⚠ NEW
Map of live M6 traffic speed flow now - see the speed on every stretch of the M6. Tap here.as at 01:45 Sat 3 Oct 2026

Latest M6 Traffic News, Updates & Roadworks

Why not Bookmark M6?if you find our site useful
M6 Traffic

M6 Junctions 40 to 45

1Accidentsreported on the M6 — see details4Roadworks activelive on the M6 right now — see details48Plannedscheduled on the M6 — see details

Live M6 traffic data from National Highways · updated 00:47 Mon 5 Oct 2026

M6

Map of M6 Junctions 40 to 45: Penrith, Carlisle and Gretna

This is section 8 of our eight-part map of the M6: junctions 40 to 45, Penrith, Carlisle and Gretna. It covers about 27 miles of motorway and 6 junctions, passing Penrith, Carlisle and Gretna.

Motorways that join or leave the M6 in this section: A74(M) at junction 45.

Services in this section: Southwaite services (between J41 and J42); Todhills rest area (between J44 and J45).

The busiest stretch the Department for Transport counts in this section is the one it labels J40 to J41, with 65,722 vehicles a day in 2025.

The road on the map is coloured by the live traffic flow speed, the same data as our live M6 traffic flow map. Choose northbound or southbound above the map. Tap any junction number to open that junction’s own page.

← Section 7: J36–J40Back to the whole M6
50 mph +30–49 mphunder 30 mphno live reading
Map of the M6 from junction 40 to junction 45 Scotby Wetheral Great Corby Rockcliffe Beaumont Kirkandrews-on-Eden Cargo Grinsdale Houghton Yanwath Gretna Green Springfield Warwick Blackwell Low Crosby Westlinton Great Blencow Clifton Warwick-on-Eden Warwick Bridge Little Corby Heads Nook Wreay Cotehill Cumwhinton Southwaite Longtown Scaleby Rigg Gretna Cummersdale Durdar Gaitsgill Ivegill Low Braithwaite Calthwaite Skelton Unthank Johnby Greystoke Newton Reigny Little Blencow Dacre Stainton Newbiggin Tirril Sockbridge Plumpton High Hesket Low Hesket Corby Hill Brampton Eamont Bridge Penrith Carleton Carlisle Harker Woodside (caravan site) Dalemain (attraction) Hadrians Park (caravan site) Lazonby Pool Campsite (camp site) Flusco Wood (caravan site) Orton Grange Park Home Living (caravan site) Tullie House (museum) Green Meadows Country Park (camp site) Braids Caravan Park (caravan site) Thacka Lea (caravan site) Former Swifts Golf Course (nature reserve) Engine Lonning (nature reserve) Old Blacksmith's Shop (attraction) Kingmoor North Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Southwaite Green Mill (caravan site) Green Hollows (caravan site) Bleatarn Farm Caravan & Campsite (camp site) Hunley Farm Caravan Park (caravan site) Thacka Beck Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Crosby Camping (camp site) Tymparon Hall (caravan site) Cumbria's Museum of Military Life (museum) Orchard Hideaways (camp site) Hutton-in-the-Forest (attraction) Lowther Holiday Park (caravan site) Kirklinton Hall (attraction) Kingmoor South Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Carlisle Castle (attraction) Stonefold Cottages (caravan site) Ullswater Heights (caravan site) Solway Aviation Museum (museum) Englethwaite Hall (caravan site) Rheged (attraction) Penrith Castle (attraction) Brougham Castle (attraction) Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve (nature reserve) Hesket Park (caravan site) West Brightenflatt Caravan Park (caravan site) Clifton Hall (attraction) Avro Vulcan (attraction) Kingmoor Sidings (nature reserve) High Gaitle Caravan & Camping Park (caravan site) Crossfells Campsite (caravan site) Slapestone Villa CAMC CL (caravan site) Walby Farm Park (theme park) A World In Miniature (museum) Scaleby Hill Vintage Motor Bike Museum (museum) Wetheral Caves (attraction) Cumberland Bird Of Prey Centre (attraction) The Plague Stone (attraction) Gretna Green Experience (museum) Penrith & Eden Musuem (museum) Camping at cardewlees (camp site) Westmorland & Cumberland Yeomanry Museum (museum) Fell Pony and Countryside Museums (museum) Pasturewood Holidays (camp site) Guildhall Museum (museum) J1 J2 J3 J3A J4 J4A J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 J10A J11 J11A J12 J13 J14 J15 J16 J17 J18 J19 J20 J21 J21A J22 J23 J24 J25 J26 J27 J28 J29 J30 J31 J31A J32 J33 J34 J35 J36 J37 J38 J39 J40 J41 J42 J43 J44 J45 Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors© Corporate Ace Limited

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Map drawing © Corporate Ace Limited.

← Section 7: J36–J40Back to the whole M6

The junctions in section 8

All eight M6 map sections

Check the M6 before you set off

Everything currently reported on the M6 is on our latest M6 traffic news page, checked every five minutes. You can also see the live M6 traffic flow map, M6 closures tonight, M6 roadworks and M6 accidents and incidents, or the traffic northbound and southbound.

Live traffic news at M6 Junctions 40 to 45

Incidents and roadworks between Junction 40 and Junction 45 that we are aware of.

  • M6 Southbound Jct 41 entry slip road Lane 1 closure

    Active nowRoadworksNorthbound Slip road closed
    Time now: Monday, 5 October 2026, 00:47

    00:305 Oct 2026reported 17 min ago

    Location
    M6 northbound between J41 and J42
    Direction
    Northbound
    Lanes closed
    Slip road closed
    Reason
    Road improvement or upgrading
    Schedule
    20:00 Sat 18 July 2026 → 06:00 Tue 31 Dec 2030
    ⏳Long-term works - HA planned end: 06:00 Tue 31 Dec 2030.

  • M6 Southbound Jct 40 to 39 Lane 3 closure with Narrow lanes (Mp 459/4 - 455/7)

    PlannedRoadworksSouthbound
    Time now: Monday, 5 October 2026, 00:47

    00:305 Oct 2026reported 17 min ago

    Location
    M6 southbound within J40
    Direction
    Southbound
    Lanes closed
    Lane closures
    Reason
    Maintenance work
    Schedule
    06:00 Mon 24 Aug 2026 → 20:00 Fri 13 Nov 2026

    Forecast - not confirmed

    🚧HA scheduled: 06:00 Mon 24 Aug 2026 → 20:00 Fri 13 Nov 2026 underway until 20:00 Fri 13 Nov 2026

  • M6 Southbound Jct 40 to 39 Lane 3 closure with Narrow lanes (Mp 459/4 - 455/7)

    PlannedRoadworksSouthbound
    Time now: Monday, 5 October 2026, 00:47

    00:305 Oct 2026reported 17 min ago

    Location
    M6 southbound within J40
    Direction
    Southbound
    Lanes closed
    Lane closures
    Reason
    Maintenance work
    Schedule
    06:00 Mon 24 Aug 2026 → 20:00 Fri 13 Nov 2026

    Forecast - not confirmed

    🚧HA scheduled: 06:00 Mon 24 Aug 2026 → 20:00 Fri 13 Nov 2026 underway until 20:00 Fri 13 Nov 2026

    • + 24 more near Junctions 40 to 45 - see all the M6 traffic news →

    This is the news for Junctions 40 to 45 only, not the whole M6. For the rest of the motorway see all the latest M6 traffic news, the overhead signs and the speed limits in force now.

    Updated 00:47 Mon 5 Oct 2026

    M6traffic.co.uk is dedicated to the latest M6 traffic news, checked every five minutes, 24 hours a day. Heading for Manchester? See M60 Traffic for Manchester’s orbital motorway. The M6 meets the M5 near Birmingham — see M5 Traffic.