A1(M) Junctions 40 to 46: Ferrybridge to Wetherby
This is where the northern A1(M) begins: from Darrington past Ferrybridge and the M62, through the point where the M1 ends and merges in, to the A64 and Wetherby. Reports for this stretch are shown below.
The junctions on this stretch
- Junction 40 — northbound, the exit for Hull on the M62, Pontefract on the A162 and Ferrybridge services. Southbound, the motorway ends here and the road continues as the A1 towards Doncaster.
- Junction 41 — the M62: northbound for Manchester and Leeds, southbound for Hull, Manchester and Ferrybridge services.
- Junction 42 — the A63 for Leeds and Selby.
- Junction 43 — the M1. Northbound this is where the M1 joins; southbound you can leave for the M1 towards Leeds and London and the M62 towards Manchester.
- Junction 44 — the A64 for York and Leeds.
- Junction 45 — the A168 for Wetherby and the A659 for Otley.
- Junction 46 — the B1224 for Wetherby and York, with Wetherby services.
Live traffic speed flow: A1(M) Junctions 38 to 47
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.
Go to our live A1(M) traffic speed flow map ›
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.
Where the M1 meets the A1(M)
The M1’s last numbered junction is its Junction 48; after that it merges into the A1(M) at Junction 43. The effect on the counts is dramatic. Between Junctions 42 and 43 the A1(M) carries 54,607 vehicles a day. Between Junctions 43 and 44, with the M1 traffic added, it carries 142,783 — the busiest count on the whole road. See the A1(M) and M1 link roads and M1 Traffic.
How busy is this stretch?
| Stretch | All vehicles | Lorries | Share lorries |
|---|---|---|---|
| J40 to J41 | 67,876 | 12,000 | 17.7% |
| J41 to J42 | 65,075 | 10,802 | 16.6% |
| J42 to J43 | 54,607 | 9,917 | 18.2% |
| J43 to J44 | 142,783 | 18,044 | 12.6% |
| J44 to J45 | 109,039 | 15,806 | 14.5% |
| J45 to J46 | 86,149 | 18,005 | 20.9% |
© A1MTraffic.co.uk · Statistics from the Department for Transport
Between Junctions 41 and 42 there are three count points; we show the busiest, with 63,273 and 61,915 at the others. Between Junctions 45 and 46 a second point records 83,481. Slip roads at Junction 42 and the split carriageways at Junction 44 are left out.
Wetherby
Wetherby Racecourse is near the A1(M) here, so this stretch can be busier on race days. Past Wetherby, lorries are more than a fifth of all traffic — the highest share on the A1(M).
Building the northern motorway
This stretch was upgraded piece by piece: Junctions 43 to 44 in 1999, the length from Junction 40 to south of Junction 43 in 2005 and 2006, with the southern M62 interchange on 13/01/2006, and Junctions 44 to 46 in 2009.
For the M62, see Traffic News England. Previous section: Junctions 34 to 38. Next: Junctions 47 to 56.
Traffic count figures on this page are from the Department for Transport road traffic statistics, 2025.
Live traffic news at A1(M) Junctions 40 to 46
Incidents and roadworks between Junction 39 and Junction 47 that we are aware of.
A1M NB L1 closed between MP 48/6 and 49/4
04:42 (4:42am)10 Nov 2026reported 4 min ago
- Location
- A1(M) northbound between J42 and J43
- Direction
- Northbound
- Lanes closed
- Restriction
- Reason
- Roadside work
- Schedule
- 06:00 (6am) Mon 26 Oct 2026 → 20:00 (8pm) Sun 20 Dec 2026
Forecast - not confirmed
This is the news for Junctions 40 to 46 only, not the whole A1(M). For the rest of the motorway see all the latest A1(M) traffic news, the overhead signs and the speed limits in force now.
Updated 04:47 (4:47am) Tue 10 Nov 2026