![SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]](https://sdvh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SDVH_logo_concept_4-02.svg){kind=logo}
The United Kingdom has a broad motorway network that connects the cities, towns and villages. Among this interconnected network of roads, a few stand out for their incredible length. If you frequently travel around the country by road, you may have wondered, What road holds the title of the longest motorway in the UK?
Whether you’re an adventurer looking to hire a car and explore the country’s roads or you’re simply interested in broadening your knowledge, we have put together a list of the UK’s five longest motorways. Join us as we explore the origins and unique features of each road.
Table Of Contents
Top 5 Longest Motorways In The UK
Motorways in Britain have been around for several decades. It all started with the Preston By-Pass, which opened in December 1958. Since then, the UK motorway network has continued to expand, covering over 2,300 miles.
M6 – 236 Miles (380 km)
Reaching 235 miles (380 km), the UK’s longest motorway is none other than the M6. The M6 is also one of the most essential motorways in the country, starting in Catthorpe, Leicestershire, in central England, before heading north through the west Midlands and ending in Gretna Green.
The Preston By-pass, the UK’s first motorway, formed part of the M6.
From the Midlands, the M6 passes between Liverpool and Manchester into Lancashire. From here, it’s a smooth drive to the Scottish border, and you get to enjoy beautiful landscapes and the glorious scenery of the Cumbrian Lakes as you go. Check out our other article to find the longest A road in the UK.
M1 – 200 Miles (322 km)
Although the M6 holds the title of the longest motorway, it isn’t as vital for Britain’s road network as the next road on our list. The M1 is the second longest motorway in the country and arguably the most important.
Highways England, formerly known as the Highways Agency, is the government company charged with operating and maintaining motorways in the UK.
Millions of people travel through the M1 each year, as it is the primary road between the north and south. The road extends over 200 miles (322 km), linking London with Leads through Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield and alike, and ending in Hook Moor, Yorkshire.
See here for details about the highest road in the UK.
M4 – 192 Miles (309 km)
While the M6 and M1 are north-south roads, the M4 connects the east and west routes of the country. It is the only part-Welsh road on this list. The M4 starts in Chiswick, London and runs through the Thames Valley and the North Wessex Downs before ending in Swansea, South Wales.
Many people refer to the area surrounding this motorway as the ‘M4 corridor’. This includes the towns and cities close to London. These areas are the major technology hubs of the UK, which contributes to high traffic on the M4.
Since many holiday destinations head down towards West Country from South East, the M4 motorway is often very busy during the peak summer season.
Be careful not to go faster than the speed limit of 70 mph (113 km) when driving on motorways.
M5 – 163 Miles (262 km)
Next on our list is the M5 motorway. Running for 163 miles (262 km), this road links the Midlands and the South West of England. The carriageway starts at Junction 8 of the M6 at West Bromwich and ends in Exeter, Devon.
The M5 is very important to the British road network, as it connects you to some of the most popular destinations in the country. During weekends, school holidays and public holidays, this road sees very high traffic, which sometimes causes congestion.
The M5 provides access to some of the country’s greatest cities, like Birmingham and Bristol. It also connects to other major motorways, such as the M4 and M6.
When driving on a motorway, always keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front, and increase the gap on wet or icy roads.
M25 – 117 Miles (188 km)
To complete this list, we have the M25. Also known as the London Orbital Motorway, this road stretches for 117 miles (188 km). In addition to being one of the UK’s longest motorways, it is one of the largest orbital motorways in the world.
The M25 is a ring motorway that almost completely encircles Greater London. It carries a whopping 15% of the UK’s traffic, with around 200,000 vehicles passing through here each day. The M25 was originally designed as a dual three-lane motorway, but the government has since widened it to dual four lanes for almost half of its length.
Although these are the longest motorways in the UK, they are not the longest roads in the country. See which road holds the title of the longest road.
Fun Facts About The UK Motorways
Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about the UK’s longest motorways, we’ll explore some interesting general details about motorways in the UK.
- The M62 has the honour of being the highest motorway in the UK, reaching 1,221 feet (272 metres) above sea level. Check out our articles on the highest roads in Wales, England and Scotland.
- Measuring just 0.6 miles (1 km), the A308 (M) in Berkshire is the shortest motorway in the UK.
- The M41 in Central London was initially a motorway before it was downgraded to an A road and renamed West Cross Route.
- The M25 was initially the world’s longest ring road before losing that label to the Berlin Ring in Germany, which stretches over 121 miles (195 km).
- The M61 at Linnyshaw Moss, Greater Manchester, is the widest motorway with 17 lanes of traffic.
- There have been more than 320 openings of motorways with networks covering England and some parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Is Longer: The M1 Or M4?
The M1 is longer than the M4. The M1, which extends over 200 miles (322 km) and connects London to Yorkshire, is the second-longest motorway in the UK. However, the M4 is not far behind. It is the third-longest of Britain’s motorways, reaching 192 miles (309 km). The M4 starts in Chiswick, London, and cuts a course through to Swansea.
What Is The Busiest Motorway In The UK?
The busiest motorway in the UK is the M25 or London Orbital Motorway. This road carries around 15% of the daily traffic in the UK, which is the equivalent of about 200,000 cars passing. This route gets so much traffic because it is one of the most important roads for anyone travelling to and from London.
What Was The First Motorway In The UK?
The first motorway in the UK was the Preston Bypass. This road, which was an eight-mile stretch, was designed by Lancashire County Council. It opened as far back as 1958, with an estimated 2,300 cars passing the route daily within the first month. The Preston Bypass has since undergone a series of upgrades and is now a part of the M6 motorway.
What Is The 4th Longest Motorway In The UK?
The 4th longest motorway in the UK is the M5. This 163-mile (262 km) course links the Midlands and the South West of England. The road starts at Junction 8 of the M6 in West Bromwich and runs to Exeter in Devon. The M5 is almost always very busy because it connects to many popular holiday destinations in the country.
Conclusion
There you have it – The M6 is the longest motorway in the UK, with a total length of 236 miles (380 km), running from Catthorpe to the Scottish borders. It is also one of the most important carriageways in the country, running across several great cities. Now that you have all the information, you can hire a car and explore these UK roads at your convenience.
