Mobil 1 has announced the results of its study into Britain’s best and worst roads, investigating road conditions and the physiological effects of highways on drivers. The A82 from Glasgow to Fort William has been crowned Britain’s best road while the M1 at Sheffield has been named and shamed as the worst.

The data captured by James Martin and the team included vibration and noise readings of the road, levels of the stress hormone Cortisol in James’ body and his heart rate. From this, Mobil 1 developed an equation to measure the roads which determined the rankings of the best and worst routes shortlisted by the public, by taking the physical readings of the road, dividing it by the physiological recordings and then multiplying the result by a ‘driveability’ rating.

James Martin said: “The Mobil 1 Mission was a grueling test, travelling a long distance across a variety of terrain. But there were some real adrenaline-fuelled highlights. I experienced some phenomenal drives through scenery I didn’t even realise we had in this country.”

“What many fail to realise is that these great roads are just a stone’s throw away.  Hopefully this report by Mobil 1 and the Mobil 1 Open Road iPhone app will allow users to search for the top roads and inspire the Great British Public to rediscover the simple pleasure of driving.”