A recent data analysis revealed the substantial financial contribution made by vans to toll roads in England. In 2022, they generated a daily estimated revenue of £339,488, resulting in an annual revenue of over £123 million.
Van drivers, who make up 18% of road traffic, are spending more time exploring cost-efficient ways to manage their expenses on the go. Research by Go.Compare Van Insurance highlights the toll roads that are best avoided if van users want to save some cash.
Despite toll roads making up a small fraction of the 187,200-mile English road network, they significantly impact the 3.8 million van drivers regularly crossing the country. However, the impact isn’t always negative, as some alternative routes can be pricier due to the additional mileage.
Comparison of toll expenses vs. alternative routes:
|
Toll |
Toll cost |
Distance on toll route (miles) |
Cost of toll route (fuel and toll) |
Distance on alternative route (miles) |
Cost of alternative route (fuel only) |
Cheaper to avoid the toll? |
|
M6 Mainline |
£15.30 |
27 |
£18.69 |
35.4 |
£4.44 |
Yes |
|
Dartford Crossing |
£3.00 |
1 |
£3.13 |
30.5 |
£3.83 |
No |
|
Humber Bridge |
£1.50 |
1.3 |
£1.66 |
87 |
£10.92 |
No |
|
Tyne Tunnels |
£2.20 |
1 |
£2.33 |
12.6 |
£1.58 |
Yes |
|
Tamar Bridge |
£2.60 |
0.4 |
£2.65 |
22.3 |
£2.80 |
No |
|
Mersey Tunnels Queensway |
£4.00 |
2.01 |
£4.25 |
40.1 |
£5.04 |
No |
|
Mersey Tunnels Kingsway |
£4.00 |
3.7 |
£4.46 |
41.5 |
£5.21 |
No |
|
Dunham Bridge |
£1.00 |
1.4 |
£1.18 |
23.6 |
£2.96 |
No |
|
Mersey Gateway |
£2.00 |
1.9 |
£2.24 |
14.5 |
£1.82 |
Yes |
|
Whitchurch Bridge |
£0.60 |
0.3 |
£0.64 |
9.4 |
£1.18 |
No |
|
Clifton Suspension Bridge |
£1.00 |
0.4 |
£1.05 |
2.4 |
£0.30 |
Yes |
While certain toll roads like the M6 and the Tyne Tunnels appear more costly for van drivers, most toll roads not only offer convenience but also prove cheaper than alternative routes. For instance, steering clear of the M6 could save van drivers a substantial £14.25, adding only around 8 miles to their journey. Considering that there are 9,000 daily van crossings on the M6, exploring alternate routes could result in significant savings.
The comparison site found that van drivers saved an estimated £24 million on fuel costs by using tolls every year. On the other hand, the additional mileage incurred by avoiding tolls might lead to increased vehicle wear and potentially higher insurance premiums.
Tom Banks, motoring expert at Go.Compare, said: “Our research highlights the significant financial impact of tolls on van drivers, it’s evident that navigating these routes strategically can lead to huge savings.
“While tolls offer convenience, our data highlights that certain routes might prove more costly for van drivers. By opting for alternative routes, van drivers can save substantially, a crucial consideration given the high volume of daily van crossings.
“However, it’s essential to weigh these savings against potential increased mileage, which could impact insurance premiums. Finding the right balance between toll use and mileage is key for van drivers seeking cost-effective journeys.”
More information about the research can be found on Go.Compare’s website.
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