Traveling along the A19 may not initially appear to be an exciting way to conclude a hectic workday, yet many drivers have a different perspective, as this road has recently been recognized as the top A road in the UK. This route in North Yorkshire stretches from York, passing through Thirsk, Northallerton, Easingwold, Selby, and reaching Teesside. It achieved this honor in the latest Strategic Roads User Survey conducted by the independent organization Transport Focus.

In the survey, which included responses from 9,000 road users regarding major A roads overseen by National Highways, the A19 stood out with an impressive overall satisfaction rating of 85%. Feedback highlighted features such as its well-maintained surface and clear road markings. Notably, this figure reflects an increase from last year’s satisfaction rate of 77%, allowing the A19 to ascend six positions in the rankings.

Rob Exelby, who operates Exeby Services near Thirsk alongside his family, suggested that the A19’s popularity stems from its connection to numerous notable towns and cities throughout North Yorkshire and the North East. His family runs five Shell petrol stations along this route, serving approximately 2,000 customers daily. He acknowledged that while traffic accidents and congestion can be issues, they tend to be resolved swiftly.

Conversely, Will Yarrow of Yorkshire Haulage expressed surprise at the A19 being named the best A road. He described it as “manic” due to persistent heavy traffic that often hampers travel times. However, he noted that such conditions have become a norm for local drivers over the years.

York Civic Trust remarked on the historical significance of the A19 as it connects three cities with Roman heritage: Newcastle, York, and Doncaster. They pointed out that while it spans 124 miles and is relatively new compared to its parallel counterpart, the A1—which was part of the ancient Great North Road—this aspect may contribute to its unique appeal among drivers seeking a less congested alternative.

Despite its advantages, some congestion occurs at urban points like York and Selby. The Civic Trust highlighted that many may not realize they are still on the A19 when caught in traffic on routes such as Bootham or Fulford Road. They advocated for improvements to York’s outer ring road to alleviate city center congestion.

Alex Robertson from Transport Focus emphasized that maintaining existing roads is currently more crucial for users than constructing new ones. He noted a decline in perceptions of road quality since 2022 and stressed the importance of ensuring safe and smooth journeys for drivers.