Yorkshire: York, the moors and the Dales
Medieval York, the harbour and abbey at Whitby and the Ribblehead Viaduct.
- Distance
- 232 km (144 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 12 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 4
- Countries
- United Kingdom
- Updated
- May 26, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 232 km (144 mi) with 4 stops, from York to Ribblehead Viaduct. About 3 h 12 min of driving in total.
More road trips in United Kingdom
Route description
York has the Minster, almost complete medieval city walls and the timber-framed Shambles. Use the park-and-ride sites rather than driving into the centre.
Head north-east across the North York Moors, where the land opens into wide heather moorland that turns purple in late summer. The road down into Whitby has steep descents, and in town 199 steps climb from the harbour to the ruined abbey on the cliff.
The long leg west crosses the Vale of York and enters Wensleydale on the A684 via Leyburn, a green valley of drystone walls and field barns. Hawes is a small market town known for Wensleydale cheese.
From Hawes a moorland road leads to the Ribblehead Viaduct, where 24 stone arches carry the Settle–Carlisle railway below Whernside. Moor roads are narrow and sheep wander freely, and the weather changes fast, so carry waterproofs even in summer.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
York
United Kingdom - 282 km
Whitby
United Kingdom - 3130 km
Hawes
United Kingdom - 419 km
Ribblehead Viaduct
HistoryRibblehead, United KingdomTwenty-four stone arches carry the Settle–Carlisle railway across a bare moor below Whernside.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: York → Whitby · 82 km · 1 h 08 minOvernight nearby, for example: Folly Gardens (< 1 km); Hooks House Farm Camping (7 km).
- Day 2: Whitby → Hawes · 130 km · 1 h 48 minOvernight nearby, for example: Usha Gap Campsite (9 km); Shaw Ghyll caravan and camping (2 km).
- Day 3: Hawes → Ribblehead Viaduct · 19 km · 0 h 16 minOvernight nearby, for example: Philpin Farm Campsite (2 km); Shaw Ghyll caravan and camping (17 km).
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. Cold, short days in January. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Yorkshire: York, the moors and the Dales?
3-day road trip of about 232 km (144 mi) with 4 stops, from York to Ribblehead Viaduct. About 3 h 12 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Yorkshire: York, the moors and the Dales?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 12 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Yorkshire: York, the moors and the Dales start and end?
It starts in York and ends in Ribblehead Viaduct.
Which countries does Yorkshire: York, the moors and the Dales pass through?
United Kingdom.
Where can you camp along Yorkshire: York, the moors and the Dales?
OpenStreetMap lists 203 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Folly Gardens, Hooks House Farm Camping and Usha Gap Campsite.
When is the best time for Yorkshire: York, the moors and the Dales?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. Cold, short days in January. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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