Driving Time Calculator
Road Mix (must total 100%)
Quick Journey Presets
UK Driving Time — What to Expect
Average Speeds by UK Road Type
| Road Type | Speed Limit | Practical Average | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorway | 70 mph | 55–65 mph | Includes congestion, roadworks |
| Dual Carriageway | 70 mph | 50–60 mph | Fewer junctions than motorway |
| Rural A-road | 60 mph | 35–45 mph | Villages, slower vehicles |
| B-road | 60 mph | 25–35 mph | Narrow roads, bends |
| Urban A-road | 30–40 mph | 15–25 mph | Traffic lights, junctions |
| Residential | 20–30 mph | 15–20 mph | Parked cars, pedestrians |
Typical Journey Breakdown
A typical 100-mile inter-city journey in England might break down as:
- 50 miles motorway at average 60 mph = 50 minutes
- 30 miles A-road at average 40 mph = 45 minutes
- 20 miles urban at average 25 mph = 48 minutes
- Total: approximately 2 hours 23 minutes driving
When to Take a Break
The Highway Code (Rule 91) states: "Make sure you are fit to drive. Do not begin a journey if you are tired. Avoid long journeys between midnight and 6am... if you feel sleepy, stop in a safe place."
Research by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recommends stopping for at least 15 minutes every 2 hours. Driver fatigue is estimated to be a factor in around 20% of road accidents and up to 25% of fatal collisions on motorways.
Motorway service stations in England are required to be no more than 28 miles apart. On long journeys, plan your stops at services. Parking at motorway services for up to 2 hours is free.
Traffic and Congestion
UK road traffic is significantly higher at certain times:
- Morning rush hour: 7:00am – 9:00am, Monday to Friday
- Evening rush hour: 4:30pm – 6:30pm, Monday to Friday
- School holidays: Particularly the last Friday before August and Easter holidays
- Bank holidays: Friday evening and Saturday morning before bank holiday weekends
- Christmas: The Thursday and Friday before Christmas Day see very high volumes
The most congested roads in the UK include the M25 (especially the western section near Heathrow), M6 through Birmingham, M60 Manchester orbital, A303 near Stonehenge, and M5 southward in summer.
Fuel Cost Calculation
To calculate the fuel cost of any journey:
Litres used = (distance in miles ÷ mpg) × 4.54609
Fuel cost = litres used × fuel price per litre
Example: 200-mile journey, 40 mpg car, petrol at 148p/litre:
Litres = (200 ÷ 40) × 4.546 = 22.73 litres
Cost = 22.73 × £1.48 = £33.64
Average UK petrol prices in early 2026 are around 148p/litre for unleaded (E10) and 155p/litre for diesel.
Journey Planning Tools
For live journey planning with real traffic data, the best tools are:
- Google Maps — live traffic, re-routing, arrival time estimates
- Waze — crowd-sourced hazard reports, police cameras
- RAC Route Planner — fuel cost calculator included
- AA Route Planner — includes traffic forecasting
- Highways England Traffic Scotland — live motorway cameras and variable speed signs
UK Speed Limits Summary
| Road Type | Cars (mph) | HGVs (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| Built-up area | 30 | 30 |
| Single carriageway | 60 | 50 |
| Dual carriageway | 70 | 60 |
| Motorway | 70 | 60 |
| 20mph zones | 20 | 20 |
Note: Many urban areas now have 20 mph limits. Scotland introduced a default 20 mph limit in built-up areas in 2023. Wales followed in 2023. England has 20 mph zones in many cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average speed on UK motorways?
The speed limit on UK motorways is 70 mph. The actual average speed including congestion, roadworks, and junction traffic is typically 55–65 mph. On very busy motorways like the M25 or M6 through Birmingham, average speeds can be much lower during peak hours — sometimes as low as 20–30 mph in heavy traffic.
How often should I take a break when driving in the UK?
The Highway Code recommends taking a break of at least 15 minutes after every 2 hours of driving. Research shows driver fatigue significantly increases after 2 hours and is a factor in up to 25% of fatal motorway accidents. Motorway service stations in England are required by regulation to be no more than 28 miles apart to ensure a rest stop is always available.
What are the worst times to drive on UK motorways?
The worst times are weekday morning rush hour (7–9am) and evening rush hour (4:30–6:30pm), particularly on routes near major cities. Bank holiday Fridays and Saturdays (especially before Christmas and Easter) see very high traffic volumes. The M25, M6, and A303 to the South West (particularly near Stonehenge) are among the most congested roads in the UK.
How do I estimate fuel cost for a UK journey?
Use the formula: Fuel cost = (distance in miles ÷ mpg) × 4.546 × fuel price per litre. For example, a 200-mile journey in a car achieving 40 mpg at 148p/litre: (200 ÷ 40) × 4.546 × 1.48 = £33.64. Our calculator above includes a fuel cost estimate. Current UK petrol prices (early 2026) average around 148p/litre for E10 unleaded.
What is the average speed on UK A-roads?
A-roads in the UK have varying speed limits — typically 60 mph on rural single carriageways and 70 mph on dual carriageways. The practical average speed including junctions, villages, and slower vehicles is around 35–45 mph on rural A-roads, or 20–30 mph on urban A-roads. A-roads through market towns may have 30 mph limits through the town centre.
How long does it take to drive 100 miles in the UK?
At a motorway average of 60 mph, 100 miles takes 1 hour 40 minutes. On a mixed route (50% motorway, 30% A-road, 20% urban) averaging around 48 mph, it takes about 2 hours 5 minutes of driving time. Always add time for traffic and rest stops — a 2.5-hour estimate is sensible for planning a 100-mile mixed route journey.
Driving Times at a Glance
| Distance | Motorway | Mixed |
|---|---|---|
| 25 miles | 25 min | 35 min |
| 50 miles | 50 min | 1 h 10 m |
| 100 miles | 1 h 40 m | 2 h 5 m |
| 150 miles | 2 h 30 m | 3 h 10 m |
| 200 miles | 3 h 20 m | 4 h 10 m |
| 300 miles | 5 h 0 m | 6 h 15 m |
| 400 miles | 6 h 40 m | 8 h 20 m |
Estimates only. Add time for traffic and breaks.