From the sweeping moorland passes of the North York Moors to the steep limestone climbs of the Yorkshire Dales, exploring Yorkshire by car offers some of the most spectacular road trip views in the UK.
Concentrated across North Yorkshire, these five routes range from thrilling 15-minute mountain passes like Buttertubs to full cross-county road trips from Thirsk to the coast – complete with key driving details, top pub pit-stops, and local advice.
Fancy making a long weekend of it? Check out our guide to the luxury hotels you need to tick off in Yorkshire.
Buttertubs Pass – Wensleydale to Swaledale
Buttertubs Pass is not only one of the most iconic drives in Yorkshire, but across the entire UK. Climbing high over open moorland, this 5.5-mile stretch connects Wensleydale and Swaledale, renowned for its steep climbs, sweeping turns, and dramatic valley views.
It is a short drive, so pull into the summit layby to take in the views toward Great Shunner Fell and Lovely Seat. Peer over the roadside barrier to spot the 66-foot-deep limestone potholes – the ‘butter tubs’ that gave this famous pass its name.
Distance: 5.5 miles.
Key roads: Cliff Gate Road.
Start and finish points: Hawes to Thwaite.
Recommended pitstop: The Crown in Hawes or The Farmers Arms at Muker – ideal for a post-drive pint right after descending into Swaledale.
Stainforth to Halton Gill – Ribblesdale to Littondale
Set off from Stainforth via Goat Lane, following the narrow road straight ahead until you meet Henside Road. Drive carefully here: the road becomes winding and single-track in places, but your effort is rewarded as the peak of Pen-y-ghent rises dramatically to your left.
You will briefly parallel the historic Pennine Way, with open moorland stretching out to the horizon. Watch out for free-roaming sheep and cattle grids along this stretch. There are several small laybys where you can safely pause before the road dips down into the quiet valley of Littondale.
Distance: 7 miles.
Key roads: Silverdale Road & Henside Road.
Start and finish points: Stainforth to Halton Gill.
Recommended pitstop: The Queen’s Arms in Litton – just two miles past Halton Gill, this traditional 17th-century inn serves local ales and hearty pub classics.
Keld to Langthwaite – Swaledale to Arkengarthdale
This scenic Yorkshire drive will see you begin on the B6270, following a turn over a bridge at Keld and up through the hamlet of West Stonesdale. The road does dip, dive, twist and turn so it might not be suitable for those who get travel sick.
After driving through remote moorland for a while, you’ll eventually reach Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in Great Britain, standing at 1,732 feet above sea level. Once you’ve been fed and watered, carry straight ahead on the road with amazing views to be had on a clear day.
Distance: 11 miles.
Key roads: B6270 & Stonesdale Lane.
Start and finish points: Keld to Langthwaite.
Recommended pitstop: Tan Hill Inn in Swaledale – Britain’s highest pub, positioned right at the midpoint of the drive, or The Red Lion Inn at Langthwaite at the finish line.
Thirsk to Scarborough – North York Moors
The A170 follows an ancient travel corridor that dates back to prehistoric times. Heading east out of Thirsk, you will enter the North York Moors National Park after five miles, approaching the western escarpment of the Hambleton Hills.
The highlight – and biggest challenge – is Sutton Bank, a steep 1-in-4 gradient with a sharp hairpin bend that climbs 160 metres in under a mile (note: caravans and towed trailers are banned on this section). Select a low gear for the climb, then pause at the Sutton Bank National Park Centre at the top to take in the famous panoramic view over the Vale of Mowbray. From there, the road continues across Scawton Moor, passing Helmsley and Pickering before finishing on the coast at Scarborough.
Distance: 46 miles.
Key roads: A170.
Start and finish points: Thirsk to Scarborough.
Recommended pitstop: The Royal Oak at Helmsley or The Star Inn at Harome – ideal for a mid-drive stop in one of North Yorkshire’s prettiest market towns.
Stainforth to Malham – Yorkshire Dales
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The route from Stainforth to Malham may be short, but it offers some of the most dramatic limestone scenery in the Dales. Starting in Stainforth, you will weave through drystone walls on narrow single-track lanes – keep your eyes peeled for passing places and oncoming traffic.
The route settles onto a straight high-level road before making a steep descent, revealing the majestic sweep of Malham Cove on your left. The drive finishes in the postcard-pretty village of Malham, an ideal base for a walk around Malham Tarn or Gordale Scar.
Distance: 6.5 miles.
Key roads: Cove Road & Henside Road.
Start and finish points: Stainforth to Malham.
Recommended pitstop: The Lister Arms at Malham – a popular, traditional Dales pub sitting right on the village green at the end of the route.
