From the Topcliffe A168 Junction, the route runs north through Northallerton, and crosses the A66 road just east of the A66(M) section.

It runs on through Darlington, across A1(M) junction 59, and on to Newton Aycliffe, Ferryhill, Durham and Chester-le-Street.

The start point of the Great North Run is on the A167(M) Central Motorway in Newcastle.

After the city centre it reverts to dual carriageway to its terminus at the Kenton Bar A1/A696 junction.

It also has other junctions where entry to and exit from the motorway is via the outside lane, which can lead to a lot of weaving and conflicting traffic movement.