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Moving from Edinburgh to Aberdeen

About a hundred and twenty-five miles up the east coast. It is a full day for your driver, so the planning is mostly about starting on time and having everything ready.

The route

Over the Queensferry Crossing, up the M90 to Perth, then the A90 past Dundee, Forfar and Stonehaven. It is dual carriageway almost all the way. Near Aberdeen the Western Peripheral Route takes traffic round the city, which helps if your new home is in the west or the north of it. There is no toll on the Forth crossings.

How long does a man with a van take from Edinburgh to Aberdeen?

Allow about two and a half to three hours on the road for a van, plus the loading and unloading time you book, so plan for an early start.

Choosing the loading time

The price already includes the driving, so the figure you choose in the form is the time for loading in Edinburgh and unloading in Aberdeen, added together. Be honest about both ends. A top-floor flat with no lift takes far longer than a ground-floor one, and if the job runs over, the extra time is charged at the driver's rate, which you see before you book.

On a run this long, having everything boxed, dismantled and by the door at the Edinburgh end is what keeps the day under control. An hour lost at the start is an hour later arriving in Aberdeen.

Does Aberdeen have a Low Emission Zone?

Yes. Aberdeen's city-centre zone has been enforced since 1 June 2024, with the same standard as Edinburgh: Euro 6 for a diesel van and Euro 4 for petrol.

The penalty notice for a van that does not meet the standard goes to its registered keeper. If your new address is in the city centre, mention it when you book and your driver will confirm the van is fine for it.

What to sort out at the Aberdeen end

Someone needs to be there with the keys when the van arrives. Check where it can stop: the granite tenements and flats in the centre and the West End have controlled parking, and the city council handles its own permits and bay suspensions. If the building has a lift or a loading bay that has to be booked, book it for the time your driver gives you, and put the details in the notes.