If you’ve found yourself crawling along the M1 lately, dodging cones and watching your satnav recalculate your ETA every five minutes, you’re definitely not alone.
According to a brand-new survey, the M1 has officially been crowned England’s least-liked motorway, and it’s not a close race either.
Only 57% of drivers said they were satisfied with their experience on the M1—a drop that reflects a growing frustration with the country’s road network.
Roadworks, Cones, and Speed Checks Are Driving People Mad
The biggest complaint? You guessed it—roadworks. Drivers say they’re tired of the never-ending 50mph speed zones and coned-off lanes.
One survey respondent summed it up perfectly: “Miles of coned off road with little or no sign of actual work being done.”
Another frustrated motorist added, “Roadworks and average speed checks.
M1 is a very difficult road to plan time wise.”
It’s Not Just the M1—Satisfaction Is Falling Across the Board
Overall satisfaction with England’s major roads has dipped to 69%, down 2% from last year.
And while drivers say they understand the need for smart motorway upgrades—especially new emergency refuge areas—the constant disruption has clearly worn them down.
Even drivers on the M3 and M27 are speaking out.
One called out the M3’s 15-mile speed restriction as “causing massive delays”, while another slammed the M27 for having “not a single worker on site” during their journey.
They added, “If they worked around the clock, it could be done so much faster.”
A-Roads Aren’t Faring Any Better
Not to be left out, the A47 earned the lowest satisfaction rating overall, with just 56% of drivers giving it a thumbs-up.
One road user pointed to “potholes, gouges, and poor roundabouts” as major issues.
The Bright Side? Some Roads Are Actually Getting Praise
It’s not all doom and gloom. The A30, which runs from Exeter to Penzance, came out as England’s top-rated road.
One driver praised its recent upgrade to a dual carriageway with “new surfacing and improved journey time.”
As a region, the South West of England was the clear winner for road satisfaction, while the M25 region ranked dead last.
Truck Drivers Are the Most Fed Up
Among all road users, lorry drivers are feeling the pinch the most.
Only 55% of them reported being happy with their journeys—unsurprising given the constant road disruptions and tight delivery deadlines they deal with daily.
What the Experts Are Saying
Louise Collins, Director at Transport Focus, the independent watchdog that carried out the survey, admitted that driver frustration is valid.
“Long stretches of roadworks and miles of cones have significantly affected satisfaction levels,” she said.
“While some disruption is necessary to improve roads, this trend shows that National Highways really needs to learn from how it rolled out the smart motorway emergency area programme.”
She added that Transport Focus will be working closely with National Highways to ensure future road projects cause less hassle for drivers.
What’s Next for the M1 and Other Roads?
The good news? According to National Highways, major roadworks on the M1 are finally over—for the first time since 2008.
They say they’ve completed the addition of over 150 new emergency stopping areas ahead of the 2025 deadline originally set by the government.
That’s five years’ worth of work done in just over three.
“Drivers should now experience fewer delays,” a spokesperson said.
And for everyone who’s felt stuck in traffic for half their trip, let’s hope they’re right.
