Scenic Road Trip

North Coast 500

Scotland's Answer to Route 66

830

km total

days

14h

drive time

May–September

best season

Inverness Inverness (loop)

Inverness marks both ends of the 830-km North Coast 500, a loop around the top of Scotland where single-track roads wind past sea lochs and crofting villages. Traffic drives on the left, the drink-drive limit is 0.08, and five days is the minimum for a route that punishes anyone in a hurry.

Quick Facts


Route	Inverness to Inverness (loop)
Country	Scotland, UK
Distance	830 km
Recommended days	5
Total drive time	~14 hours
Best months	May–September
Toll cost	None — no toll roads in Scotland
Est. fuel cost	~EUR 100
Motorway speed limit	112 km/h
Alcohol limit (BAC)	0.08
Drives on	Left

Top 5 Highlights

1. Bealach na Ba

Britain’s steepest road climbs to 626 m with Applecross Peninsula views

2. Smoo Cave

A massive sea cave near Durness with a waterfall inside the chamber

3. Duncansby Stacks

Sea stacks near John o’ Groats — more dramatic than the famous signpost

4. Suilven

An unmistakable sugar-loaf mountain rising from the Assynt wilderness

5. Stac Pollaidh

A short, rewarding ridge hike with 360-degree Highland panoramas

Road Conditions & Terrain

Terrain: Single-track roads through remote Highland glens, coastal cliffs, and mountain passes

Road type: Mix of single-track with passing places (west) and A-roads (east coast). Some stretches have no mobile signal.

Best Time to Drive

Best months: May–September

June offers 18+ hours of daylight; midges peak July–August along the west coast

Key Driving Rules

UK drives on the LEFT. Speed limits: 60 mph (96 km/h) on single carriageways, 30 mph (48 km/h) in towns. Watch for sheep on unfenced roads. Many sections have no overtaking opportunity for long stretches.

Speed Limits

Road Type	Limit
Urban	48 km/h
Rural/Open road	96 km/h
Motorway	112 km/h

Required Equipment

Warning triangle
Reflective vest
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher

Estimated Costs

Item	Cost
Fuel (petrol, round trip)	~EUR 100
Tolls/vignette	None — no toll roads in Scotland
Petrol price (per litre)	~$1.85 USD
Diesel price (per litre)	~$1.78 USD

Practical Tips

Drive clockwise to keep the coast on your left and face the best views
On single-track roads, pull into passing places on your LEFT to let others pass
Fuel stations close early in remote areas — fill up whenever you see a pump
Pack insect repellent for midges (June–August), especially on the west coast
Wild camping is legal in Scotland — pitch discreetly and leave no trace

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Frequently Asked Questions

The North Coast 500 covers 830 km and takes approximately 14 hours of pure driving time. We recommend 5 days to enjoy the highlights and stops along the way.

The best months are May–September. June offers 18+ hours of daylight; midges peak July–August along the west coast

None — no toll roads in Scotland

See toll costs and payment options

Scotland, UK drives on the left side of the road.

The blood alcohol limit in Scotland, UK is 0.08 BAC.

Check your blood alcohol limit