The UK's longest road that's 410 miles long and cuts through 17 counties

A scenic in the UK that stretches approximately 410 miles, covering to , is the country's longest. The beautiful cuts through 17 counties and acts as a major transport route connecting several towns and cities.

The route begins at St. Paul's Cathedral in London and passes through Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, County Durham, Tyne and Wear, and Northumberland. The journey ends in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The National Highways website says: "The A1 takes the route of the Great North Road, the main highway connecting the capital cities of England and Scotland.

"The A1 covers 410 miles and is the longest numbered road in the UK. The importance of this connection is why it was given the number '1' when it became Britain's first numbered road in 1921.

"The A1 not only connects the UK, but is also part of a key route providing access to international destinations. It links several airports, including Heathrow and Stansted, as well as vital trade ports such as Felixstowe.

"Passing through 17 counties and supporting many businesses that flourish alongside it, the A1 is an essential corridor, used by commuters, hauliers and holiday makers alike."

The A1 traces the historic Great North Road, a former coaching route dating back to Roman times. Once the primary connection between London, northern England, and Scotland, it remains a vital transport artery today.

However, traffic congestion is common, particularly near London and major cities like Leeds and Newcastle, often leading to longer travel times.

The route passes through key locations, including Hatfield, Stevenage, Huntingdon, Peterborough, Stamford, Grantham, Newark-on-Trent, Worksop, Doncaster, Pontefract, Wetherby, Ripon, Scotch Corner, Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Morpeth, Alnwick, and Berwick-upon-Tweed

The A1 serves as a vital corridor for goods transportation and daily commuters across the Midlands and northern England.

Ongoing upgrades aim to enhance safety and ease congestion, with recent improvements including bypasses and junction enhancements.

Further modernisation projects are planned to accommodate increasing transportation demands.