How many toll roads are in the UK? [Complete list]
UK toll roads: find out where they are, how they work and what happens if you don't pay the charge.
Are you visiting the UK or planning a road trip across the country? There's a fair chance you'll come across a toll road somewhere along your journey.
While the UK has relatively few tolled motorways compared to many European countries, they are still out there.
In this guide, we explain what they are, how they work and where to find them.
What, exactly, are toll roads?
Put simply, a toll road is a stretch of road, bridge or tunnel that road users must pay a fee (toll) to use.
The idea is that these fees cover the cost of road maintenance and go towards improvements or new constructions in the area. They also offer an alternative route for road users, often with the benefit of faster travel times thanks to reduced congestion.
How are the fees calculated?
Each toll road has its own tariffs. The amount you must pay will vary depending on several factors.
The type of vehicle you're driving tends to have the biggest effect on the price. Larger, heavier vehicles like HGVs and vans generally net higher fees, while car drivers pay less. Motorcyclists usually pay the lowest tolls.
The time of day can also make a difference. That's because many tolls use a peak and off-peak system. Peak times (usually during rush hours) mean higher fees, while lower fees are charged during off-peak times and throughout the night.
To see exactly what you'll pay, check the website of the specific toll road or contact the toll operator directly.
When and how do you pay?
If you cross the threshold of a tolled area, be it a road, bridge or tunnel, then you are liable for payment.
Many tolls have booths that allow cash, card or contactless payments at the time of travel. Some allow for online payments, which can be made within a certain amount of time after you have used the toll. There is also the option of paying over the phone or by post for some crossings.
The exact payment methods available vary by toll, so it's important to check before using them.
What happens if you don't pay?
If you forget to pay a toll fee, you'll be issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) or Unpaid Toll Charge Notice (UTCN).
Typically, these fines start at around £30 – plus the original toll charge. The fine increases if not paid within a certain number of days.
Our advice: be careful. Some tolls, such as the M6 toll, are very strict on missed payments. On toll roads like this, you can expect higher charges, less time to pay and the potential involvement of third-party debt recovery agencies.
Are toll roads a good idea?
Opinions on toll roads are split. Some road users love the convenience and fast travel options they offer, while others would rather avoid the additional charges.
Either way, it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with their locations so you can plan your journey accordingly.
The complete list of UK toll roads
Please note that fees are correct at the time of writing (May 2025).
Motorway tolls
M6 Toll (West Midlands)
A 26-mile stretch of a six-lane motorway that connects M6 Junction 3a at Coleshill Interchange to Junction 11A at Wolverhampton.
The M6 toll uses a zoning system that separates the motorway into three zones. Users are charged different rates depending on the distance they travel. For example, a non-account holder travelling in a car (class 2 vehicle) would pay £10.30 for using all zones or £8.30 for using only two.
M25 Dartford Crossing (Essex)
The M25 Dartford Crossing Toll (or Dart Charge) connects the counties of Essex and Kent via the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge or the Dartford Tunnel.
The toll road no longer allows booth payments. It now uses a remote payment system that requires payment by midnight the day after crossing.
The fee is £2.50 for a road user who:
- Is a non-account holder
- Is travelling in a car or passenger van (fewer than nine seats)
The Dartford Crossing is free to use between 10 pm and 6 am.
A-road bridge tolls
- A4 Batheaston Bridge (Bath, Somerset)
- A15 Humber Bridge (Hull, Yorkshire)
- A3025 Itchen Bridge (Southampton, Hampshire)
- A38 Tamar Bridge (Plymouth, Devon)
- A533 Mersey Gateway Bridge (Halton, Cheshire)
- A57 Dunham Bridge (Lincoln, Lincolnshire)
A-road tunnel tolls
- A19 Tyne Wallsend Tunnel (Wallsend, Tyne and Wear)
- A41 Mersey Queensway Tunnel (Birkenhead, Liverpool)
- A59 Mersey Kingsway Tunnel (Wallasey, Liverpool)
Minor road bridge tolls
- B3129 Clifton Suspension Bridge (Bristol)
- B4044 Swinford Bridge (Swinford, Oxfordshire)
- B4350 Whitney-On-Wye Bridge (Whitney-On-Wye, Hereford)
- B471 Whitchurch Bridge (Pangbourne, Berkshire)
- B5159 Warburton Bridge (Warburton, Greater Manchester)
- Aldwark Bridge (Aldwark, North Yorkshire)
- Cartford Bridge (Preston, Lancashire)
- Kingsland Bridge (Shrewsbury, Shropshire)
Other road charging schemes
Other areas of the country have alternative road charging schemes in place. While not strictly toll roads, they're still worth being aware of.
These areas can cost you money to travel through – depending on the type of vehicle you're driving:
- Birmingham's Clean Air Zone
- The Durham City congestion charge zone
- London's Congestion Charge zone
- London's LEZ and ULEZ zones
How to avoid toll roads
Want to avoid the extra fees that come with travelling on a toll road? It's quite simple.
Many popular navigation apps like Google Maps and Wave have options to find a route bypassing any tolls.
Alternatively, you can put aside a little time to manually plan your route ahead of time. This involves taking account of where the tolls are and making sure to avoid them.
However, be sure to factor in the additional miles that this may add to your journey. Extra miles and more congestion could end up costing more in fuel than the toll fee.
We hope this guide helped you make sense of UK toll roads. Remember: if you ever need to rent a car in the North East, MVH Rental is here to get you on the road. All our vehicles are thoroughly checked and valeted before we hire them out – and you'll enjoy great service and affordable rates to boot. To get started, browse our vehicles online or call (0191) 4888 700.
