John o'Groats (LEJOG) challenge is popular with cyclists and walkers.
How far is London to Birmingham?
London to Birmingham is approximately 101 miles (163 km) in a straight line. The road distance via the M40 is around 120 miles (193 km). Driving takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. By train (Avanti West Coast or Chiltern Railways) the journey takes 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes from London Euston or Marylebone.
How long does it take to drive from London to Cardiff?
London to Cardiff is around 155 miles (250 km) by road via the M4. Driving typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on traffic, particularly on the M4 around the Almondsbury interchange near Bristol and through the Brynglas tunnels in Newport. By train (Great Western Railway) via the Severn Tunnel the journey takes about 2 hours.
What is the road distance from Manchester to Edinburgh?
Manchester to Edinburgh is approximately 189 miles (304 km) in a straight line, with a road distance of around 220 miles (355 km) via the M74 and A74(M) through Gretna Green. Driving takes approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours. By train the journey takes around 3.5 to 4 hours via Glasgow or direct TransPennine Express services.
Nearest Cities
| City Pair | Miles |
|---|---|
| Manchester–Liverpool | 28 |
| Bristol–Cardiff | 26 |
| Edinburgh–Glasgow | 41 |
| Manchester–Leeds | 36 |
| Coventry–Birmingham | 18 |
| Portsmouth–Southampton | 19 |