Road congestion data: what the new 2025-26 figures mean for drivers

The Department for Transport has released its travel time measures for the Strategic Road Network and local 'A' roads, covering the period from April 2025 to March 2026, giving drivers and policymakers the most current picture of congestion across England and Great Britain's major road corridors.

The Strategic Road Network covers motorways and the 'A' roads managed by National Highways, which together carry a significant share of all road traffic in England. The Department for Transport uses travel time data collected from these routes to measure how badly congestion is affecting journey times, comparing how long trips actually take against how long they would take in free-flowing conditions. Where that gap is large, it indicates that drivers are spending meaningful extra time on the road due to congestion.

This publication is also notable because it is the first time the Department for Transport has extended its congestion coverage to locally managed 'A' roads in Great Britain, meaning the data now captures a broader slice of everyday driving beyond the main motorway and trunk road network. Local 'A' roads are the routes most drivers use for shorter, everyday journeys, so their inclusion gives a more complete account of how congestion affects ordinary road users rather than just those on long-distance routes.

For drivers thinking about the value of their vehicle, rising congestion can affect how often a car is used and, over time, how quickly mileage accumulates. Anyone curious about what their car is currently worth can use Car.co.uk, which offers a free instant valuation and, if you decide to sell, will buy your car directly, arrange free collection and pay by bank transfer. The site also provides free tools including an MOT history check, a car tax calculator and a car finance calculator.