10 Interesting Facts About UK Motorways To Fuel Your Knowledge

Who knew the M6 was that long?

Motorways in England have come a long way since the first one opened in 1958. Now, over 4 million journeys are taken on them every day, but how much do you really know about the road network that helps get drivers from A to B?

Keep scrolling for some insightful and surprising facts to help broaden your knowledge — the perfect trivia for your next dinner party!

1. The Preston Bypass, aka the first-ever stretch of motorway in the UK, was only 8 miles long.

Mediterranean / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Located in the North West, you've probably driven up and down it many times as those 8 miles now make up part of the M6 — which adds up to a huge 232 miles in length!

2. In case you didn't know, National Highways manages the strategic road network in England. It consists of a whopping 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads.

National Highways

And a little bonus fact for you: around 10% of the motorway network is made up of smart motorways!

3. The longest road bridge in England is actually the M6 Bromford Viaduct. It takes traffic right through Birmingham from Castle Bromwich to Spaghetti Junction. Built between 1964 and 1972, it’s an incredible 5,600 metres long!

National Highways

Coming in a close second and taking the top spot as the longest bridge over water is the Prince of Wales Bridge, linking England to Wales — part of the M4, it totals 5,128 metres in length.

4. Contrary to popular opinion, the M25 isn’t a continuous motorway that goes all the way around London. Ever heard of the Dartford Crossing? One of the main routes into London from the East, it's an A-road that punctuates the M25, allowing non-motorway traffic to cross the Thames. The only circular motorway is the M60 around Manchester.

National Highways

The M25 is 117 miles long and the part between junctions 13 and 14, running beside Heathrow Airport, is the busiest stretch of motorway in the UK!

5. In 2020, National Highways revealed that more than 46,000 items ended up on England’s motorways and major A-roads across the space of 10 months. Traffic officers dealt with everything from a washing machine and sofa to a double-glazed door and a ship’s mast!

Gyro / Getty Images

So, the next time you put something on your car's roof rack or in your trailer, double-check that it's properly secured!

6. By 2030, National Highways will have planted at least 3 million trees, making it one of the biggest tree planters in the UK.

Karl Hendon / Getty Images

That’s around 54 times more trees than you’d find in Epping Forest!

7. By the end of 2020, the rollout of additional smart motorways created almost 500 miles of added motorway capacity without needing to build new roads or use extra land!

National Highways

8. The M62 is the highest motorway in the UK at 372 metres above sea level; the highest point is referred to as the M62 Summit.

National Highways

That’s the equivalent of over five Big Dippers in Blackpool! The Lower Thames Crossing will eventually be the lowest point on the network, as well as the only part below sea level.

9. A massive 86% of motorway incidents are cleared within one hour throughout the day and night...

National Highways

We're just trying to comprehend how quick that actually is.

10. Did you know that marker posts tell you where you are on the network? You'll find them every 100 metres!

Google Maps

If you break down, be sure to give the rescue company the details found on your nearest marker post and they’ll know exactly where to find you.

Another bonus fact for you: junction numbers always run away from London!

Whatever part of the motorway network you’re driving on, check out National Highways' advice on how to keep safe ahead of your next journey!