Why Use Toll Roads?

Toll roads can be an important part of journey planning, particularly for businesses operating vans, HGVs, and other commercial vehicles across the UK. From the M6 Toll in the West Midlands to major river crossings such as the Dartford Crossing, charges can vary significantly by route, vehicle and payment method.

For fleet operators, understanding where tolls apply, how much they cost, and whether they can be avoided can help with route planning and transport cost management.

In this guide, we explain what toll roads are, how many there are in the UK, why drivers have to pay them, how much UK tolls cost and whether you can avoid them.

What is a toll road?

A toll road is a road, bridge, tunnel, or crossing where drivers must pay a toll to use it.

Unlike most of the UK’s road network, which can generally be used without paying a direct charge, toll roads and crossings operate under specific charging arrangements. The amount you pay can depend on factors such as your vehicle type, the route you use and, in some cases, how you pay.

Tolls are not always charged on traditional stretches of road. Some of the UK’s best-known tolls apply to bridges and tunnels, including:

• M6 Toll: a privately operated toll motorway in the West Midlands.

• Dartford Crossing: the crossing of the River Thames via the Dartford Tunnel and Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.

• Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges: crossings over the River Mersey.

• Tyne Tunnels: road tunnels under the River Tyne.

• Humber Bridge: connecting East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

• Tamar Bridge: connecting Plymouth and Cornwall.

The payment process also varies. Some tolls use free-flow technology, meaning there are no traditional toll booths and cameras or other systems record vehicles instead. The Dartford Crossing, for example, no longer has payment barriers, and drivers must pay by other means.

For businesses, it's important to check the toll payment requirements before travelling, rather than assuming you can stop and pay at a booth.

How many toll roads are there in the UK?

There isn’t a single, universally used figure for the number of UK toll roads because different sources count roads, bridges, tunnels, and crossings differently.

The government's current list includes the M6 Toll and Dartford Crossing, as well as a range of chargeable bridges and tunnels on A roads and minor roads. These include the Humber Bridge, Tyne Tunnels, Tamar Bridge, Mersey Tunnels, Mersey Gateway, Itchen Bridge, Clifton Suspension Bridge and several smaller crossings.

The important point for drivers is that tolls are spread across the country rather than concentrated in one area.

Where are the main UK toll roads and crossings?

This isn’t an exhaustive list of every chargeable crossing, so drivers should check the latest official information before travelling. The government website maintains the current list of toll roads, bridges and tunnels.

What are the benefits of toll roads?

Paying to use a road might seem counterintuitive when free alternatives exist, but there are situations where a toll route makes sense.

Faster journeys

One of the main reasons drivers choose toll roads is to save time. The M6 Toll, for example, provides an alternative to the M6 through the West Midlands. Depending on traffic conditions, using the toll road can provide a more predictable journey than remaining on a congested route.

For businesses, saving time can have a wider financial impact. A shorter journey can mean drivers spend less time travelling between jobs, deliveries or customer appointments.

Potential fuel savings

A longer or slower journey can mean additional fuel consumption. This is particularly relevant for commercial vehicles. If avoiding a toll adds significant distance to a journey, you need to consider the cost of the additional fuel alongside the toll itself.

For example, a fleet operator might compare the Toll cost plus fuel used on the faster route against the additional fuel and driver time on the alternative route. The cheapest option isn’t necessarily the one without a toll.

More predictable journey times

Congestion can make it hard to estimate arrival times accurately.

For businesses working to delivery windows or appointments, a more predictable journey can be valuable. This doesn’t mean a toll road will always be faster, but it can offer an alternative when congestion affects nearby roads.

Less time spent in traffic

Reducing time spent in slow-moving traffic can also make journeys easier for drivers. For fleets completing multiple jobs in a day, even relatively small delays can add up.

This is one reason why toll costs should be considered alongside wider journey costs rather than viewed in isolation.

How much are UK tolls?

There isn’t a single UK toll price. Charges vary considerably between roads and crossings.

The amount you pay can depend on:

• The road, bridge or tunnel you’re using.

• Your vehicle type.

• The number of axles.

• Whether you’re using a car, van, HGV or another vehicle.

• Your payment method.

• Whether you have a pre-paid or registered account.

• Whether you qualify for a local or other concession.

For example, the Dartford Crossing currently charges £3.50 for cars, while two-axle goods vehicles pay £4.20 and vehicles with more than two axles pay £8.40 for a one-off payment. Different rates apply to pre-pay and pay-as-you-go accounts.

The Mersey Tunnels also use different charges depending on vehicle class. From April 2026, the standard Class 1 charge is £2.40, while higher vehicle classes pay more. Pre-paid T-FLOW users can receive reduced rates for some vehicle classes. Because toll prices can change, it’s worth checking the relevant operator.

Do HGVs pay more on toll roads?

In many cases, yes. Toll operators can use vehicle classifications to determine the amount payable, meaning larger commercial vehicles may pay more than cars. For fleet operators, this makes it particularly important to check the applicable vehicle classification before budgeting for a route.

It’s also worth remembering that toll charges are separate from other road-related charges. For example, HGVs weighing 12,000kg or more may also be subject to the UK HGV levy when using main roads. The levy does not replace toll charges.

Why do I have to pay tolls?

Toll charges fund or contribute to the infrastructure and operation of particular roads, bridges and tunnels. The exact arrangements differ between individual schemes.

For example, the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority states that the Tyne Tunnels receive no government or local funding, with costs met through toll charges from road tunnel users.

Tolls can therefore be linked to the construction, financing, maintenance, and operation of specific infrastructure. They can also be used as part of a wider approach to managing traffic and providing alternative routes.

It’s important to remember that a toll is not the same thing as a congestion charge or other road-user charge. The government separately identifies toll roads and crossings from schemes such as the London Congestion Charge and Durham Road User Charge Zone.

Can UK toll roads be avoided?

Sometimes, but not always. If you’re travelling on a toll motorway such as the M6 Toll, you can generally choose an alternative route. However, doing so may add distance and increase journey time.

Other tolls are more difficult to avoid because they involve major bridges and tunnels. If the crossing provides a direct route over a river or through a tunnel, the alternative may involve a significantly longer journey. Before deciding to avoid a toll, consider:

• The toll charge: How much will you actually save?

• Additional fuel: How much extra fuel will the alternative route use?

• Driver time: Will the alternative journey take significantly longer?

• Traffic: Is the free route likely to be congested?

• Vehicle operating costs: Will additional mileage increase running costs?

• Delivery or appointment times: Could a longer journey affect your schedule?

Sat-nav systems can often be configured to avoid toll roads, making it easier to compare alternative routes. However, the fastest route isn’t necessarily the cheapest, and the cheapest route isn’t necessarily the most efficient for a business.

How do you pay a UK toll?

Payment methods vary depending on the toll road or crossing. Some schemes allow you to pay:

• Online.

• Through an app.

• By phone.

• Using an account.

• Through a pre-paid system.

• With a toll tag.

• At participating payment locations.

However, you shouldn’t assume that every toll can be paid in the same way.

The Dartford Crossing is a good example. There are no payment barriers, and drivers generally need to pay by midnight the day after crossing. Accounts can also be used for automatic payments.

The Tyne Tunnels also use a barrier-free system, with drivers able to pay in advance or by midnight the following day. For businesses, having a reliable process for managing toll payments can help prevent missed payments and unnecessary penalty charges.

Can you pay tolls with a fuel card?

Some fuel card products can be used to manage certain toll charges, depending on the card and the services added to the account.

This can be useful for businesses because fuel, tolls and other vehicle-related expenses can potentially be managed through a more centralised payment system.

If you’re new to fuel cards, our guide explains what a fuel card is and how fuel cards work in more detail.

Right Fuel Card offers fuel cards with options for adding certain toll services. For example, RightPay can be used for M6 Toll payments, while some other Right Fuel Card products can also provide access to additional toll services.

For businesses managing multiple vehicles, this can help bring more vehicle-related spending into one system rather than relying on individual drivers to make separate payments.

You can compare fuel cards for your business to see which options could suit your fleet.

What happens if you don’t pay a toll?

Missing a toll payment can result in additional charges or a penalty, depending on the scheme.

For example, Dart Charge must normally be paid by midnight the day after the crossing. Failing to pay can result in a Penalty Charge Notice.

The Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee Bridge crossings similarly require payment for each crossing, with the charging scheme setting the payment deadline and penalty arrangements. For businesses, this is another reason why toll payments should form part of a fleet’s journey-planning and expense-management process.

How can businesses manage toll costs?

For fleet operators, the cost of a toll isn’t necessarily the only consideration. A better approach is to look at the total cost of the journey. For example:

This is particularly important for fleets making regular journeys. A route that looks cheaper because it avoids a toll could ultimately cost more once additional fuel and driver time are taken into account.

A fuel card can also help businesses bring fuel expenditure into one place, with consolidated invoicing and online account management. Depending on the card, additional services such as toll payments may also be available.

If you’re looking for a way to simplify fuel and vehicle spending, explore Right Fuel Card’s range of business fuel cards.

UK toll roads FAQs

What is the cheapest toll road in the UK?

There isn’t one single answer because toll prices vary by vehicle, crossing and payment method. Some smaller bridges have relatively low charges, while major motorway routes and crossings can cost considerably more.

Always check the current charge for the specific route and vehicle you’re using.

What is the most expensive toll road in the UK?

The answer depends on the vehicle classification and how individual tolls are counted. HGVs and larger commercial vehicles generally pay more than cars on many chargeable crossings.

Rather than relying on a single national figure, check the current operator’s tariff before travelling.

Are toll roads free at night?

Not necessarily. Some toll roads and crossings charge 24 hours a day, while others have specific charging hours.

For example, Dartford Crossing charges apply between 6am and 10pm, including weekends and bank holidays. (GOV.UK)

Do electric vehicles have to pay tolls?

Electric vehicles aren’t automatically exempt from every UK toll. Whether you have to pay depends on the individual toll or road-user charging scheme. For example, toll concessions and exemptions vary between crossings.

Can HGVs use toll roads?

Yes. HGVs can use UK toll roads and crossings where permitted, although the charge may be higher than for smaller vehicles. Drivers should check vehicle classifications and any restrictions before travelling.

Are toll roads cheaper than normal roads?

Not necessarily. A toll road costs money to use, while an alternative route may be free. However, the alternative could involve more fuel, additional mileage and a longer journey.

For businesses, it’s therefore worth comparing the total journey cost rather than looking at the toll in isolation.

Can I avoid toll roads on Google Maps?

Navigation apps can often provide alternative routes, and many have options to avoid toll roads. However, the exact settings and route options can vary.

If you’re planning a commercial journey, check the route carefully before travelling, particularly if your vehicle has restrictions relating to weight, height or access.

How do I know if a UK road has a toll?

Look for road signs indicating that a charge applies and check the route before travelling. GOV.UK provides a current list of UK toll roads, bridges and tunnels, while individual operators provide specific information about charges and payment methods.

The bottom line on UK toll roads

Toll roads can add an extra cost to a journey, but avoiding them isn’t always the most cost-effective option.

For businesses, the best route depends on more than the toll itself. Fuel consumption, driver time, congestion, mileage and the reliability of the journey can all affect the overall cost.

Understanding where tolls apply and how to pay them can also help fleet managers avoid missed payments and unnecessary penalties.

And if your business regularly pays for fuel and road-related costs, the right business fuel card can help simplify how those expenses are managed. Depending on the product, you may also be able to add services such as toll payments to your account.

For example, RightPay is a prepaid, pay-as-you-go fuel card that is accepted on the M6 Toll, alongside its wider fuel-card functionality.

If you’re specifically travelling on the M6 Toll, you can also read our guide to how to pay the M6 Toll.