M6 Toll - Glasgow to Southampton. Do I need to use it?

amurray88_2

Hi All,

Is the M6 Toll on the main M6? I plan to be passing through Birmingham around 4-5am. Do I need to use it?

Thanks!

Gavin83

No. You can just take the normal M6 route if you'd prefer. I think the toll road is there for when the normal M6 has high traffic, which is fairly normal for around there. You'll be fine at that time though.

EssexExile

You choose between the M6 and M6Toll at junction 11A. The toll road is a much nicer drive.

swingaloo

For me its not worth the cost. It doesnt save that much time and at that time in the morning you wont be hitting heavy traffic. There is no advantage to take the toll. Its quite clearly marked as you approach so easy to avoid.

Ozzig

Check if one (or both) are closed before committing either way?

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/road-closure-report/

la531983

swingaloo said:

For me its not worth the cost. It doesnt save that much time and at that time in the morning you wont be hitting heavy traffic. There is no advantage to take the toll. Its quite clearly marked as you approach so easy to avoid.

Think I had to look up a route for someone a few weeks ago and Google Maps claimed the time saving was a whole two minutes. Not really worth the toll.

Aretnap

It's time of day dependant whether it makes a difference to your journey time. At 4 in the morning it will make virtually no difference as there'll be no traffic on either route.

facade

If the traffic is light just stay on the M6 and save the money.

BUT be very careful, the M6 is set up so that you have to turn off the M6 to stay on it!

If you don't follow the (tiny) signs carefully, and keep left you will end up on the Toll Road.

400ixl

The normal M6 should be fine at that time of day.

If you are using a sat nav then set the function to avoid toll roads and it should direct you around it on the normal M6.

Goudy

facade said:

BUT be very careful, the M6 is set up so that you have to turn off the M6 to stay on it!

Yes, watch out for the slip road.
You need to fork off the main motorway to avoid the toll at junction 11 coming from the north.

Also, the normal, free M6 through Birmingham is variable speed limit, with lots of gantries (and cameras).
It's pretty much stuck constantly at 50 mph or but quite often less.

On paper there's not much in it time wise.
In reality the toll tends to be much much faster, even in the early hours.

Mutton_Geoff

And watch out for the gantry signs that say "M6 congested ... M6 toll clear". I expect they leave that on 24 hrs!