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About the M6
The M6 is one of England’s most important north–south motorways. It runs from the M1 near Rugby through the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire before continuing through Cumbria to the A74(M) at the Scottish border.
Busy sections include the Birmingham and Black Country corridor, the approaches to Stoke-on-Trent and the North West motorway network around the M56, M62 and M61 connections.
Approximate length232.2 miles
RouteRugby – Carlisle and the Scottish border
Southeastern endCatthorpe, M1
Northwestern endGretna, A74(M)
Major areasBirmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington, Preston, Lancaster, Carlisle
Key connectionsM1, M69, M42, M5, M54, M56, M62, M58, M65, M61, M55, A74(M)
Connecting roads
M6 planned closures and diversions
M6 services
Motorway services guide →M6
RugbyJ1 · Moto
M6
CorleyJ3–J3A · Welcome Break
M6
Hilton ParkJ10A–J11 · Moto
M6
StaffordJ14–J15 · Moto
M6
KeeleJ15–J16 · Welcome Break
M6
SandbachJ16–J17 · Roadchef
M6
KnutsfordJ18–J19 · Moto
M6
Charnock RichardJ27–J28 · Welcome Break
M6
LancasterJ32–J33 · Moto
M6
Burton-in-KendalJ35–J36 · Moto
M6
Killington LakeJ37–J36 · Roadchef
M6
TebayJ38–J39 · Westmorland
M6
SouthwaiteJ41–J42 · Moto
M6
TodhillsNorth of Carlisle · Moto
How busy is the M6?
2025 annual average187,521vehicles a day
J20 to J21 spur · Warrington
23,492 HGVs a day · 12.5% of traffic
Busiest published count location · both directionsM6 route and junction details
Selected junctions and connections. Check signs for permitted movements and current access.
Rugby
- Connects A426
Birmingham
- Connects A446
Walsall
- Connects A454
Stoke
- Connects A500
Knutsford
- Connects A556
M62
- Connects M62
Preston
- Connects M55
Carlisle
- Connects A7
- Connects A38(M)
- A38(M) → M6 northbound
- A38(M) → M6 southbound
- Connects M5
- M6 northbound → M5 southbound
- M6 southbound → M5 southbound
- M5 northbound → M6 northbound
- M5 northbound → M6 southbound
- Connects M54
- Connects M56
- Connects M58, A577
- Connects M61
Catthorpe Interchange
- Connects M1, A14
- Connects M69, A46
- M69 southbound → M6 northbound
- Connects M42
- M6 southbound → M42 northbound
BORDER A74M TRANSITION
- England/Scotland border continuation. Scottish traffic information is separately provided by Traffic Scotland.
- Connects A74(M)
M6 traffic questions
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What are the busiest times on the M6?
Weekday morning and evening peaks are commonly the busiest periods, especially around Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington, Wigan and the major motorway interchanges in the North West. Friday afternoons and holiday getaway periods can also be particularly busy. Live conditions should take priority over typical patterns.
Where are the services on the M6?
There are service areas throughout the route from the Midlands to Cumbria. The M6 services section links to individual pages covering location, operator and available facilities such as food, fuel, EV charging, parking and accommodation where verified.
Which motorways connect with the M6?
Major connections include the M1 near Rugby, the M5 and M42 around Birmingham, the M54 in the West Midlands, and the M56, M61 and M62 in the North West. At the northern end, the route continues towards Scotland via the A74(M).
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