Top 5 Busiest Roads in the UK

Navigating the UK’s motorways can sometimes test a driver’s patience. With a constant sea of cars driving through the country every single day, a range of routes become hotspots for jams. For hauliers, subcontractors, and other drivers, knowing the most congested routes is key to planning efficient journeys. In this article, we will guide you through the top 5 busiest roads in the UK – provide alternative routes – and explain how Transmode can help you to outsmart the gridlock.

The UK’s Busiest Roads

M25 (London Orbital Motorway)
M6 (Midlands to Northwest England)
A1(M) (London to Newcastle)
M1 (London to Leeds)
Manchester Ring Road (M60)

1. M25 (London Orbital Motorway)

Often nicknamed “the UK’s biggest car park” and “the road to hell”, the M25 is notoriously congested with gridlock. It runs around Greater London, covering 117 miles, and is a principal interchange for commuters, companies, and goods. Over 200,000 cars a day pass through the M25, with hotspot locations at Junctions 13-15 near Heathrow Airport and the Dartford Crossing.

Overcoming the challenges “the road to hell” presents:

For north-south journey, use the A1(M) or M11.
East-west traffic can be facilitated with routes such as the A406 North Circular and A40.

2. M6 (Midlands to Northwest England)

The M6 is Britain’s longest motorway, stretching more than 230 miles from the West Midlands to Scotland’s border. It’s a vital haulage route but is plagued by severe congestion, particularly in and around Birmingham and Manchester. Traffic volumes increase to 160,000 a day in these areas.

Alternative Routes:

The A50 from Stoke to Derby offers a quicker way of avoiding parts of the M6.
The M62 offers a convenient east-west bypass for trips between Liverpool and Manchester.

3. A1(M) (London to Newcastle)

The A1(M) is an important corridor between northern England and London. As less notoriety-grabbing in character than its counterpart, the M25, it is, nevertheless, congested in and around urban centres including Leeds and Peterborough. With an 85,000-100,000 car daily average, it can significantly slow down during peak-hour times.

Alternative Routes:

For journeys in a northerly direction, the M1 is an acceptable alternative, but even this can become congested.
The A19 brings a welcome for drivers commuting towards Newcastle from Yorkshire.

4. M1 (London to Leeds)

Parallel to the A1(M), one of the busiest motorways in the UK, runs the M1. It connects large city centres like London, Nottingham, and Leeds, with traffic often exceeding 130,000 vehicles a day. Parts between Luton, Northampton, and Sheffield consistently experience heavy congestion due to work traffic and accidents.

Alternative Routes:

The A5 and A6 may offer a viable option for shorter journeys.
The M40 and A14 are east-west diversions based on where you are going.

5. Manchester Ring Road (M60)

Finally, the M60 is the Manchester Outer Ring Road which is renowned for being the UK’s only circular motorway. Between junctions 15 and 16 is known as “death valley” and the busiest section of the motorway in the country.

Alternative Routes:

Use the A59 and M65 for journey routes between Yorkshire and Lancashire.
For travel to Hull, a convenient bypass is the A63.

Plan Ahead with Transmode

Traffic is a part of life in the UK, but with the right measures, jams needn’t bring your journey to a grinding halt. At Transmode, our fleet and drivers are well versed in planning our journeys ahead, with real-time information about traffic and smart routing planning, so we drive safely every time.

Looking for expert haulage services? Contact us and trust Transmode to drive your journey the right way.