M40 Traffic

M40 Traffic News

1Accidentsreported on the M40 — see details0Roadworks activenone active on the M40 that we are aware of12Plannedscheduled on the M40 — see details

Live M40 traffic data from National Highways · updated 12:47 (12:47pm) Fri 23 Oct 2026

M40

Live M40 Traffic Flow Map Now

How fast is the M40 moving right now? This live traffic flow map shows the speed on every stretch of the M40 from Junction 1 at Denham to Junction 16 near Henley-in-Arden, in both directions. Green is moving freely, amber is slow and red is very slow or stopped.

The map is a summary. For the full picture before you set off, see all the latest M40 traffic news, the overhead message signs showing on the M40 right now, and the speed limits on the overhead signs.

Show junctions
Colour the road by
Show on the map

Untick all three to see just the speeds. We show the important overhead signs and the mandatory speed limits (red ring); see every overhead sign.

Key
60 mph +50–5930–4915–29under 15
closedM62connecting motorwayA6A road👈M1our site: tap for its map
services, on the side you can reach them
crashincidentqueueroadworksspeed limitspeed shown on the signsstop-startoverhead sign
reported by drivers, which can’t always be relied onconfirmed by National Highways
Tap a stretch of road to see its speed.
Powered by National Highways' Transport Data Feeds.
In an emergency call 999. To report a problem on a motorway, call National Highways on 0300 123 5000 (24 hours).

NOTE: The speed flow, overhead sign messages or other information shown on our live traffic speed flow map is updated every few minutes. We cross check the data and aim to provide warnings if there could be a delay or an inaccurate speed reading. There can be occasions, beyond our control, and despite our best efforts where the speed flow could be inaccurate. We cannot therefore guarantee the speed you can expect on any stretch of the motorway is always accurately shown. However we hope you will find our live traffic speed flow map a useful tool in trying to plan your journey. Safe driving.

How to read the M40 speed flow map

North is at the top, so Junction 16 is at the top of the map and Denham at the bottom. The left-hand line is the northbound carriageway, towards Birmingham, and the right-hand line is southbound, towards London. Junctions are spaced by the real distance between them, and the miles between each pair are shown on the left. Tap or click any stretch to see its speed and how recently it was measured.

The M40 is around 85 miles long from Junction 1 to Junction 16, so use Show junctions to see only the part you are about to drive, and Colour the road by to switch between plain speed in miles per hour and speed compared with what is normal for that stretch at this time of day.

Services and connecting motorways

A red end on a junction sign with a knife, fork and fuel pump marks services. Connecting motorways, such as the M25 at Junction 1A, and the M42 just beyond Junction 16, are shown in blue. Where we run a site for that motorway, a pointing hand shows the way you turn off; tap it to see that motorway’s site.

For every junction with the roads and places it serves, see the map of the M40 junctions.

Where the speeds come from

The speeds come from National Highways’ traffic data, which combines road sensors with vehicle data, and the map is refreshed every five minutes. Where no recent measurement is available for a stretch, the map shows the speed that is normal there at this time of day and says so when you tap it. Road closures reported by National Highways are shown in red with white crosses. Always follow the signs and signals you can see on the road.

M40traffic.co.uk is dedicated to the M40 between London and Birmingham. Heading on to the orbital? Try M25 Traffic; for the Birmingham end see M42 Traffic.