The M25 has retained its crown as the UK’s worst motorway, according to a new AA poll.
Four out of 10 respondents said the London Orbital motorway was the worst to drive on. In a similar poll carried out in 2013, three out of 10 said the same.
Drivers highlighted a poor surface, excessive noise and the impact of digital gantry boards as key frustrations. Several described hazardous driving behaviour on the M25, with reports of speeding, frequent lane changes and a general disregard for the national speed limit.
The M25 opened 50 years ago and was fully completed in 1986. It is 117 miles long and remains the UK’s busiest motorway. Chris Rea famously declared it the Road to Hell.
The M6 was ranked second, followed by the M1. Comments about the M6 included concerns about frequent accidents and long stretches of reduced speed limits. Drivers also pointed to the removal of hard shoulders and ineffective use of extra lanes as issues affecting safety and capacity.
Drivers have had to endure years of works for the initial smart motorway conversion followed by more misery to add in the extra emergency areas. Most are telling us they have felt little if any benefit from losing the hard shoulder, with many claiming it has led to more congestion.
One driver said they counted down the miles until the end of each smart motorway section and only felt relief once off it.
Nine of the ten motorways ranked worst in the survey have had sections converted into “smart” motorways. This has involved lengthy roadworks and, more recently, the retrofitting of emergency stopping areas.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: “The M25 is notorious for its heavy traffic and frequent delays. As one of the busiest stretches of motorway in the country, it is no surprise that drivers find it frustrating.
“As constant jams and delays frustrate commuters, drivers are always looking for ways to keep the wheels turning. Checking your route before setting off with the AA Route Planner can help avoid sitting at the back of the queue.”
Respondents were also asked to rate the overall condition of the UK’s motorway network. Around one third said congestion was frustrating. Little wonder, as National Highways spends approximately £500,000 annually on motorway maintenance.
Around one in five rated the road surface as poor, while just over one in five rated the surface as excellent.
Yonder carried out the poll online among AA members in February 2025.