M6 Toll: The UK's most expensive road, streets ahead of other tolls

A recent study conducted by a car leasing company has revealed that the M6 toll road in the West Midlands is the most expensive toll road in the UK, charging drivers £8.90 per use. The fee, which has increased by £2.20 since 2020, places the M6 firmly at the top of the list of the UK's most expensive toll roads.

The M6 toll isn't just the most expensive toll road in the UK; it also carries the largest price increase since 2020. For commuters who use the road twice daily, five days a week, this increase means an additional £22 weekly, £88 monthly, and £1,056 annually compared to 2020.

The study reveals the financial burden on regular commuters using these toll roads for work. The average price of a UK toll road now stands at £1.63, with an average increase of 29p since 2020.

The second most expensive toll road is the Tamar Bridge in Plymouth, where drivers now pay £2.60 per use, an increase of 60p since 2020. In third place is the Dartford Crossing in Essex, where the cost remains steady at £2.50 per use.

Next in line are the Tyne Tunnels in Tyne and Wear, charging £2.20 per passage, up by 60p since 2020. The Mersey Tunnels in Liverpool, comprising the Queensway and Kingsway tunnels, share fifth place with a charge of £2.10 each, both up by 30p.

Other toll roads, such as the Mersey Gateway, Humber Bridge, and Itchen Bridge, offer lower charges, though some have still seen minor increases since 2020.

The study provides a comprehensive overview of the UK's toll roads and their costs. For many drivers, toll roads provide vital connections, but the rising costs may encourage some to seek alternative routes or forms of transport.

Tom Preston, CEO and Founder of Hippo Leasing, said: "Our analysis reveals that ten out of the nineteen toll roads in the UK have raised their prices since 2020.

"On average, commuters now face an additional expense of £129.60 per year to access UK toll roads compared to 2020.

"While the M6 toll experienced the most substantial individual price hike at £2.20 per use, soaring from £6.70 per use in 2020 to £8.90 per use in 2024, the cumulative impact on commuters is staggering. For those using it twice daily, five days a week, the toll adds up to a significant annual burden of £1,056, exacerbating the strain of the cost of living crisis."