A Guide to UK Toll Roads, Bridges and Tunnels

Your complete guide to tolls across the UK

June 18, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle

Want to learn more about the UK’s toll roads, bridges and tunnels: where they are, how to pay, and how to avoid them? This handy guide covers it all.

Whether you frequently travel around the UK or you’re here for the first time, chances are you’ll come across a toll at some point. Let’s face it, nobody likes dealing with toll roads, but they can offer a quicker, less congested route between destinations, making them a tempting option despite the extra cost.

This guide is here to make dealing with UK tolls super easy. We’ll show you where they are, how to pay, and how much it could cost you. Plus, if you want to dodge tolls altogether, we’ve got tips for that too. You’ll also find a handy map and a rundown of some of the main toll roads across the country.

Whether you’re driving or just planning a road trip, this handy guide will help you get to grips with the UK’s tolls and make your journeys smoother and less stressful.

What is a toll road?

Toll roads are roads where you have to pay a fee to use them. You’ll usually find them on motorways, bridges, or tunnels along major routes, but sometimes they’ll pop up on smaller roads too. Simply put, you’ve got to chip in some money to keep going.

Why do I have to pay tolls?

You pay tolls because the money helps keep the roads in good shape and pays for any upgrades or new road work. In other words, tolls help make sure the motorways, bridges and tunnels you use are safe and get you where you’re going faster.

Where are the tolls in the UK?

The UK doesn’t have a huge number of toll roads compared to other countries, but the ones we do have can pop up in unexpected places. Some are well known and hard to miss – such as the Dartford Crossing and M6 Toll – while others are a little more tucked away, and could catch you off guard (and out of pocket).

That’s why it pays to plan ahead. Whether you’re trying to dodge heavy traffic, avoid unnecessary costs, or just want the quickest route, knowing where tolls are can save you time and money. A bit of local knowledge goes a long way.

Here are some of the major tolls drivers often come across. So, next time you’re heading out on a road trip, or just trying to get from A to B without any surprises, you’ll know exactly what to expect and where.

M6 Toll (West Midlands): The UK’s only major tolled motorway, bypassing Birmingham to ease congestion on the M6.
Dartford Crossing (M25, Kent–Essex): A key Thames crossing connecting the M25 via tunnels (northbound) and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge (southbound).
Tyne Tunnels (North East England): Connects Jarrow and North Shields under the River Tyne.
Mersey Gateway Bridge: Connects Runcorn and Widnes in Cheshire, around 12 miles upstream from Liverpool.
Mersey Tunnels: Queensway and Kingsway Tunnels directly connect Liverpool with Birkenhead and Wallasey, respectively.
Humber Bridge (East Yorkshire–Lincolnshire): Spans the Humber Estuary, connecting Hessle and Barton-upon-Humber.
Tamar Bridge (Plymouth–Cornwall): Crosses the River Tamar, linking Devon and Cornwall, however you only have to pay when leaving Cornwall.
Itchen Bridge (Southampton): Connects central Southampton to the suburb of Woolston over the River Itchen.
Batheaston Toll Bridge (near Bath): A privately owned bridge crossing the River Avon.
Silvertown Tunnel (East London): A new road tunnel under the Thames, linking Silvertown (Newham) to the Greenwich Peninsula, located near the Blackwall Tunnel (which now also has a toll fee).

How much are UK tolls?

Toll prices in the UK vary depending on the road, bridge or tunnel you’re using, and what kind of vehicle you’re driving. For example, motorcycles usually pay less than vans or big trucks.

The time of day can also affect how much you pay. For instance, tolls are often cheaper at night than during busy peak hours. In some cases, crossings may even be free at certain times. For example, the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels in London have free crossings between 10pm and 6am, seven days a week.

Here are the current rates (from May 2025) for cars crossing these tolls in the UK, during peak time. It’s a good idea to check the specific toll’s pricing before you travel, just to know what to expect:

Name of toll	Car crossing charge
M6 Toll – West Midlands	£10.30
M25 – Dartford Crossing	£2.50 (increasing to £3.50 in September)
A4 Batheaston Bridge, Bath	£0.80
A15 Humber Bridge, Yorkshire	£1.50
A19 Tyne Tunnels, Tyne and Wear	£2.50
A38 Tamar Bridge, Plymouth	£3.00
A41 Mersey Tunnels – Queensway, Birkenhead	£2.10
A59 Mersey Tunnels – Kingsway, Wallasey	£2.30
A57 Dunham Bridge, Lincoln	£0.50
A533 Mersey Gateway Bridge, Cheshire	£2.40
A102 Blackwall Tunnel, London	£4.00
A1026 Silvertown Tunnel, London	£4.00
B471 Whitechurch Bridge, Berkshire	£0.60
B3129 Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol	£1.00
B4350 Whitney-On-Wye Bridge, Hereford	£1.00
B4044 Swinford Bridge, Oxfordshire	£0.05
Aldwark Bridge, North Yorkshire	£0.40
Kingsland Bridge, Shropshire	£0.30
Cartford Bridge, Lancashire	£0.50

How to pay for tolls

How you pay for a toll depends on the specific road or crossing. Here’s a quick rundown:

Online: Some places, such as the Dartford Crossing in Essex, make you pay online – usually by midnight the day after you’ve used it.
Contactless: Others, such as the M6 Toll, ask you to pay contactless when you enter.
Cash: Then there are still a few that only take cash at the toll booth, such as Batheaston Bridge near Bath.

Keep in mind that some tolls only accept one type of payment, so it’s good to check ahead. Prices usually aren’t too bad either – most car tolls cost a couple of pounds, but on roads such as the M6 Toll, it can go up to around £10.30 for a car depending on where you get on and off.

How to avoid tolls

Toll roads are designed to save time, but if you’re not in a rush or just want to avoid the extra cost, there are ways to steer clear of them.

Use route planning apps

Apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze all let you choose routes that avoid toll roads. Just make sure the setting is switched on before you set off.

Google Maps

Tap the Google Maps icon
Tap the blue ‘Go’ button
Enter your destination
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner
Select Route options
Check Avoid toll roads and tap Done

Apple Maps

Open the app and tap the ‘Account’ icon
Go to Preferences
Select Avoid tolls

Waze

Tap the Waze icon
Tap the three-line menu (hamburger icon)
Go to Navigation
Select Avoid toll roads

Check before you set off

If you’re heading somewhere new, use a route planner in advance. It’ll let you spot any tolls along the way, and give you a chance to plan a different route if you’d rather skip them.

Weigh time vs cost

While avoiding tolls can save you money, it might also add quite a bit of time to your journey. Sometimes it’s worth the fee just to get there faster – but at least you’ll have the information at your fingertips to decide.

Tolls in the UK FAQs

Do I have to pay to use every motorway in the UK?

Nope! Most roads in the UK are free to use. Tolls on motorways are relatively few and usually found on major routes, bridges, or tunnels.

How do I know if I’m approaching a toll road?

Look out for signs: they’ll usually say “Toll” or show a coin symbol. Your sat-nav or map app will often give you a heads up too.

What happens if I forget to pay a toll?

For online-pay tolls such as the Dartford Crossing, you have until midnight the next day to pay. If you miss the deadline, you could get a fine – so it’s worth setting a reminder!

Are there any discounts and exemptions on tolls?

Yes. Depending on who you are and where you’re driving, you might be able to get a discount or even avoid toll fees altogether. Here’s a quick look at the most common toll exemptions and savings available across the UK:

Blue badge holders (Drivers with disabilities)

Many toll roads, bridges, and tunnels offer free travel for drivers with a Blue Badge. For example, both the Dartford Crossing and Mersey Gateway Bridge allow eligible disabled drivers to cross for free. Just be sure to register in advance, as it’s not automatic.

Local resident discounts

If you live near a toll route, you might be able to get a reduced rate or avoid paying altogether. For instance, residents near the Mersey Gateway Bridge can apply for a Local User Discount Scheme (LUDS), cutting costs significantly or even removing the toll completely.

Regular user discounts/prepaid accounts

Frequent driver? You could save by pre-paying or signing up for a tag or pass. For example, the M6 Toll offers a that gives discounted rates for regular users.

Motorcycles

Own a motorbike? You’re in luck! Many routes offer discounted rates for bikes. Crossing the Tamar Bridge eastbound, between Saltash in Cornwall and Plymouth, is completely free for motorbikes.

Emergency services and public service vehicles

Ambulances, police, and most emergency vehicles are usually exempt from tolls on roads, bridges, and tunnels. Some public transport may also be exempt. For example, emergency services don’t pay tolls to ensure they can respond quickly without delay or added cost.

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