Middlesbrough to Leeds by car: Distance, drive time & best stops
The distance from Middlesbrough to Leeds is 70 miles, with a 1h12m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Middlesbrough to Leeds drive are the Sutton Bank National Park Centre, the World of James Herriot and Mother Shipton’s Cave.
Finding the best things to do between Middlesbrough and Leeds
The drive from Middlesbrough to Leeds takes you from one of the biggest towns in North East England to the biggest city in Yorkshire.
The best Leeds activities include food tours that visit top local restaurants and Emmerdale filming locations bus tours.
Middlesbrough to Leeds distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Middlesbrough to Leeds is 70 miles. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and 12 minutes. The quickest route goes down the A19, A168, A1(M) and A1.
The best stops to add to a Middlesbrough to Leeds road trip are the Sutton Bank National Park Centre, the World of James Herriot and Mother Shipton’s Cave.
Middlesbrough to Leeds drive: Sutton Bank National Park Centre
The Sutton Bank National Park Centre is the gateway to the North York Moors National Park. It’s in a splendid position, with supreme views over the Vale of York and Mowbray.
A series of cycling trails leave from here, from a family-friendly three mile route to a more challenging 17.5 mile mountain biking effort. Bikes can be hired from the neighbouring Sutton Bank Bikes.
The Centre is also part of an International Dark Sky Reserve. An outdoor seating area is set aside for stargazers, but special, bookable stargazing events run throughout the year.
Best stops between Middlesbrough and Sheffield: The World of James Herriot
Thirsk is at the heart of North Yorkshire farming country, and it was also where veterinarian Alf Wright practiced. Wright was better known as James Herriot, author of All Creatures Great and Small, which has twice been turned into a hugely popular TV series.
Filming isn’t actually done around Thirsk, which has grown too big to pull off the charming village vibe. But Thirsk is home to the World of James Herriot, a museum with equal doses of nostalgia and interaction. All Creatures Great and Small fans lap it up.
Middlesbrough to Leeds road trip attractions: Mother Shipton’s Cave
Mother Shipton’s Cave in Knaresborough claims to be Britain’s oldest tourist attraction. You can take that with a pinch of salt, of course.
The walk through the forest up to the cave is arguably more appealing than the cave itself, but Mother Shipton’s Cave is all about the stories. The tale goes that a prophetess was born in this cave in 1488. She supposedly went on to predict the Great Fire of London and Spanish Armada. Again, take all of this with a pinch of salt, but enjoy the hokum.
More Middlesbrough road trips
Middlesbrough to Manchester | Middlesbrough to Sheffield | Middlesbrough to York.
More Leeds road trips
Doncaster to Leeds | Huddersfield to Leeds | Leeds to Hull | Leeds to Milton Keynes | Leeds to Newcastle | Nottingham to Leeds | Sheffield to Leeds | Leeds to York.