Whether you're a fleet manager planning driver routes, a business traveller navigating the UK's motorway network, or simply looking for the best place to stop on a long journey, knowing your motorway service options can save time, money and frustration.
The UK has 94 motorway service areas spread across its major roads, operated by a handful of major companies and offering everything from basic fuel stops to fully-featured travel hubs with hotels, electric vehicle charging and quality dining. This guide covers everything you need to know about motorway services in 2026.
What are motorway services?
Motorway service areas (MSAs) are roadside facilities on motorways and major A-roads where drivers can stop to refuel, rest, eat and use facilities. Unlike petrol stations on local roads, motorway services have no access to the local road network; you can only reach them from the motorway itself.
UK regulations require motorway services to be spaced no more than 28 miles apart, ensuring drivers always have access to rest facilities. Services must remain open 24 hours a day and provide free parking for at least two hours (though longer stays may incur charges at some locations).
Who operates UK motorway services?
Four major operators run the vast majority of UK motorway service areas:
Operator | Key brands | Notable features |
Moto | Costa, M&S, Greggs, Burger King, KFC, Pret | Largest UK operator, GRIDSERVE EV charging, and Travelodge hotels. |
Welcome Break | Starbucks, Waitrose, WHSmith, Subway | Days Inn hotels, gaming areas, and extensive EV charging. |
Roadchef | Costa, WHSmith, Fresh Food Café | TripAdvisor ratings displayed, loyalty programme. |
Extra | Costa, Greggs, Subway, M&S | Growing chain, modern facilities, strong EV infrastructure. |
Westmorland | Own-brand restaurants, farm shops | Family-owned, locally-sourced food, premium experience. |
Only around 20 motorway service areas remain directly owned by the Department for Transport, which leases them to operators under 50-year agreements. The rest are privately owned.
Best motorway services in the UK
Based on customer satisfaction surveys, user ratings and facility quality, these are the UK's top-rated motorway service areas for 2026:
# | Service area | Location | Operator | Why it stands out |
1 | Gloucester | M5 J11A-12 | Westmorland | 86% satisfaction, farm shop, locally-sourced food, 690 parking spaces |
2 | Tebay | M6 J38-39 | Westmorland | UK's first family-owned MSA (1972), 83% satisfaction, 38 EV chargers |
3 | Leeds Skelton Lake | M1 J45 | Extra | 4.03 user rating, modern facilities, extensive EV charging |
4 | Stafford North | M6 J14-15 | Moto | 12 food outlets, 305 parking spaces, Travelodge |
5 | Strensham | M5 J8 | Roadchef | 4.13 user rating, clean facilities, good food options |
Motorway services with lower ratings
Not all motorway services are created equal. User reviews consistently highlight these locations as having room for improvement:
Bridgwater (M5 J24) – 1.95 star user rating, limited facilities.
Gordano (M5 J19) – 2.67 star rating, dated interior.
Trowell (M1 J25-26) – 2.68 star rating, often congested.
Electric vehicle charging at motorway services
For fleet operators transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure at motorway services has become a critical consideration. All major operators now offer rapid charging, with some locations providing over 50 charging points.
Motorway services with the most EV chargers
Killington Lake (M6) – 74 charging points.
Hopwood Park (M42) – 73 charging points.
Warwick (M40) – 59 charging points.
Tebay (M6) – 38 charging points.
Major charging networks at motorway services include GRIDSERVE Electric Highway (at Moto sites), Tesla Superchargers, BP Pulse and IONITY. Most rapid chargers deliver 50-150kW, with some ultra-rapid units providing 350kW charging speeds.
Motorway services by road
Planning a route? Here's a quick reference of service areas on the UK's major motorways:
M1 motorway services
The M1 runs from London to Leeds with 13 service areas: London Gateway, Toddington, Newport Pagnell, Northampton, Watford Gap, Leicester Forest East, Donington Park, Trowell, Tibshelf, Woodall, Sheffield (Meadowhall), Woolley Edge and Leeds Skelton Lake.
M6 motorway services
The M6 is Britain's longest motorway, with services including: Corley, Hilton Park, Stafford (North and South), Keele, Sandbach, Knutsford, Charnock Richard, Lancaster, Killington Lake and Tebay. The M6 Toll also has Norton Canes.
M5 motorway services
Running from Birmingham to Exeter, the M5 includes: Frankley, Strensham, Michaelwood, Gloucester, Sedgemoor, Bridgwater, Taunton Deane, Cullompton and Exeter.
M4 motorway services
Connecting London to South Wales, M4 services include: Heston, Reading, Membury, Leigh Delamere, Magor, Cardiff West, Sarn Park and Pont Abraham.
Facilities at motorway services
Modern motorway service areas offer far more than just fuel and toilets. Here's what you can typically expect:
Standard facilities
Fuel stations – petrol, diesel, and increasingly AdBlue for HGVs.
Free parking – minimum 2 hours free, with HGV and coach parking.
Toilets and baby changing – free 24/7 access.
Food outlets – from fast food to sit-down restaurants.
Free WiFi – available at most locations.
Additional facilities (selected locations)
Hotels – Travelodge, Days Inn and Premier Inn at many larger services.
Changing Places toilets – fully accessible facilities for people with disabilities.
Showers – particularly useful for HGV drivers.
Gaming zones – arcade machines and entertainment.
Business lounges – workspace with power outlets.
Parking at motorway services
Parking is free for the first two hours at all UK motorway services. Beyond this, charges typically apply; usually around £20-25 for stays up to 24 hours. HGV parking is available at all sites, though space can be limited at peak times.
Services with the most parking spaces
Cobham (M25) – 980 spaces.
Fleet (M3) – 730 spaces.
Leigh Delamere (M4) – 700 spaces.
Gloucester (M5) – 690 spaces.
Motorway service stations: tips for fleet managers and business drivers
Making the most of motorway services can help optimise fleet operations and driver welfare:
Plan your breaks and stops strategically – services are never more than 28 miles apart, but quality varies significantly. Pre-planning routes to include higher-rated stops improves driver satisfaction.
Utilise loyalty programmes – Moto, Welcome Break and Roadchef all offer loyalty schemes that can provide savings on fuel and food.
Check EV charging availability – for electric fleet vehicles, apps like Zap-Map can show real-time charger availability at services.
Consider fuel card benefits – business fuel cards often offer discounts at motorway service stations, helping offset higher pump prices typically.
Allow time for compliance – HGV drivers must take legally mandated breaks; ensuring they stop at services with good facilities supports wellbeing and compliance.
A brief history of UK motorway services
The UK's first motorway service area, Watford Gap, opened in 1959 alongside the M1. It became a famous stopping point, particularly for musicians and bands travelling between London and Birmingham. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix all reportedly stopped there.
Tebay, which opened in 1972 as the UK's first family-owned service area, pioneered the concept of quality, locally-sourced food at motorway services. Its success inspired the development of Gloucester services and has influenced a broader shift toward better dining options across the industry.
Making the most of your motorway journey
UK motorway services have evolved significantly from basic fuel stops to comprehensive travel hubs. Whether you need rapid EV charging, overnight accommodation, or simply a decent cup of coffee, knowing which services offer what, and which to avoid, can make a real difference to your journey.
For fleet operators and business drivers, motorway services are an essential part of the road network infrastructure. By carefully planning your stops and taking advantage of fuel card benefits and loyalty programmes, you can optimise both costs and the driver experience.
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