A recent Transport Focus survey has identified the United Kingdom's most highly-rated major roads, with the A30 between London and Cornwall topping the A-road category and the M20 in Kent leading the motorways, both achieving a 79 percent satisfaction score. Other roads in the top five include the M5, A19, and M56.
A30: Cornwall Services and Hog and Hedge
The A30, stretching 284 miles, features Cornwall Services near Bodmin and the Hog and Hedge near Okehampton. Cornwall Services, holding a 3.9-star average rating on TripAdvisor, offers brands like Subway, Costa, Greggs, and Taco Bell, alongside retailers and a Holiday Inn Express hotel. Its McDonald's location was noted as the highest-rated in the UK in a 2024 study. The independent Hog and Hedge service station on the edge of Dartmoor is recognized for its locally sourced food and coffee, earning a 4.2-star average rating on TripAdvisor.
M20: Varied Service Station Experiences
The M20, ranked as the favorite motorway, presents a mixed picture for its service stations. The Roadchef at Maidstone, the only one included in a recent Which? study, ranked 58th out of 92. It received low scores for price, food quality, and outdoor space, despite having a 42 percent overall customer score. Facilities at Maidstone include Costa, McDonald's with drive-through options, Leon, and WH Smith, along with a Days Inn hotel. While some reviews praised cleanliness and food, others criticized the state of the restrooms.
Europe's largest truck stop opened in 2021 near junction 10 of the M20 in Ashford.
M56: Chester Services
The M56, ranked as Britain's second favorite motorway, has Chester Services at junction 14, operated by Roadchef. This 24-hour site received three stars for shop and food outlet range, facilities, cleanliness, and convenience. However, it scored only two stars for outdoor space and one star for the price of goods. The services include Costa, McDonald's, Leon, and a hotel. TripAdvisor reviews for Chester Services have been mixed, with some users reporting negative experiences with staff and parking, while others found the cafeteria satisfactory.
M5: Gloucester Services
The M5 motorway is home to Gloucester Services, situated between junctions 12 and 11A, which has been recognized as the country's top-rated service station. Operated by the Westmorland family, it features a scratch-cooked kitchen using ingredients from over 130 local producers and includes a farm shop. Gloucester Services has consistently topped national surveys, including the latest Which? study, earning five stars in most categories such as cleanliness, facilities, outdoor space, and convenience. The architecture of the buildings has also received awards for its nature-friendly design.
The M5 itself was ranked fourth in the Transport Focus survey with a 78 percent satisfaction rate.
A19: Wynyard Park and Exelby Services
The A19, completing the top five, runs through Yorkshire to Tyne and Wear. It has eight major service stations, including Wynyard Park services near Billingham. This location offers multiple food choices such as McDonald's, Greggs, Costa, KFC, Domino's Pizza, and Toby Carvery, along with a Premier Inn hotel. Parking times vary, with some areas limited to one hour.
Exelby services at Northallerton, a Shell-branded location, gained attention in 2021 for suspending a Formula 1 Ferrari car from its ceiling and has been praised for its pleasant surroundings.