Kobra2112 wrote:Wow, driving from London to Beijing would be a feat for the ages. I think you'd have to go through Europe, then through the majority of Russia, then drive through Mongolia into China and after you cross the desert you should end up in Beijing. All in all would probably take you about 2 weeks non-stop in real life, so probably about 1 day non-stop on the ETS scale
Split up the route due to natural map flaws along the border of China that prevent a single route calculation, this just to show some possible ways via road to Beijing from London.
London to the border gates outside Qoqek, China
79hrs to the border of China and Kazakhstan
From Qoqek border gates to Beijing
40 hrs completes the Journey from the border to Beijing via Ürümqi, Kazakhastan
120hrs total or 5 days. One full work week will get you there
this route is the most direct and fastest and avoids most mountain ranges that surround China, making the drive event-less and probably most boring of the choices. Arrive in Beijing from the Southwest
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Via Mongolia it looks like this
London to Erenhot, China via Altai Mountains
115 hrs to the border gates outside Erenhot, China. Most of this is fairly doable I'm sure with a good truck and some off-roading here and there, the only major issue is the Altai mountain range, where it doesn't look all that favorable to trucks or trucking and the roads aren't that well maintained I'm sure considering Mongolia's economy and the fact that the people have a nomadic lifestyle even these days
London to Border gates of Erenhot, China via Irkutsk
116 hrs if you choose to go around this geographical feature via Irkutsk
Erenhot border gates to Beijing
9hrs to finish the job and arrive from the North side of Beijing
124hrs on the first option... not considering the extra time driving through the mountains + 2/3 hrs at least going through them if it was a good road .
125hrs total on the second more likely choice... or about 5 days 4/5 hrs total, so a fifth of a day extra on this route from the first.
If you want to stay in the green for most of your journey and not dabble in the desert too much these paths are your best bet.
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A different path altogether following the rough path of the Silk Road
London to the port of Irkeshtam, China via Silk Road
96 hrs driving through mostly desert and mountains after leaving Europe behind, not including border checks at all the disputed regions and many countries this route goes through.
Irkeshtam Port to Beijing
51 hrs Once past the Irkeshtam Pass its smooth sailing to the finish line as you pass by the Taklamakan desert
147 hrs in total here, 6 days 2hrs roughly on this travel down the old silk path. Major obsticles include, Pamir and Tian Shan Mountain ranges two of the most imposing geographical features on the planet, Iran who knows what they will stop you (or imprison you) for there if your coming from Europe. Kurdish region of Turkey, things can't be too pretty out that way. Longest path, though probably the more scenic and historic as you pass through the large mountains in Kyrgyzstan.
